Territorial Elementary School

I love Territorial, and I'll be sad when my son graduates and leaves the teachers and staff behind. Whenever I visit during school hours, I always see the principal out and about doing something, and she seems to know all of the kids' names. The teachers and staff are very friendly and really do go above and beyond for the kids.
--Submitted by a parent

I am far from impressed with this school, Period. They have misplaced my child on five different occasions two of them sending her out to paulden. My child has had her school supplies destroyed on multiple occasions, and all I have ever gotten from the staff is a half sincere apology and excuses as to why the teacher was not paying attention to the class. They never have replaced anything nor even offer to replace said destroyed items which, sorry it might be a little harsh but I feel they should do. It is their job to pay attention. The first year was not bad by any means she liked her teacher and progressed at a good rate. The second year...Yeah not so much and the third year we will have to see but I am not going to hold my breath.Funding issues or not, If parents are asked to help out with school supplies the school should be appreciative and help protect the investment. I think at this current point in time I would rather, If need be see the elementary schools merge and have multiple teachers per class. I was brought up school-wise in classes about the same size (that is keeping the above opinion in mind) with many days having a a secondary/assistant teacher, I aced every year
--Submitted by a parent

I have 4 children that attend Territorial Elementary School, I think they really should really focus on Math! With out proper math skills basic life will be harder for our children. Lets get back to the basics of teaching. I love the office staff, Ms. Lucy and Ms. Jackson they do there job very well and make everyone feel welcome. My family thanks them for that.
--Submitted by a parent

I have had three children attend TES since it oppened. We have been very pleased with the principal and staff! They are absolutely outstanding! We will probably be moving back to Chino Valley soon and will have two students attending. Keep up the great work!
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my children have attended TES since it was opened. The teachers are wonderful. They encourage the kids to do their best, and the school has consistently bettered it's report card, upping it's scores each year. The art, music, and PE programs have fabulous teachers which adds to a well rounded program. My daughters love going to school here. My youngest will graduate from 5th grade at the end of the 2005 school year, and we will miss TES being a part of our family. Both children have great memories of this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I enjoy this school and its teachers. They are very comforting and knowledgeable. Students participate in many funfilled activities. The teachers really care!
--Submitted by a parent

I have been very pleased with this school. The principal is very concerned about the kids and all the teachers go the extra mile to help the students learn
--Submitted by Diane Betts, a parent

I agree with the comments by one parent that had had children in both Del Rio and Territorial. I do think switching principals at the schools would be a good and positive move. I noticed that one comment was made by a teacher, that does not her own children attending Territorial. That is nice to be a loyal employee, but a statement by a parent of children would be more appropriate. Economic factors are so very different in each school. Maybe readjusting the school boundaries would help raise the scores at TES. Something clearly needs to be done. Teachers at both schools are equally experienced and qualified. They need to all work together as a district, and not be catfighting each other as to which is the better school.

I have lived in Chino for a long time. Mr. Turley taught some of my children both Math and Science. He is a very knowledgeable educator. He challenged my students while they enjoyed his classes. At Territorial, I appreciate the way he knows about my children's strengths and weaknesses. He makes comments about some achievement they have received when he sees me in the hall. I have never seen a principal care so much about the students. In my opinion Territorial is an excellent school. It has great staff, aides, teachers, and principal.

Territorial and Del Rio are engaged in an unpleasant comparison of both schools. The educational philosophies of the principals are very different. This can be a positive thing, but for a small community like Chino, it seems to be tearing apart the town. The two schools have very divergent populations of students. As a parent of former students at both schools, I liked things about them both. The extreme focus on phonics at Del Rio was a bit much. I respected the principal at D.R. much more than the principal at Territorial. Something drastic needs to be done to help Territorial raise their test scores. Perhaps a bold move, such as switching principals to the other school, could prove or disprove which person can produce a school of high achievers in Chino Valley. The focus should be on the good of the children of Chino Valley, and preparing them to be our future leaders, workers, and producers of society, not on which side of the highway they live.