Desert Heights Charter School

5821 West Beverly Lane

School District

Desert Heights Charter Schools
Grade

K-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

charter

School Map for Desert Heights Charter Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on April 11, 2023

This school is a disservice to students of all abilities and backgrounds, especially those with disabilities. They have limited special education services and lack the trained staff to assist.
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2019

My son just finished kindergarten at Desert Heights and we absolutely love it. The staff has excellent communication with the parents. My son had ADHD and was on an IEP when he started and in just one year his behavior and his academics have completely turned around. I would highly recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2019

My experience at desert heights has been wonderful. They truly care about the success of the children. The community is great, I like the communication. The principal is amazing and deals with situations effectively! My children love their school and teachers!
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2018

I love this school and the family environment it provides. I couldn't imagine taking my kids elsewhere. They started at Desert Heights Preschool at 2 years old and will be stay with Desert Heights all the way to graduation at Desert Heights Preparatory Academy!
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2016

I am very proud and happy that I have two kids who are on the preschool program. My eldest is now in kindergarten. My second is in pre-k class. Both went to Mrs. P.'s class. They love Mrs. P. We all love Mrs. P. I will make sure that my youngest will go to her class soon.
Submitted by teacher on November 19, 2015

We are so grateful for this amazing school. Mrs. Fuller, a kindergarten teacher, is particularly amazing! She works tirelessly to engage a room full of 5 and 6 six year old and does an amazing job. The progress I see in my child is blowing me away. Our family will be forever grateful for Mrs. Fuller and this amazing school. Yay Desert Heights Charter School!
Submitted by parent on July 24, 2015

We have had an immensely positive experience with Desert Heights Charter. The teachers take a genuine interest in the students and are constantly searching for the best ways to have them absorb and retain the lessons.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2015

I am very grateful to have Mrs. Penalosa as my daughter's teacher last school year in preschool. My daughter improved so much on her speech and cognitive skills. We are so proud of her. Mrs. P's class is so organized and very well-managed. She is on top of everything especially with communication and making sure that her students are always taken care of. This year, my daughter moved up. Sad to say, she changed a lot. She always goes home sad and disappointed. Her cubby is FULL OF TRASH. I don't see not a single arts and crafts, workbook page, portfolio, and worst... not a single test. Report card is still questionable. Her teacher is hardly being seen by the students every single day. There is no Sign Language, Spanish, and Healthy Choice class too. Classroom is such a MESS. If you have a 3 year-old child and looking for a preschool program, enroll at Desert Heights Preschool but be sure to go to Mrs. Penalosa's classroom.
Submitted by parent on April 03, 2015

I just withdrew my daughter from this school. They don't get to actually check books out from the library. They don't have extra challenging work for the kids who are ahead, even though it was promised. The office staff is dishonest. They overcharge for field trips to make a profit for school. They don't follow through on promises. They make all the children who are not testing leave campus for lunch and recess so it can be a "Quiet campus." They leave field day, without taking roll to account for every child. The nurse's office is 2 square feet. The cafeteria is run like a military school, and children are so squished together, they can barely move. The playground is tiny, with no swings. I never knew a "boring" playground existed. This school looks and sounds so wonderful, which is why we enrolled my child, but we certainly found out otherwise later. Positives: The teachers there are very fashionable
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2015

I do not recommend this school. HIGH teacher turn over rate. Students with emotional or physical disabilities are not welcome. Fundraising money goes to the Prep school and the Charter is ignored. STAY AWAY
Submitted by parent on December 11, 2014

Every child, should be given equal opportunity to grow both emotionally, socially, and academically. However, this is not the case with DHCS, with severely limited resources kids are not able to participate in key school functions. Academically a smoke and mirrors scenario of quality educational is an illusion. In reality, children are not challenged. Sure, the child may receive all "A's", however the "A's" are meaningless when the homework is well below the child's grade level. Enrolling your child or children in this school is doing them a huge disservice. Concerned parent that pulled their child from this school. It was the BEST decision.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2014

Desert Heights Preschool is just simply the BEST. This is our first year in the preschool program and my daughter simply LOVE her teacher, Mrs. Penalosa. My daughter can't stop talking about her all the time at home. I really appreciate how my daughter is treated in this school. She came in very shy, and now... wow... I would say she progressed 110%! Above and beyond our expectations! Keep it up Preschool!
Submitted by other on April 30, 2014

desert heights isn't a terrible school despite the HATERS out there it s a well respected school. For all people HATING on Mr. Jiles you try handling over 1000 all together,
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2014

This is our first year at this school and we are very impressed. Our children have improved not only academically but socially and emotionally as well. I don't think that we were ever on the school's campus that every single teacher wasn't smiling. Desert Heights is a very welcoming school and I am so glad that we are a part of it.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2014

This school cares about the children and their education. I am proud to have children attending this school. The faculty works hard and is very family oriented.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2014

Best preschool ever! Love the teachers and the extra mile they go to ensure a healthy, safe, enriching program for our kids.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2014

We love Desert Heights Charter School! The second grade teachers, after care teachers and principle are great!
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2014

DESERT HEIGHTS CHARTER AND PRESCHOOL IS NOT JUST A SCHOOL, ITS A COMMUNITY OF CARING FOLKS WHO LOVE KIDS. OUR PRINCIPAL AND STAFF ARE POSITIVE PROBLEM SOLVERS AND FUN LOVING PEOPLE. I WISH I HAD MORE TIME TO VOLUNTEER AT OUR SCHOOL, BECAUSE MY PARENTING SKILLS ARE STRENGTHENED BY WATCHING STAFF INTERACT WITH OUR KIDS. OUR ENTHUSIASTIC AND SKILLFUL TEACHERS ARE VERY ENCOURAGING, HELPING OUR KIDS TO BECOME BETTER THAN THEY BELIEVED THEY COULD BE. THE CREATIVE WAYS OUR STAFF HELPS OUR KIDS TO LEARN NEW CONCEPTS CONTINUES TO AMAZE ME. OUR TEACHERS HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TALENTS THAT HAVE BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES, GIVING EXTRA TO OUR KIDS WHEN THEY ARE STRUGGLING IN AN AREA. WE KNOW WITH THE COMMON CORE STANDARDS CREATING INCREASING WORK AND DIFFICULTY FOR OUR STAFF THAT THEY THEMSELVES HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND TO HELP OUR KIDS GET AHEAD SOME SO THEY AREN'T AT RISK OF FALLING BEHIND WHEN FACED WITH CHALLENGES.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2013

Desert Heights had been a better than average school until this year. With the implementation of the Common Core State Standards the school has become mediocre at best. Teachers, fearful of students not meeting the benchmarks in tough subjects (i.e. mathematics), have begun teaching to the lowest performing students. Students are told that if they don't meet the standards, they will not be promoted to the next grade. While this may be true, students should not be provided with this information. Good teachers should have the skills required to teach students of all ability levels in one classroom. Sadly, the new teachers hired this year lack these necessary skills and the students are suffering.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2013

I love DHCS and DHPA. I have three children that attend the school, and I have never been at a school before where the teachers go above and beyond. Both principals at both campuses have great communication with the parents, and I can tell that the teachers truly care about the students.