Paragon Science Academy Elementary School

My child is still attending this school unfortunately. I find his classroom out of control and overlooked. The office staff is consistently rude and I always feel as I have intruded on them if I need something from them. I am currently looking into new schools and am completely disappointed with the choice I made in this school which is unfortunate because I had very high hopes when he started. If you want a compassionate environment as well as good academics DO NOT look here.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two kids at Paragon Science Academy Elementary. They absolutely love the school. I am an educator myself. I choose my kids' schools very carefully. My older child is in the gifted program. Paragon Elementary is a safe school, staff members are very caring and they listen to your concerns, they are accessible, both teachers and administration take their jobs seriously, they use technology in the classroom, the school is clean whenever you visit, teachers and administration communicate with parents on a regular basis. Overall we are very satisfied and highly recommend Paragon Elementary to anyone who want quality education for their children.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a gifted kid in Paragon doing advanced math. The attitude of some of the teachers at Paragon is to bring regressive teaching philosophy in modern classrooms. For example, teachers are cutting substantial marks because a kid did not have a black pen or a blue pen to grade his own paper. Even though the kid has done all problems correctly and submitted timely, the teacher refuses to share the class supplies with him and deducts 30-40% to his marks. This is outrageous and perhaps even illegal!! This is after we donated tons of school supplies to the class at the beginning of the school year. Where are the supplies going? Whose responsiility is it to grade an 8 year old's work? The teacher's or the student's?
—Submitted by a parent

I have been volunteering at Paragon Science Academy for five years. All the teachers are excellent and I would highly recommend the school to anyone that wants a good education for their children. There are a few parents that really push their children and they tend to be unhappy with any situation where the principal doesn't just do everything they demand.

Could not agree more with the last post. Such a poorly run place. Stay far away.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has the highest test scores and has a way better rating then my current school "Cheatham" it has a lot of bullying and I hope this school is going to be a bully free school.I a major nerd and in my other school people bully me because I am a good two shoes and gifted.

My daughter is in the First grade and is doing well. Some of the teachers are good and some are just average and do not communicate well with parents on how their children are doing. They are almost at the same level of teaching as a CTA & they give homework everyday which is good .The school has kids from different cultures which is good. They need to need to have good experienced teachers and also improve their standard in teaching language arts and phonics.Teachers should be communicative with parents on how their kids are doing and try to help them.
—Submitted by a parent

Paragon Science Academy is just a name. The academics are poor, and teachers are not qualified and have no experience for teaching. Also, becuase the high population, the teachers work with only advanced students. The behavior in the school envirment is a big issue to discuss,bullying, inapropriot language, inapropriate actions, and ruffhousing in the upper grades (3rd, 4th) grade. Also, teachers and the two principals ignoring parent's concerns but not all of parents this is abig ? ???? In addition, the school is missing a huge amount of basics, such as a proffessional nurse, proffessional music teacher , cafateria, safe playground, and proffesional P.E teacher!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My son is happy and excited about school.He is a 1st grader and doing very well in class.Great school!!
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent, the previous post offends me. The information is inaccurate and abusive toward the teachers who work so hard for our kids. Yes, we have had 3 principals in as many years, this has little to do with the gifted program which has developed under the supportive guidance of our current Gifted Program Coordinator. She has always had her door open to address any questions or concerns I have. The program is different from last year, but there were problems with students missing academic content with that model. Now, she is in the classroom to work with the GATE students, as well as the other students in the advanced classes regularly. She also started after school programs so that our children could participate in the Odyssey of the Mind. Plus she is fundraising in order to send students to a GATE camp experience. The students love her and her credentials make her far more than adequately suited for the position. I wonder if the previous parent realizes that she soon with have her doctorate degree and how much time she puts into planning for her students. Any school has its shortcomings, but at Paragon I feel my gifted child has exceptional educational opportunities
—Submitted by a parent

