ADMISSIONS
Thank you for considering Dawn Treader Academy for your child's education. Choosing a school is an important decision, and our admissions process is designed to help you get to know us as we get to know your family.
Whether you're new to Christian education or looking for a small, Christ-centered school where academic rigor, Biblical formation, and genuine community belong together, we'd love to walk through that decision with you.
Dawn Treader Academy admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin. Read our full Nondiscrimination Policy.
How Admissions Works
Reach Out
Contact us to start the conversation — no commitment required. We'll answer your questions and help you learn more about life at Dawn Treader Academy.
Meet
We'll schedule a time to meet with your family in person, learn more about your student(s), share our mission and approach to education, and review our Family & Student Covenant and Statement of Faith together.
Enroll
If we agree that Dawn Treader Academy could be a good fit for your family, you'll be invited to complete our online application. Once accepted, you'll receive an invoice for the Enrollment Fee to officially secure your child's place.
Is Dawn Treader Academy Right for Your Family?
Dawn Treader Academy may be a good fit for families who are looking for:
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An education rooted unapologetically in the Christian faith
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A small community where students are known as individuals
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Academic rigor grounded in great books, enduring ideas, and the pursuit of truth
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A school that values knowledge, curiosity, discussion, and meaningful learning over simply checking boxes
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A genuine partnership between parents and teachers in the education and formation of their children.
More Than One Path
Full-time enrollment is at the heart of the Dawn Treader Academy community, but we recognize that not every family has the same educational needs. When space and scheduling allow, students may be able to enroll in individual courses or participate through another part-time arrangement.
DTA is a fully structured private school rather than a homeschool co-op: our teachers provide instruction, assignments, assessment, and grades for courses taken with us. If you're interested in DTA but aren't sure whether full-time enrollment is right for your family, reach out and talk with us about what's possible.
Common Questions
1. Can we enroll partway through the school year? Yes. We accept students throughout the school year as space allows. Depending on when a student joins us, there may be some catching up to do, but our small classes and flexible approach allow us to meet students where they are and help them transition into their courses.
2. Do we have to enroll full-time. No. While most students attend full-time, we also offer part-time and individual-course enrollment. Because every situation is a little different, contact us to talk about what you're looking for and whether we can make it work.
3. What if we're not sure this is the right fit? That's okay. Reaching out doesn't commit you to anything. We're happy to answer your questions, learn more about your family and your student's needs, and help you decide whether Dawn Treader Academy is the right fit.
4. How is this different from homeschooling? In some ways, it isn't so different. We value many of the things families value about homeschooling: small classes, flexibility, strong relationships, and students being known as individuals. The difference is that Dawn Treader Academy is a private school, with teachers responsible for instruction, coursework, assessment, grades, and attendance. Families get much of the personal character of homeschooling within the structure and community of a school.
5. What if my child needs to catch up or is ahead in a subject? We recognize that students don't always fit neatly into grade-level boxes. In subjects like math, our mastery-based approach allows students to work at the level that's right for them and progress as they are ready. In other subjects, our small classes allow teachers to provide individual attention and support for students who need extra help or greater challenge.
6. Do you offer accommodations for learning differences, like a 504 plan or IEP? Dawn Treader Academy does not currently provide formal special education services or 504 plans. However, our small classes allow us to know students individually and make reasonable adjustments within our regular classroom environment. If your child has specific learning needs, we encourage you to discuss them with us during the admissions process so we can determine whether we can provide the support your child needs.
7. Can we visit before deciding? Absolutely. We encourage prospective families to meet with us and see the school for themselves. Because we're a small school and our days are intentionally flexible, visits are arranged individually. Reach out to us and we'll find a time that works.
8. Do you accept ESA funds? Yes. Dawn Treader Academy participates in Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program. Families are responsible for understanding their individual ESA eligibility and requirements, but eligible families may use ESA funds toward qualifying tuition and educational expenses at DTA.
9. What grades do you serve? Dawn Treader Academy serves students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Our small, multi-age learning environment allows students of different ages and grade levels to learn together while receiving instruction appropriate to their level.