Admissions

Transfers for this year (2025-26) are open. Transfers for next year (2026-27) will open October 15th.

How to Apply

Thank you for considering admission to Desert Willow Family School! Admission to Desert Willow Family School is a multistep process. To enter your student into the lottery tumble for admission, all new families must both (1) apply for a transfer via APS ParentVue and (2) attend an in-person mandatory informational meeting at our school.  Transfer requests for the current school year are still being accepted. Transfers for the upcoming school year (2026-27) will open on October 15th.

All new families must apply for a transfer request via APS ParentVUE.

Interest Form: Want to get the ball rolling? Please fill out this interest form and we'll keep in touch.

Mandatory Informational Meeting

This meeting is presented in a slide deck format and typically lasts 75-90 minutes. Note: These sessions are not designed to engage children, so we recommend bringing your potential student to the open house instead, for a more interactive and welcoming experience.

Please attend one of the following:

• Mon Sep 15, 5 - 6:30
• Tues Oct 14, 5 - 6:30
• Wed Nov 12, 5 - 6:30
• Mon Dec 8, 5 - 6:30
• Mon Jan 26, 5 - 6:30
• Tues Feb 17, 5 - 6:30
• Wed Mar 25, 5 - 6:30
• Mon Apr 20, 5 - 6:30
• (virtual, link tba) Mon May 18, 5 - 6:30

Open Houses: 

• Wed Oct 22, 8:30 - 2
• Thu Nov 13, 8:30 - 2
• Wed Jan 28, 8:30 - 2
• Thu Feb 19, 8:30 - 2

Lottery Tumble

• Transfers for this year (2025-26) are open. Transfers for the upcoming school year (2026-27) will open on October 15th.
• In order to be in the lottery tumble, you must apply for a transfer through APS ParentVue.
• Attendance at a Desert Willow informational meeting is mandatory for your transfer request to be complete. 
• Please fill out this interest form and you'll be the first to be invited to our Open House and Informational meetings.
• APS Student Services will send out offers as positions become available. A lottery tumble is used if the number of requests exceeds the openings.
• If DWFS does not have a slot open, families are wailisted.
• APS only allows one transfer per year. Once you have accepted a transfer, you will not be offered another.