Estrella Mountain Elementary School

I am a student who has been going to the school since kindergarten and my teachers have always been kind and taught us well. I have never seen any kids be rascist, and any bullying that has gone on was stopped or a miniscule problem. I have ADHD and my teachers dealt with me well as a hyperactive five-year old, I am in the National Honor society now and try to excel in schoolwork. There are a few different clubs to join including Science Olympiad, a math-club, and various sports to participate in over the year. I enjoy this school and was never bullied too much, I have enough friends and like all my teachers enough that I would not want to move from my school versus any others I've heard of.

Estrella is an amazing school. The teachers are wonderful, the curriculum is top notch, the principal is cares about our kids and is on top of what needs to be done. The parents are very involved! I love this school!
—Submitted by a parent

My son started school at Joy Christian School and had many outstanding teachers. In March 2011 my son started school at EMES, and in August 2011 he started fifth grade and was assigned to Mr. Hegedus. I spent four years in Wichita Falls, Texas as a substitute teacher and experienced the teachings of many teachers, but I have got to say that Mr. Hegedus is by far the best teacher I have ever had the privilege of knowing. If you ever get the chance to have Mr. Hegedus as your child's teacher, it will be the best experience of your life and your child's life. Mr. Hegedus not only taught my son the skills to master higher education, but he also taught him to be a responsible, caring student. I also want to say that we, too, experienced bullying of my son when he first arrived at EMES, and the principal put a stop to it immediately. She also handled another situation with one of the school's teachers involving my son, and the next year the teacher was no longer teaching at EMES. I look forward to another school year at EMES.
—Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately in a forum such as this untrue things are sometimes posted by people who have an agenda, which clearly the previous writer has. My children have gone to this school for several years and I have NEVER experienced any type of racism at all. The staff is caring and kind, and the principal is very good. This students who attend this school do very well on AIMS and that is in large part to attending an exceptional school.
—Submitted by a parent

There are a few good teachers. But if your child is dark or comes from a different ethnicity that child will be ignored and picked on by the other children. I had heard that the school was rasict. It wasn't until my child started going that I realized those comments were true!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great and getting better all the time. The staff is excellent, music program is exceptional, and the staff is increasing academic rigor through the International Baccalaureate Program. The discipline in the junior high is dramatically better this year. Parent involvement is increasing due to a great PTO. Keep up the good work.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been attending EMES since my 6th grader was in Kindergarten and we love everything about this school. This year has been especially exciting as they have added a wonderful music program that included choir, jazz band and concert band. The teachers are extremely devoted to the children and my children are receiving a quality education.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in Kinder. Her teacher is amazing. However, I do question the schools other staff including principal. My daughter was yelled at in the lunch room by the disciplinarian because she was disagreeing with two other students. This woman yelled at my daughter and scared her so badly, she threw up. My daughter went all day upset and had no lunch. The staff never called me to tell me about it. I found out after school when I picked her up. During the meeting with the principal I was told I would receive a follow up call and never did. Not very caring, I'd say.
—Submitted by a parent

The staff is irrational, and do not think of the childs best interest, and do not farely discipline the children.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a kindergartener here and so far we are exstatic about her new learing environment. Her teacher, Mrs. E., is outstanding ... she's engaged with her students and is very imaginative and outgoing. The class sizes are small (my daughter's class has 12 students) and the classrooms are exciting and inviting. The after-care program (for students whose parents can't pick them up right at the last bell) is wonderful and is way more than we thought it would be. It's an extended learing environment where the kids get exercise, library time and time in the computer lab. Our daughter gets picked up around 5:30 every day and she doesn't want to leave. This is a great school with great leadership and staff who foster a fantastic learning environment.
—Submitted by a parent

overall a great school, wonderful parent teacher organization. Academically speaking the teachers are some of the best around. My daughter started there in 5th grade and is now in 7th, she loves it. Food is pretty nutrional. overall 4.5 stars.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall the school was okay. There are some great teachers here but there are too many that just do the minimum. Parental involvement is very poor. It was usually the same handful of great parents stepping up to handle events. Our prior school wasn't an 'excelling school' but we had three times as many volunteers.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, the teachers try to do their best to teach and deal with discipline. The teachers and administrators do, however, need to teach social skills and respect, because my daughter was bullied by both a girl and a boy at school and was afraid to go to the bus stop and to enter her class. Her teacher, too, was frustrated with discipline issues and didn't know how to deal with these types of children. I discussed my concerns and found that my daughter was being ignored and treated with indifference after my concerns were raised with the teacher and adminstration. I would expect more from a school that touts it's self as one of the best. Bullying is a terrible thing and can interfere with learning on an ongoing basis.
—Submitted by a parent

I too am disappointed in the school when it comes to bulling. My child is bullied everyday and nothing is done to the bully other then being sent to the office. Something needs to be done about bulling. Sending them to the office time and again isn't enough. Other then that I do like a lot of the teachers and staff.
—Submitted by a parent

I am disappoint in the school at this time. I thought the school had a no bully policy. It seems that some of this is going on in the school where students are making fun of other students how they speak, dress and about their ethnic background. This is a concern because no student coming to school should be hurt or harassed by their peers. Other incidents have been elevated to the principal including this one and have received no feedback on what action is being taken to put a stop to this negative behavior.
—Submitted by a parent

Estrella Mountain Elementary has a friendly and caring environment. I have 3 children who currently attend and love their teachers, the school work and the fact that their teachers care about their education. We have had nothing but a positive experience at this school. We encountered an issue with the school district and my sons teacher, principle, therapist(s), all got involved. I plan to stay at this school and look forward to all the new things to come.
—Submitted by a parent

High academic standards. Wonderful family environment. Lots of parent volunteers and happy students. Wide array of after-school activities and an attentive staff. A+ overall!
—Submitted by a parent

I have been very disappointed in the continued lack of programs in the Arts. After being in this district for 13 years now the funding and attention given to the Arts has gone down hills from out beginning. I believe to gain higher and higher test score results the District has given up many programs such as Chorus, Band, Drama, quality Art classes. More than the three r's count and you will not get the life long lessons in these programs at Estrella Mountain Elementary School.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that Estrella Mountain Elementary School is a very good school. My daughter Alisha went there and she loved it. The school is always clean, the teachers are great and they listen and will meet with you whenever you need to. My daughter had some problems with anxiety when she went there and had a hard time getting to school sometimes because of it. The staff there were always very supportive and helpful to us. Dave Bogart the principal is Great! I think all the kids just loved him. He is very friendly and down to earth, and is a big kid himself. The curriculum is also wonderful! I would reccommend this school to any parent moving to Estrella Mountain Ranch - Goodyear, AZ.
—Submitted by a parent

Great School, dedicated staff. Superior art and music programs. Lots of parent volunteering.
—Submitted by a parent