activities · 30
what they do
direct service · 26
- Deliver Christ-centered education from preschool through 12th grade Christ-Centered K–12 EducationProvides academic, social, and spiritual development in a family-oriented environment for students from preschool through 12th grade, integrating a biblical worldview into all levels of instruction, including dedicated Bible classes and Chapel.
- Deliver bilingual and language support programs English Language Learning ProgramsProvides bilingual education in preschool and teaches Spanish to elementary and junior high students, along with an ELL support program offering academic English instruction and tutoring for international students.
- Elementary Education Christ-Centered K–12 EducationOperates a Preschool through 6th Grade campus and offers an elementary academic program emphasizing mastery of basic skills, Christian worldview integration, dedicated Bible instruction, Chapel, and Spanish language teaching.
- Elementary Education Christ-Centered K–12 EducationOffers an elementary academic program for students through 6th grade, emphasizing mastery of basic skills, Christian worldview integration, dedicated Bible instruction, Chapel, and Spanish language teaching.
- Elementary Education Christ-Centered K–12 EducationOffers an elementary academic program emphasizing mastery of basic skills, Christian worldview integration, dedicated Bible instruction, Chapel, and Spanish language teaching.
- Engage families through parent resourcesProvides a dedicated parent resources page with information and opportunities for engagement to support family involvement in the school community.
- Enroll international students with host family placement International Student Host Family & Support ProgramsWelcomes F-1 Visa international students and supports their integration by matching each with a screened American host family and providing academic and language support.
- Ensure non-discriminatory admissions and program access Non-Discrimination Policy ImplementationAdmits students and administers educational, admissions, scholarship, and athletic programs without discrimination based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, in compliance with federal and state law.
- High School Education Religious-Integrated Secondary EducationProvides a high school education that integrates a biblical worldview into academics to develop students' intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth, including clubs, Bible studies, class trips, and an all-school retreat.
- High School Education Religious-Integrated Secondary EducationOperates a high school campus, leading academic and administrative operations, and providing an education that integrates a biblical worldview into academics to develop students' intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth.
- High School Education Religious-Integrated Secondary EducationProvides a high school education that integrates a biblical worldview into academics to develop students' intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth, including clubs like Student Council and Mock Trial, and an all-school retreat.
- International Student Program International Student Host Family & Support ProgramsWelcomes F-1 Visa international students, matches them with screened American host families, and offers an ELL support program with academic English courses and tutoring.
- Junior High Education Christ-Centered K–12 EducationOperates a campus for Junior High students, providing an academic program focused on excellence, real-world application, spiritual development through Bible instruction and Chapel, and Spanish language teaching.
- Junior High Education Christ-Centered K–12 EducationOperates a junior high program focused on academic excellence, real-world application, spiritual development through Bible instruction and Chapel, and offers Spanish language teaching.
- Junior High Education Christ-Centered K–12 EducationOperates a junior high program focused on academic excellence, real-world application, spiritual development through Bible instruction and Chapel, and Spanish language teaching.
- Operate two physical campuses for Preschool-12th grade Christ-Centered K–12 EducationRuns a Preschool through 6th Grade campus with athletic fields and a farm for hands-on learning, and a separate Junior High and High School campus with a central quad and newly developed educational space; collectively serving students from preschool through 12th grade.
- Preschool EducationProvides Christ-centered, play-based preschool programs with bilingual education, focusing on spiritual development and lifelong learning through hands-on discovery.
- Provide spiritual formation and extracurricular programsOffers discipleship classes, Bible studies, student-led clubs (e.g., Student Council, Mock Trial), class trips, and an all-school retreat to support spiritual growth and student leadership.
- Provide tuition assistance and financial aid support Tuition Assistance for Diverse Student EnrollmentHelps families cover 40% to 100% of tuition through state-funded programs, offers in-house aid for verified financial need, and provides discounts for families in ministry, military, public service, or with multiple children enrolled.
- School Operations and Governance Christ-Centered K–12 EducationOperates two campuses (Preschool-6th Grade and Junior High/High School) and is governed by an elected Board of Trustees, providing academic, social, and spiritual education from preschool through 12th grade.
- Special Education Services Special Education for Learning DifferencesProvides academic support and special education services for students with exceptional learning needs at both the Speedway and Wrightstown campuses, recognizing individual gifts and diverse learning styles within a Christian framework.
- Spiritual Development ProgramsOffers Elementary and Junior High Discipleship Classes, High School clubs including Student Council and Mock Trial, lunchtime and after-school Bible studies, class trips, and an all-school retreat to nurture spiritual growth and strong character.
- Support students with special education needs Special Education for Learning DifferencesProvides special education services at the Speedway campus and offers academic support for students with exceptional learning needs, recognizing diverse learning styles within a Christian framework.
