In 1958, Charles and Anna Egleston donated of pristine desert property in the foothills at the base of Pusch Ridge in the Catalina Mountains to Palo Verde Baptist Church, to be used "for religious and educational purposes only," with a firm vision that the property would support a school grounded in Christian values and faith. The property was subdivided in late 1977 for the establishment of Canyon Del Oro Baptist Church on the southern 16 acres. The other remained undeveloped through 1982, when Max Wilford, the president of the Palo Verde Christian School Board directed the commencement of construction on the Egleston property. Wilford intended to relocate Palo Verde Christian School from its location in Tucson to the property in Oro Valley. In the fall of 1994, Palo Verde Christian High School opened its doors on the property in Oro Valley. This new location served grades 6-12, while grades K-5 remained at the Palo Verde Baptist Church property in Tucson. By early 2000, the school was struggling and it was at that time that the leadership of Catalina Foothills Church, PCA, wanted to open a Christian high school. Through the leadership of David Mehl and other members, ownership of the school transferred from Palo Verde Baptist Church to Catalina Foothills in early 2000. In February 2000, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy was officially established.