15+ Years of Tucson Kids,
Tucson Stories, Tucson Pride
Academy Del Sol was founded in Tucson in 2009 with a simple belief: every child deserves a rigorous education and the joy of the arts — at no cost to their family. That belief still shapes everything we do today. Tuition-free. Always.
A Tucson Charter School Built on a Big Idea
In 2009, a group of educators, families, and community members in Tucson asked a question that still drives us today: what if every child — regardless of zip code or family income — could attend a school that took academics seriously AND took the arts seriously?
The answer was Academy Del Sol. A tuition-free public charter school where reading, writing, mathematics, and science would be taught with rigor — and where music, visual arts, theater, and movement would be part of every student’s day. Not extras. Not electives. Essential.
Fifteen years later, we have grown to two Tucson campuses serving students from kindergarten through 8th grade. Thousands of children have walked through our doors. They have learned, performed, competed, made friends, and graduated ready for whatever comes next. That work continues today — and we are just getting started.
The Core Beliefs That Guide Us
Our mission is the same one we started with in 2009. These are the beliefs behind it — the principles that shape every classroom, every relationship, every decision we make.
Every Child Can Rise
High expectations are a form of respect. We believe every student — regardless of background — is capable of rigorous academic work and creative excellence, and we hold them to that.
The Arts Are Essential
Music, visual arts, theater, and movement aren’t extras. They build confidence, discipline, creativity, and joy — and they make students stronger in every other subject too.
Families Are Partners
A child’s education works best when school and family work together. We communicate openly, listen carefully, and treat every family as a partner in their child’s growth.
Known by Name
No child should be a face in the crowd. Small class sizes and a culture of care mean every student is seen, heard, and supported — academically and personally.
Tucson is Our Home
We celebrate the diversity, culture, and heritage of the Tucson families we serve. Our campuses reflect the communities they live in — and that’s our greatest strength.
Education Should Be Free
As a public charter school, we are tuition-free — and we always will be. Every Tucson family deserves access to a world-class education without barriers.
The Heart of an Academy Del Sol Education
From the very beginning, Academy Del Sol has been built on a simple idea: academic rigor and creative expression belong together.
The research is clear — students who engage with music, visual arts, theater, and movement perform better in reading, math, and science. They develop discipline. They build confidence. They learn how to fail and try again. They become better thinkers and better communicators.
But more than the research, we have watched it happen in our own classrooms for fifteen years. The student who finds her voice on stage. The boy who discovers patterns in music that help him master fractions. The shy kindergartener who blooms with a paintbrush in hand. That’s what the arts do — and that’s why they are at the heart of every school day at ADS.
- MusicVocal and instrumental music that builds discipline, pattern recognition, and the joy of performing.
- Visual ArtsDrawing, painting, sculpture, and digital art that develop creativity, fine motor skills, and visual thinking.
- Theater & DramaPerformance and storytelling that build confidence, public speaking, and empathy.
- Movement & DanceCreative movement programs that develop coordination, cultural awareness, and self-expression.
Two Schools. Two Mascots. One Mission.
Each Academy Del Sol campus has its own personality, its own community, and its own pride. But both share the same K-8 curriculum, the same Fine Arts identity, and the same belief: every child rises.
🔥 Firebirds
Star Valley Campus
Home of the Firebirds. A K-8 community in West Tucson where rigorous academics meet championship athletics and daily Fine Arts integration.
Visit Star Valley →
🏃 Roadrunners
Roger Road Campus
Home of the Roadrunners. A vibrant, bilingual K-8 community in Central Tucson where every child is known by name and every culture is celebrated.
Visit Roger Road →The People Behind Academy Del Sol
A great school is the sum of the people who show up for kids every day. At ADS, that means dedicated teachers, experienced campus leaders, supportive staff, and a board committed to our mission.
Our Teachers
Talented educators who believe in our students, hold them to high standards, and bring creativity, care, and skill to every classroom every day.
Campus Leadership
Experienced campus leaders at both Star Valley and Roger Road who set the tone, support our teachers, and partner with families to build strong school communities.
Board & Operations
A school board and operations team — supported by Achieve Education Group (AEG) — focused on strong governance, sound systems, and the long-term health of Academy Del Sol.
A Tucson Charter School That’s Grown With Its Families
Nuestra Historia: Más de 15 Años en Tucson
Academy Del Sol fue fundada en 2009 con una creencia simple: cada niño merece una educación rigurosa y la alegría de las artes — sin costo para su familia. Hoy, atendemos a estudiantes de kinder a 8º grado en dos campus en Tucson, completamente sin costo de matrícula. La inscripción es gratuita.
Aplica Ahora — Sin Costo de Matrícula
Come See Our Story In Person
The best way to understand what makes Academy Del Sol special is to visit one of our campuses. Meet our team, see classrooms in action, and find out why families have chosen ADS for 15+ years.