Superstition Mountain Elementary School

When my family moved from Mesa to Apache Junction I did my homework investigating nearby schools and even reading reviews on this website and I chose Superstition Mountain...what a disappointment! My children are in kindergarten and 2nd grade and both children have NO challenge what so EVER to accomplish everything before them. There curriculum is so simple and basic they make NO effort to challenge their students. Its so sad how they have come to this conclusion that the education they provide is adequate. If your child is truly intelligent and special they won't make any effort to challenge them because that would cost them more money instead they will just give them enough to keep their test scores high to continue receiving government funding. So if you want your child to JUST MAKE IT then enroll them here and I promise your child will be another cookie cutter. But if you want your child to go places, excel and receive the VERY BEST education take them somewhere else!!! PLEASE!! I spoke to their teachers, school psychologist and principal and they are all mediocre people with no real substance or goal...and it will just rub off on your kids. Its TRULY SAD, waste of a building.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has Excellent teachers, The staff and other students give this school a family atmosphere. My child has gone to this school since grade K. This school will often have large fantastic family night functions, that impact my child greatly for years to come. The teachers will go the extra mile for each and every student to make sure they succeed to the next level in life.
—Submitted by a parent

I have seen a lot of improvement with the changing of principals. The new principal seems to actually care about the children and what is going on. Thank goodness that counselor is gone. What a giant joke that man was. Talking down to the children if they so much as socialized at lunch.
—Submitted by a parent

The students are great at this school, and most of the teachers are dedicated to the students! The principal loves kids, but does not know how to treat her staff very well. Unfortunately, there are a lot of good teachers leaving at the end of the school year.
—Submitted by a teacher

My son is a second grader who has attended since Kindergarten. From, Ms.Lavoie, to Mrs. James, to Mrs. Gonzales, my son is a learning machine. He is reading at a 3.5 grade level, he is confident and well rounded. New principal is very nice. Anyone who comes into any job after a long time person leaves knows it can be very difficult to bring people to change. She had awesome shoes to fill and I believe she has done that well. I am impressed with all the staff at this school and look forward to the next 3 school years. jamie meinecke, a parent
—Submitted by a parent

My child is in the fifth grade. She has wonderful teachers for each subject and I can tell she is learning alot. Her reading and math facts have improved tremendously this year.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had several children attend SMES, good school overall. I recommend however that all parents read the fifth grade social studies textbook and familarize themselves with how the curriculum is now completely captured by socialist/liberal ideology. I researched the problem because my daughter was coming home with strange historical ideas and prejudices that a child could not think up themselves.
—Submitted by a parent

This school was great for my first grader.
—Submitted by lisa, a parent

This district has done a great job aligning their curriculum and standards to the state standards. They have also improved their technology standards and teaching from high school to kindergarten. Their literacy plan, although scattered at times, teaches studnets at their level and much care has been taken to train their teachers in the plan. Although many of the teachers at this school are excellent and highly qualified, I feel enough is not done to stop high teacher turnover. We are losing many of our best teachers to other schools or districts who either value their teachers more or pay them more. Another concern is the lack of an art program or a computer teacher. Our less linear students need an outlet to help them focus on reading, writing and math. There are some extracurricular activities, but more students would be served if teachers were compensated for this extra time.
—Submitted by an administrator

The K teacher is wonderful. The teachers are not in tune with my children's needs. Although the principal is caring, her staff needs to follow suit. I am extremely unhappy with the academics of this school and the uncaring words spoken by both the teachers and the assistant principal. I am seeking other options currently.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is in the third grade and I have found that Teachers are lacking. They are either overworked with so many students or just do not care about my child's education. My child is almost full time reg class & p/t Special ED. My child is not getting the education she deserves and I am currently researching other option. I do not reccomend this school by a long shot.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel that all the teachers at Superstition Mountain are wonderful. I spent numerous hours on campus last year and never once witnessed a teacher talking down to a student. I also had a son that was in second grade and I feel that the second grade team was outstanding! These teachers sacrifice countless hours trying to make a difference in our children's lives.
—Submitted by Tracey Knapp, a parent

I found this school to be a good school. My daughter has been there for 4 years and she has been very happy there.
—Submitted by Tina, a parent

Overall SMES is a good school, both my children have been attending since they were in Kindergarten. However, throughout this present school year (2004-2005) the 'lunch detention' situation has become way out of hand. I understand that children are not always going to be on their best behavior, nor are they always going to complete their work on time. But it's truly unnecessary to use their lunch time or recess to discipline them. If it is necessary for the student to make up assignments or receive discipline then it should be done either before school, after school or even additional homework to be signed by the parent. These children are in school for 8 hours a day 5 days a week, they deserve and need a break. I highly doubt the teachers and staff their at SMES do not take some form of a break during the day.
—Submitted by Elsa Nelson, a parent

Overall our experience with SSE was just not good. The teachers were nice enough and I felt safe taking our children there, but academically, there is no challenge. At the beginning of the year, we were given a list of words that the children were to be tested on throughout the year. Our child could read the whole year's list at the beginning of the year but was never tested on them until it was time to test each word. I told the teacher that she could read them already and was told 'Well, those are the only words we work on.'Funding is poor in all areas. The library needed more books and the playgound needs grass and shade. After being at a new school, I can tell the extracurriculars need to be enhanced as well. In fact, I never saw any for my child.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are dedicated with limited resources and assistance to guide them with above average size classrooms. The grouping of the students accordding to their achievements has become stereotyping the children.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in the second grade and has attended SMES since Kindergarten. I love the communication from the teachers and the school. The staff at SMES are professional, friendly and genuinely concerned about the future of our children.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in the third grade and I am part of his classroom. This makes his school life one with his home life. I work with the district and the school to make the school better for all the kids. I love the new lunch program for teaching manners.