HERITAGE

Desert Christian High School opened in 1986 following two years of planning and praying by four core families who envisioned a quality Christian high school on the east side of Tucson. Believing God was using them to accomplish “big things,” these families stepped out in faith and commitment. In space rented from Christ Community Church, the high school opened its doors with just 23 students in grades 9 and 10, and a combined full and part-time staff of seven.

In 1991, with an enrollment approaching 100 students, and outgrowing the facilities at Christ Community Church, DCHS moved to the El Camino Baptist Church campus. Following God’s leading the Board of Trustees expanded the school by adding the Middle School in early 2000 and the Elementary School in 2004.  Again led by God, our current property was purchased at 7525 E. Speedway and the campus opened in 2001.  The site presently houses the middle school and the high school while the elementary school is at the El Camino Baptist Church site.  Desert Christian Schools serves 252 high school, 149 middle school, and 169 elementary students.  The schools are served by 67 full and part-time faculty and staff.

Desert Christian Schools is in its twenty-second year of offering Christ-centered education. Respected academically, 95% of our graduates attend colleges, universities and military academies across the United States. In the last three years, 152 graduates earned approximately $4 million in scholarships for academic achievement, leadership and athletics. The middle school has produced first place finishers in regional ACSI Math Olympics this year and top finishers in the Regional Spelling Bee.  Students at all three schools consistently earn high marks on achievement assessment at the local, state, and national levels, with DCHS having four National Merit Scholarship winners in the last five years.

Our performing arts and musical theatre department has established a reputation for excellence.  The Southern Arizona Shakespeare competition has sent three DCS students to its national competition at NYC's Lincoln Center in recent years.  USA Weekend named the 2006 DCHS production of "Camelot" the "Best High School Musical" in Arizona.  Athletically our boys and girls teams have distinguished themselves by winning many Conference and State titles and character awards.  In May of 2007, DCHS received the highest Arizona Interscholastic Association state honor, The Blue Cup Award, which recognizes the excellence of our co-curricular activities and the school's achievements in "Pursuing Victory with Honor."  In February, Desert Christian was also awarded the Boyd Baker trophy for outstanding sportsmanship among all 1A-5A high schools in Southern Arizona

The story of Desert Christian Schools is indeed a story of God's faithful leading and abundant blessing in every aspect of school life at the high, middle, and elementary levels.  We praise Him!