My husband and I sent our youngest son to Desert Willow's preschool. I am currently obtaining an advanced degree so I'm out of the country quite a bit for the next 2 years. My husband is the primary caregiver while I'm away. Our son had some problems not listening in class and hitting on occasion, neither of which are behaviors we condone. While some of the staff worked with us to correct the problem, there were a few teachers in particular that were difficult to deal and flat out inappropriate. My husband would speak with a particular teacher that dealt well with our son and was making progress. There was nothing inappropriate about their conversations, however, one of the administrators for the program pulled her aside and told her she needed to be aware of how it "looked" with her speaking to my husband while I was out of the country. I trust my husband and I had met and had conversations with this particular teacher so implying there was anything was going on was offensive and uncalled for. I don't believe this was said out of concern for the employee, as the administrator is close friends with two of the other teachers in the same program that my husband and I were having a difficult time dealing with. I can understand when a child has problems and the parent doesn't want to address the situation how that can make it hard for the school, but my husband and I were receptive to anything we could do to make the situation better. It takes discipline on both sides for a toddler to know that bad behavior won't be tolerated at school or at home. I'm not blaming the school for my toddler acting out, but for a parent to acknowledge that there is a problem, ask for help, and then to have one of the few teachers who is willing to assist be removed from the preschool program and placed somewhere else is incredibly frustrating, especially since the majority of my interactions with the Vail School District have been positive. Because we weren't left with any options for teachers that were willing to work with us, we have pulled our son from the program and are taking him to someone we know will take excellent care of him while still addressing any inappropriate behavior. read more

Our girls have gone from Kindergarten through 5th grade. They teachers are great and so is the staff.

Desert Willow has a school rating 9/10. I like that it is in a nice community, staff is very helpful. School has 1 and a half months of summer break (May25-July15), 3 weeks fall break (September 23-October 12), 2 weeks winter break (December 24- January 6), 2 weeks spring break (March 11-24). Also there are 12 half days and 10 No school days per school year. Each class has around 30 students. Kindergarten has a bit less. I really would be more happier if they extend kindergarten hours from 3,5 hours per day to 5 hours at least. It seems so inconvenient to all kindergartener's parents. Another thing I wish they improve is to go to 1st grade not by age (6 years old on September 1), but by knowledge and parents. My kiddo missed cut off, because her birthday is on October 2. She have been going to Transitional Kindergarten in CA, different day care where they learned same stuff and finally she is reading with me at home, but she has to go again to Kindergarten, because on September 1 she is 5 years and 11 months old, not 6. Wish they can change it some day. School has before and after school program for kids from 7 am to 6 pm. Also they offer camp during breaks. Camp cost $180 per weeks. For kindergarteners they offer child care before or after morning or afternoon class. That is around $80 per week just for that 3,5 hours per day. read more