Candeo Schools

Amazing teachers, but terrible administration and leadership! I feel sorry for families anticipating great things when they get called from the waiting list. Terribly secretive and dishonest.
—Submitted by a parent

Expanding school grades and all can not fit in building so parents notified they are renting four classrooms for grades 6 & 7 next year in a church. They will have NO art, must or PE since they are not on main campus. Why offere these grades when space is limited at campus? So the upper grades will be denied their specials. Also checked on AZ state website for charter schools, and Candeo is not even officially approved for grades 7 & 8 yet - the website states school is chartered for grades K - 6. Any suggestions for a school that has grades 6 - 8 that offers art, music, PE that is in an actual school?
—Submitted by a parent

Wow, I can't believe all of the negative comments! My child attended here for 3 years until we moved too far away. We have not been able to find a school half as good and we miss Candeo tremendously.
—Submitted by a parent

This time of year, every school year there is concern of is Candeo having 6th grade? Now it's are we having 7th grade? We are putting up portables, not we can't put up portables. The school is moving grades 5 - 7 to different location? Where, we don't know yet. The stress level for families/students is getting tiresome. Why is it that every year they go through this? Never get a straight answer from administration, poor leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

Had high hopes for school (was on waiting list), but the school is declining dramatically. High turn over rate for teachers and office staff. Being told that Singapore math not preparing students when entering Basis. Hearing that entire school is relcoating to new location, but nothing confirmed from office .
—Submitted by a parent

I have all of my children at Candeo representing a variety of grades since Candeo's early years. One child will be effected by the new charter and I also had expansion questions. I have those questions to the school leadership and feel comfortable with their direction. I have no intent of making anyone feel bad about their post, but if you have important questions such as these, I think it is best to schedule time with Mrs. Musser or attend one of the Candeo Connect forums and ask these questions as I think you will get accurate answers there rather than on this site. During my meeting, I learned that they have great things planned and are working on the roll out. Just as they take care and concern with our children's education and teacher selection, I learned that they are doing the same with the expansion. I hope the people with concerns take the time to meet with Mrs. Musser, ask all of your questions. I think the Candeo Connects are the first Friday of every month, so one is coming up next week. Please do not take offense to this. I see concerned parents who want answers, and I hope my suggestion will help.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been attending for several years and the comment below is true. We were told the charter for grades 7 and 8 was a "done deal" and just notified that they applied recently. If just applied will it be approved by the start of school in August? Hearing school is moving to another location, don't understand why this building was built to their specifications, why the move in only a few short year? The administration rarely gives a straight answer to families - very disappointing. I now understand why most families stay at public, there is no stress of waiting to see if a charter is going to have a specific grade the following. This is very stressful on the student and family.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been one of the original parents that drove to 51st and Bell and have been very happy with the school until this year. What is most disheartening is that the school administration is not forthcoming about their future plans for 7 & 8 grade. My husband and I personally attended a meeting early last year where we were told that the administration had applied for the 7 & 8 grade charter, but then we hear this month that they just did it. Supposedly the reason for the hold up was because they are going to build a new building and move the entire school? So what is the real story? Has Candeo applied for the 7 & 8 grade charter? Is the school moving? We have a child that will be entering 6th grade next year and if Candeo is not going to include 7 & 8 grade, then we need to look at other options now as many schools have wait lists. We would appreciate an open and honest answer from Candeo once and for all. After all Candeo administration you have asked for our honesty and commitment every year, so we expect the same in return from you.
—Submitted by a parent

http://www.azed.gov/research-evaluation/aims-assessment-results/ please refer to the above link for 2012 AIMS results: MATH: 94% READING: 96% WRITING : 90% SCIENCE: 88% HAPPY VALLEY : MATH: 92% READING: 98% WRITING: 88% SCIENCE: 94% PINNACLE PEAK ELEMENTARY: MATH: 92% READING; 97% WRITING: 95% SCIENCE: 98% GREAT HEART -ARCHWAY SCOTTSDALE MATH: 96% READING: 96% WRITING: SCIENCE: 96% NEED TO IMPROVE WRITING AND SCIENCE***
—Submitted by a parent

