When kids are hospitalized, they miss more than class—they miss the routines, friendships and confidence-building moments school provides. At Phoenix Children’s, 1 Darn Cool School restores that normalcy by bringing accredited K–12 education into the hospital. Funded by Desert Financial Credit Union and Desert Financial Foundation, the school ensures kids keep growing, learning and feeling like themselves.
LEARNING, ANYWHERE
Certified teachers bring one-on-one instruction to the bedside or classroom. With books, supplies and computers, kids feel like students—not just patients.
MORE THAN ACADEMICS
The program gives kids identity and purpose, even on hard days. The team ensures smooth transitions back to school—because learning, like healing, can’t be put on hold.
ROUTINE & RECOVERY
“School is normal for kids,” says teacher Virginia Trimble. “One of the parts of healing is to have that normalcy.” The program helps kids keep up with school during extended stays, lowering anxiety and supporting both mental and physical health.
SMALL LESSONS, BIG OUTCOMES
1 Darn Cool School provided over 11,400 patient education sessions across all campuses in 2024— helping kids with everything from doing math homework to staying connected to their schools.
