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GreatSchools Rating

Surprise Elementary School

Public | PK-8 | 904 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 2 ratings
2011:
Based on 2 ratings
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

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35 reviews of this school


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Posted July 13, 2012

this school is the best school ive ever been to so far it is amazing also the teachers are great! cant wait for nest year!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 27, 2012

This is the BEST school! Sadly we moved from El Mirage to Avondale and had to switch schools this school year. However anyone looking for a good school in that area this is it! They are great! They have a wonderful principal and assistant principal (Which I believe is the most important start) the principal takes the time to get to know his students and he cares! It is hard now a days to find teachers and principals that really care about the kids and want to make a difference but they do at this school! My 2 kids went there for 2 years and they had good grades and loved going to school. If it wasn't so far I would take them back and drive to and from just to keep them there. Please do not listen to the negativity about this school they are a GREAT school!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 3, 2011

If you are a parent and want your kid to know how to take a standardized test, then this is the place you want your child to go. They are great at teaching to the test. Why you may ask? Because the teachers are forced to take several weeks out of the year and go over how questions are asked on tests so they can be sure to know what to expect, not in the future to make them better adults, but in the next month or so on the bubble test. The mojority of the staff puts on their happy face to ensure that a petty and overbearing "leader" doesn't frequent their room. The teachers are great. But do not give the credit to the administration. Give it to their will to see the children they care about succeed. If you are a parent: Variace If you are a teacher: Transfer (but good luck)
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted June 2, 2011

When I came to this school, it was struggling. Morale was down and students and staff were not performing at their best. In the few years that I have been there, the school has made a 180. Everyone is focused on achievement and high standards for all. The students stretch to reach these standards and the school is really shining. It is a great place to be!
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted December 6, 2010

I am an eigth grade student here at Surprise Elementary. I am in NJSH ( National Junior Honor Society). Even though I have come to make great friends here, this is not the best school to put your children in. The staff is absolutely wonderful and they really do care about our education here, but it's much more than that. Let's face it. The kids here just aren't the best kids. I have a little brother in 2nd grade and I often worry about him. Last year (when I was in 7th grade) there were many students who were already smoking in the 6th grade. All schools have students who you just wouldn't want your kids to hang around with. Don't get me wrong, there are MANY amazing students here! The staff is wonderful. They really care about us and want us to be successful. But you shouldn't put your children in this school just because of that. I guess you just have to trust that you've raised you kids to know right from wrong. :)


Posted October 1, 2010

Worst school ever!!!. Lost my kid three times .BAD test scores!!!! Don;t put your kid in this school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 20, 2009

The staff & teachers are the nicest. They all great you every morning with a sincere smile. It's a great start for the day for our kids.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 19, 2009

I love Surprise school because every one islike a fimily member at school, from students to our wonderful teaches. ,
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 17, 2009

I loved teaching at the school. The students, parents and staff are great!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 15, 2009

Our school has students who overcome many obstacles to meet and exceed our state standards. If any are struggling, we have procedures in place for them to receive intervention and tutoring. We love our students and want them to have the very best education!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 14, 2009

I have worked for Dysart District for about 15 years and all those years were at Surprise EleMiddle School. There is no better place than Surprise. The teachers are the best they care for the children in their class. And they help one another when questions arise. They are the best of all schools in the district.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 14, 2009

Surprise Elementary is Awesome! We work together to meet our school vision and mission. We set high standards for all stakeholders. Together, administration, teachers, students, parent and community work to reach our goals.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted October 12, 2009

Suprise Elementary has the best Students, Parents, and Staff! Everyone is so caring, helpful, and ready to learn, grow, and succeed!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 11, 2009

The teacher's are accessible along the the support staff. My kids enjoy the environment, progams and after school activities. I am proud that my kids attend Suprise...
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 11, 2009

Surprise is like a family. Our campus is made up of people who truly care about each other and the students. They show this through the dedication and the extra time they spend at our school.
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted October 10, 2009

Great parent involvement with an active PTSA, caring staff, and excellent administration!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 10, 2009

It's great!!!!!!! the PTSA rocks!
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted July 15, 2009

i just want 2 say that surprise is not a very good school and dosent no how 2 teach
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 7, 2009

One of the worst schools ever! Moving my kid to a charter school
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 8, 2008

sadly, the principal is a good example of what not to do, he constantly degrades staff and parent feel that he looks at them as if he is superior to them. Very bad special education program..


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2012.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
63%

2011

 
 
68%

2010

 
 
66%

2009

 
 
69%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 75% in 2012.

100 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
73%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
73%

2009

 
 
70%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 79% in 2009.

95 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
68%
Scale: % meets or exceeds

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Arizona used the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) to test students in reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 8 and 10, writing in grades 5, 6, 7, and 10, and in science in grades 4, 8 and 10. AIMS is a standards-based test, which means that it measures how well students have mastered Arizona learning standards. Students must pass the grade 10 AIMS in order to graduate. The goal is for all students to meet or exceed state standards on the test.

