Our most important fundraiser of the year. Help us reach our goal!
Each year—because of our charter school status—Desert Sky receives only 80% of the state funding of traditional public schools, which leads to a huge budget gap. We make up for this through our amazing community of parent volunteers and small private grants, but fundraising is critical to our financial sustainability.
The generosity we’ve received through Central Oregon Gives over the last six years has enabled us to continue providing free Montessori education for all, but it truly takes a village!
How you can help: Please consider making a donation of just $5 a week.
This is all it takes to make a difference! And that’s because every year, we strive to win the 🌟bonus prize of $2,500🌟 from Central Oregon Gives for raising the MOST micro donations (anything $25 and under) during the campaign.
That means you can MAXIMIZE your impact by donating $5 under each family member's name (including children, grandparents, and other extended family members) to help us reach our goal and stay in the running to win the bonus!
Your support means everything to us—even if it simply means helping us spread the word.
🔔 Winter is a fun and exciting—and BUSY!—time of year around here. Having trouble keeping track of all our winter events? We got you! Stay updated on everything that’s happening now through December on this page.
Central Oregon’s first and only tuition-free Montessori school
Desert Sky Montessori is unique in that we are the only K–6 elementary school in Central Oregon that provides a free Montessori education for all students, no matter their socioeconomic status. We are a Choice Options charter school in Bend-La Pine Schools. Our lottery opens every spring for enrollment the following fall, and we accept families on our waitlist year-round. Learn more about the enrollment process.
How the Montessori method is transforming education
At Desert Sky Montessori, we engage students utilizing the many tools that the Montessori curriculum has to offer.
We meet each individual student at the place their interests and passions guide them to.
The Montessori philosophy holds that adults are “guides” and need only demonstrate, invite, and provide opportunities for children to learn.
In that spirit, we work to create conditions where students can take ownership of their own education, and ultimately of their own life.