- Tuition Assistance Programs Tuition Assistance for Diverse Student EnrollmentHelps families cover tuition costs using state-funded assistance programs, offers additional in-house tuition assistance for verified financial need, and provides discounts for families in full-time ministry, military, public service, or with multiple children enrolled.
- Tuition Assistance and Financial Aid Tuition Assistance for Diverse Student EnrollmentHelps families cover tuition costs through state-funded assistance programs, offers additional in-house tuition assistance for verified financial need, and provides discounts for families in full-time ministry, military, public service, or with multiple children enrolled.
- Tuition Assistance and Financial Aid Tuition Assistance for Diverse Student EnrollmentHelps families cover tuition costs through state-funded assistance programs, provides additional in-house tuition assistance for verified financial need, and offers discounts for families in full-time ministry, military, public service, or with multiple children enrolled.
capacity building · 4
- Financial Aid Workshops Arizona Tax Credit Scholarship FacilitationHosts Financial Aid Workshops in partnership with The Institute for Better Education to educate families on applying for, giving, and raising scholarship funds.
- Host financial aid workshops for families Arizona Tax Credit Scholarship FacilitationConducts Financial Aid Workshops in partnership with The Institute for Better Education to help families apply for, raise, and manage scholarship funds.
- Maintain accreditation and governance standardsOperates under an elected Board of Trustees, maintains accreditation through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), employs licensed faculty, and is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health, Childcare Licensure.
- School Governance and OperationsOperates under governance by an elected Board of Trustees, maintains accreditation through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), and provides leadership for elementary education, preschool programs, operational leadership, and junior high education.
strategies · 28
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Christ-Centered Education and Discipleship christ-centered_educationThe organization provides a rigorous liberal arts education grounded in a biblical worldview, integrating faith with learning to develop students academically, spiritually, and personally. This approach aims to foster critical thinking, character, and leadership skills for Christian impact and service.
- Christ-Centered Education and Discipleship christ-centered_educationThe organization provides a rigorous liberal arts education grounded in a biblical worldview, integrating faith with learning to develop students academically, spiritually, and personally. This approach aims to foster critical thinking, character formation, and leadership skills for Christian impact.
- Christ-Centered Education and Discipleship christ-centered_educationThe organization provides a rigorous liberal arts education grounded in a biblical worldview, integrating faith with learning to develop students academically, spiritually, and personally. This approach aims to foster critical thinking, character formation, and leadership skills for Christian impact and service.
- Christ-Centered, Faith-Integrated Education Christ-centered educationIntegrates biblical truth and a Christian worldview across all aspects of learning and life, using relational teaching and discipleship practices to foster spiritual, academic, and character formation.
- College and Global Preparation for International Students college_preparatory_educationPrepares international students for higher education through academic rigor, personalized support, and cultural exchange via homestays, fostering global perspective and cross-cultural appreciation.
- Cultural Exchange and Global Perspective cultural_exchangeThe organization promotes diversity, cross-cultural appreciation, and a global perspective by enrolling international students and facilitating homestay programs, preparing them for higher education through academic rigor and personalized support.
- Cultural Exchange and Global Perspective cultural_exchangeThe organization promotes diversity, cross-cultural appreciation, and a global perspective through international student enrollment and homestay programs, preparing students for higher education and broader world engagement.
- Cultural Exchange and Global Perspective cultural_exchangeThe organization promotes diversity, cross-cultural appreciation, and a global perspective by enrolling international students and facilitating homestay programs, while also providing academic rigor and personalized attention to prepare these students for higher education.
- Family and Parent Partnership family-partnership_modelThe organization actively partners with families and parents, viewing them as integral to the educational process. This includes involving parents in governance, supporting their engagement through online platforms, and collaborating on tuition assistance and student development.
- Family and Parent Partnership family-partnership_modelThe organization actively partners with families and parents through various mechanisms, including a parent-representative governance model, a centralized online platform for engagement, and collaborative efforts to support students' education and identify tuition assistance solutions.
- Family and Parent Partnership family-partnership_modelThe organization actively partners with families and parents, involving them in students' education through various means, including a centralized online platform, tuition assistance solutions, and a shared commitment to biblical excellence in education. This partnership extends to a governance model where parents are represented on the Board of Trustees.
- Family-Partnership Discipleship Model family-partnership discipleship modelPartners with families to deliver a rigorous liberal arts education grounded in a biblical worldview, with the goal of discipling students academically, spiritually, and personally through shared responsibility and faith integration.
- Holistic Student Development holistic_student_developmentThe organization focuses on developing the whole student by combining academics, athletics, and outdoor exploration, alongside structured activities, to foster personal growth, identity development, and well-roundedness within a faith-based context. This includes supporting critical thinking, communication, and relational skills.
- Holistic Student Development holistic_student_developmentFosters the full development of each student—academically, socially, spiritually, and personally—through integrated programming that includes academics, athletics, outdoor exploration, service, and relational support.