See Arizona's state standards

Source: Arizona Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 67% in 2012.

101 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
75%

2009

 
 
73%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 75% in 2012.

101 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
67%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
68%

2009

 
 
66%
Science

The state average for Science was 63% in 2012.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
57%

2011

 
 
66%

2010

 
 
64%

2009

 
 
51%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 83% in 2009.

95 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
89%
Scale: % meets or exceeds

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Arizona used the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) to test students in reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 8 and 10, writing in grades 5, 6, 7, and 10, and in science in grades 4, 8 and 10. AIMS is a standards-based test, which means that it measures how well students have mastered Arizona learning standards. Students must pass the grade 10 AIMS in order to graduate. The goal is for all students to meet or exceed state standards on the test.

See Arizona's state standards

Source: Arizona Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 63% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
58%

2011

 
 
67%

2010

 
 
50%

2009

 
 
49%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 78% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
71%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
61%

2009

 
 
56%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 56% in 2012.

85 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
47%

2011

 
 
51%

2010

 
 
51%

2009

 
 
83%
Scale: % meets or exceeds

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Arizona used the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) to test students in reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 8 and 10, writing in grades 5, 6, 7, and 10, and in science in grades 4, 8 and 10. AIMS is a standards-based test, which means that it measures how well students have mastered Arizona learning standards. Students must pass the grade 10 AIMS in order to graduate. The goal is for all students to meet or exceed state standards on the test.

See Arizona's state standards

Source: Arizona Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 61% in 2012.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
63%

2011

 
 
57%

2010

 
 
53%

2009

 
 
61%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 80% in 2012.

102 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
61%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 56% in 2012.

98 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
39%

2011

 
 
34%

2010

 
 
60%

2009

 
 
89%
Scale: % meets or exceeds

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Arizona used the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) to test students in reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 8 and 10, writing in grades 5, 6, 7, and 10, and in science in grades 4, 8 and 10. AIMS is a standards-based test, which means that it measures how well students have mastered Arizona learning standards. Students must pass the grade 10 AIMS in order to graduate. The goal is for all students to meet or exceed state standards on the test.

See Arizona's state standards

Source: Arizona Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 62% in 2012.

99 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
56%

2011

 
 
68%

2010

 
 
64%

2009

 
 
72%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 84% in 2012.

99 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
72%

2011

 
 
79%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
71%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 52% in 2012.

96 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
42%

2011

 
 
37%

2010

 
 
88%

2009

 
 
72%
Scale: % meets or exceeds

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Arizona used the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) to test students in reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 8 and 10, writing in grades 5, 6, 7, and 10, and in science in grades 4, 8 and 10. AIMS is a standards-based test, which means that it measures how well students have mastered Arizona learning standards. Students must pass the grade 10 AIMS in order to graduate. The goal is for all students to meet or exceed state standards on the test.

See Arizona's state standards

Source: Arizona Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 57% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
62%

2011

 
 
65%

2010

 
 
51%

2009

 
 
62%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 72% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
60%

2011

 
 
75%

2010

 
 
71%

2009

 
 
64%
Science

The state average for Science was 68% in 2012.

91 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
62%

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
51%

2009

 
 
47%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 86% in 2009.

76 students were tested at this school in 2009.

2009

 
 
89%
Scale: % meets or exceeds

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Arizona used the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) to test students in reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 8 and 10, writing in grades 5, 6, 7, and 10, and in science in grades 4, 8 and 10. AIMS is a standards-based test, which means that it measures how well students have mastered Arizona learning standards. Students must pass the grade 10 AIMS in order to graduate. The goal is for all students to meet or exceed state standards on the test.

See Arizona's state standards

Source: Arizona Department of Education

  • In 2010-2011, this school was designated "Performing Plus".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was designated "Performing Plus".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was designated "Performing Plus".

About the tests


Arizona uses AZ LEARNS Achievement Profiles to indicate schools' overall performance each year. For elementary and middle schools, the profiles are based on current and historical aggregated AIMS results, MAP results and whether or not the school made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). For high schools, AIMS results, AYP status and graduation/dropout rates are used. Schools are identified as Excelling, Highly Performing, Performing Plus, Performing, Underperforming, Failing to Meet Academic Standards or Pending.

See Arizona's state standards

Source: Arizona Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Hispanic 70% 41%
White 20% 45%
Black 9% 6%
American Indian or Alaska Native 1% 6%
Asian N/A 3%
Source: AZ Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 78%N/A51%
English language learners 27%N/A14%
Source: AZ Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Home languages of english learners

Language This school State average
Spanish 88% 81%
English 11% 12%
Filipino (Pilipino or Tagalog) 0% 0%
Other Indian 0% 0%
Other Non-Indian 0% 1%
Source: AZ Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per certified teacher 18N/AN/A
Source: AZ Dept. of Education, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

12907 W. Greenway Rd.
El Mirage, AZ 85335
Website: Click here
Phone: (623) 876-7400

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