Desert Junior-Senior High School

Desert Junior-Senior High School. It is a secondary school located on Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert region of California. The school serves military-connected students in grades seven through twelve and is operated by the Edwards Air Force Base Schools district. It is known for its unique setting and its focus on serving a highly mobile student population from across the United States Department of Defense.

History

The school was established in 1962 to serve the children of personnel stationed at the adjacent Edwards Air Force Base, a major flight test center for the United States Air Force. Its creation coincided with the peak of the Space Race and the development of iconic aircraft like the SR-71 Blackbird at the base. For decades, it operated as part of the Antelope Valley Union High School District before transitioning to the direct administration of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) in the 1990s. This change aligned it with other schools on military installations worldwide, such as those at Ramstein Air Base and Kadena Air Base.

Academics

The school follows a college-preparatory curriculum aligned with California state standards and offers several Advanced Placement courses. Given its student body's transient nature, the faculty emphasizes strategies to support academic continuity for pupils transitioning from other DoDEA schools like Zama American High School or districts across the United States. Special programs include partnerships with the Air Force Research Laboratory and the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, providing unique STEM opportunities related to the base's aerospace mission. The school is fully accredited by Cognia.

Athletics

Desert Junior-Senior High School athletic teams, known as the Scorpions, compete in the CIF Southern Section as part of the High Desert League. Due to its small size, it often fields combined junior varsity and varsity squads. Notable sports programs include cross country, which benefits from training in the desert climate, and basketball. The school's isolation necessitates extensive travel for competitions against schools in the Antelope Valley and San Bernardino County.

Notable alumni

Alumni of the school have often pursued careers in aerospace, the military, and public service, reflecting the environment of Edwards Air Force Base. These include several officers who have served in the United States Air Force and United States Space Force, as well as engineers who have worked for contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Other graduates have entered fields such as state politics within California and journalism.

Campus and facilities

The campus is situated within the secure perimeter of Edwards Air Force Base, requiring visitor access protocols. Facilities include a main academic building, a separate gymnasium, and science laboratories. The stark desert landscape informs campus life, with architectural designs focused on energy efficiency to cope with the extreme heat of the Mojave Desert. The school lacks extensive on-campus athletic fields, utilizing base recreational facilities for practice and competition. Category:Educational institutions established in 1962 Category:Department of Defense Education Activity schools Category:High schools in Kern County, California