Robert and Danell Tarwater Elementary School

I am also so surprised by the negative ratings that I have read here. This is my first child going through the school and I have never seen such a strong sense of community. I personally love Tarwater an I couldn't have asked for a better place. The office staff has been extremely helpful towards me when my child has forgotten to take things to school. Her teacher is amazing; the principal is very involved and knows most kids by name. Even if he misprounces a name he apologizes to everyone at that moment. My daughter has really excelled here and is doing great.
--Submitted by a parent

I can't imagine a better school for my family than Tarwater. My kids have been at Tarwater for 5 years now and they LOVE school. I truly believe that the wonderful, caring, structured atmosphere has allowed them to thrive and enjoy school every day. The prinicpal is fantastic and very involved. The school is busy with homework, events, activities, etc. but we pick and choose what we can go to and what we can help with so I don't fell overwhelemed they way some of the other parents reviews have mentioned. I highly recommend Tarwater!
--Submitted by a parent

We moved from a Kyrene school and did not expect to be this happy at Tarwater. Teachers and parental involvement are what make Tarwater a success. I can't believe any of the poor reviews. I am sure at all schools you could have a bad experience? I love the open feel and how welcomed we have felt here. I work a lot so we can't do all the activities they have but I would much rather have too many things then too little. They do send home homework, but I feel it's appropriate.
--Submitted by a parent

I gave the school 1 star because my kids are overwhelmed with home work and too many fundraising events and ceremonies. The last orchestra event I complained to the the principle about how the orchestra kids felt on orchestra day. The orchestra teacher praised 8 out of 10 kids that got on the deems list, principles list or high achievers lists by asking the majority to stand up in front of a large audience. The 2 sitting were very sad and embarrassed. The orchestra teacher praised the 8 kids on stage standing and mocked ( no joking) the remainder 2 o kids sitting by saying to the kids sitting- to be like the ones standing and 'you will not be sitting next year'. She does this every year to the 5th and 6th graders. 6 of the parents I know felt bad for the kids sitting. I complained to the principle by email and he never responded. The teachers work very hard and they do an excellent job. The office/ Administration need to be more considerate and do not expect anything left for your child in the office to reach your child because they are not very helpful in that respect and forget.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a fantastic elementary school with excellent teachers. The principal is always on site and available. Very nicely run and high on the academics. We were very pleased that this was our neighborhood elementary!
--Submitted by a parent

I am extremely happy with this school. The principal is always walking the groundsand is always available and attentive to any questions or concerns I may have. I taught in another AZ school and was leary of putting my child in a puplic school but I would highly recommend Tarwater to anyone. The teachers are courteous and straight forward. The only issue I have had, and this is a district wide issue, is the KRT for Pre-k students. I have a child that misses the cut off by 2 days, took the KRT and did not pass. The district informed us that our child is socially and emotionally ready to start kindergarten but didn't know her alphabet sounds. I was always told and fully believe that if they are emotionally and socially ready to begin school, the academics would come. Frankly, isn't that what kindergarten is for? You may have a child that is academically ready but can't sit still or behave in the classroom...this would pose more of a disruption in class and is a skill that can't be taught. Alphabet sounds can be taught. Just my two cents. All other areas have been excellent and I look forward to both of my children completing their elementary careers at Tarwater.
--Submitted by a parent

I think this school is fun for the kids. The environment is friendly, and the teachers are very attentive. Some of them are outstanding. Academically I think they are about average for a public school in a neighborhood of pretty highly educated families, and there are pockets of excellence. My only problem is usually trying to keep up with all of the planned activities and forms to fill out- it seems I would have to take off work about once every two weeks to manage everything for my two kids, and I always feel like I'm the one being assigned homework! There are more fundraisers and picnics and festivals and trips and whole-school athletic events than I can keep track of. With two working parents, it gets unwieldy. Overall we have been drained but pretty happy, and the kids have been pretty happy too. Administration is a little inflexible and bureaucratic, but the teachers compensate for it.
--Submitted by a parent

I noticed all the reviews are 4-5 stars and are good. My question is where are all the bad reviews? I know i wrote a bad review in the past and it never got posted on here. I also know of other parents writing bad reviews and none of them were posted, Why? I have had a terrible experience at Tarwater and i will say that this school does not deserve the rewards it is getting. I give this school and principal and staff and teacher quality none other then 1 star.
--Submitted by a parent

This will be my daughters 3rd year and we've had the BEST experience with the Teachers and especially the Principlie Mr Hensley. He's been such a great role model. Encouraging the kids to do there best and better yet...he challenges the students which pushes them to do there BEST. Definetly a A+ school.
--Submitted by a parent

Tarwater is a really good school.My kids have been going there for 4 years now and we've had one better teacher than the other. The teachers are great. We've never had a communication issue with anyone of them. The principa,l Mr. Hensley is a very involved , dynamaic,very charismatic personality and very open to ideas and suggestions.He is a good role model for the kids.We have obesrved the way he knows every kid by his or her name and how well he interacts with them. Its things like this that go a long way.
--Submitted by a parent