Desert Star

My child went to this school, and I am so happy We switched him out! The teacher did not help him when he needed help, he was failing but in the report card he was doing good. His homework and spelling test said a different story,he was failing. This school is far behind and unorganized without a doubt!
—Submitted by a parent

Kindergarten teachers are rude and two faced. Our Teacher is always late and never responds to any phone messages. I have witnessed on at least one account the teacher raising her voice to the kindergarteners to a tone that very loud and very upsetting even to me as an adult. I do not want my child at this school but I'm currently stuck. This school will charge you 2 bucks to feed your kids Hot Pockets for lunch. My child came home one day starving so I asked about his meal. He informed me that they has a bread stick with cheese for lunch. Being concerned and thinking my child must've been mistaken I asked about the lunch and sure enough that's a meal to them. I asked about protein, etc. To which I got the answer of, "Well there's tuna on the salad bar." Really? You want a 5 year old to know that he should eat tuna with his bread sticks? I've seen teachers grabbing kids by the arms and drilling them about their destination. Yet 5 yr old my kid gets to sit on a wall in the sun all recess for hugging a kid. The teachers act like the Gestapo. "Where are your papers?!" "Tuck in your shirt!" Heaven knows the world will stop spinning if kids didn't tuck in their polo's. Fact.
—Submitted by a parent

There are not enough activites for the children to do at their homeshool. The school tends to lean the communitu clubs to provide activities as opposed to the kids doing more activities with their class mates.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in Kindergarten in Mrs. Gutekunst class and he loves her and Mrs. Stevens as well. He also has had very good things to say about the P.E. , Art, and Music teachers. I briefly met the Principal and she is a wonderful and very caring person who seems to run a very tight ship- and I state that in a most positive way. She has some very excellent security measures in place when it comes to drop -off and pick-up of the children and also pertaining to overall conduct of the students. I have to say that all of the employees in Administration and even the crossing guards are some of the nicest most helpfull people this school could ask for.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is now in second grade and his Kindergarten teacher was great. Very informative and he learned so much. So was his first grade teacher. They even had computers in his class and they did reports on the computers. It is a very good school
—Submitted by a parent

Most of the previous posts are over 2 years old. A lot has changed. The principal is a wonderful, caring, involved woman who truly goes the extra mile. The teachers are incredible. My son had Mrs Hicks in 1st grade. I couldn't possibly have hand picked a better teacher if I had every teacher in the district to choose from. All of them are wonderful. As for parental involvement, we definitely need more of that. The PTO had a rough start last year but they are really pushing foreward and striving to make the whole school even better. My main complaint is parents who complain about the lack of support but do nothing to help support the school themselves. Get out there, help make the changes, participate, make a difference. If you don't, who will?
—Submitted by a parent

I've heard other parents voice their concerns about pick-up and drop-off at Desert Star. I have been one of them. Luckily plans were presented to the community for the new pick-up drop off area and construction should begin shortly. I truly enjoy the hard working and wonderful teachers @ our school. I encourage parents to volunteer at least a couple of hours a semester, especially those of you who have concerns. I thought I knew how our schools ran but I was rather surprised at everything that goes into running a school and how hard our childrens teachers work. I am proud of the fact that my children are exposed to different languages @ school, (maybe they will pick up a little bit of it.)
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter's kindergarten teacher is Mrs. Johnston and she is wonderful. That is about as far as I can go with the compliments. The pick up/drop off routine is a complete nightmare. Give yourself at leat 20-30 minutes to actually get near the school, find a parking spot in the nearby neighborhood and finally walk to school. You will feel like you are in Mexico around the campus with the parents and students speaking spanish all around you. We can't wait to move before it gets even worse!
—Submitted by a parent

If I was to rate the Teachers only, I'd have to give a 5 star....to the school as a whole...it has a long way to go. Moving from Cave Creek Unified School district...this was a complete shock. My daughter still having class in the Music room. The drop off and pick up of the students is horrible. I know that when I asked the office staff about the P.T.O. offices, they had no idea what was going on. If there are so many students at this school, why is the P.T.O. without officers, and where is the Parent envolvment?
—Submitted by a parent

