There is a huge lack of services available at this school. There is no school cafeteria, the school…read morewill overcharge you for bus service and afterschool care. There is no school nurse, and the school has no contingency plan in place to address sick children or even minor illnesses (like a headache, for example) other than calling the parent to immediately pick up the child. There is no school counselor or psychologist. In the event of student difficulties, teachers will just air whatever half-baked pop psychology trivia they saw on Facebook and hope for the best, instead of actually addressing issues with maturity, understanding, and empathy. There is a dearth of extracurricular activities available to the children. The music "class" is an absolute joke. The children don't get to play any instruments other than beat up, secondhand recorders and cheap drums. How do you expect to inspire children in conditions like these? Already, in fourth grade, in public school, I was able to try many different instruments at school including piano, clarinet, violin, and flute, as well as play in bands and learn lots of different songs under the direction of a trained and experienced music teacher. The children at Desert Star don't get anything like this. I don't see any reflection of Waldorf values in the teaching or administration of this school. The administration has been known to falsify student attendance records to the state in order to maintain school funding. If the teachers were amazing, maybe there's a chance all of these other things could be overlooked, but they are not. There are children in 7th and 8th grade, who, by their teachers' own admission, don't know how to do even basic math. How are these students expected to go on to high school like this? At that age, I had already learned algebra. In short, if you care about your child's wellbeing and education, send them anywhere but Desert Star.

I dunno man, I go here, it's pretty chill. I like most of the teachers...but like some are not peak…read more and the dress code is outrageous I literally want to wear like one thing but they're like "oH wHaT aRe YoU wEarIng" like brotaco you need to leave

I've always been excited about this Montessori School. It's the reason we moved to Sedona. My kids…read morestarted here in 1st grade in 2006. There are small, multi-age classrooms, some seriously dedicated teachers who go above & beyond and so many off campus trips! On a yearly basis: 3rd graders go the Grand Canyon, 4-6th grades go to the Biosphere and several trips to local campgrounds and events, the 6th graders spend a week in Havasupai, the 7th & 8th graders go to Tombstone for a few days, The Montessori Model United Nations students go to NYC for a week & the 8th graders spend a week on Catalina Island. This is in addition to the various local trips that come up throughout any given year for all grades. The Montessori style of teaching allow for the kids to become independent learners. The environment is provided and they are allowed to explore it and in essence, come out of the experience with a lifelong love of learning. Anyone can memorize facts, spit them back & forget them and all my kids will have plenty of time to do that after this school! The creativity each of these classrooms fosters can be seen in their community garden, the after school Farmers Market, the off campus farm, the violin concerts by the 1st through 8th graders, their award winning presence in the St. Patrick's Parade every year, their artistic creations with holiday lights for the past several years at Red Rock Fantasy, their Bohemian Night of the Arts event, the Monthly Coffee House performances, the student created plays by the 4-6th graders, fund raising theater productions by the 7th & 8th graders, internet radio show, their Mystery History presentations where the 4-6th graders have to get their classmates to figure out what historical figure they're portraying in the "1st person style" of performance, and the uniqueness of the set up and decor of each classroom. The three individual classrooms have their own Principal Educator who is with the students on a daily basis, all day long. Currently (2013) the Lower Elementary P.E. (1st-3rd) is Bob http://www.sedonacharterschool.org/#!__faculty the Upper Elementary (4th-6th) is Bill http://www.sedonacharterschool.org/#!__faculty/upper-elementary and the Middle School (7th & 8th) is Kathleen http://www.sedonacharterschool.org/#!__faculty/middle-school Alice is the Business Administrator and Finance Director in the office. http://www.sedonacharterschool.org/#!__faculty/staff The classrooms individually have their own events as well as interdependently coordinate for "All School" festivities throughout the year. The school received an A rating by the State of Arizona this year and is the highest rated Elementary School in West Sedona according to greatschools.org They've gone up and down over the years directly corresponding with which teachers have come and gone. This year, I'm extremely happy with the current team in place in all the classrooms. http://www.greatschools.org/arizona/sedona/#9/schools/ Upon one of my kid's request, I home schooled last year after they spent 6 years here (which, by the way, Sedona has a GREAT Home-school Community!) This year, for 8th grade, they couldn't resist the pull of the trips that happen at this school. For as long as the teachers that are currently there stay on, I can highly recommend this school.

Our children have been going to Sedona Charter School for two years and we really like the…read moreMontessori-style education they teach here. It really allows the student to explore and learn at their own pace and in the mode they learn best.

I was born and raised in India, and lived in Singapore for a few years. Coming to Verde Valley…read moreSchool for 2 years (graduated in 2006) helped me understand, assimilate, and learn the American culture. Additionally, I had classmates that were from many countries like Korea, Germany, Japan, Turkey, and Vietnam among many others. I now have a successful career, the foundation of which was set many years ago at VVS. I didn't even know how to do my own laundry when I came to this school. It really does prepare you for the real world.

Attending this school for two years was a pivotal part of my life. In that period, I grew from a…read moreboy into a young man, developing a sense of world citizenship, environmental stewardship and hard-working leadership. I continue to hold these values very close to my heart, and they have been a springboard for success in my career. Verde Valley has my highest recommendation.

The teachers of t do crap. And the students in which are good always get in trouble for the trouble…read moremakers decisions. The teachers are either sexist or they favorite students it more the middle school teachers than the elementary but still.

They only care about the 'popular' kids. The staff is very clicky. They do not handle bulling at…read moreall or the reprimanded both kids even if the student didn't do anything wrong. They have no school nurse and won't help kids that actually need it. All they do is give bandaids and ice and tell them to go back to class. Or call the parent to pick them up so they don't have to deal with them.

Nice property and parking was good but could use more shade. My husband tripped on the sidewalk…read morebut the boys in parking lot were so helpful.

If you want your child to have lifelong trauma and suffer send them here. I'm literally 32 years…read moreold and still traumatized. They tell you it's new owners but we're all in touch with each other from over the years even if we don't attend together. It's abuse plain and simple. Never send your child here.

My daughter has been home for a year now since graduating from the program at CCA in May of 2011…read more She has now graduated high school after completing her senior year successfully at home. This would have been impossible if she had not attended CCA. She was on a path of self destruction that scared us to death. The environment at CCA is a unique and incredible one that allows young women to unravel their past behavior and its consequences within the confines of a nurturing home setting supported by engaged therapists, loving staff and an executive team that cares about each and every girl on campus. Their commitment to my daughter's recovery amazes me still today. --Submitted by a parent