San Tan Learning Center

My four children have grown academically, socially, and emotionally at San Tan Learning Center and San Tan Montessori! My children's self esteem, confidence, and independence are flourishing. I appreciate the well-rounded perspective on life my children are seeing modeled with an emphasis on the importance of making good choices and having integrity, participating in daily PE, and weekly music. The art masterpiece program is amazing-the art walk the parent volunteers hosted this year was spectacular and was a witness to my family that creativity is being cultivated and valued at San Tan! At the end of the day I want my kids to be able to tell me they felt loved and respected by all those around them and that their ideas and needs were listened to and responded to with optimism and thoughtful responsiveness-San Tan Learning Center provides this for my children so as a parent I can sleep at night knowing my children are in a safe and peaceful learning environment. If this is the type of school environment you are seeking for your family I would highly recommend San Tan Learning Center.
—Submitted by a parent

My children just finished up their school year with STLC and we continue to love the school. We have been here a few years now and each year my kids grow both academically and socially and are happy. To those who are upset about the field space, no sports programs, lab for younger kids, etc. - you know what they offer before you enroll your kids. To me, these things take a back seat to the education my kids get. My experiences with the principal both last year and this year have been phenomenal experiences, they both are very experienced and go the extra mile for everyone. The teachers are amazing. We love this school and look forward to many more years to come.
—Submitted by a parent

My children attended this school for two years. The first year the teacher quit after a few weeks then was replaced. We loved the principal the first year because she was so knowledgeable and experienced. This year the principal has very poor communication skills and does not follow the school handbook. My child's classroom had a child sent home with lice and the classroom was never checked until 3 days later. Pros: Most of the teachers are fabulous but they are not all certified. Parent involvement is great. This replaces the need to hire classroom aides. Cons:There is no certified nurse. P.E. everyday is a joke. All I see is the kids having free time. They are always asking for money. They run it like a business. No computer lab or technology in the younger grades. Fields are small. They don't give grades. There is no waiting list. Discipline is poorly handheld. No sports at the middle school. Most classrooms are chaotic with behavior disruptions. They promise a Montessori approach but no Montessori materials are found anywhere but in preschool. Stay clear of this school!
—Submitted by a parent

My student attends this school and we love it. The teachers are amazing and school leadership make decisions for what is good for the kids and are great with communicating to parents. I am in the classroom helping a lot and love that as well. I recommend this school! It is a gem.
—Submitted by a parent

I have three children that attend this school. There are so many things I like about this school. My children all have great teachers! Great teachers make a great school. In the half year that my children have been in the school they have all grown significantly academically. Each child has an individual learning plan to help both teacher and parent know where a child is struggling and how to help them. It also shows areas where a child is advanced and can be challenged more-which the teachers do! The school has a wonderful music and PE program. The office staff is friendly. Santan has a very good traffic flow program for dropping children off and picking them up. The school has a nice library! I am a picky parent and I have been very pleased with this school!
—Submitted by a parent

San Tan is a great school. As a teacher, I have all the materials I need to make sure all students are successful-great curriculum, small class sizes, supportive administration-bullying does not happen at San Tan, opportunities for professional development, and a staff that truly cares for kids. I spent many years in public education and there is no other place I would rather work.
—Submitted by a teacher

The special education department is the best! My child was struggling in school and was quickly identified. The testing was done in a timely manner and now my child is getting the help she needs. The special education and classroom teacher work together, there are weekly emails on my daughters progress, and San Tan tests all students quarterly so toy know where your child stands. The special education teacher has a child of her own with a disability so she understands what I am going through. I finally have hope for my daughter.
—Submitted by a parent

We love STLC! Small class sizes, certified teachers, hands on curriculum, PE everyday, and a nurturing learning environment make San Tan the best! Administration has listened to parent concerns regarding half days and changed the calendar in the middle of the year, what school or school district would do that ? Teachers are held accountable for their test scores and are put through an evaluation process. Last year there were 2 teachers who weren't "cutting it" and the administration dismissed them rather than keep them the rest of the year, that's huge. In the public school terrible teachers are allowed to finish the year. San Tan is the best!
—Submitted by a parent

My granddaughter attends this school and I am so thrilled that her parents enrolled her there. She has thrived and grown so much socially and academically, I am amazed at what she is doing in class. The teachers and adminsitration are all so friendly; you can see that they all truly are there for the kids. I loved the grandparents lunch they had, it really helped me feel included in her educational journey. We plan on keeping her here for the long haul. Thank you STLC for all you do.

