Legend Springs Elementary School

I can not agree enough that it is the best thing for this school that the principle is retiring. I volunteer often at this school because of the lack of leadership from this principle and have seen first hand a few of the BAD APPLES. My child is a good student but it is common knowledge the many problems and the lack of community and leadership that is lacking at this school. There is little support for the PTA. Anyone can write a check but there needs to be involvement. I would like to see the district review the teachers without repercussion and implement what they are doing right in other schools. The teachers are the best tools that we have. The responsibility for a school can take the life out of anyone. A GREAT ADMINISTRATOR will see when it is time and put the students and school first. And the time was years ago for this principle.
—Submitted by a parent

I cant say enough positive comments about Legend Springs and we could not be happier with our choice of open enrolling our son at Legend Springs. We checked out many schools, including charter schools and picked Legend Springs b/c of their AIMS scores, rankings, technology and resources, etc. We did not know very much about the teachers, but were told they were excellent....and what we learned this year is that this could not be more true! My son has had the most dedicated, creative, and inspiring teachers we could have asked for- Mrs. Barbee and Mrs Packer, but you could not go wrong with any of the 4 kinder teachers -Mrs. Crane and Mrs. Gordon as well. They work as a team to provide the best possible experience for your child. Not only are they very strong academically, they make learning fun and challenging and instill self esteem and values. They use the latest technology and learning techniques and are always striving for the best exp. for your child. They welcome and appreciate parent volunteers, and I truly enjoyed being in the classroom each week watching my son's progress. It is only 2 days into summer break and my son misses school...need I say more!!
—Submitted by a parent

Legend springs is one of the top schools in the valley. While everyone is entitled to their opinion, I believe that some of the reviewers are a little confused. When your child is already attending an excelling (A+) school and you are not happy, you will probably not be happy anywhere. First, when you refer to some teachers as "bad apples" at a school like Legend Springs, you need to consider these teachers are being compared to the outstanding teachers on campus and not teachers in general. Second, the PTA has been amazing and it may be awhile before many parents feel comfortable taking over. Thank you to the teachers for filling in during the transition and I am sure some new parents will step up to help- they always do at LS! Finally, my children were sad that the prinicipal was retiring. They said she was kind, and made them feel safe. Lesson learned: adult politics don't generally affect students and it is the professionalism of the staff on this campis that helped. The kids at this school are happy, the test scores are great, and the community is welcoming to the great number of open enrollment students. In the big picture, this school should be a 10 out of 10!
—Submitted by a parent

I have had my children at Legend Springs for the last 4 years. The principle is retiring. I think this is the best thing for this school. Most of the teachers are great with a few bad apples. I can only hope with new leadership the teachers will have a voice and the bad apples will come to the surface and be addressed with a new principle. The current principle has lacked leadership for years. Lets see what this school is really about in 2013-2014
—Submitted by a parent

Legend Springs is a great school! My kids have attended this school for the past 5 years. All of the teachers have been wonderful! The kindergarten teachers are outstanding, and provide a great first-year impression of the school. Like many others, my kids are on open enrollment. I bring my kids here for the great education, and the sense of community!
—Submitted by a parent

I would like to say "ditto" to a previous review left here, "I have been at the school for seven years now and slowly have seen the sense of community diminish (update: it is gone entirely now - and the PTA is having a terrible time getting people to join. I blame this directly on the lack of community due to Administration pushing parents away). I feel the parents have been shut out of the school. The principal lacks leadership and doesn't work well with parents or students. The ONLY reason I stay is because of Mr. Rayhorn and the Sage program.
—Submitted by a parent

We've had an excellent experience at Legend Springs and are very happy with the education our 2nd grader received 2011-2012. The reading specialist was wonderful and made all the difference for our child. We'll happily continue at Legend Springs.
—Submitted by a parent

My child went to kindergarten in this school recently, and I was very disappointed on the lack of the teacher's interest about my child's learning abilities and difficulties. I was told on the second day of school that it was expected more of my child in class, just because the child was 'behind', being that it was the first year of school, we had moved three times in a matter of months, and this is am only child, with no previous educational experience. I did expect more of the teacher, as a matter of fact! My child may be behind in some areas, but also excelling in others and it is the teacher's job to recognize those problem areas and help students improve. My child was pretty much left aside the whole year, by this teacher. If the child learned, great, if not, then too bad. It was us, the parents, and my child's own efforts, that made a difference. But I know there's still a lot of work to do, and because of this terrible K experience, my child will have problems in first grade. I'm hiring a private tutor to help. The teacher did have her favorites in class, and everyone could see it! Just wrong, I'm very dissatisfied with my child's first year of school at Legend Springs!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I am so proud to say I am a parent at Legend Springs Elementary. I have two children that are on open enrollment at the school. The kindergarten, first and second grade teachers that we have had are absolutely outstanding and have made for an exceptional experience for my kids. The level of academics has been quite challenging. I have been most impressed by the level of reading the kindergartners achieved in one short year. I volunteer in each of the classrooms, and I completely love my time interacting with these special teachers. We are very happy and proud of our school.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall the school is good. There is a little too much parent involvement and teacher/parent gossip. The principal needs more communication with the parents and be more involved. I have been here 2 years and not once has the principal said "hello." Also the office staff is very rude and have no people skills.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been at the school for seven years now and slowly have seen the sense of community diminish. I feel the parents have been shut out of the school. The principal lacks leadership and doesn't work well with parents or students. The ONLY reason I stay is because of Mr. Rayhorn and the Sage program.
—Submitted by a parent

We came to the school for the SAGE program. Mr. Rayhorn is one of the best teachers around. He is amazing and the reason we stayed. The principal doesn't work well with the parents. Would like to see more partnerships to help students. Some of the teachers aren't willing to work with the parents. It's a shame because it has the potential to be a great school. It definately needs new leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is extremely happy, intelligent, and content going to Legend Springs. I would never even think about sending them anywhere else.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids are very happy and are learning so much.
—Submitted by a parent

Legend Springs is an excelling school on all levels. My kids started in Pre-K and have been there for 4 yrs. Every teacher they have had has been excellent, caring, and strive to give each child the best education. My kids are excelling, in strong part due to the teachers and instruction they have received. The only negative is the parking/drop off - with over 200 variances at this school the drop off/pick up time is a crazy chaotic mess!
—Submitted by a parent

We just moved schools from frontier. My kids say its been a big change. The electives such as P.E, Art, Band, etc. are'nt as good. He says the teachers get mad and frustrateed way to easilly. In my opinion though the Sage program is good but not as great as the PTSO at frontier. Also the school spirit is very low.
—Submitted by a parent

excellent school , and the SAGE program is wonderful, my kid is much better learner in this new environment.
—Submitted by a parent

Came to this school for the SAGE program/teacher. Have been thrilled with Mr. Rayhorn and the challenging but fun work. Regular classroom work seems about par with school we came from. Great band teacher as well.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great. Mr. Rayhorn, the sage teacher, is 'awesome'! He likes to have fun, but does it in a way we earn things.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter joined Legend Springs from 2nd grade till now. We have great experiences with the teachers and the staff. Everybody seems to be working together to make a good school even better. The PTA is doing a terrific job. My daughter loves to go to school.
—Submitted by a parent