Camelback Desert School

9606 East Kalil Drive

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

40 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-1
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 18, 2024

Love everything about this school. Amazing teachers and staff that truly love and care for the children! The kids do so many fun extra-curriculars here (Spanish, art, PE, music, nature play, swimming) they never have a chance to be bored. They learn through playing which is wonderful and love going to school. Truly the best pre-school around!
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2018

Really fantastic all around. We really appreciate it.
Submitted by parent on July 31, 2018

Excellent, Experienced, Passionate Teachers! The “Specials” teachers are invaluable and incredible!
Submitted by other on May 01, 2017

We love Cambelback Desert! The small class sizes allows my child to thrive. We love that she either has music, spanish, art, technology, or PE twice every day! My child was not fully reading when she entered kindergarten and now she is. She is also thriving in Math, as well as in Spanish. The community at this school is amazing. The teachers and parents all work together to help our children's education be the best it can be.
Submitted by parent on April 27, 2017

I feel so lucky to have found CDS. They have all wonderful teachers, amazing curriculum and great families. Just tour the school, you will fall in love. Its worth every penny.
Submitted by teacher on December 13, 2016

CDS is a wonderful family oriented school with an amazing and caring staff. It is a safe, secure and nurturing environment. The value of small class sizes and sense of community should not be dismissed. I highly recommend CDS if you want to raise a confident child.
Submitted by parent on December 07, 2016

This school is very quickly dying. It USED to be a great school, maybe three years ago. It is now just about done for. The elementary school has entire GRADES with NO STUDENTS at all. The third and fourth grade is actually combined, with only a handful of kids. No second grade and no fifth grade or above. Teachers are pretty much stressed all of the time, most of them already looking for new jobs for next year. It is a shame, we used to love this school, but we just can't recommend it any longer.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2016

As a parent of two children who have attended Camelback Desert since 2009, I think the school, teachers, curriculum and students are outstanding. All of the teachers are motivated to teach, to connect with their students and to help their students find their special gifts. Not only is there an emphasis on learning at CDS; but also the importance of being good citizens of the world. Even among amazing educators, there are some teachers that standout at CDS.....Ms. McCarter (PreK), Ms. Sully (K) and Ms. Petterson (2nd Grade). These women know how to make learning fun; as well as enriching academically. I highly recommend CDS; and am baffled by some of the bitter parent reviews. Clearly parents can have different experiences at the same school....but leaving anonymous reviews regarding a school/teacher is not the avenue I would take if was dissatisfied with my children's education. I believe CDS to be a wonderful option for your children's education.
Submitted by teacher on May 21, 2016

I had a wonderful experience teaching at Camelback Desert School. The school has a great family feeling to it and the staff is very helpful and caring. I find the recent reviews of this school to be dishonest. Working at the school everyday I see everything first hand. All of the teachers care about their kids education and well being. The small class sizes really help the kids get the most out of their education. The specialist teachers are awesome and passionate about their jobs. I would highly recommend sending your child to Camelback Desert School!
Submitted by parent on May 20, 2016

My child was a student in kindergarten this past school year at CDS, and I have to say that I am thoroughly disappointed in the school. The education was more than substandard- my child had trouble with simple concepts like the alphabet and counting to 20. I tried numerous times to contact the kindergarten teacher and the principal, but my concerns were brushed aside each time and I was treated as an overreacting parent. I now have to spend all summer trying to get my child caught up with their education, and was even forced to hire a professional tutor. The school is not even close to worth the ridiculous amount of money it demands as tuition, and I wouldn't send my child there even if it were free.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2015

Not the best year at Camelback Desert School! I have loved the teachers at this school but the First grade teacher was not great:( It is always sad to see when children are not validated because they are judged on past experiences. To be a great teacher you must judge each individual incident as it occurs. What makes a great school beside the teachers and community is the head of the school! "People do not remember what you do, they only remember how you made them feel"
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2015

We have two boys in 2nd and 4 th grade and are enrolling again next year. This school helps develop confident, academically strong thinkers with an emphasis on character and team work. All the staff are loving and purpose-driven and know us and our children. There is a strong sense of community and all interactions with staff and parents have been kind. We would keep our boys here forever if we could as they are truly developing into well-rounded, happy little men. Communication with the principal and teachers is exceptional. My son was able to take a field trip to Washington DC in 4 th grade and had an amazing experience. Organic food with a gluten free option is definitely a plus! Highly recommend this treasure of a school - we looked everywhere in the valley when we moved here 2 years ago and were lucky to discover Camelback Desert.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2014

What a fabulously nurturing community! The teachers actually care about each child's progress and draws them out of their shells to let them be full participants in their learning. With collaborative experiences through grades, a Cultural Fair, specials like PE, music, technology, Spanish, and art each day of the week, and meticulously coordinated concerts, our daughter is receiving a top notch, well-rounded education at CDS. Couldn't be happier.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2014

My daughter is currently enrolled in Camelback Desert School's Pre-K 2 class. She missed the kindergarten cut off and my husband and I felt daunted as to where to enroll her for fear of boredom or regression. At CDS we have seen anything but. She is engaged and thriving. Her teachers have a wonderful rapport with her and she is more excited about learning than I have ever seen. The focusing on reading and phonics is apparent. My daughter is well on her way to reading in just two months of school. We feel so blessed to have found CDS. The school offers multiple opportunities to be involved in your child's education. They provide families with the opportunity to connect with each other through events held on campus. The staff takes an active and genuine interest in all the children. I feel welcome each and every time I step on campus. There wasn't a better choice for our daughter or our family as a whole.
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2014

So far we are in the beginning stages of pre-k 2 education with only a few months under our belt and so far this school has exceeded ALL our initial expectations. The staff is friendly, competent, helpful and engaging with students and families. Our teacher, Mrs. Whitney, and her teacher assistants, are very caring and nurturing. From what I've seen up to this point, I would highly recommend this school to other family friends.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2014

This is quality, great education and on a personal one-on-one level. The teachers and principal will always listen and help make this a personalized education for your child! One of the best art and music programs around! I could not be happier!!
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2014

There is something magical about this school. The academics are top notch, taught in a way that is fun for the students and promotes a love of learning. The principal and teachers genuinely care about all of our children and I can't imagine sending my child anywhere else. This is truly a supportive and nurturing community.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2014

My daughter has attended CDS going on two years now. She absolutely loves going to school every day! The staff is very nurturing and loving. I am always amazed at the things my daughter comes home telling me about what she learned. They don't even realize that they're learning because they are having so much fun. It is truly a one of a kind school that you won't find anywhere else in the valley! There is no better feeling than dropping your kids off at school, knowing they are safe, loved, and getting the best education, all at the same time.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2014

Camelback Desert School is a gem in the desert. The moment you walk on the campus, there is a good feeling. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning and critical thinking, and the art/music/technology classes are terrific. It's a small school, so it's easy for students and parents to immediately feel a part of a community. There is a good sense of aesthetics - the students eat outside at pleasant picnic tables that are shaded (misters in the hot months), there are two attractive playgrounds and a field so the students aren't stuffed inside all day. The classrooms all have windows - and windows that open - unlike many AZ schools where the students don't see natural light al day. The caliber of the teachers is excellent. There are 2 swimming pools so the students can swim during PE in the hotter months.
Submitted by parent on October 16, 2014

I LOVE this school. Nowhere else in Arizona do you get the proper balance of love and academics. We have been with CDS 3 years now and feel blessed to have found it and to be a part of something so wonderful. The kids are great, the parents are awesome, and each member of the staff has love for each child and a passion for what they do. It's such a happy school:-).