Desert Heights Preparatory Academy

3540 West Union Hills Drive

School District

Desert Heights Charter Schools
Grade

5-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
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 July 07, 2023

The school has no experience dealing with children with disabilities. No assistance, advice or referrals. You will not receive support that you need here.
Submitted by student on April 25, 2023

I have gone to this school since I was in the preschool. The teachers are constantly leaving and once they leave you do not get a good education.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2023

My child attended this school. He went on to graduate from Arizona State University Summa Cum Laude on a full scholarship. I drove many miles each day to get him to/from this school because 1) loved that the school required uniforms; 2) Disciplinary issues were quickly addressed and good students didn't suffer from other students who were always acting out; 3) I looked for (really hard) and never found any agendas. They pretty much stick to academic subjects without adding in a bunch of other stupid stuff. 4) Pretty safe campus from what I could ascertain. My kid went there from 6th-12th grade, so this review is based on six years of experience with this schoo.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2020

My children attend Desert Heights and I love it. The staff care about my kids. I have two little ones that are growing and supported. One thing I love as a parent is giving feedback and school listens. I love how involved they are in my child’s life and goals. I appreciate that my kids will get to grow up in the same community and have a home. Desert Heights is a family and place that my kids enjoy while being prepared for life, college, relationships, career, and so much more. I am glad I found a school like this.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2020

The school is okay in some aspects. I love that my kids are bullied less than they were in public school (notice I said less as opposed to not at all). I do feel disheartened by the fact that they can't seem to keep great junior high school teachers. I loved the relationship I had built with the teachers, but feel like there is no point in bothering since they only last for a few months. As a low income family, I feel like our students aren't being lifted up like the others (even though we pay the same excessive fees). And what little they do provide in Arts education is subpar, even though they charge high fees to participate in those programs.This is not the school they sold themselves as when I enrolled my three kids.
Submitted by other on December 26, 2019

Average and not for everyone. Small schools just can't provide the same opportunities my peers have that went to large public high schools (free duel enrollment, low sports fees, free SAT / ACT testing, extracurricular activities). However, this school is great for high school students who would probably slip through the cracks at a public high school.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2019

It took some time for us to get a feel for DHPA, it wasn't until our 2nd year there that we really felt like we had made the best choice. Our kids are happy there and being a part of this school feels like an extension of our family.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2018

The faculty and teachers are professional and really care about their students succeeding. The sports program is amazing! We give DHPA a 5 star!
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2018

Started out good and then they treated my autistic child like a leper. Not only that they allowed their staff to engage with him in an inappropriate manner.
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2018

This school makes you pay for EVERYTHING. Every book your child reads in "Humanities" has to be bought and brought in. Your child cannot even particpate in spirit week without paying. They have to pay to wear pajamas on pajama day. And now it is testing time and they have to bring their own headphones for computer testing or purchase a pair from the office. Thereis absolutely NO art or music at this school either and their new discipline policy is to send students to the aftercare BABYSITTER and have them sit in a classroom with him for the entire day "problem solving." So dissapointed in this school.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2018

This school is excellent! My kids have gone to this school for 8+ years now and I wouldn't move them for anything!
Submitted by student on April 06, 2017

I go here and I love it so much. This school is like my second home
Submitted by other on December 12, 2014

Those 5 star ratings are usually relatives, friends, or family to the school or the staff. Those are not the real inside reviews.This school isn't what it used to be in my opinion. The community used to be small and quiet with respectful kids. These past 3 years have gotten worse. There are so many kids crammed together that are in the same grade level in each classroom that there literally is no where to move to get out of the classroom or for the teacher to move. They want to have a bigger population for 100 children per a grade; what happened to having the smaller classes to focus on individual needs for education? It'll soon be no better than a 2 star public school at this rate.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2014

I am not a family member a staff member or friend of the school. We moved here from the Midwest 4 yrs ago. The school we 1st attended could not meet my over achiever son or my daughter in sp.Ed. needs.5 weeks of struggling we found DHPA.The staff have bent over backwards to make sure my children's educational needs are met. My son will be going to college next year tuition free because of the education he is receiving at DHPA! My daughter will always struggle in school. It's amazing to see how hard the staff works to help her be successful. We have a great dance program. Some how they even got my football playing son to take dance appreciation. The drama club has been successfully amazing us for 5 school years now. Glee club & now band have added to the program. They are constantly improving the school. They're forward thinking using technology. Gives our kids an edge other schools can't. I am thankful for the sports program. My son would never had played football or made captain at another school. My daughter loves cheer. My children have friends in their grade level and out side their grade level.I look forward to the next 2 years and the graduation of my son's class of 2015!
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2014

Another amazing event for all the kids at DHPA. My daughter loves dance class and it was awesome to watch different kids perform in drama, dance and glee. Even the brand new band was super cute to watch. It's very exciting to see the opportunities for the kids to increase as the school grows. Can't wait for them to get their new huge dance room in the gym soon, and a real stage to use, too. Can't wait for the construction to be done after this year and everything settles in. Love the school and feel lucky to have my kids attending when there are waiting lists. I hope the unhappy people who post ugly comments leave and make room for others who really want to be part of something as great as this school.
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2014

Disappointing. They do not have a nurse on staff. My daughter was sick for 1 week and now we are told that she cannot miss any more school. If she is sick they want us to take her to school so they can determine if she is sick enough to stay home. If her temperature is above 101 degrees then she does not have to go to school that day. On top of that they are going thru major construction and this is something that should have been planned for the summer months. The school does not work with the parents they tell the parents. parents have no say. We will be looking for a different school for our daughter to attend.
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2014

We have been a part of the DH family for nearly eight years now. As the school has grown and our child is moving up in grade levels, the focus on athletics has become disproportionate. The school prides itself on family and academics, yet has 5th & 6th grade sports teams that require 5-6 days per week of practice, two+ hours per day. This imbalance is lending itself to a school that caters to only the most committed athletes/families, without consideration for an arts/academic balance. We love the teachers and administration and can't speak highly enough of the family & community...but the sports over-focus needs to be addressed and kept age appropriate.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2014

The school is very strong - they care about their students and treat them with respect and dignity while ensuring they receive the highest level of education. The faculty works hard and is very family oriented.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2014

Desert Heights Preparatory Academy seeks to help students acheive success not only academically but with personal growth, as well. They are a smaller school which enables individual attention with their studies. Our family highly recommends this school.
Submitted by principal on January 31, 2014

It is with great pride that we announce that Desert Heights Preparatory Academy is officially accredited by AdvancED. This includes The North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). This signifies yet another advancement in a program established as a leader in educational excellence.