ESS works with the student, teachers, and families to create an Accommodation Plan or an Exceptional Student Plan based on a vast range of mild to moderate disabilities. Each plan is implemented through an inclusion model, where students spend the majority of their day in the general education classroom while receiving accommodations, modifications, and/or ESS support. ESS offers Essential Classes when further modifications and explicit instruction are needed. In addition, a Study Skills Class is available with direct instruction in the student’s individual goals and assistance in executive functioning abilities. Desert Christian Schools desires to meet each student’s unique learning needs, however, we understand that we cannot serve every student with exceptionalities due to our size, expertise, and facilities. Through Exceptional Student Services we strive to disciple students through our mission at Desert Christian Schools.

Enrollment into Exceptional Student Services is a collaborative effort between families and the school to determine if Desert Christian Schools can support a student to be successful and grow in all areas. If a student does not have current documentation of their disability, Desert Christian may require additional testing to understand how the student learns, their strengths, and learning needs. If a student qualifies for an Accommodation Plan or an Exceptional Student Plan, as a team, Desert Christian and the family will proceed with enrollment into ESS with a Tiered Support approach.

ESS Tiers and Supports
2025-2026 Additional Tuition Charge

Referral Process
$550.00 Tuition Charge

ESS will support the student and family through the referral process to determine if a student qualifies for an Exceptional Student Plan. The referral may include classroom observations, behavior data collection, additional testing, and student samples. ESS may recommend, if appropriate, a full educational psychological evaluation either through TUSD or a private educational psychologist. The family will be guided and supported through this process from submitting a request to evaluation through the eligibility meeting.

Tier 1
$1,600 yearly Tuition Charge

Tier 1 supports our students with an Accommodation Plan that is implemented in the general education classroom. Students in this Tier may also test in the Skill Center.

Tier 2
$2,700 yearly Tuition Charge

Tier 2 supports students with an Accommodation Plan that is implemented in the general education classroom. Students enrolled in Tier 2 will also have access throughout the day to the Skill Center to receive support in their independent learning. Each student receives weekly grade checks.

Tier 3
$5,900 yearly Tuition Charge

Students in Tier 3 may have an Accommodation Plan or an Exceptional Student Plan based on their eligibility through an educational psychological evaluation. In Tier 3 students may receive the following support based on their documented needs: push-in support by ESS staff in the general education classroom, accommodations, modifications, weekly grade checks, ESS Essential Classes, and/or a Study Skills Class with goals and progress monitoring.

Tier 4
$5,900 yearly Tuition Charge plus the cost of a one on one aide

Tier 4 students receive all the support in Tier 3 plus a paraprofessional throughout the day as agreed upon by a team.

Accommodation Examples
●     Preferential Seating
●     Audiobooks
●     Extended time
●     Frequent Checks for Understanding
●     Testing in the Skill Center
●     Notes

Modification Examples
●     Answer different questions
●     Simplified or Graphic Novels
●     Reduced standards
●     Graded using a modified rubric
●     Alternative book or curriculum

Essential Classes
Essential Classes are based on the students in each grade level each year and demand for the Essential Class. It is taught by ESS staff. Essential Classes may include:

●     Math Essentials offered in 6th, 7th, 8th, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and Discrete Math)
●     Economic Essentials
●     Life Skill Math

Study Skill Classes
Study Skill Classes are offered at each grade level and may include the following supports based on the student's plan and needs:

●     Direct instruction in their goals with progress monitoring
●     Executive Functioning support and instruction
●     Test-taking strategies
●     Academic support from their current classes
●     Social and Emotional Support