DESERT SUN ACADEMY Go back
27880 N 64TH ST
CAVE CREEK, AZ 85327
Visit this school's website
Phone: 480-575-2900
School Information
  • GreatSchools Rating: 9
  • Educational Climate: Unclassified
  • Technology Measure: Medium-high
  • Type: Public
  • Grades: Pre-kindergarten - 6th Grade
  • District: Cave Creek Unified School District 93
  • Students/Teacher: 20
  • Students/Grade: 76.5
  • Number Students: 612
  • Number Teachers: 31
  • Number Classrooms: 23
  • Expense/Pupil: $.01 - 4,199.99
  • Poverty Level: 6 - 15.9 PERCENT
  • Number Computers: 300
  • Number PCs: 300
  • Number Macs: 0
  • Principal: Dr Don Wood
  • CHARTER SCHOOL
  • GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAMS
  • ESL
  • SPECIAL EDUCATION
  • ADVANCED PLACEMENT
  • BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
  • ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS
  • YEAR ROUND CLASSES
  • VOC-TECH
  • ADULT EDUCATION
  • NCLB SCHOOL
  • BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL
  • COALITION OF ESSENTIAL SCHOOLS
  • AYP SCHOOL
  • INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
  • MAGNET SCHOOL
School Ratings & Reviews

School Ratings (29 ratings)
Maximum Rating: 5




    School Reviews (20 Reviews)
    Page 1 of 4
    Parent Review | Rating:
    Posted 2012-03-29
    "I am writing in response to the last few unfavorable reviews. This is my 10th year as a parent at DSES/DSA, having had all 3 of my kids attend from Kindergarten to 5th/6th. I served on the PTO board for 2 years & volunteered for 100s of hours in the classrooms, so I do know it VERY well. 1st, DSA has another new principal this 2011-12 year, whom I have only spoken to once, but my kids like him. 2nd, as with any school, there are great teachers and not-so-great teachers (not horrible), but I believe the great ones are the majority, and do an outstanding job educating the students. 3rd, the Everday Math program has been replaced with Go Math & is working well. 4th, a retired couple, both highly educated, volunteer every school day to run the best K-6 science lab & program I have ever seen! 5th, the gifted are clustered as part of an ongoing national study & I do admit they are only partially challenged (my kids are gifted). 6th, Core Knowledge is wonderful! And, finally, yes, there are a few bullies. But, I have yet to find a school that claims they have none? It is an important life skill to learn how to manage them! In summary, DSA is a good school and worth considering."
    Parent Review | Rating:
    Posted 2012-03-29
    "I have two children currently attending Desert Sun and I have nothing but good opinions of this school. The teachers really seem to care about the students and the overall school environment is very positive. Both of my kids love this school and are developing very well in their respective grade levels. The curriculum is challenging but also allows for individual student needs."
    Other Review | Rating:
    Posted 2012-03-28
    "Very disappointed with the "gifted cluster" . Children who are identified as gifted are placed with a group of children for 5 years. If that group of identified gifted children have a group of bully's in that class, your child is stuck with very bright, powerful "mean kids" for the next 5 years. This is what I have observed happening at the school at one grade level. Those bullys need to be separated. Also, by the time they reach 4th or 5th grade they are in the "smart" class which makes them feel even more superior."
    Parent Review | Rating:
    Posted 2011-05-15
    "don't be fooled by this school. The leadership promised us everything we wanted to hear and as it turns out, this school is just an overcrowded "kiddy mill" I have never encountered a more inconsistent delegation. They make strict rules and some teachers follow and some do not. There are old fashioned "time outs" and your child will lose several recesses instead of being taught how to act in social situations. The playground is overcrowded and understaffed. Do not choose this school. It is terrible."
    Parent Review | Rating:
    Posted 2011-02-07
    "I agree with other parents here. The great school ratings are definitely off. Do not be fooled by what they tell you - it is all talk! Believe me, I have been one of those parents who was so impressed by what I saw. The reality this school has serious academic deficiencies. In math the district uses Everyday Math, a program that has little focus on the fundamentals. There is almost no focus in Science. The reading program is a joke. Students are pushed to read words with no regard for building a knowledge base with quality literature. There is no gifted program. The principal talks of gifted clusters but in reality NO effort is made to meet the needs of the gifted/advanced. The smarter kids or top students get left alone in the classes. The advanced classes teach the same as the lower classes. As an educator myself , I was appalled at the lack of caring and assistance from the principal. Teachers say all the right things, giving parents hope and belief that things will change. NOTHING DOES. Best decision I ever made was to pull both kids out!"
    Page 1 of 4
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