Mendoza Elementary School

My child has gone to Mendoza for 2 years now and we are taking switching him out for the next school year. Overall, Mendoza is just an average school. However, their bully problem has gotten completely out of hand. My child has been disciplined on several occasions for sticking up for himself while the bully, who started the issues, gets no punishment at all. The homework is completely pointless an non-challenging. So pointless, the teachers dont even review it. They just have the students bring in signed sheets from the parents, saying the homework was done. My phone calls to the teacher this year, are rarely returned and my requests for some kind of assistance with my child being bullied have been completely ignored by Dr Ashton and the teachers. Hopefully, as Dr Ashton continues to grow as a principal he gets a better handle on this stuff.
—Submitted by a parent

I am SO happy to have my child out of Mendoza. There has been a mass exodus from the school. It has changed from a decent school to one of bullies, incompetent teachers and a rude principal who is anything but a "pal." The only people thrilled with Mendoza are those who don't live in the neighborhood. There is a large number of Apache Junction kids there now. Many of the those kids bring their prejudices and hardened attitudes to the school. The new principal is so busy trying to stamp out any recognition of what the school used to be, he couldn't be bothered administrating properly. We are RELIEVED to be gone from there. Over the past month, we've run into two other families that left Mendoza AFTER the 2011 school year began. Both families had the same complaint--bullying and no repercussions from admin. Mendoza's test scores have fallen and I believe it has to do with the kids who's parents view school as a daycare. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Mendoza USED to be a great school. It's just not anymore. Don't enroll your kids there unless you need a babysitter and you don't care about education.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe this to a great school for my First Grader. The teacher and faculty take her needs to heart and are working with her skill level and enhancing her daily work with additional challenging work. I would like to see more involvement in the Arizona Ready program for AIMS testing. I will be discussing this with her teacher at her upcoming parent teacher conference. I wish I could be more involved her activities.
—Submitted by a parent

From the first day I set foot on this campus, I knew this place was my new home as an educator. Was it the fact that both the students and staff seemed so happy and engaged in what they were doing inside and outside the classrooms? Was it the fact that on my way to the teacher work room I passed by tortoises, rabbits, birds, and a fish pond? Or is it the fact that my fellow teachers, the principal, and the rest of the staff seem to all work together as one solid cohesive unit to help our students grow mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally? Who knows? All I know is that I am so very proud to be a teacher here at Mendoza!
—Submitted by a teacher

Mendoza is a wonderful school, the new principal Dr. Ashton is an amazing person, They are some great teachers at mendoza, and some not so great, but Dr Asthon is making sure that every teacher is giving 100 percent. I do understand the importance of a great teacher, but this is a two way street, we, as parents, need to give 100 percent for our child to be succesful too, otherwise, it will not work. Parent involvement guarantees child success. Thanks Dr. Ashton for all the new improvements and for keeping our children safe.
—Submitted by a parent

My oldest child has been in 9 different schools in many states. My two younger children have been in a couple of different ones. There are good and bad teachers in all schools. The thing that makes the difference is the Principal and his staff. The principal of Mendoza although new really had a read on what is important for a school no matter where it is located. He was reasonable and listened to my concerns and addressed each one. Another thing that is good about this school is that it is enclosed. I could not believe how open exposed and unsafe the schools were here in Arizona. Anyone has access to any part of the school. Although we can't live our lives afraid of what may happen we certainly shouldn't live our lives in ignorance of the changed climate that we live in. Thank you for caring for the safety of our children.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been one of the worst experiences for my children. Both of my sons that have gone through Mendoza have been very intelligent and bright, always brining home good grades. But, it seems that when there is always a problem with the kids in the class, no deals with them. My children hate Mendoza. They have been bullied and no one does anything about it! If anything, Mendoza should be shut down!! And the teachers dont even teach the kids right! The grades brought home by students are only Ds and Fs!!! My children are very blessed for being able to figure the work out on their own, for if they couldnt they would be failing like the rest!!!!!! THIS IS THE WORST SCHOOL EVER!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Mendoza has excpetional teachers that go the extra mile for EVERY student.