It is a shame because this school started out really strong. They had a clearly defined, advanced curriculum and a good method of teaching kids by abilities instead of by age. Unfortunately the lack of consistent direction from the administrative staff lead to issues between teachers and parents, teachers and teachers, teachers and admins and it really affected the ability of the kids to learn. The loss of the Gifted Coordinator was the first major blow and then the loss of the first and second principals really caused more confusion. By the end of the third year over half the teachers were gone, the administration was completely new and most of the curriculum was lost or not arrived. I think this school has the vision to be strong but without consistent and trained staff on the curriculum no one understands the policies especially the students. We had teachers who gave hours of homework, others who gave none, some teachers allowed water and break time, others did not. This is not even getting into the religious time in some of the rooms. Really sad potential is there. Maybe in a few years when they can get back trained staff.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is not fit for your child if your child has special needs. I have tried to address special needs of my child with teacher and school administration. They were never supportive. I have moved my child to a public school. They are very supportive. My child was enrolled in this school from the beginning when they started. They are more and more disorganized as the years ago. in the last 4 years, they are 4 different principals. So there is no continuity. Also there is constant turn over of teachers every years. I have seen all good teachers leave.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a 5th grader. We have been so happy with the school this year that my child will definitely move to Middle school campus on Chandler blvd. My child is taking Algebra 1 in 5th grade with only 9 other students in the class. This is way advanced compared to other schools and the class size is unbelievably low!!! I don't want my child to go to another school and repeat the same courses!
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a student at PSA and in middle school. This is my 3rd year at Paragon, and I would say they have a good curriculum except for science. Yes, I admit that they are disorganized, but trust me- they are INCREDIBLY busy. They try very hard for the school to have great students, and they are so proud with many of the middle school students. All of the teachers LOVE to teach, and thats all they can think about. Please do not blame the admin. for brushing off problems as they have many goals for the kids at the school to excel and cannot solve every issue.

This school has many many issues. They are full of empty and broken promises. Teachers are quitting mid year, as a parent it makes me wonder and question the things going on at this school! This school is good for parents who can put up with the disorganization, and chaos.
—Submitted by a parent

Paragon Science Academy has everything we need for my children who are attending 1st, 5th and 9th grade. The school administration is very accessible and the staff is very dedicated. Clubs are enriched this year and there is a good quality. Each student is considered for his/her Math level and given the chance to have the challenge. The amount of homework is reasonable.
—Submitted by a parent

Well they have a Spanish teacher now and are interviewing librarians. The school does have issues but it can't be compared to 20 year old public schools in the area. My son is in 4th grade and doing 5th grade math and my daughter is in 2nd and excelling! There aren't schools that give as high a level of education as this one, it's 10 out of 10 for a reason. I plan to keep my kids at this school and the high school for the education. I don't care if the administration is Turkish or if they want to teach is. We, as Americans, are too narrow minded to realize that learning another language is important regardless of what language it might be. The teachers are great and caring.The kids are exposed to so many cultures, it's just worth it.
—Submitted by a parent

As other parents, where do I begin? I really thought that after 3 years of growth that the bugs would have been worked out but it seems to have only gotten worse... much worse. There is something to say when a school is three years old and on it's 3rd principal! What is the reason for our children to learn Turkish! The muslim culture is favored in the parents and in the treatment of their staff. The rudeness of the administration has continued to grow greater each year. Some of the teachers are great this year and really have a passion for the children, but no all. My recommendation? Find a different school for your child - that is what I am in the process doing. Good Luck
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a JOKE. They are more Intrested in earning awards than really concentrating on the kids. This school is so dis-organized in all areas except giving homework to the kids. The administration is so out of touch that most of them do not even know some answers to your common questions about the school. This is our first year in the school (kindergarten), but I will be pulling out my child by the end of this week. I've also come to understand that the teachers are there to sign in & out, then pass over thier work to the kids as homework for the parents to help them out. More stress to the parents and I'm so disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school. They are in a buldiNg that used to house Univ of Phx - so the building is in great shape and quite new. We found the principal and senior staff to be friendly , accessible and very open minded. We don't live very close to the school any more so had to move our son to a different school, but we liked it a lot.
—Submitted by a parent