Mountain Shadows Elementary School

We had two children go k thru 6 grade. Now we have grandchildren going to Mountain Shadows. It is a great school with great teachers and leadership and a very involved parent organization. We highly recommend this school. The kids are great.
—Submitted by a parent

The teacher only teach at a fast pace, I needed to pull the child out after one week of getting notices that my child was failing, because he was too slow.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe the principal and all staff members to be dedicated to the students. I gave my students individual assistance and treated them as if they were my own. I can only speak for myself and my own impression of the staff. No school is perfect and I feel that parents need to ask themselves what they are doing in and out of the classroom to enable their student to become a quality reader and a quality math student. Are you motivated to motivate your child? Are you a partner with your child's teacher. Extend your hand and it will be taken.
—Submitted by a teacher

The below average rating is not for the teaching, but for the office staff and adminstration. All are adversarial to teachers and parents and have a most unwelcoming atmosphere. It is clear who they like and who they don't like. It lends for a very tense and stressful atmosphere and doesn't provide a positive environment or create a very good first impression. Principal is very political and clearly has it out for teachers who fall out of her favor. Overall, a very unhealthy atmosphere for students, teachers and parents.
—Submitted by a teacher

Just above average for a public school when compared to nearby charters or privates Mountain Shadows leaves alot to be desired. They need to work on teaching the basics and less on politcal/social ideas. Took almost a full year to catch my kids up after I pulled them for a private school!
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 kids going to Mtn.Shadows.Love the school.Lacks in help with reading program.My child struggles in reading and cannot get any extra help.He's not gifted and is not a problem child.Just an 'average' kid who could use a boost in reading.Good luck in getting any extra help there. Overall good school to go to.Stay on top of your kids,and they'll do fine.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall I recommend this school. Some of the 6th grade teachers were adversarial and big into punishments. My concern was regarding the 'red-ticket' form of discipline and it's appropriateness towards the infraction. They did go over the edge. However, the principal assured me that this policy (red-ticket) would change this year. The front office can be somewhat difficult to deal with if you have a concern or question. Overall I feel the education my children received and are receiving is well above average.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a fine school if your child is average on all levels, or problem child, or a gifted child. If your child needs help with reading, don't expect to get too much without begging and pleading and presenting proof (AIMES Test). My son has always had a hard time with reading and every year I asked for help from the teachers and the school. The difference was at the time he was excelling in math and he wasn't a problem child. My son is a great boy who is funny, articulate, and does not cause problems, does not get in trouble, and therefore does not get the help that the
—Submitted by a parent

This is overall a good school. There are a few hang up's with the political things but all in all it was a good school for both my kids.
—Submitted by Parent, a parent

I've had three kids here...teachers are awesome without exception, new principal is finding her way. Need additional extracurricular programs, but the math-for-AIMS improvement is a good idea, as were Science and Art afterschool programs previously. Supportive PTSA...to partially fund those offerings.
—Submitted by a parent

We have 3 children in this school. The teachers are wonderful and love their jobs. The kinder program is a bit odd, but two of our children went thru it and are doing great in classes now. We would highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school! Could use extracurricular (sports) activities. Most teachers very easy to contact. Great Music and Band program.
—Submitted by a parent

great school!! very nice teachers and great ptsa program.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm glad my daughter went to this school for kindergarten and 1st grade. It's a great school. Although, I would have like it more if there is more opportunity for extra-activities for my kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Well rounded school - High expectations! Needs more athletic programs.
—Submitted by a parent

My 6 year old daughter attended KG and 1st grade at Mountain Shadows. I am very impressed with her skill advancement in math and reading in the past 2 years. We are now nearing the end of 1st grade, and my daughter is reading chapter books (books with maybe only 1 picture every 4 pages), and she is a whiz at money and computing change, telling time, all kinds of addition and subtraction, etc. etc. She is very interested in learning and simply loves school. We are moving to the Peoria district, but we are pursuing keeping her in Mountain Shadows because of our high satisfaction with the school.

This is my child's second year at Mountain Shadows. I am very happy with the school as a whole.