Desert Christian Academy 
The information on this page was last updated 2/29/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Desert Christian Academy is a non denominational Christian school that serves Coachella Valley students ages 18 months through 12th grade. We are fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Desert Christian Academy
40700 Yucca Ln
Bermuda Dunes, CA 92203
Website: desertchristianacademy.org
Phone: 760-345-2848
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 953048608
CEO/President: Debbee Scott and Kirk Scott, Co-Heads
Chairman: Richard Twiss
Board size: 6
Founder: David and Julie Fulton
Ruling year: 1977
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 07/31
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2001
Purpose
Desert Christian Academy is a Christ-centered community that is passionate about shaping our students' foundational journey with the power of the gospel. This desert oasis provides a loving place of innovation and discovery that is governed by grace, and develops disciples who are responsible, productive, deep thinking, steadfast, honorable, sacrificial, and well equipped for a lifetime of Christian service. We are more than Conquerors!
Mission statement
Desert Christian Academy's mission is to train students to glorify Jesus Christ by growing spiritually, academically, physically, and socially.
Statement of faith
Of the Scriptures: We believe in the authority and sufficiency of the Holy Bible consisting of the sixtysix books of the Old and New Testaments, as originally written that it was verbally and plenarily inspired, that it was the product of Spirit controlled men and therefore is infallible and inerrant in all matters of which it speaks. We believe the Bible to be the true center of Christian unity and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creed, and opinions shall be tried. (II Timothy 3:16-17 II Peter 1:19-21)
Of the True God: We believe there is one and only one living and true God, an infinite Spirit, the Maker and supreme Ruler of Heaven and earth inexpressibly glorious in holiness and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. (Exodus 20:23 I Corinthians 8:6 Revelation 4:11)
Of Jesus Christ: We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born or can be born of a woman and that He is both the Son of God and God the Son (Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:18-25 John 1:1,14). We further believe that the salvation of sinners is divinely initiated and wholly of grace through the mediator's offices of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who by the appointment of the Father, voluntarily took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin, and honored the divine law by His personal obedience, thus qualifying Himself to be our Savior that by the shedding of His blood in His death, He fully satisfied the just demands of a holy and righteous God regarding sin that His sacrifice consisted not in setting an example by His death as a martyr but was a voluntary substitution of Himself in the sinner's place, Christ the Lord bearing our sins in His own body on a tree that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven, where He ever liveth to intercede on behalf of the believers (John 3:16 II Corinthians 5:21 I Peter 2:24).
Of the Holy Spirit: We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, of the same nature as God the Father and God the Son that He was active in the creation that in His relation to the unbelieving world, He restrains the evil one until God's purpose is fulfilled that He convicts of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment that He is the agent in the new birth that He seals, empowers, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies, and helps the believer. (Genesis 1:13 John 16:811 John 3:5, 6 Romans 8:14, 16, 26-27 Luke 24:49)
Of Man: We believe that man was created in innocence (in the image and likeness of God) under the law of his Maker. By voluntary transgression, Adam fell from his sinless, happy state, and all men sinned in him. Consequently, all men are totally depraved and are partakers of Adam's fallen nature. We are sinners by nature and by conduct, and therefore are under just condemnation without defense or excuse and in need of salvation by the Savior.
Of Salvation: We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition of salvation. For a person to be saved, he/she must confess with his/her mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in his/her heart that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. (Romans 10:9)
Of the Church: We believe the Church is the living body of believers in Christ (those who by faith have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior) on earth, both universally and locally. We believe the true mission of the church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men as we have opportunity. (Acts 20:17-28 Acts 2:41, 42)
Of Marriage, Gender and Sexuality: We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27) Rejection of one's biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
We believe that the term "marriage" has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:1825) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Cor 6:18 7:25 Heb 13:4) We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt 15:18-20 1 Cor 6:9-10)
We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Desert Christian Academy as the local Body of Christ, and to provide a biblical role model to the DCA members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by DCA in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality. (Matt 5:16 Phil 2:14-16 1 Thess 5:22)
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:1921 Rom 10:9-10 1 Cor 6:9-11)
We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31 Luke 6:31) Hateful and harassing behavior or
attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture nor the doctrines of DCA.
