The 1 Darn Cool School program at Phoenix Children’s supports your child’s learning needs while they’re in the hospital. Not only does keeping up with school lower anxiety levels, but it also helps your child feel better, physically and mentally. See how our teachers ensure that school remains an important part of your child’s routine.

Contact us at 602-933-1706 or onedarncoolschool [at] phoenixchildrens.com (onedarncoolschool[at]phoenixchildrens[dot]com).

1 Darn Cool School team

Hospital School Location

You can find the 1 Darn Cool School program at our Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Thomas Campus.

While there isn’t a school onsite at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Arrowhead Campus, school services are available upon request.

1 Darn Cool School Services

We serve as a bridge between the hospital and your child’s school, so they can stay on track. If you need education support and guidance, we can help.

Some of our services include: 

  • Year-round academic support for patients ages 5–22 by Arizona-certified, master’s level teachers
  • An incentive program with “School Bucks” that encourages patients to stay engaged in learning 
  • Communication with your child’s school (note that you must first sign a release of information form in the patient portal)
  • Information on alternative programs, school enrollment or academic placement
  • Help navigating:
Explore our school and education resources

Re-entry Support

When your child is ready to return to school after being in the hospital, we can help with the process. Your child’s current school will take the lead. However, we offer support with school communication, 504 guidance or IEP input.

Our goal is to make sure your child has a smooth transition when they go back to school.

Homebound Services

Your child’s doctor may recommend homebound services based on your child’s condition. Homebound services mean that your child cannot attend school in person for at least three months based on their health condition.

If your child needs homebound services, our teachers can work with the medical team and your school to start the process. Typically, your child’s school or school district takes the lead. We can help with any paperwork and communication with the school district. We can also guide both you and the school team on what your child’s workload should look like.

From there, your child is assigned a homebound teacher from your school district, and we create a learning plan. Your child then receives education support from their homebound teacher while at home and from us while at the hospital.

The 1 Darn Cool School program is currently 100% funded by Desert Financial Credit Union and the Desert Financial Foundation. We are extremely thankful for their support, which enables us to help kids thrive.