Clubs and Activities

Concert and Jazz Bands

The Desert Ridge Band program has enjoyed much success since the school opened in 1997. Desert Ridge currently offers three levels of concert band: Beginning, Advanced, and Symphonic.

Desert Ridge also offers two levels of Jazz Band for students who are enrolled in a band or orchestra class during the regular school day who play a traditional jazz instrument (saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass, drums, guitar). Some of our bass, piano and guitar players have been students that play another instrument in one of our concert bands or orchestras.

Visit the DRMS Band Google Site for Classes and Resources

Mathcounts

MATHCOUNTS is a National math enrichment and competition program for middle school students.   At Desert Ridge the coach is a retired mathematician, Dr. Judy Moore.   This activity is a club for advanced math students working to improve problem solving skills. 

Contact

• Judy Moore at judyhmoore@gmail.com or 505-710-6082 to learn more about the program. 
• Emily Bayer at bayer_e@aps.edu or 505-857-9282 x33835

About the National Junior Honors Society

The National Junior Honor Society’s Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes middle-level students’ for their commitment to the five pillars of NJHS: scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. The 500 NJHS students selected for the Outstanding Achievement Award receive a $500 college savings plan to support their educational aspirations. 

                                            Find Details on the National Junior Honors Society Google Site

About Web Leaders

WEB, or Where Everybody Belongs, is a middle school orientation and transition program that welcomes 6th graders and makes them feel comfortable throughout their first year of their middle school experience.

Through this nationally recognized middle school transition program, members of the 8th-grade class are trained to act as positive role models, mentors, and teachers who guide the 6th graders to discover what it takes to be successful in middle school. Schools have reported that the WEB middle school transition program has enhanced anti-bullying efforts, reduced discipline issues, and increased school safety, creating an improved school climate and a greater sense of connection for the whole school.

Contact

• Amanda Sayer, Teacher, (505) 857-9282 ext: 33908

• Coach Contact: Mary Perry (mary.perry@aps.edu) & Suzzette Dickinson (Suzzette.Ramirez@aps.edu)

• Practice: Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri, 3:05-4:30 starting Monday 8/26
• Coach Contact: Amanda Sayer (amanda.sayer@aps.edu)

BOYSBASKETBALL TRYOUTS on October 15-18 from 3:00-4:30PM

TUESDAY:
6TH AND 7TH GRADE
WEDNESDAY:
6TH, 7TH, GRADE (FIRST CUTS)
THURSDAY:
6TH, 7TH, AND 8TH GRADE
FRIDAY:
6TH, 7TH, AND 8TH GRADE

Girls basketball tryouts will start the week of January 7th. You need your physical uploaded onto dragonfly by the 20th of December or you will not be able to try out. If you have a physical from volleyball on dragonfly already you DO NOT need to upload a new one. After submitting your physical log back in, at a later time, and make sure your documents have been cleared or if they need updating. All sections must be filled in on Dragonfly. 

When/Who:
Wednesday 2/19/25 – All 6th - 8th grade girls 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Where:
Desert Ridge Middle School Grass Field 

A physical is not necessary to tryout.
All tryouts will be held at the DRMS field. Proper gear
(Shin guards, socks, cleats, water, athletic clothing)
MUST be present during tryouts. If an athlete arrives
without their proper gear, they will NOT be able to tryout.
Mandatory practice will be on Wednesdays
from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. with a combined boys/girls
practice on Friday from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
-Coach Robledo (Room 201) joey.robledo@aps.edu

When/Who:
Thursday 2/20/25 – All 6th - 8th grade boys 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Where:
Desert Ridge Middle School Grass Field 
A physical is not necessary to tryout.
All tryouts will be held at the DRMS field. Proper gear
(Shin guards, socks, cleats, water, athletic clothing)
MUST be present during tryouts. If an athlete arrives
without their proper gear, they will NOT be able to tryout.
Mandatory practice will be on Thursdays
from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. with a combined boys/girls
practice on Friday from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

-Coach Robledo (Room 201) joey.robledo@aps.edu

Mandatory Parent Meeting

When: February 24th 5:30 P.M
Where: Desert Ridge Main Gym

Physicals MUST be turned in on DragonFly by Febrauary 28th! No exceptions! 

Contact Coach Rockett or Coach O'Connell for questions. 

Email kiersten.rockett@aps.edu and evan.oconnell@aps.edu