My child had Ms.Higgins and she was fantastic! I loved bringing my child to school each day. Wonderful communication with parents. People in the school office are always pleasant and helpful. Safety not so great with the bus last year, and hopefully that has improved.
—Submitted by a parent

I was volunteering at the school today and one thing really caught my attention. I noticed that the student to teacher ratio, is out of control. When will parents start comming foward to stand up for our childrens educational rights? If the school can't 'afford to hire any more teachers' then why not hire student aids for each class. Parents something has to be done!
—Submitted by Jennifer Fernandez, a parent

Good school for the average student. Needs better programs for advanced/gifted. Class size too high,but the teachers cope well. Beautiful new campus with large classrooms, involved parents, walk to school campus, uniforms, fun but strict, good library and reading programs. Bi-lingual program was still new and the teacher was struggling when we were there 2 years ago, so I wouldn't recommend it. Music and art- once every 6 days, I think.
—Submitted by parent of K and 1st grader 2 years ago, a parent

I am very impressed with this school. The academics are outstanding, and no sever behaviour problems!
—Submitted by a parent

We just moved here and this is the worst pickup and drop off situation I have ever seen. Seen the principal but didnt know it- met the principal and I had to ask who he was- introduced hisself as his last name. Not happy!
—Submitted by a parent

this schoool is new and the focus seem to be on how the school performs and not on the students. the school does not seem to be parent friendly, the staff members are rude in a quiet way. this is one of the most cold and uninviting elementary schools i have ever been in. i think the principal is doing an extremly poor job over all. the student drop off/pick up is a complete mess, it is not functional for the parents or the students, however it work for the faculty, go figure.
—Submitted by G STENZEL, a parent

I thought that their first grade program was entirely behind. My daughter had gone to Valley Academy in phoenix for kindergarten and learned everything she just relearned in first grade. There is no communication with the school and parents. My daughter was out sick and I forgot to call the school and no one called to see where she was. Another incident there was that she had fallen asleep on the bus and ended up back at the school. I called the school, they said they would keep her there until I got there. Upon arriving at the school 10 minutes later, they had no idea where she was. Here they finally called the bus driver on radio and found out she was on the bus with the older kids and on her way home...where there would be no one waiting for her! No apologies, no excuses. Just plain ignorance.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended this school for two years. My concern is that he is not challenged enough. It's not that the teachers are not trying but because of the 'no child left behind' act. Everything seems geared toward the lower learning spectrum, therefore there seems to be hardly no homework. I am contiplating a charter school next year just because of this learning difference. Also the avondale school district has not really thought out and put into place a plan to accomidate the new 7th grade class let alone 8th grade next year. They are actually suppose to be part of the middle school in town yet attend the grade school. In any case if neither of these issues concern you then this school is perfect for you. Good luck. Laurie Abel
—Submitted by a parent

Principal leadership is poor, doesn't seem to care enough about parent opinions. Not enough extracurricular activities. Teacher quality is good. They run the school like a prison, too many rules and the kids get written up for stupid things. Poor lunches, don't seem willing to change the menu and quality of the food. Poor drop off/pick up area, not safe and principal knows and is unwilling to do anything about it.
—Submitted by Ashli Sharley, a parent

This could be a great school if we had better overall support from the principal! The principal has not made this a good year for any student, she does nothing to make school a good experience! Argues with parents over major concerns, saying they are not issues! This is very disappointing, due to every parents concerns should at least be heard and dealt with in one way or another.
—Submitted by a parent

Desert Star School is facing the same problems most growing school districts face too many students in a class. The teachers are devoted to their craft yet find this difficult with the volume of students. A new school is scheduled to open next year to relieve some of the problem. I have found the administration to be most helpful and accommodating in every way. The school promotes and encourages parental involvement in any way possible. My children's teachers were very open to help in the classroom. I do feel that the curriculum could be stronger and a bit more challenging especially in the upper grades.
—Submitted by a parent