Cheatham Elementary School

Correction - the school is not performing - it's performing plus and actually had enough points to be excelling last year. The only thing that kept them from being excelling was that there weren't enough students exceeding the standards. The teachers have done a great job improving academics at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is not a top scoring school. It is labeled "performing" by the Arizona department of Education. Which means many of the students are just barely meeting the expectations set up by AIMS. A "top scoring" school would be labeled as "excelling".

The unfortunate thing about this site is that the only people who review it are embittered parents who did't get their way or teachers who weren't allowed to skate by like they do at other schools. Cheatham was a mess several years ago, but the current principal has completely turned the school around. It is now one of the top scoring schools feeding into the Phoenix Union High School District. For doing such a great job, the princpal, Mr. Winters, was recently named one of only nine Rodel Exemplary Principals in the state! Rodel has selected him out of hundreds of principals to mentor future principals on how to do it right. I'm proud to live in Laveen. It's a great district with six great schools!

there's a lot of fighting, bullying & teachers don't seem to care or stop the bullying. There is a school uniform. But what I have noticed its not really enforced. Girls show up with short shorts, spandex pants. some students do not listen to the teachers.parents are not involved. I wish that the younger sudents would have shade during recess. Poor kids its so hot in the summer.
--Submitted by a parent

my child has learned nothing in this school
--Submitted by a parent

My two daughters attended Cheatham since 2006. In 2006 this school had severe issues. (students fighting, parents fighting, inadequate teachers) However, since then they have a new Prinicpal. He has done an excellent job in providing leadership and support to his teachers and students. The students respect him and therefore he is able to make change. I have had a few issues in the past years with different things, each time I addressed it with the teacher and the principal, and each time it was resolved timely. I feel satisfied with the education they are receiving, a few classes are at a ratio that is too high.They have began to have many extra ciricular programs, 'Lady Cheetah's' great for 6th, 7th & 8th grade girls self esteem! Thank you Mr. Winters for making change.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been to this school since it opened. It has lots of ups & downs just like any school. I can say the staff has improved since they open. I hope they continue to focus on building a strong & dedicated staff. The ratio students vs teachers in each classroom could be a little lower.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has potential to be a great school. My child has been going to this school for 2 years. The first year he struggled greatly. The work he used to come home with has depressing. He would come home with vocabulary tests that had almost every word misspelled. As a grade he would get a sticker of great job on his paper... It would leave me wondering how the instructor was teaching... and who was really grading his work? I spend the whole year supplementing his work at home. On his 2nd year there he as has improved dramatically. He was lucky to be placed with a teacher that has been teaching for more than 30 years and really cares. He brings home perfect grades. I believe the difference is in the instructors... If a teacher is genuinally interested in teaching it makes all the difference...
--Submitted by a parent

there are lots of fights going on at school.. my daughter always comes saying, ''oh my god there was a big fight at school today!'' taking it like it was so awsome! maybe you should put more playground equipment or opther stuff to keep them busy during recess to prevent future fights....
--Submitted by a parent

This is the best school ever!!!!!!!!!!
--Submitted by a student