MacArthur Elementary School

My three children have, overall, had excellent experiences at MacArthur as they have attended over the last seven years. They have loved all of their teachers and have appreciated being involved in orchestra, band, student council, the spelling bee, after-school tutoring from a teacher, the Gifted and Talented program (formerly extended learning), Battle of the Books, a bi-annual Carnival, after-school gymnastics, an after-school Spanish Club, and many other school activities. My kids have made friends from a variety of backgrounds (religious, socio-economic, ethnic). The current principal is working hard with teachers to raise the bar academically as they implement the Common Core standards. We are happy to have had the pleasure of getting to know many fine, down-to-earth families in this caring and involved community.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 3 children at MacArthur. The teachers are focused, and they truly love my children. This school has helped my son's self esteem. One gifted child was given the support he needed while another child received additional reading teaching instruction. Lesson plans are personalized.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent and an educator at a high school. I love this school. I couldn't understand why the school had a previous poor ratings until I looked at the dates! (Some of those poor ratings are from 2006.) Notheless, I will proudly continue to send my kids here.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is the epitome of community. Teachers are from the area and take "ownership" of the school. They have creative teaching techniques. I really like MacArthur!
—Submitted by a parent

MacArthur is located in a clean, well kept, family oriented neighborhood with awesome families. I read some of the earlier reviews about MacArthur in 2006-09, that is not at all the MacArthur that we have experienced. There is diversity of beliefs, politics, finances and race. I would be heart broken if my child with held friendship because of any of those reasons. Many of my daughters friends have completely different backgrounds, but there is one common belief among most of the families here, it is that community, family and our children are the priority. The teachers are amazing and enthusiastic and they along with the families are the reason that this school is successful.
—Submitted by a parent

MacArthur is an excellent school with excellent teachers. I have three children who currently attend MacArthur (5th, 3rd, and 1st grade), and have been happy with every teacher they have had over the years. My children have been happy as well. They look forward to school and the friends and teachers they get to interact with every day. MacArthur is a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

the school is well run. The principle is very focused on academic rigor. the principle has done a good job of fairly holding kids accountable for good behavior.
—Submitted by a parent

MacArthur is a great school to send my kids to every day. The teachers are talented and dedicated, each bringing their unique skills to the classroom to help my kids succeed. They routinely find ways to encourage my children s strengths and build on areas where they are weak. The school has found the perfect mix of academics and the arts. The PE, music and arts programs are all headed by awesome teachers. My kids love these classes as part of their school day. MacArthur has a close relationship with the community. The staff and PTO sponsor a turkey trot, the Halloween parade, open houses, writing contests, a talent show, family math night, Reading Under the Stars, etc. I love the way these events bring our neighborhood together.
—Submitted by a parent

Macarthur has been such a great school for our children. Fantastic teachers who go above and beyond, dedicated staff, super fun PE teacher, and great music and art teachers. G/T has been awesome, best teacher ever! And the PTO is amazing...we have so much support from the parents in our neighborhood. Lots of parent volunteers on campus and at school events.
—Submitted by a parent

We LOVE MacArthur! All 4 of my kids have attended MacArthur, 2 are still there. They have all done very well there. If there were any issues, they were handled professionally and fairly. The teachers are amazing and really care about the kids. My oldest 2 were sad to leave but were well prepared for junior high and continue to do well. My kids have had some issues with some of the students but it had nothing to do with race or religion (like some others have posted about). Some personalities just do not get along. I think ALL the teachers are wonderful including P.E., music, art, band, orchestra, media center, computers, etc. They all work together fantastically to make it a great learning environment!
—Submitted by a parent

I have sent four children to MacArthur over the last 8 years (and will have my kids there for several more years before we are done). MacArthur has strong academic leadership, an AMAZING and supportive family community, and great teachers who really go the extra mile for the kids and have listened to and worked with me to help my kids with their specific challenges. My personal experience with the speech pathologist has been wonderful. My boys have improved so much in a short time. The G&T program is terrific -- it inspires the kids to things you wouldn't think they could do at this young age. The PE teacher is awesome - gets the kids moving and loving it. There are lots of involved parents who help with extras. I can't say enough about the great teachers my kids have had here. We love being a part of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Teacher Appreciation week and school year comes to a close, no better time to share the love... From my fairly limited exposure with staff members other than my sons K - Teach, I have always been treated with courtesy, respect & professionalism from crossing guard, transportation, custodial service (Mr. W.), cafeteria, Health services, Aids, Volunteers and Administrative staff, THANK YOU! The role played is noticed and appreciated. Ms. Nortons' first year as principle provides insights to MPSs' current leadership hiring practice, Every event find her there, finger on the pulse. All for not if the sole, through budget cuts, and personal tribulations, day in & out wasn't there, forever grateful. Parent involvement? show up you'll see.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 3 children attending this school in grade 5,2, and K. All 3 have had wonderful teachers and a great experience here. We will be moving shortly an I am so sad to leave this school! Great sense of community, and great teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended here for about 1.5 Years, and after the end of the 2009-2010 year they will be leaving. The discipline here leaves a lot to be desired. It seems to be all about the haves vs. The have nots. Both of my children have been bullied, hit and generally treated like non persons by classmates. The sad thing is, after defending themselves from these attacks they end up with write ups and 'lunch detentions' always the same attackers but my kids are the ones getting punished. Neither one of my children ever had a discipline problem at their old schools, but here they are labeled bad kids. There are some great teachers who really go the extra mile here but administration is weak at best, and depends on where you fit in in the social chain. Not Mormon? Not from the wealthier areas? Sucks to be you.
—Submitted by a parent

My two youngest children go to McArthur and we love it. We live in the neighborhood, we are not mormon, but are accepted as a family here. We are just common, no speciality here. But we love the school and the teachers are wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

If a child has aspergers, they might have a lonely experience at any school (unfortunately) so this does not say anything bad about MacArthur. My child only had a handful of Mormon kids in the classroom, so I know for a face there are other kids to play with and a child's loneliness can't be blamed on Mormons alone. Also, my child's classroom had plenty of diversity from white kids, to Mexican kids, and even a Tongan student. My child had a great experience at MacArthur.
—Submitted by a parent

Well lets just say MacArthur is a Mormon school. That may not be a bad thing unless you have issues with your child going to an all white school, focuses more on repetition of action, and over all academically lacking. The principle is wonderful, the majority of staff is wonderful. I think the best thing this school has going for it is the P.E. teacher. She is the best and MacArthur is really lucky to have her. My son has Aspergers and the kids were not mean to him (Mormon children) but they would not be his friend. He had a very lonely experience at this school. My daughter was bored and constantly came home talking about what her friends had bought or had. Its a keeping up with the Jones' type neighborhood.
—Submitted by a parent

All of our kids attend, or attended, MacArthur. Our oldest child is now in H.S., and was very prepared for J.H. (Poston) coming from MacArthur. The teachers we've had at MacArthur have been consistently good, with high expectations and great attitudes.
—Submitted by a parent

MacArthur really has gone downhill.
—Submitted by a parent

I am concerned about my child's quality of education he is receiving at this school, but I have no basis for comparison.
—Submitted by a parent