As a Waldorf school, Desert Marigold School serves more than 250 students in kindergarten through twelfth grade with a unique approach to education that instills critical thinking and respect from early childhood to young adulthood.
Following the anthroposophical method established more than a century ago by Rudolf Steiner and Emil Molt, this public charter school offers a non-sectarian, non-denominational environment that supports the belief that people possess the wisdom to transform themselves and the world.
On a 12-acre campus at the foot of South Mountain, students not only learn with hands-on lessons in language arts, mythology, history, geography, science, and mathematics, but extend educational experiences into the real world. Most notably, the school hosts its own garden, nature pond, and family of farm animals including mini-horses, chickens, ducks, and goats—all to promote a stronger connection with the natural world.
Other programs outside of the core curriculum include Spanish, handiwork and crafts, woodwork, eurythmic song and dance, community service, and special education services. While many schools offer standard athletics programs, Desert Marigold adds quirky favorites such as ultimate frisbee, circus, and archery club, as complements to soccer, volleyball, and cross country.
Throughout the year, Desert Marigold also hosts a calendar of special events and festivals, from a Greek Pentathlon and Medieval Games to Michaelmas and May Faire.
Desert Marigold School
Charter Elementary, Middle, High School
|
Grade K-12
6210 S 28th St,
Phoenix, AZ
300
Students
B-
School Details
Head of School
Charles D. Burkam
Math Proficiency
17%
Reading Proficiency
47%
Average GPA
3.64
Niche Grade
C+
A-
B-
C+
B-
C+
B+
Source: Niche
Niche Grade Details
Academics
Average GPA
3.64
Reading Proficiency
47%
Math Proficiency
17%
Teachers
Teachers in First or Second Year
0%
Clubs and Activities
Girls Athletic Participation
Very Low
Boys Athletic Participation
Very Low
GreatSchools Rating Details
Test Scores
Math
31%
State Average
48%
Science
59%
State Average
30%
Teachers and Staff
Students Per Counselor
284:1
Student Diversity
Male
50.8%
Female
49.2%
White
60.7%
Hispanic
23.1%
Two or more races
11.2%
Black
4%
Asian or Pacific Islander
1%
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Specialty School Programs
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered
Colleges Students are Considering
Students are most interested in or go on to attend these colleges.
Northern Arizona University
8 Students
Arizona State University
7 Students
Prescott College
4 Students
Arizona State University - West Campus
3 Students
Mesa Community College
3 Students
Grand Canyon University
2 Students
University of Chicago
2 Students
Academy of Art University
2 Students
Ringling College of Art and Design
2 Students
Arizona State University - Polytechnic Campus
1 Students
What Students Want to Study
Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
History
3 Students
Psychology
2 Students
Environmental Science
2 Students
English
2 Students
Culinary Arts and Food Service
2 Students
Geology and Earth Science
2 Students
Sustainability Studies
2 Students
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration
1 Students
Architecture
1 Students
Animation, Video Graphics and Special Effects
1 Students
This School’s Reviews
Niche Reviews
8/7/2017
Attended high school here, graduated in 2015. It is an unconventional school with a fantastic atmosphere and wonderful teachers/staff.
7/7/2015
This school misrepresents itself to parents and students alike. It is a loitering ground with some art, no academics or even skills training. Few if any students even go on to community college. There is no music program or sports even though they say there is. They do have circus arts. This is a place for students who will fail anywhere else, here they will pass them. They will pass them even if they do minimal work, have no skills or basic academic abilities and rarely attend.
8/24/2013
we have what i call an office nurse. we go to the office if something is up. But she takes good care of us.
GreatSchools Reviews
3/5/2025
Desert Marigold School has been wonderful for our family. It’s a public charter school inspired by Waldorf methods, and we’ve loved how well-rounded and engaging the learning experience has been. Our kids have been here for several years, and we’ve seen them grow creatively, socially, and academical...
2/1/2024
Lots of handwritten work, no phones allowed, screens only for state testing (not sure at what grade they start with screens allowed for typing, if ever). Really nice kids. Socioeconomically diverse. I’ve seen a lot of schools; DMS teaches how to handle a project, to plan and execute and draft toward...
12/14/2023
I am deeply troubled to report an incident at Desert Marigold School that starkly contradicts its proclaimed philosophy of nurturing each child's intellectual, artistic, and moral growth. During a ceremonial event, the Winter Spiral Walk, several children were barred from participating, a clear devi...
7/17/2023
I found DMS because I needed a change from the urban environment Phoenix can be. This was absolutely a transformational experience and I would 100% recommend Desert Marigold to anyone interested in a Waldorf-Inspired education. Currently the high school is getting many updates to improve the space f...
Agents Specializing Near This School
-
Elizabeth Hammer
Elizabeth Hammer
Realty ONE Group
(888) 521-7129
97 Total Sales
2 Near This School
$206K - $236K Price Range
-
Isaac Nieblas
Isaac Nieblas
InHouseVIP
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41 Total Sales
9 Near This School
$158K - $475K Price Range
-
Jeffrey Sibbach
Jeffrey Sibbach
eXp Realty
(877) 764-1289
779 Total Sales
15 Near This School
$175K - $650K Price Range
-
Christina Esala
Christina Esala
Tierra Antigua Realty
(520) 900-9016
512 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$340,000 Price
-
Karen Ortega Matson
Karen Ortega Matson
RE/MAX Fine Properties
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135 Total Sales
1 Near This School
$288,000 Price
-
Sandra Hopkins
Sandra Hopkins
The Maricopa Real Estate Co
(520) 866-0190
82 Total Sales
2 Near This School
$141K - $357K Price Range
Map
About South Mountain
List Price Range
$226K - $1.4M
Homes For Sale
294
Average Home Value
$388,614
Median Lot Size
6,098 Sq Ft
% Renters
39%
Household Income
$83,039
% of College Grads
18.6%
Median Age
34
Average House Size
2,040 Sq Ft
% Commercial Property
61.6%
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Additional Schools in the Area
Public Schools shown may be Choice Schools
Choice Schools
Choice schools may not serve this home. Please check the school district website to see all schools serving this home.
- 7th to 12th
- Charter
- 9th to 12th
- Charter
- 7th to 12th
- Charter
Parks in this Area
Hayden Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Grills
Highline Park
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Parking Lot
El Reposo Park
- Basketball
- Grills
- Picnic Area
Nevitt Park
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
- Tennis
Esteban Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Dog Park
- Picnic Area
Esteban Dog Park
- Dog Park
- Parking Lot
Hermoso Park
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
- Pool
Francisco Highland Park
- Basketball
- Grills
- Picnic Area
Grayson Park
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Multi-Purpose Field
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Bustling heart of the city with various housing options for students and buyers