San Tan Elementary School

We love San tan and all of the staff!!! I cant wait to see what next year brings!
--Submitted by a parent

We love San Tan! I am appalled by the last poster that criticizes someones weight. The ladies in the front office and pulled in so many directions every day, so to make rude comments about someones weight or not having confidence is just plain ignorant. Our new Principal (head master??) Ms. Powell will be great. The school needs strong guidance and discipline and with her, they will receive it.
--Submitted by a parent

We thought we were going to withdraw our kids in December! We met with the stand in Head Master & felt very at ease. WE wished she was staying, however that is not the case. We have met the new Head Master, & we feel things are going to get rocky again. Just the feeling we got from her. I have had a few issues with the new admittance gal, I just wished she spoke with confidence in her job. The office gals are great always friendly & willing to help the parents they did hire a new gal, although on the hefty side her personalty & the way she greats everyone with a smile shows she enjoys her job the office is full of life & outweighs her body weight, which is a huge plus. The teachers go far beyond their call of duty in helping the kids succeed in their grade. I have been on campus many times and walked the halls of all grades & if I am seen by a teacher I am always asked if I need help. Both safety & education is high on the list at San Tan. The nurse is also helpful very organized. All in all San Tan is a great School for our family. We only wished they started earlier & got out earlier, if this could happen we know we would not have to pull our kids out early so much!
--Submitted by a parent

I have been very pleased with this school. The teachers us every means of communication to make sure we are prepared to help our kids. Email, phone, newsletters and school website. They also tailor their program to the kids needs, and do everything they can to enhance the kids learning ability as best suits the child. My only complaint is the amount of fundraisers that the school is involved in. We have done at least 2 fundraisers a MONTH this year, sometimes more. The pressure put on the parents at such an early agie is somewhat ridiculous. I can understand some fundraisers, but as a working Mom, I find it difficult to participate, and my kids seem to feel very pressured by this to outperform their friends. I don't think this is a good practice when my kids are in Kindergarten and 2nd grade. Overall, if I were to recommend the school, Hands down, I would tell anyone to move into the area! The surrounding neighborhood is the most child friendly area we have ever lived, and since we are military, that says alot about this area and the school! Good luck in your school searches!
--Submitted by a parent

I have two children at this school. They both are receiving a great education. It concerns me that teachers are getting let go. I received an email today that there will be a new principal effective 12/5. What is happening with the teachers and staff at this school? None of the teachers will talk about what is going on. The district is not talking either...
--Submitted by a parent

I would like to comment on the most recent post below dated 11/28/2011. San Tan does have great teachers in all grades and they have worked hard to get there. Truth IS that Dr. Alva has managed to push the staff to become one of the best schools in AZ, he is a very intelligent man and has a demanding position at San Tan but also within the district! HOWEVER going to the extreme to say that there is flirting in the office, NO !!! Never have I seen any such type of behavior as much as I am in the school. What I do SEE and HEAR is front office staff communicating with parents. Every parent is different and has different needs for them and their children. The front office staff deals with a wide variety of parent issues and these ladies work with parents to meet each of their needs. Would I call this flirting, absolutely not! They show attention, sympathy, assistence, laughter, support and comfort. As a parent you want admirable service as you walk in the door. Parent below why don't you look up the definition of what FLIRTING really means!! Parent why don't you get a job behind the desk of an office staff member and open your eyes to what office staff and administration faces
--Submitted by a parent

I have also read many of the comments. I got on here to see if there was any clue as to why several teachers are leaving San Tan. Two of the teachers that left had huge impacts on our children's lives. They were truly amazing teachers. Have the 'numbers' become more important than the children I wonder? Has the new principal caused the good teachers to leave? If it is about the "numbers", why have first grade teachers left? They don't do AIMS, correct? I worry that without the strong teachers in the lower grades, who have the patience and intelligence to teach our kids how to read, our numbers are going to decrease.
--Submitted by a parent

We have 2 Children @ San tan Ranch. We could not be more pleased with San Tan. What Dr. Alva & Mrs. Wolf have accomplished in their 1st year and continues to accomplish.... AMAZING!!! Our kids came home Friday so pumped up & excited as they had a short assembly on how WELL San Tan STUDENTS & Teachers are doing! San Tan is currently rated 20th out of 1300+ Schools in the State of AZ & # 1 for the District. One of our kids went from failing to being a honor student!! I have read ALL the comments, & I could sit here & go tick for tack on each complaint; but I have better things to do. Besides the numbers speak from themselves!!! As for the haters... the complainers.... STOP IT, go get your teaching degree, or be involved with the School or in the classrooms. It is not at all easy! If you think you can do it better.... step up I am sure they would love to have you on board at San Tan. I am proud to say that our Children attend San Tan Elementary & do not have any faults or issues with the Dr. Alva, Mrs. Wolf or and of the administrators or Office Staff for that matter. They are all WONDERFUL & truly do care for EVERY student & parent associated with San Tan Elementary.
--Submitted by a parent

I transferred my children to this school because I had heard it was the best in this district. If that is so, I would hate to see the other schools. This school, and district, have been the most inconsistent school system we have ever experienced. The teachers always look mad at the end of the day as they walk the students out. It seems that they can't be eager enough to be rid of the children. The principal, as my child tells me, if often on his cell phone in the hallways and even in the classrooms, while a teacher is 'teaching'. I am transferring my children to another district after first quarter. Possibly a district that enjoys children.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been attending this school since kindergarten began in fall 2009. We have been underwhelmed with the depth of the education that he has received and unimpressed with the curriculum. The teachers he has had are caring and communicate fairly well, however, the environment in which they are trying to develop our children's minds and abilities is lacking. The change in principal/leadership has only empowered the PTO that seems to have so much control over who gets what within the school. I have witnessed favoritism, bullying and a genuine hostility--and that is among the parents. I would like a more positive and encouraging environment for our child and our family. Also, the last two weeks were composed of a lot of movie watching, free periods and little new instruction. The report card came home with NO additional comments--constructive or not--about my child's year-long performance. We had a good rapport with my child's teacher and were quite involved throughout the school year. I have to wonder if the environment is wearing on the teachers as well.
--Submitted by a parent