San Tan Learning Center

My child is about to finish her second year at Santan. I was hopeful with the school's recent growth; as well as the administration's vision that we would be pleased with our choice of school. That has not been the case. My child is on her second teacher so far this school year. This transition was very difficult and little was conveyed to me about this. The school lacks resources as well as adequate facilities (no full size gym, auditorium, or playground). Overall, the teachers lack experience and the administration does not keep its promises. The school is over-hyped and does not deliver the results conveyed. Like stated in one of the previous reviews; the school is too focused on being managed like a business instead of a fostering a school environment where children's needs come first.
--Submitted by a parent

We have experienced both the preschool and elementary schools and have been very pleased! Our 3yo is reading and our elementary child is reading two levels above their grade and is excelling in math, vocabulary, and all other subjects. We listened to the charter board meeting as well and the only issue was overall math test scores for the school being slightly low. The school has grown a lot in the past year, and with growth comes challenges- kids new to the school need time to catch up. We feel that they are working hard to address the issue and the test scores will show it. As for the food issues previously addressed-preschoolers can't bring milk or juice so they actually eat their food instead. The school does not allow sugary foods or snacks. These are good things! Due to severe allergies, nuts and nut products are not allowed at the school; this is not a big deal! There are so many other options. This is a great, nurturing school with a dedicated staff and involved parents. They have music and daily PE (hopefully Spanish and Art soon!) They are not perfect but no school is. Parents need to do their part and work with teachers to make sure their child is excelling and happy.
--Submitted by a parent

We have been at STLC for almost two years now and have been continually hopeful, but constantly disappointed. We hoped that the school would grow (it has almost doubled) and settle into a nice model with the needs of the students as a priority. That is not the case. The majority of teachers are doing the best they can and truly care about the kids, but the administration is clearly more focused on the business side of running the school rather than nurturing their founding vision. The parent involvement at this school is remarkable and the school would not be at all successful were it not for them. Yet, we have been appalled by some of the actions, and communications by the administration towards parents. STLC has spent a lot of money becoming Chamber of Commerce members and sponsoring Chamber events. For a business that is fine. For a school not so much, considering students have not had the resources that they should since the start of each year. Promised programs like foreign languages and individualized learning have never truly occurred. We will be thankfully taking out children to another school for the 2012-2013 and consider our experience at STLC a lesson learned.
--Submitted by a parent

We will not be returning to this school. For prospective parents, here is our list of pros and cons. Pros-This school has relatively small class sizes and some excellent teachers and a handful of very dedicated parents.Cons- This school does NOT have real ILPs(teachers are not trained to do anything with the continual assessment results), there is no computer lab/technology for student use (teachers have a laptop and smartboad, but there is not tech education for the kids). There is not adequate space for sports, nor a working discipline policy, or a certified school nurse. The curriculum seems random, at best. Overall, we feel that the school lacks the resources and ability to actual deliver on its vision and is unstable.. Also, the extra things listed as available at this school are inaccurate. There is no foreign language taught. There are no school sports, unless you sign up for a paying club (many of which are taught by the overworked teachers and parents).
--Submitted by a parent

I agree- all schools have issues and you will never find a perfect school. HOWEVER, you should be able to count on a school doing what it says it will do. When we started at STLC, it had a 10 Great Schools rating, it now has a 7 for a reason. They have not been able to replicate success with their growth. The State Charter Board recently granted them enrollment increase on a mercy vote because they had already signed a lease without getting the charter first for expansion& State Charter Board does not want 400 kids to be out of a school. While we have had several positives at the school, there is no individualized learning for students despite what they say, and there seems to be no accountability from anyone. I was hopeful to find a long term school as what they are promoting sounds fantastic, but it lacks in implementation. I do not think my kids are a year ahead and in some cases, behind. To the poster on 3/19 - yes, in preschool it is often easier to find a different school if this does not match your needs. But, as children get older, you hope to make a great choice and there are more things to consider in the whole school picture before withdrawing. PS- there's no wait list..
--Submitted by a parent

My sons go to this school and we are transferring them to another school next year because they aren't getting, in the classroom, what we were promised. There are a lot of promises and not much follow thru, especially when it comes to individualized learning plans, teaching a grade level ahead and specials. If you are considering this school, be sure you look at the AIMS scores. After hearing the AZ state board for charter schools opinion of this school's test scores and operational practices, we were glad to know our instincts & experience is true. You can hear the audio testimony from their recent decision on the state's website under the March agenda. Our experience is definitely a lesson learned. When you are looking to attend this school, beware of the marketing gimmicks to get you to enroll. Maybe talk to other parents about their experiences at the school. There is a lot of parent involvement at San Tan. That's not a bad thing, but it's not everything.
--Submitted by a parent

I like the school, All schools have issues you will never find a perfect school. What I don't understand is if you don't like the school why would you keep your child there? The pre-school a a tuition based school that you pay for, if I had my child in the pre-school and felt he or she were being treat like prisoners of war I wold take my child out NOW!!! I don't think SanTan would really miss you since they have a waiting list to get into the school.
--Submitted by a parent

This is my second year with a student at SanTan (Last year I had one in the gifted program and one in the regular) and I could not be happier. I found SanTan after learning my local public school, despite being top rated, could not help a student working more than a grade level ahead. After years of overcrowded classes, packets of ditto homework and lessons taught to the test, I chose to leave our home school and drive 30 minutes for a charter option. The decision was the best one I have made for my children. SanTan creates an Individualized Education Plan for all students. This allows the teachers to know the student's strong and weak skills and give them specific goals to work on. The program allows the students to work at their own pace and tests them three times a year using MAP to show progress. Homework level is selected by the parent. If your child is doing well and is challenged select a low level of homework if you want more practice select a higher level. The kids are given individual as well as group assignments, public speaking lessons, and debate topics. The teachers are highly qualified, engaged and follow the Love & Logic philosophy. They prepare students!
--Submitted by a parent

I really like the gifted program that my son is in and have adored both of his teachers. The school is a really good fit for our family because they don't allow candy (I got sooo tired of my kids always coming home full of treats for someone's birthday at their old school. I felt like we could never do treats at home when they were constantly sugared up at school), and the Love and Logic is a great fit for our parenting style. I like the parent involvement, but get a little exhausted at the constant requests for volunteers and various donations. I really like the small-town feel and sense of community as well. Last year I was a little concerned about some staff turnover. I love that the kids get daily P.E. One thing I really don't like is the no-nuts policy! I also like the Individual Education Plans.
--Submitted by a parent

Both my children go to STLC and have since it moved to the new location. I'm on an email notify for this list. The back & forth about this school is unfair. I am a SAHM, I volunteer. I witness caring, professionalism and loads of happy kids learning every day. AZ is an open enrollment state, if you don't like a school you may take your child elsewhere. We choose STLC because we love the teachers, the IEP, we love the Montessori, we love the principal, the front office, the gym program --my son asked to do the Turkey Trot this year because of his confidence in gym. I especially like the "small school" atmosphere. It is all about what you value. Every school has + and -. If you value a school that welcomes parent involvement, is open with parents (ask me, a volunteer), uses Love & Logic to reach the kids, and feels small, than this is for you. I know I can take my child to a "traditional" school or the new one in my neighborhood (beautiful), but I love San Tan. I expect the best education for my kids, if I judged STLC based on the uneven quality of this thread I would miss out an amazing place. Stop by for a tour. Decide for yourself.
--Submitted by a parent