On the Sanctity of Human Life: We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including preborn babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Ps 139)
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: K-12 Schools/Academies
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 522 of 1106 | 36 of 48 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 452 of 1107 | 33 of 48 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 941 of 1107 | 46 of 48 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 211 of 1106 | 12 of 48 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 11% | 11% | 7% | 0% | 0% | 16% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 3% | 0% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 1% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 15% | 3% | 14% | 12% | 5% | 6% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 3% | 0% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 1% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 85% | 97% | 86% | 88% | 95% | 94% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 83% | 73% | 73% | 74% | 74% | 67% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 94% | 94% | 87% | 97% | 105% | 96% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 76% | 69% | 63% | 73% | 78% | 65% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 6% | 6% | 13% | 3% | -5% | 4% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 6% | 5% | 11% | 2% | -5% | 4% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 14% | 27% | 26% | 26% | 26% | 32% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.46 | 0.68 | 0.58 | 0.78 | 0.77 | 0.73 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 3.08 | 4.01 | 3.18 | 6.46 | 5.10 | 5.95 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.44 | 2.71 | 1.85 | 5.03 | 3.91 | 4.38 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 3.01 | 1.38 | 1.99 | 2.98 | 1.49 | 1.33 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.33 | 0.72 | 0.50 | 0.34 | 0.67 | 0.75 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 4.19 | 1.23 | 3.23 | 1.59 | 1.01 | 0.68 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 33% | 19% | 18% | 5% | 13% | 13% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 11% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 143% | 119% | 142% | 122% | 113% | 119% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Cash | $2,386,637 | $2,790,933 | $892,745 | $1,332,770 | $1,184,418 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $148,581 | $200,735 | $215,339 | $218,424 | $332,865 |
| Short-term investments | $150,870 | $160,458 | $145,722 | $143,241 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $2,686,088 | $3,152,126 | $1,253,806 | $1,694,435 | $1,517,283 |
| Long-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,038,188 |
| Fixed assets | $7,844,703 | $6,821,164 | $6,486,287 | $6,612,503 | $5,409,089 |
| Other long-term assets | $252,305 | $54,784 | $364,603 | $336,747 | $1,070,367 |
| Total long-term assets | $8,097,008 | $6,875,948 | $6,850,890 | $6,949,250 | $7,517,644 |
| Total assets | $10,783,096 | $10,028,074 | $8,104,696 | $8,643,685 | $9,034,927 |
| Liabilities | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $157,170 | $115,189 | $156,469 | $127,548 | $227,080 |
| Other current liabilities | $1,784,841 | $1,467,382 | $263,992 | $1,011,617 | $912,940 |
| Total current liabilities | $1,942,011 | $1,582,571 | $420,461 | $1,139,165 | $1,140,020 |
| Debt | $146,054 | $149,900 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $13,969 | $28,820 | $14,180 | $0 | $0 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $160,023 | $178,720 | $14,180 | $0 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $2,102,034 | $1,761,291 | $434,641 | $1,139,165 | $1,140,020 |
| Net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Without donor restrictions | $8,548,352 | $8,123,181 | $7,539,438 | $7,381,008 | $7,776,442 |
| With donor restrictions | $132,710 | $143,602 | $130,617 | $123,512 | $118,465 |
| Net assets | $8,681,062 | $8,266,783 | $7,670,055 | $7,504,520 | $7,894,907 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Total contributions | $236,056 | $913,792 | $768,111 | $343,105 | $449,189 |
| Program service revenue | $6,989,614 | $5,473,609 | $5,456,021 | $5,727,419 | $5,823,857 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $2,606 | $3,135 | $2,704 | $56,599 | $10,325 |
| Other revenue | $477,099 | $328,824 | $245,277 | $157,930 | $640,283 |
| Total other revenue | $7,469,319 | $5,805,568 | $5,704,002 | $5,941,948 | $6,474,465 |
| Total revenue | $7,705,375 | $6,719,360 | $6,472,113 | $6,285,053 | $6,923,654 |
| Expenses | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Program services | $5,298,248 | $4,226,023 | $4,693,921 | $4,901,112 | $4,466,499 |
| Management and general | $1,957,362 | $1,538,151 | $1,612,657 | $1,721,724 | $2,099,137 |
| Fundraising | $25,899 | $59,439 | $0 | $0 | $73,440 |
| Total expenses | $7,281,509 | $5,823,613 | $6,306,578 | $6,622,836 | $6,639,076 |
| Change in net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $423,866 | $895,747 | $165,535 | ($337,783) | $284,578 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $423,866 | $895,747 | $165,535 | ($337,783) | $284,578 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Debbee Scott | Co-Head of S | $120,334 |
| Kirk Scott | Co-Head of S | $79,949 |
Compensation data as of: 7/31/2022
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 2/29/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
A need, a dream, and a vision; these three intangibles sparked a decision to invest in the future of Coachella Valley's youth.
The need was simple: To provide an education infused with a Christian world view.
The dream: To open a Christian school in the Coachella Valley .
The vision: To become a preschool through twelfth grade school preparing students for college with the excellence that parents desire and God requires.
David Fulton and his wife Julie, both natives of the Coachella Valley and former public school teachers, saw the need, had the dream and invited others to invest in their vision.
In 1977 they acted upon it, leasing three small classrooms in the education wing of a local church. So Desert Christian Academy came into being.
Since 1977, Desert Christian Academy has grown from 42 students in grades 5 through 10, to over 500 students in grades preschool through 12. Desert Christian Academy graduated its first senior class in June of 1980, and since then, has placed over 500 graduates in some of our nation's finest academies and universities.