Diamond Canyon Elementary School

I am a parent of a 16 yr old and 6 yr old. Not new to the school system. I am retired Air Force and have had the experience of all kinds of schools, both private and public here in AZ, Delaware, and New Jersey. Diamond Canyon is poor managed. The teaching staff in the kindergarten have little support from school leadership. This was our first year so I had nothing to compare the principal to except other schools my children have been through. The principal is detached which explains the front office, I believe they think they aren't allowed to smile or be friendly in any way. Except if you know them on some personal level. When I tried to address a problem/issue early in the year I rec'd a company line which had lies, I tried to address the lies and more lies come. I realized at that point my child was not returning. The parent manipulation is beyond unprofessional. It seems the staff allows parents to have an overwhelming say as to the way business is conducted. It doesn't appear that the children's learning style or benefit is the forefront of this school. My child will not be returning.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are completely detached from the students. At 5th grade there is already periods, the children are sent home with an overwhelming amount of books and expected to have planners to manage their homework. The teachers have no consistent process of keeping track of homework so if your child isn't perfectly keeping track of their assignments in their agenda, you have no way of following up. When we go to student conferences our child's teacher knows very little about our individual child and instead speaks off the grades with little insight on what they struggle with or exceed at. We get a blurb about how she does a great job in participation and is "doing great'. We've had to take complete control over following up on missing assignments after finding out that the main reason our daughter wasn't passing a class was because she had TWENTY missing assignments. Not a note, or a warning. The grade sucked and we assumed she didn't know what she was doing. She's just getting very little support and the teachers seem to treat everyone like a number.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a craptastic school.. PTA is nothing but cheesy fundraisers, if your child is not, a) child of staff member, 2) an excelling student, 3)or a child of a pta member.. they will not get all they deserve. They place children in classrooms popcorn (toss them whereever) method.. not what s best for child. There are few great teachers, staff is mediocre at best.. homework is waaaay out of control.. and most times of my three kids *I* had to teach them how to do the homework.. the teachers did not (and if they did it was a video that taught) Pulling my three as are my neighbors.. on to charter schools
—Submitted by a parent

For seven years I was an employee of the Deer Valley Unified School District and a staff member at Diamond Canyon for two of those years. Because of the knowledge and insight I gained about the inner workings I can never recommend Diamond Canyon to anyone. There are a few quality teachers that are restrained by policy, administrators and influential parents. Lack of direction and discipline have undermined safety. When the environment became unacceptable we removed our child midyear. Large turnover of teachers and dropping enrollment numbers are indicators of a troubled school. If you value your child's education do not subject them to Diamond Canyon.

DC is excelling again. Awesome teachers and support staff. Large volunteer base and supportive community.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids are so happy here as am I. Wonderful teachers, and amazing staff. The new principal and vice principal go above and beyond to make sure our kids are learning and safe! Love this school!!
—Submitted by a parent

This school was the best. Diamond Canyon has had the best teachers ever. i did not have had a problem at this school.

Excelling last FIVE years! A campus where your children will be known and provided a top notch education! This is the school you must check out! The school scores and data speak for themselves!

My children have attended DC since it opened and overall I've been pleased. They've had some fantastic teachers and continue to love learning, which is the most important to me. The administration has been terrific in handling issues that have arisen. My only complaints are aimed at the district, nothing the school itself can control. We started in Paradise Valley USD and I regret the change. That district is far superior IMHO.
—Submitted by a parent

If you work at the school, your child gets placed with the "great" teachers. Otherwise, you get what you get, and you can't get upset.
—Submitted by a parent

Diamond Canyon has been an excellent school for both of my children. The teachers have been great and the principal is fantastic. We came from a school in California that pales in comparison. i would highly recommend DC!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended Diamond Canyon for four years. Her teachers have been far superior to those she had in both CA and FL. I highly recommend placement at this school!
—Submitted by a parent

My granddaughters both attend this school. I have visited their classrooms and I am so impressed with their educational standards. I am a retired OK teacher.

As a new school community, DC had some bugs to work out when they moved to the new campus. Over the last three years, I have seen the students, teachers, administration, and parents come together to really build a community for our school. There is increased involvement at every level. I believe much of the transition has benefited the school. Dr. Osterle is out on campus and connecting with the students. There is more parent participation in school events and fundraisers. The level of involvement from the student volunteers and NJHS has increased. There's an overall elevated pride in the school. With the exception of one teacher, we have loved the classroom environment that our children have been a part of. It has been enriching and challenging and fun.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my child s third year at Diamond Canyon. During this time we have had 5 different teachers! Diamond Canyon consistently looses valuable and experienced teachers and staff, and replaces them with individuals with little experience, with role models that are being pulled in every direction. I have been told many times by teachers, the principle and other staff that my child s success and happiness in this school is their highest priority. However, they have consistently dropped the ball. They are stretched too thin, and lack the experience or background to handle most everyday situations let alone have the knowledge and forethought to handle anything more complex. I have also been told many times by several different parents that if your child has any type of need, either advanced classes or learning disabilities, this school falls horribly short. Many of them have pulled their children out of this school and have moved them to other schools and even other school districts.
—Submitted by a parent

My two children have attended Diamond Canyon for four years and every one of their teachers has been excellent. Each one has cared about making sure my child excells. The new principal has been a great asset to the school and made many improvements.
—Submitted by a parent

Diamond Canyon meets the needs of its students. It uses Walk to Read to challenge the above average students and meet the needs of its average and below average students. It is rated an Excelling school because the staff set goals to exceed the standards, not just meet them. The school started with 300, grew to over 1300 and has settled in at over 1200. It takes a school a few years to settle. This will be DC's fourth year and so many of the routines and traditions are now in place. Families are, for the most part, supportive. Parents are involved and care about their child's education.

Bad start to both of my kids education experience. Both times not enough teachers. No forward thinking or planning.
—Submitted by a parent

With the principal now gone, this school has a fighting chance... although, it will take time and patience. For the second year in a row, many of the faculty have (not surprisingly) left. Additionally, the upcoming year will bring a new principal, assistant principal, SAGE teacher, librarian, and an entirely new special education team. That's an awful lot of staff members who will be new, and yet I believe it's exactly what this school needs.
—Submitted by a parent

Love the principal. He is a great leader. All the teachers we have had (6 total) have all done very well. And my children have liked them all.
—Submitted by a parent