- Holistic Student Development holistic_student_developmentThe organization focuses on the comprehensive development of students by providing structured activities, combining academics, athletics, and outdoor exploration, and supporting personal growth, identity, and well-rounded experiences within a faith-based context.
- Holistic Student Development holistic_student_developmentThe organization focuses on the comprehensive development of students by combining academics, athletics, and outdoor exploration, alongside structured activities, to foster personal growth, identity development, and well-rounded educational experiences within a faith-based context. This includes developing critical thinking, communication, and relational skills.
- Inclusive, Community-Oriented School Culture community-as-familyCultivates a familial and inclusive environment through nondiscriminatory admissions, cultural exchange programs, and community engagement to promote belonging, diversity, and global perspective.
- Inquiry-Based and Experiential Learning inquiry-based_learningThe organization employs an inquiry-driven, play-based, and child-focused approach to education, particularly in early childhood. This constructivist method believes children learn by investigating and constructing knowledge through hands-on experiences, including the use of outdoor spaces and a working farm, inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach.
- Inquiry-Based and Experiential Learning inquiry-based_learningThe organization employs an inquiry-driven, play-based, and child-focused approach to early childhood education, believing children construct knowledge through investigation and play. This includes integrating outdoor spaces and a working farm for hands-on learning, inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach.
- Inquiry-Based, Experiential Early Childhood Education Reggio Emilia approachEmploys a Reggio Emilia-inspired, play-based, and child-focused approach where children construct knowledge through investigation, outdoor learning, and hands-on experiences on a working farm.
- Parent Engagement and Governance parent-representative governanceEngages parents through representative governance via an elected Board of Trustees and supports ongoing involvement using a centralized digital platform.
- Relational Teaching and Individualized Attention relational-style_teachingThe organization utilizes small class sizes and a relational teaching style to address individual student needs, nurture the whole person, and provide personalized attention, fostering a familial and inclusive environment.
- Relational Teaching and Individualized Attention relational-style_teaching_with_individualized_focusThe organization utilizes small class sizes and a relational teaching style to address individual student needs, nurture the whole person, and deliver a scripturally grounded biblical worldview through critical thinking and Christ-centered relationships.
- Relational Teaching and Individualized Attention relational-style_teachingThe organization utilizes small class sizes and a relational teaching style to address individual student needs, nurture the whole person, and deliver a scripturally grounded biblical worldview through critical thinking and Christ-centered interactions.
- Service-Integrated Learning service-integrated_learningThe organization encourages students to apply their academic learning through acts of service, grounded in Christian love, to foster practical application and community engagement.
- Service-Integrated Learning service-integrated_learningThe organization encourages students to apply academic learning through acts of service, grounding their education in Christian love and fostering a commitment to community impact.
- Service-Integrated Learning service-integrated_learningThe organization encourages students to apply academic learning through acts of service, grounding their education in Christian love and practical application.
- Service-Integrated and Relational Learning service-integrated learningStrengthens learning and character development through service grounded in Christian love and relational-style teaching that leverages small class sizes to meet individual student needs.
named programs · 9
what they call their work
Elementary Program
Grades K-6 academic and spiritual development with Bible instruction, Chapel, art, music, PE, and library skills
Elementary School Program (K-6)
Academic program encouraging high achievement within a challenging, disciplined, and caring environment, with emphasis on basic learning skills, Bible instruction, and additional activities like music, art, and PE.
Exceptional Student Services
Special education support and co-teaching across campuses for students with diverse learning needs
Financial Aid Workshops
Workshops explaining how to apply for, give, and raise funds for tuition assistance programs like ESA and STO.
High School Program
Grades 9-12 rigorous liberal arts curriculum with STEM, humanities, Bible, and fine arts, focused on critical thinking and service
International Student Program
Program supporting international students enrolled at Desert Christian Schools.
Junior High Program
Grades 7-8 curriculum emphasizing skill mastery, real-world application, Bible instruction, and Chapel
Preschool
Christ-centered, play-based learning for 3-5 year olds, including bilingual options and aftercare
Preschool Program
Christ-centered, child-focused, and play-based learning experience fostering a lifelong passion for learning through exploration and hands-on discovery.
relationships · 6
who they work with
- Association of Christian Schools International Network — Accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International.
- Association of Christian Schools International Network — Member school accredited by ACSI
- Speedway Campus Partner — Delivers educational services at the Speedway location
- The Institute for Better Education Partner — Co-hosts Financial Aid Workshops with Desert Christian Schools to educate families on scholarship applications and fundraising.
- University of Arizona Network — Located in the same city and part of the broader educational environment accessible to DCS students.
- Wrightstown Campus Partner — Operates educational and administrative programs at the Wrightstown location