Both my children attend STLC. Some of the things we love about the school. We love the teachers, the staff and the administration. One advantage of STLC is that it is part of a small school district, possibly the smallest in the state but has all the services of any school district. My children are treated like an individual here and not a number. All kids learn differently and mine are no exception. My older child is able to move ahead in the subject that is easy for him (math) and the areas that are weak for him (composition). He is always challenged and held to the idea that he is moving towards his potential not just performing grade level. I agree with the Love and Logic philosophy used by the school and have taken classes from the instructor to make sure we are on the same page at home. We especially love daily gym, so great for keeping kids active. The PE coaches are motivated and great with the kids. This school has a private school feel even though it is a public school. Great community and spirit.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are very supportive and caring. They have gone above and beyond to ensure my boys are learning the cirriculum. The principal leads by example. Leadership handles all conflicts with great expertise and quickly.
—Submitted by a parent

We love this school for our children. They receive a high academic education while being treated as an individual. Each teacher knows each student on a personal level, rather than just another body in the classroom. The principal greets each child by name in the morning, which shows me that every adult truly cares at this school. I am so happy to have my children here and could not imagine them in any other educational environment. I definitely recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My family and I have been involved with this school for many years now and can't think of another school to have our daughters attend. The level of individual attention that is given here is incredible; this is not only academic attention, but social and emotional attention. The teachers, staff and administration really work hard to learn about each student individually to connect with each student. My daughter is thriving and enjoys going to school each day. I recommend this school to any family who is looking for an environment that supports students grow in their own unique and individaul ways.
—Submitted by a parent

My son entered San Tan's kindergarten at the age of 4 years, 7 months. He was extremely eager to be in "real" school so we allowed him to attend San Tan. We found out quickly that there is a GOOD reason why public schools want you to wait until your child is at least five years old to start school. Developmentally, children are just not able to handle solid academic work until that age. So our son ended up competing with children who were up to two years older in his same grade. The second real negative is that San Tan teaches first grade curriculum to kindergartners and second grade curriculum to first graders and all the way up, they are one grade ahead. Now he is in public school and is getting all the early concepts he missed at San Tan. All I ask is--why is this technique of skipping kindergarten allowed and not revealed to parents BEFORE they put their very young children in San Tan? We were expecting an age-appropriate, normal progression of academic work which he most definitely could have handled. I say skipping kindergarten is an attempt to have San Tan look better on tests by requiring the parents to take up the slack in learning caused by this lack of readiness.
—Submitted by a parent

To keep it short and to the point, they have some outstanding teachers, if you're lucky enough for your child to be appointed one. We also dis-enrolled our child due to issues that were minor and rectifiable had the teacher and principal cared enough to work cooperatively with us rather than ignore our pleas to talk with us. However minute issues compound and become large ones. The 1/2 days and closures are ridiculous as other parents state but those were not the deciding factors, those issued helped ease the decision making process. We are now at Kyrene Del Cielo which is the highest rated school in the district and among the highest in the state. I once agonized over the thought of leaving STLC but now I see how much my opportunity my kids would have missed out on had we decided to stay. Kyrene offers a Self Contained Gifted Program as well which offers an even wider, more rounded curriculum. Whats shameful is we were once the schools biggest advocates, we believed in them, and had quite a vested interest in their success. We'd planned on being at STLC through thick and thin despite those horrible half days and closures which turned our worlds upside down.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has great intentions, and has the potential to be the best, but instead settles for being only slightly better than the public school alternative. Can't understand why they have such trouble delivering on the promises touted in their videos. And the multiple half day days without any type of after care is a nuissance! There are at least two 1/2 days a month and 3 to 5 half days in a row before every break (fall, winter, spring), an no aftercare on these half days!. Maybe the scores and the rating dropped because of the loss of continuity. As soon as the kids get focused on something there is a week of testing or a half day, or two or three....We are looking at a Gilbert public school academy and other charter schools
—Submitted by a parent

This is our 2nd year at STLC and we couldn't be happier. Both of our kids have amazing teachers and are continuously being academically challenged. My kids are constantly being challenged and taken to the next level. If you are looking for a school to meet your child's individual learning needs - this is it.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been working at San Tan for a few years now, and I cannot think of a better place to work. My fellow staff members are so supportive and it really feels like a team. The administration is wonderful! They truly care about the families and staff. Love and Logic is a wonderful tool we use here at San Tan. Building relationships with the kiddos is so crucial. I think it is great that the students have daily P.E. and music every week. San Tan not only provides a safe learning environment for the students, but for the teachers as well.
—Submitted by a teacher

This school is great! I love the involvement from the students, the parents, the Teachers, and the community. My child has thrived and will be returning next year!
—Submitted by a parent

San Tan Learning Center is a wonderful school in Gilbert which is engaged among the business community and it's leaders. San Tan Learning Center was nominated among it's peers here at the Gilbert Chamber as an Employer of Choice in our 2012 Annual Awards. I have been able to experience first hand the passion and dedication of the staff in teaching a quality education that is innovative, engaging and fun for the students. San Tan Learning Center is not only an asset to our community but a but partner in providing top notch education to our families.