Desert Sage Elementary School

I am so proud to be a teacher and a parent of children that OPEN ENROLL at Desert Sage. I feel supported by the administration, and confident that my children are getting a superior education.
—Submitted by a parent

If I could give this school 0 starts I would. My child was a student there but I took him out after 2 1/2 miserable years. This was my second child going through this school. My first child was an excellent student and is currently at another school in the honors program. When she had a problem with a teacher I felt it was best to go work it out. The teacher told me "I don't get paid enough money to deal with parents like you.". I had he moved to another classroom. This school also uses seclusion and restraint as punishment and either underreports or fails to report it all together. Education was the last thing that happened for my youngest there. The Principal is inexperienced and leans on the district staff to solve her problems. Many kids moved out of there on a variance just like we did. Neighboring Stetson Hills can't take any more of them or Desert Sage might have even less students. Don't send your kids here if you have a choice!
—Submitted by a parent

We have had a great year at Desert Sage. It's a wonderful and kind learning environment. Parents are a huge part of the school community. It's been a wonderful experience and we look forward to another great year next year.

Desert Sage is a caring, nurturing school where the kids flourish. The morning announcements are done by the students each morning and shown in each room on the televisions. I find it funny that the previous parent said that the principal is heard over the intercom every morning. This is absolutely untrue. I also can't imagine what she is talking about when it comes to the curriculum. My children have excelled at this school, and I have never seen any of the things that she mentioned. My son has homework each night, but is also given time to work on it at the end of the school day in class. He was reading leaving kindergarten and all of his teachers have been amazing.
—Submitted by a parent

Kindergarten at Desert Sage is a joke! Who ever heard of baby blocks as part of the curriculum? And the snacks they try to feed the kids are in poor nutritional taste. They are dumbing down the kids even before they get a chance at learning anything. It gets worse, as my other child was in the higher grades, he never got homework! They didn't finish teaching him the whole lesson plans because according to the teacher, the class was unruly. I found that most of the kids there unruly, out of control and very disrespectful. It comes to no surprise since the Principal can be heard yelling at the kids over the intercom every morning. Way to get the day started Mrs. Crain. The environment is not of learning but of chaos. Teachers are just buying their time. If you want your kids to succeed in life, get them out!
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. We got an exception to attend here because I didnt want to put my child in to Constitution.
—Submitted by a parent

We started kindergarten in a different school in the area and it was NOT a good experience so we switched to Desert Sage for 1st and what a turn around. Little disappointed with this year (2nd) and the changes being made by the new principle but we Love our teachers, they make all the difference
—Submitted by a parent

Desert Sage has bent over backward to help each child be successful. My daughter loves her school. I've observed all the teachers and staff do what ever thay can do help the children learn.
—Submitted by a parent

What a horrible experience it was to start my son in kindegarten at Desert Sage last year. My son was diagnosed w/ADHD early in the year and we received little to no support from his teachers and administration. We were told repeatedly that 'he wasn't the only boy in the class with problems and it's just too hard to manage.'
—Submitted by a parent

I have 5 children who have attended schools in PVUSD and DVUSD and also charter schools through out the years (my oldest is 19 youngest schooler is 7 yrs,) This is by far the best elementary school any of them have attended yet! I wish I would have found it before my older children went off to higher grades. I love it!
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent School. My son has gone here for 3 years. The Special Ed classes and the teachers (Mc Cashier)were great. He has grown since going to DS. Principle always involved/talking with the kids. I would highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Awesome teachers. We will be moving this next year but I am very reluctant to changing schools!
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent by all standards. This school has excellent teachers and offers wonderful programs for the students including a well run afterschool and summer program. It says alot when staff from the afterschool and summer program get degrees and become teachers at the school. What great stability for the students. The teachers moving up with the kids(5th to 6th grade) etc. is great and what a great way to continue a successful learning situation.
—Submitted by a parent

We are new to this school, after having our children in another school for 7 years. The difference has been like night and day! One of the first things we noticed was the principal involvement. You always see him around! One of the most impressive things I have seen him do was working along with some kids that were out cleaning up the school yard. I don't know if it was anything to do with discipline, but no matter what, he had a broom in his hands and was working with them. As a parent, that act alone won him over for me! Another note, I find that the teachers are top-notch and the school is doing well academically and I think their programs are helping to turn out 'good kids' who are well rounded!
—Submitted by a parent

My child completed Kindergarten and had a very positive year at Desert Sage. The atmosphere was caring and conducive to learning. We can't wait to start 1st Grade now.
—Submitted by a parent

My son just finished Kindergarten and the Kindergarten Enrichment program. His Kindergarten teacher was wonderful to the children, had a very creative curriculum and was easy to talk to. He couldn't wait to go to school every day. The Enrichment program teachers are wonderful and worked with the other teacher to help his development. This school has a before/after school program that is good as well. My son prefers to go to Gecko Corral rather than his other options. This says a lot about the teachers. I was a volunteer chaperone for the kindergarten class' year end trip to the zoo and there were 15 other parents for our teacher! I want to thank the teachers and staff for making my son's first year at Desert Sage a wonderful one. He is looking forward to 1st grade.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been a student at Desert Sage since 2nd grade. Before that time, we sent him to a private, Christian school in the valley. We were spending a great deal of money every month and he seemed to be having many problems. The teachers told us he was an 'average' student with some 'minor' behavioral problems. Since he has been attending Desert Sage, he has excelled! He just finished the 5th grade, and received straight A'2 the entire year! His teachers have been wonderful to him and a joy for us to work with. He received many honors this year, and the last two, not only for his grades, but for his wonderful attitude and many talents. I have nothing but kudos to give to Desert Sage. They saw in my son what we always knew was there, a beautiful, smart child with a great outlook on life!
—Submitted by Terri, a parent

My daughter is completing grade 1 at desert sage. I have had nothing but positive experiences! her teachers have been caring, and have really brought her out of her shell. She has been encouraged to get out of her comfort zone, and has had significant social and academic development. I love this school!
—Submitted by a parent

Parent envolvement is great. Academics is not the highest I have had my children in.
—Submitted by a parent

Desert Sage Elementary is an average school. If you want a feel-good, politically correct school this is the place for your children. Keep in mind that this school is a latex-free campus because one student has some type of allergy to anything made with rubber. Your child will not be allowed to use sports equipment common in other elementary schools, such as basketballs, footballs, kickballs, etc., but they can always just hang-out and talk with their friends.
—Submitted by a parent