Santa Cruz Elementary School

Over the course of a year, my baby (kinder) has learned to read! She's excited, and can read ENTIRE level 1 books. She loves it, and it makes me so proud and happy. I <3 this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I wrote a review for this school March 11, 2010 (if you are interested in reading my previous thoughts.) I have had children at this school through all the grades for about six years. The school has changed dramatically this year. More than 1/2 the teachers left at the end of the last school year (2011-12), all of them were a loss. Because of enrollment numbers some of the teachers were not replaced. Some were replaced with teachers just as competent as before, and a few were replaced with teachers that leave something to be desired (yelling and rude behaviors), which is sad, because the school had a phenomenal teaching staff last year. The principal proclaims he is there any time to help parents with concerns; he will talk to parents, but has no follow-through. I have consistently supported this school and this district, and will continue to do so, but will also oversee my children's teachers. There are enough good ones available to be a team, but I am hoping to see a change next year. (currently I have children in 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades at this school, and am somewhat familiar with all teachers.)
—Submitted by a parent

We are new to Maricopa and have been very disappointed with Santa Cruz. There is so much teacher drama and they involve the kids. They give mass punishment out instead of punishing individuals... entire classes or grades get detention. The lunch time is ran like a detention center, kids are not allowed to talk and interact. The principal has a lack of enthusiasm and does not make effots to understand concerns, nor correct them. The teachers are overworked with having to be monitors and cross walk supervisors, which, in my opinion, takes away from the class interaction. Our 3 kids get A's and B's and have always enjoyed school until this year. I have spoken with the Superintendent once, and left 2 messages, my husband left 2 messages and never received a call back. Our kids have not enjoyed the school year thus far. The only positive thing about the school is how great the new music teacher is. We are moving to a charter school next year.
—Submitted by a parent

Kindergarten has been challenging and fun for my 5 year old this year!
—Submitted by a parent

My son attends Santa Cruz and we couldn't be happier with our experience so far. The new Principal is a great addition to a passionate and talented staff. Academics have improved each year and I have no doubt they will be an Excelling school within the next few years. Go Coyotes!
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended this school 3 years. I currently have 3 children at the school - 4th, 2nd, and K. We moved from an excelling school; I definitely had apprehensions about this school. However, I have found the staff to be caring, and willing to listen to my concerns. My son has autism and is mainstreamed. I have found this district to be easier to work with than the previous district. However, they do have less services available due to the struggles of being a relatively young district. The downfall to this school (not talking district, here, but school) is the lack of parent involvement. The education has been acceptable and my children continue to be above average when compared to the state averages.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. The teachers are wonderful and you can tell they have a passion for their job. My son has advanced so much already, I'm very pleased with this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school for only half the year. He was in the Autistic class and they couldn't even hold a teacher for longer then a week so the aids were running everything. They didn't follow his IEP and had the kids from his class sitting on the bus waiting to go home a half hour before school ended. The principal wasn't very helpful as she blamed everything on the district and you could never get a hold of anyone withing the district to fix anything. I'm glad I pulled by son out of that awful crazy enviroment he learned more with me homeschooling him then being there and had more stability.
—Submitted by a parent

Both my boys go to this school and the teacher and princapale have been great to them this is thier second year and I'll continue to send them next year. i have one son with special needs and one in the gifted programe
—Submitted by a parent

my daughters went to santa cruz last year and i am more than happy that they will be going to a different school this coming year. the opinion of mine and several other parents is that the people in charge of this school are very bad at it. disorganization and apathetic attitudes have led to more than one situation where our children were in an unsafe and/or scary situation. however, the teachers are great and i'm thankful to them for being so good to my girls and taking action when the higher-ups wouldn't.
—Submitted by a parent

Before I moved to Maricopa, my son went to the top performing school in the district we were in. Given this, I was lucky to experience school excellence and what to expect from the staff. I was not thrilled with Santa Cruz when we were at the old school for various reasons. However, I had hoped with the new school environment the school as a whole would become better.... it has. Santa Cruz is a good school and we can make it a great school! I say we, because it takes great parents,great students and great teachers/staff to make OUR school great. Why live in Maricopa and sends your child outside of Maricopa? This is our community and our schools, we all need to be a part of the solution to 'make our schools great!'
—Submitted by a parent

I am very pleased with this school. My children are learning a lot and love going to school. My kindergartener could not read at the beginning of the school year and now is reading everything!! teachers are great! i am very satisfied!!
—Submitted by a parent

I've had nothing but bad experiences with the principal. The teachers are fine, but it doesn't seem like the students are the most important issue.
—Submitted by a parent

The staff was very nice and helpful when I enrolled my child in school. However, I was distraught to see how dumbed down the academics were. I am completely against Houghton Mifflin for reading and math and am switching them back to a Traditional school were they teach using Spalding and Saxon. I am sick to my stomach that my child came from a school with scores in the 99th percentile for both math and reading to this one with only 75. I don't fault the teachers, I do fault the people in charge of setting the standards however.
—Submitted by a parent

the staff is very rude. They do not see any thing they do only want to let u know what you are doing wrong. The staff does not return calls or really approach helping kids with learning problems. they are so rude i took my child out of the school and drive out of maricopa to have my child attend another school in a better performing school district
—Submitted by brandi, a parent

This school is new, so with it has come the craziness of administration not knowing what to do to benefit our children. Overall, the staff at this school has the children's best interest in mind. I know that teachers are working long hours preparing for my children. I hope to see everyone there finally get on the same page. Continue to grow harmoniously and keep our children's best interests always first. Also, keep my children's teachers happy! We want our teachers to stay!
—Submitted by a parent

Allthough class sizes are large, the teachers are very attentive and involved. The principle really seems to take pride in the school and it's student population.
—Submitted by a parent