Desert Dragon Learning Community

Fun fact: there is another way to fund private education apart from the ESA program! Our tuition for 2026-2027 exceeds the average universal ESA award. So what can families do if your child won’t qualify for enough ESA funds to afford our tuition? Families can apply for state tuition organization (STO) scholarships instead! STOs can be used instead of ESA especially if your family is low-income. We are a partner school with 2 STOs in Arizona: the Institute for Better Education and The Arizona Leadership Foundation. Contact us to learn more about how to apply!

The 2026-2027 Corporate Low-Income Tax-Credit eligibility funding chart is now available! If you’re considering STOs this year, check out this chart 😊

Don’t hesitate to reach out at [email protected] if you have any questions - we are happy to help! 💓

🌵Tucson families! 🌵 Our Summer Session starts Monday, June 1! Join us for the whole session, or by the week.

We are a microschool for neurodivergent middle schoolers, especially students with a PDA profile. Our summer program is open to ages 10-teens.

Our model seeks to foster self-directed learning while providing lots of opportunities for engagement. We have 2-3 student-interest-driven classes a day as well as monthly field trips.

☀️Summer 2026 Schedule:☀️
Mondays: Music, Sewing
Tuesdays: Reptiles, Fun Science, Brain Science
Wednesdays: PE, Social Science
Thursdays: Fun Science, Food Science
Fridays: Film Analysis, Art

Also on the schedule: Visiting the nearby Woods Memorial Library for their summer activities, going to Mt. Lemmon on the last day (July 24), and visiting Groundworks once a month for Music.

We are located on N. 1st Ave. between Glenn and Ft Lowell in the Many Hands Courtyard.

More information and sign up form on our website: https://www.desertdragonlearning.org/summer-program-2026

Picture of Scooby Doo, our resident bearded dragon. 🦎

We’re planning what’s next—and we need YOUR input! 👀
Tell us what you need, what’s working, and where we can grow.
✔ Takes just a few minutes
✔ Helps shape future programming
✔ Optional entry to win a $25 Amazon gift card
👉 Take the survey here: https://forms.gle/CVqPCG2XB1ziuqgx5
Thank you for helping us build a stronger community!

Check out this awesome event happening in the Many Hands Courtyard Saturday, June 20! Organized by the family of two of our students!

So excited to welcome EVERYONE to be a Vendor at our GLOBAL HANDS FAIR!
Celebrate YOUR unique and beautiful cultures by showcasing your arts and crafts!

We are encouraging Children to sign up for their own Vendor space and learn how to sell their arts and crafts as well. (see next post for Childrens info)
It will be a great family event for Tucson!

Sign up now and reserve your vendor space:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmM1GDQUsAaqhfFvynGxBtXWAoifKR3QssMZJoO9zwvQj71w/viewform?usp=publish-editor

The power has been out at our location since Tuesday, but thankfully our friends let us use their space today! We got to have a much longer Music Lab, a paper airplane contest, and a really fun Social Science Lab where we looked at some kids’ doodles and letters from the 1200s as well as ancient Babylon.

Our neighbors AdventureArt have some awesome summer programs coming up! Check it out!

Classes — AdventureArt Classes Classes Clear All | Summer | Camps | Learning Pod | After School | Teens | All Ages | Pottery | Art Education | Filters Categories Clear Teens 3-Day Summer Camp from $70.00 Little Explorers Class $25.00 Sensory-Friendly & Neuro-Affirming Art Exploration $30.00 Private Tutoring with Nancy $50...

Does your neurodivergent kid benefit from a more "unschooling" approach, but still wants social experiences and things to do?

We provide a space for self-directed, student-led learning where we "strew" activities, games, and experiences throughout each day.

Enrolling for Summer and the 2026-2027 school year!

☀️SUMMER☀️: June 1-July 24. $400/week or $3,000/whole 8-week session! Hands-on activities each day! Mt Lemmon field trip the last week of July. Mon-Fri 9:30-3:00 p.m. Ages 10-teens.

✏️2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR✏️: Starts August 3! Mon-Fri 9:30-3:00 p.m.; part and full-time options available! Middle schoolers grades 6-8. Monthly field trips, 2 classes each day, support for parent-chosen curriculum, and access to LifeHub Education where kids earn real $$ for completing work.

Located on N. 1st Ave. in the Many Hands Courtyard.

We are an AZ ESA ClassWallet Vendor!

Reach out to schedule a phone call and tour today!

We’re at the TCC for All in for Autism Dino Day until 1 pm today! Color a bearded dragon with us!

We’ll have a table at the resource fair at All in for Autism Day this Sat., April 25, from 9am-2pm at the Tucson Convention Center! Stop by and say hi!