Thomas M Knoles Elementary School

My children have been going to this school for 4 years and I really love it!!!! Very creative and hard working staff....The only thing I wish was that the school offered beginning sports programs like basketball or baseball for 4th and 5th graders. Obviously, with budget cuts they just cant do it....but overall I am impressed
—Submitted by a parent

EXCELLENT SCHOOL!!!!!!!! LOVE the STAFF!!!! Mrs. Walton knows all the students by name and is EXTREMELY loving and caring to all.
—Submitted by a parent

Love the staff and school!! Excellent!
—Submitted by a parent

Great Teachers.... Lots of field trips for the kids to learn about our home town
—Submitted by a parent

I completely disagree with the previous review. The teachers and principal welcome parents' input about their child's education. Mrs. Walton is amazing and very caring...in fact, she is one of the main reasons my son is at Knoles. She is incredibly in-tune with the parents and students at Knoles.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is perfect if you don't want to be a part of your child's education. Most parents at this school send them and let the school do everything else. Principal is like over 60 and needs to retire. She is not on the top level needed for a school in todays time.
—Submitted by a parent

I've had three children go through Knoles. The school is increasingly diversified in ethnicity, which challenges the school to keep academic performance high despite the needs of a growing ELL population. My children have all done well at Knoles, and I appreciate the attention given to students' safety and academic and social growth. No school can be everything to every student or family, but I think Knoles was excellent for my children.
—Submitted by a parent

I noticed Knoles mainly focuses on academics and a traditional approach. This is not a multi-cultural school, so it was not a good fit for my child. It is predominantly white and lacking inclusion for children of other ethnicities. We value acceptance, kindness to others, and cultural education, but we didn't get those things at Knoles. I agree with other comments that the staff seemed unapproachable to middle and lower class families. We felt that as well. We initially based our decision on Knoles by test scores, but learned that a school's environment is just as important. This isn't the school for everyone, but then again, what school is? We are switching to a multi-cultural school with smaller class size. Knoles has one of the largest class size ratios in the district.
—Submitted by a parent

Very happy with the school, and because everyone is happy with the school everyone wants to go there. Class sizes are huge. That is the only downside of the school. Principal, teachers, and everyone there are super nice.
—Submitted by a parent

I have only been with Knoles for 1 year, but I am thrilled beyond belief. My son had the perfect kindergarten experience there. I always felt welcome, wanted, and that my child's academic, social and emotional needs were being met. The teachers and aides go above and beyond every day. The school administration takes a very hands on approach and makes great decisions. This is a very happy, positive place to be!
—Submitted by a parent

This is one of the best schools in Flagstaff. The staff are great to work with and the office staff are always helpful. The PTO is really involved and provide activities thoughout the year for everyone. I have a child going into Kindergarten this year and she can't wait to attend. My other 2 have been at Knoles since Kindergarten and love it also. If you want your child to have a great education and a safe enviroment to go to school, then you need to send them to Knoles! ARB
—Submitted by a parent

I pulled my child out because the school was not willing to work with me. For the most part the staff has a 'We know it all' attitude. No one there knows my child like I do and they wouldn't listen to me at all. My advice, if you are think about Knoles really watch what is going on and talk to your child.
—Submitted by a parent

I pulled my child out of Knoles because I wanted him to learn in a more diverse atmosphere. Knoles is made up of primarily white, upper class children (which I admit, we ourselves are). HOWEVER, the overall feel of the school was snooty, snobby, and the 'keeping up with the Jone's' thing absolutely prevailed. I wanted my children to be more diversified personally. I have a problem with them growing up with only rich, white children for some reason. But hey maybe that's just me.
—Submitted by a parent

Knoles is a great school. Always willing to work with parents and students to achieve the highest quality education.......
—Submitted by a staff

I pulled my kids out of Knoles school because I was not happy with the way they were treated. The principal was arrogant and the parents too. This was not the attitude I wanted my child to learn in school!
—Submitted by a parent

We have pulled all our children from Knoles and FUSD. If you are the kind of parent who believes everything your told and you don't question anything than Knoles and Mrs. Walton will work for you. If you stand by your kids and support them, then keep looking.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school! The teachers here are excellent and are always involved with the students!
—Submitted by a former student

In general, Knoles school offers a high quality of academic programs. Extracurricular sports are not offered, although there is currently a dance club. The music and art programs are included in the curriculum. School leadership is strong, and parent involvement is relatively high.
—Submitted by a parent

Academically my child seems to be well prepared for middle school. The teachers seem to work well together. The parents pay for the art teacher and the band teacher has to travel to several schools. There are no sports. Parents are pretty involved, doing several fund raisers over the school year.
—Submitted by Patricia, a parent

This is a very well rounded school. They study many different subjects and are very interactive with teaching methods. The teachers and staff are wonderful with the children. They participate in many fun and educational field trips. I've had three children go through the school from K-6 and we have loved all the teachers. My children have always done well in the trasition to the upper grades. They were very well educated from the start and continue to excell. I would highly recommend Knoles as a choice for your child.
—Submitted by Jeannine Orr, a parent