Desert Dragon Learning Community

09/15/2026

Thank you Arizona Public Media and Noor Haghighi for sharing the work we do!

But proponents of microschools fear future reforms to the state voucher program could slow the movement’s growth.

09/11/2026

We're starting a series of social events based on our students' special interests so they can meet more kids who share those interests! First up: JoJo Friday! Join us to watch Episode 1 of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run the day Netflix releases it! 5-7 p.m.; $10 for non-Desert Dragon students, and $5 for Desert Dragon students. We'll have JoJo-themed food! We know how that sounds, and we promise it will actually be edible! Sign up on our website: https://www.desertdragonlearning.org/social-events (link is on Instagram bio)

09/01/2026

Join us and other microschool families for pizza and fun! Proceeds benefit the Southern Arizona Microschool Collective! Thurs. Sept. 10 from 5-7 pm at the Peter Piper Pizza on 22nd and Alvernon.

07/24/2026

Parents have been asking, and we're listening! We're opening up a few spots for elementary-school-aged kiddos! Priority is for students with a PDA profile who are in need of a learning space where their unique needs can be met but we are open to any student with unique learning needs!

DETAILS:
⏰ Full-time (4-5 days a week) and part-time (1-3 days a week) enrollment options.
💻 Access to optional digital curriculum programs, including LifeHub, where students earn real money for completing quizzes, games, and lessons; and MindPlay, an Orton-Gillingham-based reading program. MindPlay also includes Math!
📓 Support for parent-chosen curriculum
🔬Daily Learning Lab class with hands-on engaging activities
🚐Monthly field trips
🤝Parent co-op model; parents will sign up for days/times to help out throughout the day if available and interested!

DM us, or contact Annie at [email protected], or complete the interest form on our website: https://www.desertdragonlearning.org/

We are a ClassWallet direct-pay vendor and are located in Tucson, AZ on N. 1st Ave just N of the University of Arizona.

All of our staff have IVP fingerprint clearance cards and extensive experience working with neurodivergent youth.

07/16/2026

😎 We have spots open for the 2026-2027 academic year! 😎 We start back August 3! Take this quick "quiz" to see if your student might be a good fit for our program: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q8VZVGG

06/01/2026

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! 💓

05/26/2026

🌵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. 🦎

05/24/2026

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!

05/22/2026

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