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Growth Tier

Desert Horizon School

Scottsdale, AZ

Sun, space, and serious academics. A school where students thrive through focused study, outdoor training, and discovering what they’re capable of in the wide-open desert.

School Type
Private Day
Location
Scottsdale, AZ
Living Style
Host Family
Tuition Tier
Growth ($25K–$40K/yr)
Programs
F-1 Private Placement
Best For
Active outdoor learners

Why Desert Horizon School

Sun, space, and a school built around the whole student.

Outdoor Lifestyle

Scottsdale’s 300+ days of sunshine mean outdoor PE, desert ecology field trips, and wellness programming that keeps students active and healthy year-round.

College-Prep Academics

Strong AP offerings with a focus on business, communications, and the sciences. Small classes mean personalized attention from faculty who know every student by name.

Wellness Focus

A school-wide commitment to mental and physical wellness. Mindfulness programming, nutrition education, and structured outdoor time are built into the daily schedule.

What GLA Places Students Into

Desert Horizon School partners with GLA for international student placements with full academic and wellness support.

Full-Year F-1 Enrollment

Complete academic year with host family placement. Students are fully integrated into the school community with access to all programs and activities.

Wellness & Leadership Track

A structured extracurricular track focused on personal development, outdoor leadership, and community service.

College Counseling

Personalized university guidance starting in junior year, with test prep, essay coaching, and campus visit coordination.

Academics & Curriculum

Rigorous college prep rooted in real-world learning — indoors and out.

Average Class Size
14 Students
AP Courses
11 Available
IB Program
No
STEM Focus
General — Business & Science
Graduation Rate
96%
College Placement
93%

Strong Programs

Business Studies, Communications, Environmental Science, Psychology, and Digital Media.

Foreign Languages

Spanish and French.

ESL Support

Structured ESL with outdoor learning activities, presentation skills coaching, and academic English immersion.

Admissions Requirements

What you need to know before applying.

English Test Required
TOEFL 60+ or iTEP 3.5+
GPA Requirement
2.8+ (on 4.0 scale)
Admissions Status
Rolling Admissions
Application Deadline
May 1 (priority) / July 1 (final)
Age Range
14–18 (Grades 9–12)
Graduation Eligible
Yes — U.S. Diploma

Student Life & Extracurriculars

Life at Desert Horizon goes far beyond the classroom.

Clubs & Organizations

Entrepreneurship Club, Hiking Society, Sustainability Council, Student Government, Photography Club, Cooking Club, and 14+ student groups.

Arts & Performance

Desert landscape photography, pottery studio, acoustic music sessions, school podcast, and outdoor sculpture garden.

Sports

Golf, tennis, swimming, soccer, basketball, cross country, and hiking. Year-round outdoor training with access to Sonoran Desert trails.

Location & Travel

Getting here and getting around.

City
Scottsdale, AZ
Region
Southwest
Nearest Airport
PHX — Phoenix Sky Harbor International
Airport Distance
~25 minutes
Climate
Hot and dry, mild winters
Campus Setting
Suburban — Desert Foothills

Interested in Desert Horizon School?

Tell us about your student. We'll let you know if Desert Horizon is a fit — and if not, we'll find the school that is.

Not Sure About Desert Horizon?
Let's Find the Right Fit.

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