Chandler Traditional Academy - Independence

Mrs. Lombardi has won my kinder's heart! She'll be so sad to leave her classroom...but she's equally excited to become a first grader. Thanks for a fabulous year Suzy!
—Submitted by a parent

Fantastic curriculum, strict discipline and a very solid program that starts in kindergarten. The program strongly encourages parent involvement in various aspects and homework starts the very first day of kindergarten.
—Submitted by a parent

Love this school! My daughter attends kindergarten at CTA. Her teacher, Mrs. McCleary is fantastic. Parent involvement is a must and students, even Kinders, have quite a bit of homework but my daughter still enjoys school, loves her teacher, and is learning a ton! Some other posters have mentioned a principal that was an issue. Although I did not have any experience with that principal, the current principal is amazing. She is friendly, warm, and seems to genuinely enjoy being around children.
—Submitted by a parent

CTA Independence is a great school. Our daughter attends kindergarten and she absolutely loves it here. Her teacher Miss Werden is wonderful. She goes out of her way to make sure the students are learning even during their breaks. Thank you CTA for teaching our kids the way they should be taught!!!
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to this neighborhood specifically for this school. We can honestly say that we are not disappointed! Our child is in Mrs Hernandez's class. She is very nice and an exceptional teacher! Although this school teaches at a higher level, our son loves to learn at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

A great school! The teachers are professional. The students are well-behaved and eager to do their best in the classroom. I highly recommend this school to anyone that wants their child challenged academically.
—Submitted by a parent

I would love to know which parent wrote about the school getting better now that the principal has quit. That parent was likely on the posse of a small group that made life miserable for the office staff and the principal last year. The principal chose to return to another district in town. She was a fabulous principal and most everyone liked her, except for a group of nasty moms. The school is excellent. If you want an excellerated ciruculum, discipline, uniforms, high expectations and heavy parent involvement, CTA Independence is the school for you. If you want play time and your kids getting a master's degree in seek and find worksheets, sent them to the other neighborhood public schools. A public sorry to Mrs. Branch - not all parents are jerks. Best wishes to your new school.
—Submitted by a parent

Our children thrive at CTA, three years now. We are active in their lives, finding a balance between academics, music, sports and homework. High AIMS scores don't tell all, but I see CTA developing confidence and a productive approach to learning. Thanks to Ms. Branch for her work this year. Thanks to the excellent staff and talented teachers! Thanks to the District for growing CTAs and the CTJH!
—Submitted by a parent

It's great now that the prinicpal of just one year is leaving, now we can get back to teaching and no speedly changes and being on a power trip.
—Submitted by a parent

This school's music teacher is fantasic. She has a solid background with Phoenix Children's Chorus and is what every school should have a real asset to the schools professional atmosphere!! Thank You Mrs. L
—Submitted by a parent

Curriculum top notch! Your child is taught a grade ahead, of course in a strict environment. There is nothing wrong with a little bit of discipline. But...the 'New' administration we could definately could do with out. I hear petitions work well????
—Submitted by a parent

CTA is a Chandler Public School for parents who want to feel like they are giving their children a private education but do not want to pay for it. The school has the same standards as other Chandler District Schools. The AIMS results do not show that their curriculum has resulted in better scores than other Chandler Elem. Schools. In some areas they might be a couple points higher - then in others they are lower. If the school is promoting itself as having a more challenging curriculum then the test results should reflect this and one would expect much higher scores.
—Submitted by a parent

Independence is a great school but not for everyone. There are many opportunities for your child to succeed. The principal and the staff will work with you to assist your family if there is a problem. Seventy-five percent of the parents in my child s classroom participate in the classroom. Be warned that this is a very Type A school. There is a strict curriculum and not a lot of play time. Homework for my excelling kindergartener is over an hour a night (not including breaks). Though doing well academically she has no love for learning. The pressure she feels in kindergarten to perform has in part doused the flame. So, if your child excels in this kind of environment, then I could not recommend a better school with more caring faculty. However, if your child needs more variety and play time then I would check out other schools.
—Submitted by a parent

Well from the last post, you may not visit the school very often. Or haven't notice the staff slowly diminishing. Or heard of parents complaining of the 'new principal'. It is a Traditional School of sourse it is going to be strict. It is going in the right direction not because of the principal, but because of the teachers and their knowledge of teaching. You might want to spend more time at school with your child.
—Submitted by a parent

I have to completely disagree with the last post...the new principal has shown great leadership and brings a new, fresh perspective on the 'back to basics' model of teaching and running a school. She obviously has a heart for the students and it shows in her interactions with them. Some may say the rules are too strict, but our children need discipline and boundaries (let's face it, a lot of kids aren't getting it at home). I am impressed with the direction the school is headed and plan to keep my kids there.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers have been wonderful, but I'm very unimpressed with the new principal. Her focus seems to be on controlling the students as much as possible, rather than focusing on the children. At lunch, social interaction is discouraged and children are not even allowed to turn around. When the bell rings she requires all students to leave the school and will not let them remain or re-enter to talk with a teacher or pick-up an intstrument. Apparently, this is to teach the student's responsibility. Perhaps the same rule should apply to teacher's and administrators and then the next time someone leaves their keys on their desk they'll rethink whether or not that policy is reasonable. The past principal was remarkable and each student really felt cared for. It's too bad a poor principal has such an impact on the school experience.
—Submitted by a parent

We have just completed our third year at CTA. We've been with the school since the year it opened. I can tell you that I would drive from far and wide to make sure my child could still attend school here. Cant believe how much he has learned! And nice to know this 'Back to Basics' style of teaching still teaches phonics and the Saxon math program...things you WONT find in Chandler schools outside of the CTA's. Im always entertained when I hear tales of hideous amounts of homework given to CTA children!! My son completes each night in 20 minutes or less (outside of the req'd reading). This school also offers excellent activites--Running Club, Variety Show, Spring Fling, Chess Club, etc. And the best part? My child loves going to school and misses it when were on school breaks. We're so thankful for CTA schools!
—Submitted by a parent

There is no doubt that the traditional philosophy at CTA provides an exceptional foundation for future learning for our children. What seems to be overlooked is the myriad of extracurricular activities (most of which are volunteers from the staff) that are also offered that support their philosophy of a well rounded child. Yes, there are uniforms (saves you money), yes, there is a discipline policy that is uniformly enforced. Sure, private school student teacher ratios may be a little bit lower, but, I want my child to be prepared for the real world, where ratios are higher and the child has to be responsible, not assuming the world revolves around them or in their bubble.
—Submitted by a parent

I just submitted a comment giving CTA a pretty good review but I forgot to mention some things. Although CTA is a great school the teachers are forced to follow very strict teaching methods and give out alot of homework. They encourage parent involvment and are required to help out I think 4-8 hours during the school year. When parents and teachers visit a classroom, normally the person teaching is a lot more strict than they usually are when they teach due to the strict guidlines. This is still a very good school.
—Submitted by a student

This is a great school! The curriculum is very well structured and the teachers are very involved. This is a great place to start for any child who has a love of learning and wants to excell academically. We give far less credit that what children are worth it and I truly found in my son's case here at the academy. You will be amazed by the kids performance and ability.
—Submitted by a parent