Desert Choice (DCS) is a fully accredited K-12 Private Day School that has been approved by the Arizona Department of Education to provide Special Education Services for the following disability categories: Autism (A), Emotional Disability (ED), Mild Intellectual Disability (MIID), Moderate Intellectual Disability (MOID), Other Health Impaired (OHI), Specific Learning Disability (SLD), and Speech-Language Impairment (SLI).
Frequently Asked Questions
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
| Q: | What does “School within a School” mean? |
| A: | Desert Choice Schools (DCS) offers Districts a “School within a School” model which locates classrooms on public school sites. By choosing the DCS “School within a School” model, Districts are able to significantly reduce costs associated with tuition, related services and transportation by educating students as close to their home as possible. This model results in an increased rate of reintegration when compared to students in a separate private program or facility. |
| Q: | How many Special Education students are enrolled in each classroom? |
| A: | Class size is limited to 8 to 10 students in order to maintain the integrity, purpose and structure of Desert Choice Schools (DCS) programming. |
| Q: | How do I place a student in the DCS program? |
| A: | Please Contact Us at the Corporate Office and we will connect you with the appropriate staff member to discuss placement. |
| Q: | Does my District need to complete a Request for Proposal (RFP) for DCS services? |
| A: | No, DCS is a certified Private Day School that has been approved by the Arizona Department of Education to provide Special Education Services for the following disability categories: Autism (A), Emotional Disability (ED), Mild Intellectual Disability (MIID), Moderate Intellectual Disability (MOID), Other Health Impaired (OHI), Specific Learning Disability (SLD), and Speech-Language Impairment (SLI). |
| Q: | How will my District benefit by using the DCS program? |
| A: | Please Contact Us at the Corporate Office and we will connect you with the appropriate staff member to discuss how your district will benefit from our unique instructional model and partnership opportunities |
PARENTS
| Q: | What is the benefit for my child to attend DCS? |
| A: | Desert Choice Schools’ PBIS model is the vehicle through which we teach academics and social skills. We are able to provide a small, structured environment that teaches and reinforces pro-social and positive behavior with the goal of preparing your child to return back to his or her home school with the tools needed to be successful. |
| Q: | Will my high school age child be able to earn credits at DCS? |
| A: | Yes, all students remain enrolled in their home school district while attending DCS and, as long as they pass their classes, they will earn credit towards their high school diploma. |
| Q: | Can my high school age child graduate high school while in the DCS program? |
| A: | Yes, many students have been graduated by their home school district and attended all of their home school graduation ceremonies. |
| Q: | What happens when my child’s IEP team has determined him or her ready to return to his home school? |
| A: | An IEP meeting is held and the team develops a reintegration plan. This plan includes training and support for the receiving district staff from the DCS team. |