Once located in the middle of the desert, miles from town, Thunderbird Adventist Academy is now an oasis in the middle of Scottsdale, Arizona (click here for a 3-D Campus Tour). Scottsdale is an upscale suburb of Phoenix, known for its unlimited shopping opportunities, challenging golf courses, and fantastic restaurants in the midst of the desert Southwest.

The beautiful 88-acre campus is just southeast of the main intersection of Thunderbird and Scottsdale Road, (click here for a location map) providing the south edge of the infamous Scottsdale Air Park. Thunderbird Adventist Academy now finds itself surrounded by fabulous restaurants, shopping centers, and the natural beauty of the Arizona desert. Within walking distance or a few-minute drive from the TAA campus, the students and staff have the option of eating dinner at fast food restaurants like Taco Del Mar, Subway, Taco Bell, and Burger King. More formal dining can also be found at national chains like the Cheese Cake Factory and P.F. Chang’s in Kierland Mall, a luxurious shopping plaza with countless lavish shops.

Scottsdale shopping is endless! Fashion Square, with over 225 retailers is a premier stop for shopping, dining, and entertainment featuring Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom’s, Macy’s, and Dillard’s to name a few. The Kierland Commons, within walking distance of TAA, offers an urban neighborhood environment with more than 70 high-end specialty stores, restaurants, and entertainment selections.

For those who enjoy getting away from the hub-bub of city life, TAA is just a few hours away from beautiful lakes, great hiking and camping spots, and snowy mountains where water sports, camping, skiing, and snowboarding are a part of every day life. Even though Phoenix is a growing metropolis, there are still some great rock climbing and hiking trails a short distance away from TAA. Flagstaff and Oak Creek Canyon, in the Sedona area, are north of the Phoenix-Scottsdale area, along I-17. Both are great places to get away from the city buzz and enjoy nature at its finest. Flagstaff is the home of the Arizona Snow Bowl and the Flagstaff Nordic Center.