Course Catalog
Desert Heights is committed to our 3 pillars of Academic Excellence, Integrity of Character and Social Awareness in each individual student. This vision is a driving force in determining our educational program and offer to students.
All students are educated on the Arizona Educational Standards for their grade level which can be found here.
Our teachers utilize the curricular resources adopted by our school to deliver the standards in an engaging way and to ensure mastery. All daily plans and resources can be found in our student and parent information system (StudentVUE and TeacherVUE)
Our curriculum and academic programs are selected to meet the varying needs of our students in academic ability, diverse learning style, while remaining age and grade-level appropriate. Curriculum begins in our Pre-K program and extends through our elementary, middle school and junior high programs, our goal being consistency and vertical alignment. In high school our curriculum is focused on preparing students for college and the workforce. We offer advanced coursework in honors courses starting in first grade and ending in tenth and then extending into opportunities in Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment courses. All of our curriculum provides opportunities for remediation and extension as needed as well and adheres to the universal design for learning principles.
Our curriculum is research-based and vetted and has been carefully selected by our board-approved curriculum adoption process that includes our Curriculum Review team along with the inclusion of several stakeholders from the community to review and vet curriculum.
See below for grade level and content specific curriculum:
Our classes focus on skills young minds need to successfully transition to Desert Heights Charter School with age appropriate learning in the following subjects.
- Math
- Literature
- Art
- Science
- Social Studies
- Writing
Students additionally learn foreign language, both Spanish and Sign Language, and they participate in a fun and exciting class called Music and Movement, where they will learn that dancing, music, and exercise is both fun and educational.
In addition, all classes will participate in our Healthy Choices Program, which not only teaches the children to eat healthy and exercise, but it helps them identify what is a healthy snack and how it helps our bodies grow up strong. Lastly, our Pre-K exclusive Science program teaches the children countless things about our scientific world. They will learn many “Big Words”, and will dive into and explore everything from Anatomy to Space.
Our K–5 academic program provides a strong foundation in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies through a well-rounded, knowledge-based curriculum.
- Amplify CKLA: A comprehensive ELA curriculum that blends foundational skills with rich content knowledge in history, science, literature, and the arts.
- Carnegie Learning Clear Math Elementary: A hands-on and visual approach to building deep understanding and fluency in elementary math concepts.
- Core Knowledge: A content-rich curriculum that promotes academic excellence and builds strong background knowledge across multiple subjects.
Our middle school curriculum is designed to transition students into more advanced subject-specific learning while developing critical thinking, collaboration, and academic independence.
- Amplify ELA: A rigorous, standards-based ELA curriculum designed to strengthen reading comprehension, writing, and analytical thinking.
- Amplify Science: A next-generation science program combining hands-on investigations with engaging digital simulations and literacy-rich activities.
- Carnegie Learning Middle School Math Solutions: A research-backed curriculum that focuses on problem-solving and conceptual understanding in math.
- Savvas Learning Middle Grades: A variety of core subject materials including social studies and science tailored to middle school learners.
Our high school academic offerings prepare students for post-secondary success with a blend of college-preparatory core subjects and specialized electives.
- Savvas Learning MyPerspectives ELA: A student-centered ELA curriculum that connects literature, informational texts, and writing in meaningful ways.
- Savvas Learning enVision Mathematics: An interactive and rigorous math program that encourages problem-solving and deep conceptual understanding.
- Savvas Learning Biology: A comprehensive, inquiry-based biology curriculum focused on real-world applications and scientific literacy.
- Savvas Learning World History & American History: Rich, engaging content that connects students to the events and people that have shaped the world and our nation.
- Cengage Learning: College-level coursework and digital learning tools that support AP and dual enrollment courses.
- Savvas Learning Auténtico & Wayside Publishing EntreCultures: Spanish language programs that promote communication skills and cultural competency.
- Pearson Higher Education: Advanced learning solutions used in select high school and dual enrollment courses for college preparedness.
*Note: Some high school courses utilize specialized curriculum. Course-specific syllabi are provided by instructors at the beginning of each term.
Our electives enrich the student experience and offer exploration into career pathways, arts, technology, and health.
- Learning.com: Digital literacy skills and foundational technology instruction.
- Code.org: Engaging computer science curriculum designed to introduce students to programming and problem-solving.
- Naviance: A college and career readiness platform that supports goal setting, planning, and student success.
- Flex – Art of Education: Online art instruction that promotes creativity, technique, and visual expression.
- ETR – HealthSmart: Evidence-based health education that supports healthy decision-making and wellness.
