Shumway Elementary School

Shumway is great. I feel that it is a very safe school focused on education.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has declined horribly and with redistricting is full of children who curse at staff, beat up classmates, exchange pornographic websites and definitely don't focus on schoolwork. The principal is more concerned with low performers and coddling bullies. Please explore your alternatives before placing a child in this environment.
—Submitted by a parent

We Love Shumway! Great teachers and staff, Wonderful music and band programs, Positive learning environment. My kids love their school. We couldn't be happier.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 7 year old twins at this school and they love it as do I. The teachers at the lower grades are loving and caring and it shows in my childrens positive attitudes. My children are excited everyday about going to school, so as a parent I'm also excited to have them enrolled in this fine school. Excellent job to all the staff at Shumway.
—Submitted by a parent

I have recently decided to take my child out of this school for a number of reasons. First, the principal is not interested in concerns of the parents. Yes, he is visible at the school, but he does not communicate effectively with the parents or address their concerns. Second, the test scores have dropped over the past two years. Third, the bullies at this school are handled with kid gloves while children that strive to do their best are treated like second rate. It has become a huge disappointment.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has great teachers but the school has a bully problem that is not adequately addressed. While the princiapl may walk around campus, he is very hard to reach and does not return phone calls promptly. In 2007 , the school did not meet district standards in writing on the AIMS testing. The school needs to make a committment to our children and address current bullying issues.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been at Shumway for 3 years now. We have had wonderful, smart, enthusiastic teachers every year! The music teacher is funny, the PE teacher is great at making sure that the kids have fun, and the principal is very accessible (he is always walking around the school and pops into the classrooms). The computer mediation in the classrooms are outstanding! Every classroom has a computer projector, which allows the teacher to surf the web and show DVDs. Plus, they are getting smart boards so the teachers can write things down and they will appear on the screen. The morning announcements are 'televised' and the principal keeps everyone up to date via e-newsletters. This school is wonderful! My second son starts in the fall and he can't wait. Wonderful school!
—Submitted by a parent

We've been at Shumway Elementary now for almost a year. We have no complaints about either leadership or staff or educational excellence. We especially love the many extracurricular activities like Drama Club and Choir that are above and beyond anything offered at our former school which is rated a 9 in Great Schools' system. We are very satisfied with Shumway. Thanks for doing such a great job!
—Submitted by a parent

I love Shumway! Our boundary is for another Chandler school, but I chose Shumway for it's wonderful staff and teachers! The environment is full of love and nurturing to that of the students and the community overall. The music department is outstanding, and the extras, like running club, offer something for all ages.
—Submitted by a parent

My child was at another chandler elementary school for kindergarten. Per his teacher there, he had difficulty making friends, was physically aggressive, and was always in trouble. This year he's been at shumway and what a difference. He is exceeding in all subjects and teacher has not had any problems with him. Just goes to show you what a difference a great teacher and great school can make!
—Submitted by a parent

We have been very fortunate to have been a part of the Shumway community for six years. The teachers have always been well qualified and professional. When diffcult situations have happened - all questions were answered and the resolution very useful. The parent organization is very involved and there is a terrific support staff as well. There is also an excellent music and physical education program. The 'art masterpiece' and ceramics are good programs that teache many different styles of art. This school also has exceptional special educators.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had no real problems with the school, and have had a good experience with the all day kindergarten.
—Submitted by a parent

Wow! What a great school! We have had very good luck with teachers each year challenging our children. This year we are particularly pleased with the number of extracurricular activities planned for the year because it's these things that truely make school fun. This year the kids can take part in chorus, running club, math club, drama club, stock market club, band, sports, and drama club. They're eager to do it all! Our principal has the highest standards for the kids and we love the Character Counts program to help instill good character traits in our children while at school. The PTO is busy, not pushy, gets the job done and has helped provide many additional programs and extra's in addition to planning family fun events. We love this school!
—Submitted by a parent

We love Shumway. My daughter attended kindergarten at Shumway and then we moved to Maryland for three years. When we decided to move back to Arizona, we only wanted to go back to Shumway Elementary. My daughter is now in the CATS program (and loves it) and my son is in Grade 4. They both love their school. The teachers are excellent and the principal is caring. Special classes include: music, band, orchestra, library, and PE. The school also offers art masterpiece, ceramics, running club, and much more. The PTO organize lots of great family events -- all in all -- a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

We are new to Shumway. Overall I am content. The only concern I have is in my child's classroom, all the students were given exactly the same coursework and instruction. That may be the way it is done in this school district but in the school my child attended previously, each student progressed at his/her own rate. My child is not gifted and doesn't need to be in an accelerated program, but my child was quite bored in class. There was a great discrepency in student abilities in that classroom. The homework was a incredibly easy, as well. On several occasions I asked the teacher to guide me in giving my child more challenging work at home but she was not able to find the time. I wonder if my child is attending the right school.
—Submitted by a parent

Special needs parents - my son is a high functioning autistic. The special needs program and teacher are fantastic. However, when he was mainstreamed into a regular classroom he failed horribly. The teacher in the regular classroom always sent him to the principals office whom sugguested medication. Shumway didn't provide the aide he needed to function in the regular classroom, nor did they follow his iep. They wanted to transfer him to an ed (emotional disturbance)classroom at another school. Two other parents told me to move out of the chandler district before our son was enrolled.We moved two years later and now our son is excelling in a regular classroom with an aide to assist him when needed. If your child will always be in a self-contained classroom the chandler district will work for you. If your child can be mainstreamed expect problems.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not at all impressed with Shumway. It's very poor music and PE classes really need to be made over. I didn't include Art because there isn't one. The teachers are really good, but they are all leaving to go to better schools now. They have several empty classrooms. The school looks like a huge mess. The principal is very good, but definantly has her work cut out for her. I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone. Definantly go to the Kyrene district if your moving to the Chandler area. I feel sad for my child that they are going to a school that in the end limits his learning.
—Submitted by a parent

School programs are adequate, but not excellent. Extracurricular activities are very basic. Good quality teachers, but inadequate recess equipment and often removed (but not replaced) for disrepair. Cafeteria staff inadequate, harse with students verbally. Music department very good, but only available to upper grades.
—Submitted by a parent

great school - best in chandler - very pleased.
—Submitted by a parent

This school doesn't want to deal with children who need extra help. Their way of taking care of them is shoving them into the principles office so they never learn anything and blaming everything on ADHD. They're wrong.
—Submitted by a parent