Yes.  Desert Sage High School is a public charter school, governed and evaluated by the same criteria and meeting the same (or higher) standards as all other public schools.

We are governed by a volunteer board of directors comprised of educational professionals from a variety of backgrounds, many of whom have expertise in Waldorf education.

Further, we an Arizona nonprofit organization and have federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. 

Desert Sage High School officially opened its doors on August 8, 2022. We are proud to be the fourth public Waldorf-inspired high school in the United States and the first in our community!

At Desert Sage High School, we strive to maintain a balanced approach to homework. As a college preparatory school, we describe the homework load as “medium.” Our goal is to assign homework that provides a meaningful opportunity to reflect on and deepen learning, rather than serving as unnecessary busywork. We aim to support our students' academic growth while respecting their time for personal interests and well-being.

As a public charter school, Desert Sage High School enrolls students until full capacity is reached in each grade level.

Once enrollment has reached its capacity, a waitlist will be established. If openings occur, students will be selected through a lottery, which is a random drawing process.

No, your child does not need a Waldorf school background to feel at home here. Our curriculum is designed to welcome and support students from all educational backgrounds. Many students from traditional schools find they thrive within the Waldorf approach to teaching and learning.

While no high school can guarantee admission to any particular college or set of colleges, Desert Sage High School’s curriculum is college preparatory and will prepare students for admission to a wide variety of colleges, including Arizona’s public baccalaureate institutions and selective colleges and universities. More importantly, our program fosters the qualties that college admissions officers seek in their applicants. These traits include empathy and sensitivity toward others; imaginative, independent, and analytical thinking; the ability to work collaboratively; and an openness to new ideas.

While Waldorf education is rich in the arts, research has shown that in college, Waldorf high school graduates tend to major more in the sciences than in the humanities.

We prepare graduates for adulthood with confidence and self-discipline, fluency with creative and artistic expression, and reverence for the beauty and wonder of life. Waldorf graduates often reflect on their educational experiences with a sense of belonging and excitement for learning, ultimately becoming self-motivated, adaptable, and competent lifelong learners. 

Yes, Desert Sage High School offers sports! We currently have boys' and girls' basketball teams and an after-school indoor rock-climbing club. As our school continues to grow, we look forward to adding more sports and activities to meet the interests of our students.

Making Waldorf education accessible to all of Tucson’s teens is our primary motivation. We also aim to provide an educational choice with a robust arts program, creating a space for families, teachers, and all community members to celebrate community, diversity, and life-long learning.