Kyrene de la Paloma School

I have three kids that attend this school. One of them is finishing their 5th grade year and started out as a kindergartner here. I have watched this school take a drastic turn for the worse. Leadership is a complete failure. The principal is very unapproachable. The school is falling apart. So much focus is put on safety but anyone can sign your kid out. My child was picked up by step dad and it was his first time in the office. No ID, no questions asked. Obviously my child was safe but they seriously won't let you walk your own child to the playgro und in the morning out of fear but anyone can walk in and request they pull your child out. Drop off and pick up procedures are chaotic. There is absolutely no organization. Kids are also taught ONLY what's on the AIMS test. This school needs more parents to speak up. So many do talk about these issues but unfortunately, it is not heard by the right people.
—Submitted by a parent

I have three children at Paloma. I am a certified teacher and I consider myself pretty critical when it comes to my children's education. Even at the kindergarten level, there is a very high standard for academic achievement, but it is beautifully balanced with enough discovery learning to make it fun. I fully believe that if kids enjoy school, they will be successful. All of my children love school; they love their teachers. The teachers are really incredible. They deliver engaging, relevant lessons and really teach the CONCEPTS, not just the skills. Field trips are varied and connected to learning objectives. There is clear collaboration at Paloma and they are a partner school with ASU, so there are student teachers in many classrooms. Another set of eyes makes an incredible difference in the amount of attention your child will receive. While the student teachers may be inexperienced, they are eager to do well. I love the enthusiasm and innovation they bring to the classrooms. The principal is very visible on campus and seems approachable and respected. My children love the opportunity to lunch with her. I have no hesitation endorsing this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a wonderful environment for children to learn. The principal is a compassionate, intelligent and kind person. My children have attended for 7 years between the three of them. I feel fortunate to have such caring people surrounding my children.
—Submitted by a parent

I am somewhat unhappy with Paloma, I think the teachers are good and the class room sizes are good. Their needs to be more focus on the way children treat each other. Not addressed at all. Parent involvement is good, PTA is good. Would still recommend to parents, no place will be perfect.
—Submitted by a parent

Very good school. One of the best in chandler. The curriculum is very diverse. The schools has a lot of extra curriculum activities, and the neightborhood is very calm
—Submitted by a parent

This schoool has wonderful programs and as part of the Kyrene school district is one of the best in the state. The ADE raks this school as excelling. They have full day kindergarten and and exceptional gifted program. Many of the parents are in the PTO.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 boys attending. This school rocks! The academic level is great and keeps my kids challenged. The PTA sponsors all sorts of fun events throughout the year like carnival, pumpkin patch, etc. The kids go to art, music and PE every week and they teach 'lifeskills' like caring, concern, integrity, etc. We love it!
—Submitted by a parent

Great school if your child has no learning problems or A.D.D. otherwise forget it.
—Submitted by a parent

We were extremely please with our experience at Paloma. We felt that the teachers were well qualified, and cared about the students. Our son entered kindergarten at a 'average' level, and left with 'above average' marks on his report card. We felt confident in sending our son there everyday.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has beed diagnosed with ADD, when I brought this to the schools attention they immeadietly startrd working on a program to fit his needs. Since then he has steadly progressed.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended Paloma for three years. Every teacher 'we' have had, from the classroom teachers to the 'specials' teachers have been fantastic! The school has a very 'Open Policy', parents and visitors are always welcome. Not just by 'our' student's teachers, but the entire staff. Any concerns that I have ever had have been addressed immediately and always resolved to my satisfaction. I KNOW that everyone there is professional, careing and dedicated to giving our children the very best! We researched many schools before moving and settling here. Paloma teachers and staff made it simple to decide where to settle, simply because they are the best.

Paloma is a mediocre school in all respects, although there are some great teachers. For years the school remained committed to outdated 'whole language' techniques, and it has only recently begun to integrate more up-to-date methodologies. As a result, many of those who attended here in recent years are unable to spell or syllabify and do not read, moreover, at the grade level.

I have had excellent support and communication with the teachers and principal of Paloma. They keep us updated with no only our childrens progess and/or issues, but also any unfortunate situation that may occur on or around the campus.

Last year my Step-son attended Paloma. I cannot fully express my appreciation of this wonderful school and its talented, dedicated, and caring employees. Everyone from the Principal to the classroom teacher to the office staff went out of their way to help our son succeed. Since our 4th grader struggles with a learning disability, we also worked closely with the resource teachers and the school psychologist. Each went out of her way to assist our son and we saw great improvements in his reading. This is a terrific school and I look forward to our 3-year-old attending in the future.

I would not recommend putting your children into public schools. The class sizes are too big and your child gets lost in the system. Teachers are forced to follow a strict curriculum and cannot adjust the class to fit the students. Now I know why there are high school kids who can't read. Public Schools simply do not care about students, they only care about numbers. Which is why over 50% of Arizona's public schools are failing.