Our time at Mendoza is now done, and I am sad to say that we are, for the most part, glad. There is a great deal of inconsistency from classroom to classroom within a grade level. Our experience with the teachers has been so varied as well. We have had a great teacher and we have had the worst experience, so it is hard to know what you can count on at Mendoza. With new leadership in sight, maybe the school will get a stronger sense of direction.
—Submitted by a parent

My granddaughter is a third grader and she loves to go to school. I am impressed with the level of curriculum presented to her in her grade level. Mendoza embraces all children and their needs, whether they are physical, learning or emotional disabilities. More parent's participation in PTO activities is needed and critical to a well-rounded educational experience for their child(ren).

So the submition on January 17,2008 is false in all ways. The teachers are hardworking and slave their 'behinds' off all day to focus and pay attention to each and every kid, as a former student, who is almost 17 i can say that my best years were spent at mendoza. The school taught me a variety of learning methods that i use to this day. Songs teachers taught to teach about prep. phrases, and american history are still stuck in my head. I dont know what that lady is talking about but obviously she has gone off the deep end. if im ever a single mother I will be sure to send my kids to this school because the teachers and faculty are dependable, safe, honest and hardworking. This lady is obviously just trying to get her name big so she doesnt have to live the low life she does.

Parents need to get involved! School relies on parents and teachers working together to make the school a better place. You'd be burned out also if you had to take care of everything day in and day out. Mendoza is a great school. It would be even better if parents were more involved.
—Submitted by a parent

Love this school they are always there to help my child when she needs it.
—Submitted by a parent

As a single working mother I cannot reccomend this school. The teachers are tired and spend most of the class time with the trouble kids. Only the few PTO kids get attention, with nearly 60 elementary schools in the district, one working parents' voice will not be heard. There arent many after school activities offered and you seem to have to know someone to get registered before the classes fill. We moved to another district entirely and are very happy so far, my son's new school has a better gifted program and doesn't get pulled out all day, so he doesn't miss out on what homeroom might be doing. I can say that my son liked the lunches in mesa though.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, great teachers. Wonderful principal. Mrs. Buffmire is the most amazing principal. Mrs. Moreno & my son's aides are spectacular. I couldn't ask for a better school - the staff cares. You don't find that a lot in schools. I couldn't have chosen a better school. My son wants to stay there forever. Anyone who doesn't think this school is amazing should simply walk around during the playground hour in the morning. You can see the entire staff with smiling faces and offering a smile and a kind word. It's just amazing.
—Submitted by a parent

Mrs Nelson and Mrs Tripoli are 2 of the very best teachers. My kids loved every day of school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended Mendoza for 6 years and when he first attended, I thought the school was wonderful. His teachers were innovative, cheerful, enthusiastic and intelligent. But, within the last couple of years, the school has steadily gone downhill. Many of the teachers appear to be burned out and the morale of the school as a whole is horrible. It has been sad to see how things have evolved. Generally speaking, a school can't run well without a respectful, supportive, innovative and open minded leader.
—Submitted by a parent

Community Ed at Mendoza is great! All day K is a joke! they are doing pre pre k work and teachers do not communicate daily activities. I have a grandchild in Gilbert Ashland and they do mor in a 1/2 day K then Mendoza has scheduled for 4 months! very dissappointed!
—Submitted by Jacque, a parent

I have been involved with Mendoza, through my children, for ten years now. It is a great school. Mendoza has great teachers. Some teacher's make learning more interesting with their unique ways of teaching. It's hard to get parents involved, maybe they're too busy. Your child's education is much better with your involvement. I speak from experience. Mrs. Buffmire is a great principal, strict but personable. She is always seen around campus. Mendoza offers a variety of teaching styles so kids remain interested. I am proud to be a Mendoza 'parent'.
—Submitted by Debbie, a parent

Enrolled my gifted [child] in the Montessori program. It's OK, but he spends too much time with younger children and isn't academically challenged. I will be moving him to a private or charter school next year.
—Submitted by a parent