Events & Dates « Desert Academy

Events & Dates

OPEN HOUSE

Thursday, November 12, 2009
6:30–8:30pm
Prospective students and their parents are invited to visit Desert Academy at our open house. During this informative and interactive evening, students and parents attend a variety of classes and electives, and learn about Desert’s approach to education from each department.

VISITOR DAY

As a means of getting to know Desert Academy even better, students are encouraged to spend a morning shadowing a Desert student or attending Visitor Day on Saturday, February 6, 2010. Students and parents will get in-depth experiences in the classrooms, and with department heads and program coordinators.

SHADOW DAYS

We welcome student shadows on Fridays during the admissions season. Your child will be matched with a current Desert Academy student and will attend classes throughout the day.
Shadowing Dates: November 20; December 4, 11; January 8, 15, 22, 29;
February 5, 19, 26, and March 5.
We ask that you drop off your student at 8:15 am and pick him/her up at 12:10 pm. Please call Polly White at (505) 992-8284, ext. 14 to schedule your child’s shadowing.

COFFEE WITH THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

On shadowing days, prospective parents who drop off their children for shadowing are invited to join the Head of School, Terry Passalacqua, for coffee and an informal discussion about Desert Academy, our philosophy, and the programs we offer. This is an excellent opportunity to find out more about the International Baccalaureate Programme and how it might serve your child.

PARENT VISITS

Parents are always welcome at Desert Academy. If you would like to visit with the Admissions Director, tour the school, talk to available members of the faculty, or get a glimpse of classes in action, please call Polly White at (505) 992-8284, ext. 14 to request an appointment.

EARLY ADMISSION

Often families are interested in receiving an early decision on their child’s application to Desert. A 5% tuition discount is available to prospective students who are enrolled through this early admission process. To be considered, candidates must have submitted their completed application, shadowed, and been interviewed by January 15, 2010. For more information, call Polly White at (505) 992-8284, ext. 14.

MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

Desert Academy’s much-anticipated Merit Scholarship event will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 9am. It is open to all prospective students grades 7 through 12. The deadline to submit the Merit Scholarship registration form to the school is Friday, February 26, 2010 at 12pm.

The event consists of four parts. Students will:

Complete an activities and interest inventory.
Be interviewed by a Desert Academy faculty or staff member.
Take a two-part standardized test.
Write an essay.

Six grants of $8000 each will be awarded as a result of this event. These awards are solely merit-based and completely separate from any need-based award. A Merit Scholarship award will automatically be renewed for your student each year they attend Desert Academy.

CLICK HERE to download the Merit Scholarship Registration Form

REGULAR ADMISSIONS

The deadline for regular admissions to Desert Academy is Friday, February 27, 2010. Prospective students must have submitted their completed application and been interviewed by this date. Decision letters will be received by April 1, 2010. For more information, call Polly White at (505) 992-8284, ext. 14.