Weitzel's Puente De Hozho Bilingual Magnet School

The school has neglected the fundamentals of reading and math. The goal of primary education is to teach children to read english fluently.This means that the child can read and comprehend. When we lose sight of the basics in favor of social experimentation, then we have failed the children. This school falls short on academics. It does not matter if they can speak spanish or learn about the navajo culture. If the child cannot read fluently (comprehension) and do math then the child is being set up for failure. It would be interesting to know how many children are on an IEP at this school and what is done to address the issues in a bilingual education program. How does a bilingual magnet school address the issues of learning disabled children? I removed my children from this school because the school cannot address both academic and special education at the same time. It is a magnet school.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall not a very good place for academics. It only has a "B" rating according to the state website. The scores for math and writing fall below the state passing levels. Only 45% of students meet the passing score for handwriting. Horrible! What are they teaching? Only 73% pass the state reading. On the Stanford 10 exams the scores are absolutely dismal. Language and reading scores are less than 40% of students passing compared to scores nationally. Parents should be very concerned about what is going on with the academics. The previous review refers to the bilingual aspect. The measure of a good school is not how well the kids can speak or read two languages but how well they can read, write and do arithmetic. Parents need to be more aware of how the school performs on a national standard. Arizona standards are lower than the national standard. I removed my children from this school based on the poor academic performance. There has been no real change over the past 3 years.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that PDH is an amazing school. I have two boys going into the English-Spanish program and in less than a year, they read and write Spanish so fluently that makes me cry of emotion. I think that academically they should push the children a little bit more, but I don't have any complains. I have a little one that soon will get into kindergarden, and I cannot wait to see how she learns Spanish, and also get to know other culture like the Navajo culture so rich in history, values, and traditions. Keep up the good work, and push a little bit more academics. A proud mama!
—Submitted by a parent

I was excited to send my daughter here for her kindergarten year. I was excited she could learn Navajo & English. But the teacher turned out to be rude and unfriendly! I never had an issue with my daughter wanting to so to school when she was in head start or kinder-camp. Until she started attending the K-Navajo class. The teacher never seemed happy, and instead of explaining what she was trying to teach she would walk over and pick the kid up and tell the student to stand. My daughter would cry and beg not to go to school, so I had to listen to my heart and pull her from the school. I spoke with the principal to see if we could move my daughter to another class & she stated that was not an option. maybe they should hire more K- teachers.Now she is attending Thomas & has been excelling and doing just great!
—Submitted by a parent

We transferred our child to PHD this year for the bilingual and cultural experience. So far, we think he is a doing very well. We are most thankful for our English teacher who has been supportive, encouraging, and so helpful. The principle is very kind and caring with her students. She truly wants the best for the school, though we felt some stress when asking for some individual help with our child. The Spanish teacher is an excellent teacher and very good with his spanish speaking kids, but we feel is a little too fast moving for our child that is just beginning to learn the language. Overall, great school. Staff are friendly, everyone greets our child by name. Great activities though we'd like more art projects. We hope we continue to have a great educational experience for our child here.
—Submitted by a parent

I am disappointed in this school. I don't feel that the staff are professional or safe. I believe they are relying on the bilingual draw and also use it as an excuse for poor teaching. The classes are too large for the teachers to manage. There is little real supervision on the playground. I have heard a lot of complaining from the teachers and not really seen much new material being learned by my child. I am hoping that this was just a rough year and that I will see improvement for my child next year-if not I will be taking my child out of this so far- sub par school. What a shame that such a good program is being so poorly facilitated.
—Submitted by a parent

A great school with exceptional teachers and high quality facilities. The bilingual experience is truly a tremendous opportunity for elementary-aged children.
—Submitted by a parent

We love PdH for it's ethnic, cultural and economic diversity, as well as for the early language learning (my 1st grader is in the Spanish/English program) and the small school setting with caring teachers. We feel so lucky to have this school available in Flagstaff.
—Submitted by a parent

I would have to disagree. My grandson has been a student since he was in pre-school PDH he is now in the first grade, and the teachers all have been great, they see you in the hall and they have been friendly.

Our son just finished Kindergarten, he is a part of the Navajo program. We had a great experience! We love the importance put on culture and the great parental involvement. We highly recommend this school and the Dine' program for Navajo families. :)
—Submitted by a parent

There 7th grade (puente language academy) is an awesome experiance for me i wish that p.L.A will keep going and have more students that went to p.D.H to go.Because it helps you with your spanish more then p.D.H and better than mems and fms!
—Submitted by a student

Cultural diversity, small school, great parental involvment. Love this school!
—Submitted by Ruth, a parent

PDH is a great school. The teachers do a great job of teaching the core content within the languages they teach. I would like to see more involvement with all three languages being taught (Navajo/Spanish/English). Our children are there to get more than a text book education. The program challenges children in ways traditional schools do not typically challenge their students. They are expected to learn the core content in two languages, not just one. The teachers and staff do a wonderful job of making the students feel comfortable at the school, which increases their openness to learning. The teachers and staff also accept and invite parent involvement, without letting parents run the school. I highly recommend the school. You have to know what you want your child to get out of their school experiences (text book learning v. education). -- Sean
—Submitted by a parent

Overall I thought my child's experience was great. We went in with understanding that the second language was going to be the priority and it was. My kid did great. Although english took a backseat, we worked on that at home. Good Job PDH! Kindergarden Navajo.
—Submitted by Derrick, a parent

Puente De Hozho does not measure up to the hype surrounding it. Disappointing school all around.
—Submitted by David, a parent

This school was a disappointment. Staff were not friendly, teachers weren't very open to parental involvement.
—Submitted by Dana, a parent