Desert Springs Preparatory Elementary School

Desert Springs Prep is a welcoming and wonderful community of bright students, involved parents, excellent teachers, a new highly qualified principal, a supportive district, and a challenging curriculum. This year is especially exciting with the extended academic day and lots of new/state-of-the-art technology! Desert Springs has always been and will continue to be an academically competitive elementary school with lots of PTA funded programs/events/activities that supplement and support an environment of learning, community, and fun!
—Submitted by a parent

We open-enrolled our first child at Desert Springs Preparatory Elementary School in 2005 after a very thoughtful and deliberate process of evaluating many local schools. We continue to be impressed by the entire Desert Springs community administration, staff, students, and families. The school has become like a family to us. The teachers have taken a very personal interest in each of our children, providing extra attention when they have struggled in certain subjects and providing more challenging assignments when teachers felt the kids could handle it. The gifted program is second to none. Over the past few years, the school has implemented a Core Knowledge curriculum, made significant investments in technology for the classrooms, and implemented a more structured dress code that all serve to increase the academic performance. If you are considering this school, I encourage you to sign-up for a school tour or come by for the annual spring carnival so you can experience first-hand the many aspects of what this school has to offer. It is truly a gem in our community.
—Submitted by a parent

Truely a Great School, DSPES is the place for your student if you are seeking a school with a strong sense of school community, professional and friendly administration, knowledgeable teachers, strong principal leadership, and cutting edge technology. Core Knowledge Curriculum has been adopted on campus and has had a tremendouse positive impact on the students. A new "structured" dress code has allowed students to focus on their academics and makes students look neat and well-kept. The special areas of Music, Computers, Literacy, P.E., Art, Band, Strings & Choir give students a well-rounded education and a good balance to Core Knowledge. This school also has wonderful PTA that provides several free family events during the school year. Each month there is a community building PTA event. Three of my children currently attend DSPES and my oldest, who is now a freshman within the PV District, attended DSPES K-6th Grade. DSPES is worth a closer look!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school! Great teachers, involved principal, wonderful family community, strong PTA and nice students. The new curriculum is very engaging and special area's are an added benefit to the school day. I love the new structured dress code. It is not as extreme as a full-uniform school, but provides students with several choices of appropriate daily dress attire. My children enjoy the free dress day on Fridays! The new upgrades to their technology department is a strong academic enhancement that all students benefit from. Teacher's care about their students and want all students to succeed and are willing to work with parents to ensure the sucess of every student. Check out DSPES if you are looking for the perfect elementary school.
—Submitted by a parent

There's still areas for improvement. The new core curriculum has promise, but the material is new to the teachers and lesson plans are poorly developed. Tests are given without objectives to learn. Sometimes answers on tests are graded wrong (presumably by teacher aides). The AR computer system needs tweaking as students take tests on a similarly titled book and are unable to stop the test or have the teachers throw out the results - this has been the case for several years.
—Submitted by a parent

The improvements to Desert Springs in the last two years have been amazing. The atmosphere is warm and friendly, yet the academics are still challenging. The students are happy and proud of their school. The principal, teachers, and parents work collaboratively to do what is best for the students. The Core Knowledge curriculum, is enhanced by technology, and other tools including Accelerated Reader and Study Island. The gifted program/teacher is outstanding. The PTA supplements the school with wonderful events and programs like the Family Picnic, Carnival, Bingo Night, Artists in Residence, and even the new APEX Fun Run. What a "Great School"!
—Submitted by a parent

We moved from another public school in the area and are so glad that we did! We have never seen such a dedicated faculty and staff. There is a sense of community the moment you walk through the door and are greeted by the front office smiles. The new Principal is very involved and having such involved families has made for the best PTA we have seen. Of course we were a bit nervous moving our child when he had spent more than half of his elementary years at the same school, with the same children & teachers. It was a big change for him and he just wanted to know that he could go back if it was really bad. Well, he had a huge smile when we picked him up after the first day and has never looked back. He is happy to be accepted as the "new kid" and we are so happy with the education he is getting through the Core Knowledge program, full-time gifted, special area classes, & all of the bonus activities he is involved in.
—Submitted by a parent

With the principal change, the next year will be a good one at Desert Springs- look for families who left the school to return and an new environment of openness and acceptance to fill the atmosphere. The viel of secrecy and ruling by fear has been lifted!

Desert Springs Elementary acts as an extension of the family. The atmosphere is friendly and the environment instills behavior, attitudes and educational curiosity. Desert Springs gives a foundation that will help my children prepare for future academics and more importantly guides them with values and morals that will make them an upstanding contributor to society.
—Submitted by a parent

I think it is a great school. I switch my daughter from another school and since she has been at Desert Springs Elementary School she has been learning a lot and has made some really good friends. The staff is very helpful and everything they have to offer for the kids is great. The principal is really doing a great job!
—Submitted by a parent

The staff and teachers truly care about every child! No problem, no matter how small, is left unattended! Academic work is very good and the parent community is incredibly involved in the everday school life! We are a happy to have been lucky enough to ' find' Desert Springs!
—Submitted by a parent

Desert Springs is a very warm and welcoming school. The teachers and principal are outstanding. They also have a great PTO. My family has 7 kids that have gone to or still attending Desert Springs, out of the 7, 6 are open enrolled! We moved back home when my daughter was almost done with 1st grade, it was such a positive experience that we have never left the school. She is now in 8th grade and still visits teachers and faculty, both her siblings are at Desert Springs. All four of us have made great friends and even better memories.
—Submitted by a parent

Amazing Smaller, High Quality, A+ Rated, Master's Level Teachers Elementary School. Strong Community and Neighborhood, best school in 85254!
—Submitted by a parent

Great environment, with a collection of tenured teachers, & a fabulous PTA parental support.
—Submitted by a parent

It has some of the best Teachers. The computer program is one of the best and it is sad that it is being reduced. Also has a great PE program.
—Submitted by a parent

Great Staff!! Great Families!! Great Programs!! Great School!!
—Submitted by a parent

DSES is the perfect, family-friendly, community oriented school. If you want a place where your kids are known and understood and their needs are met with individual attention, kindness and caring for a superb learning experience, definitely consider this school. We love it.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school with solid support from teachers, admin, parents, PTA, and community.
—Submitted by a parent

Desert Springs has exactly the warm, friendly environment you'd expect from a neighborhood school. The principal is highly visible and seems to know each child and parent by name. The class sizes are small, with individualized instruction, and the PTA is extremely active. It's a place where we've confidently placed our children, and trust that they receiving a quality education. Apparently, many others feel the same, as a large percentage of the students actually live outside the school's boundaries, which means their parents made the conscious choice and extra effort to enroll them there. We are extremely happy to be part of the Desert Springs community!
—Submitted by a parent

We have competent, loving teachers that are passionate about teaching our kids. I was educated in a private school and was concerned about not being able to afford a private education for my children. No worries with Desert Springs. My children have received (and are receiving) an excellent education.
—Submitted by a parent