I have to respond to negative comments below. First, I would like to ask what school truly prepares you for Basis?Compared to the district schools around here, Candeo did a great job of preparing my son for Basis. Second, I'm pretty sure the 4th grade team did NOT leave because of failed AIMS scores. Where did you find that information? Candeo from what I can see on their AIMS scores, did not fail. Third, I'm starting to think all these negative reviews are coming from the same small group of disgruntled parents that left a few years ago. They have nothing better to do than keep posting on here. Fourth, I'm laughing out loud at the parent below that has never had a child at Candeo, but thinks they are qualified to write a review on this school. This sounds like one of the disgruntled parents. I'm an original parent to Candeo. Most of the parents here are quite happy. It seems the only people that are posting negative reviews on here are the negative Nancy's that can't seem to move on, and who have already lost their spot at our school. Go visit your local public school and I guarantee you will never find another loving and caring school like Candeo.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm happy to say "Candeo was the highest-scoring elementary school in the Peoria and Deer Valley School Districts. This rating includes all public schools, both charter and district schools. We scored 157 out of a score of 200, accomplished within just five years of opening our doors".-quoted from our newsletter. Bottom line, we've been at this school since it opened. Every time I walk down the hall I see all these wonderfull Core Knowledge projects hanging up on the walls. I hear teachers engaging their students. It really is a gem we are lucky to be a part of.
—Submitted by a parent

One of the fifth grade teacher left and there is a sub and two other teachers teaching - 3 teachers in one class room for 5th grade, some teachers not on the same page in teaching style. School says not hiring a teacher keeping as is. Last year entire fourth grade staff left and now this started. What is going on? Time to look for different school.
—Submitted by a parent

OMG... All the fourth Grade teachers "moved on to other opportunities" this summer. I now see why. Kids actually failed their AIMS tests. How is that possible in a Charter School that prides itself in having an "Excelling" status. The lower grades may offer a great education, but when you get to 3rd and above, monitor your child and teacher closely. After four years they still don't have there stuff together.
—Submitted by a parent

I just attended the Parent Info Meetings at Basis and asked about the readiness of the Candeo students. To my surprise I was told that they are struggling in Math because Candeo uses Singapore Math and they use Saxon, and that the jump from very little if any homework to the rigorous coursework at Basis has had an impact on the Candeo students success. So now where do I send my student since Candeo did not prepare them to move on to the next level, back to public school? That defeats the purpose of sending them to Candeo to begin with. I hope that the Candeo Administration takes a hard look at themselves and steps it up for the sake of the future students. In the meantime my student will have to struggle to catch up. Thanks for nothing Candeo!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is incredible. The staff is so caring and nurturing and they have a great curriculum. So happy to be a part of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I want to be careful to not say anything to have my post disappear. 3 years here. Candeo has excellent teachers. I still give the school the lowest rating possible.
—Submitted by a parent

I am shocked.. Shopping around close charter school I had called Candeo school and spoke to administrator whom spoke quit harsh as there is no possible room to be put on a wait list 2012 since the # is already 99 people waiting for kinder next year. I told her bluntly i didn't appreciate her discouragement & that reason for call was a tour of the school. I explained I would NEVER enroll my child into a school that I never toured. The audacity of some people..and lack of professionalism.. shocking, just shocking :(
—Submitted by a parent

This is our third year at Candeo and we love it! The teachers have all been excellent and I feel like they really care about my kids. I have a couple of children in the gifted program, which I agree could have a bigger push. However, I feel like they are getting so much more in the regular classroom than what we experienced at a public school that there is not as big of a need for a separate "gifted" class. My kids all love it and come home excited about what they are learning. When learning is fun, it keeps the kids excited and I think that may even be more important that a tough academic curriculum. I feel like there is a good balance of academics and fun.
—Submitted by a parent

We are also an Anthem family who drives everyday to a school that our children absolutely love. We realize that there are many schools between our home and Candeo, and we have made the choice to continue sending our children to Candeo for a number of reasons: we feel that our children are getting an excelllent education, are a part of a learning community that accepts, encourages and inspires and that our children are being challenged academically without hindering their natural need to just be kids. There is not a perfect school and not everyone will find their "home" at Candeo. But for this Anthem family, we are behind Candeo 100%.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our third year at Candeo and we are very pleased with it. We drive from Anthem everyday because it is worth the extra effort to have my children at a school where they are safe, loved, and learning everyday. We have tried several public and charter schools in North Phoenix and were disappointed with many of them. Candeo does not have as challenging of a curriculum as some other charter schools (and not as much homework), but my children are learning every second of every day and they learn at a mastery level in every subject. Their homework is meaningful and not just busy work. They excel because the teachers truly do use a variety of strategies to reach all learning styles. One of my children is a very tactile/kinesthetic learner. I worried about him in a typical classroom, but Candeo has reached his learning style beautifully since Kindergarten. However, they have also been able to keep my very gifted, audio/visual learner engaged as well. I feel they could do more with their gifted program, but overall, we have been VERY pleased with our experiences at Candeo.
—Submitted by a parent