Ira A Murphy

I have going here for about 10 years, my personal view is great staff, although not the best student behavior. This school has been decreasing in multiple areas, However overall this is a relatively good school

Well my son has been stuck at this school for a few years now. With my financial situation I have been unable to move and couldn't get a variance for another school. I don't think my son is getting the education he deserves with this school, they tend to focus on the rescource students and the very smart students if you are in the middle you lose.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to Murphy and graduated in '95. From the time I went there to the time my daughter started going there I have seen changes(some good and some bad) in the school and the area, but it was also refreshing to know that some staff from when I was there was still there or now at the district office. If they can staff there for over 20 years they must be doing something right.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. Wonderful staff and students.
—Submitted by a teacher

My son will be starting 2nd grade and so far I love the school. The teachers are great! My son is above average in all areas, which tells me they are doing a good job. The area around the school is an older neighborhood, which worries me sometimes. The new play area for the preschool and kindergarten kids is real nice, I hope they will do some improvements for the older kids playground also.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children in Ira Murphy. This school has been unsatisfactory in meeting the needs of my children for safety and security. I realize this is the principal's first year, so she has not had time to come up with solutions for all of the problems. From what I have seen of her, she will be a great asset to this school, if people will follow her leadership. Some of the teaching staff, especially on playground and lunch duty, however, lack commitment and concern for the students. I feel the same way about the 5th grade teacher my child had. I have nothing but good things to say about the 7th grade staff. Every one of them that I have had the pleasure of knowing has been a blessing to my child. At this time, my rating of this school is very low. Given time and good leadership, it could be great.
—Submitted by a parent

We have 5 children, our last one has 1 1/2 years to go. We wouldn't think about sending our children anywhere else. This school has gotten a bum rap. The level of education is one of the highest. All my children has tested in the top levels in the Stanford 9 and AIMS. Without the decation of the staff and teachers, this wouldn't have happened. There are problems, but that's at every school. The education process is only as good as you as a parent want it to be. Be involved, be there, be on ISIS, know what is going on in your child's life and the problems will be taken to a minimal. Step up and be responsible for your child! Care enough about your child's education to be the responsible one. After all, they are your children! I give Murphy 4+ stars on a scale of 5.
—Submitted by a parent

Hmmm.. It seems that it just gets worse every year! We will see if a new principle makes a difference this year.
—Submitted by a parent

Not very happy with this school. Each year that goes by it seams that it gets worse. Only the parents can see it but no staff members do or want to admit it.
—Submitted by a parent

Murphy has an all around winning environment for its students. The quality of acedamics, teacher/ parent involvment, teaching ciriculum, etc. is meeting and excelling the minimum of expectations!
—Submitted by a parent

This school tends to be very disorganized. Teachers do not get enough handouts for the entire class, so some of the students have to try and remember what the teacher tells them and then go home and repeat it to their parents. Trust me that is one of the worst ways to handle communication with parents. You get two kids in the same class coming back with two different sets of information. You never know what is going on. As for a PTA I guess this school does not have one. In 4 years, I have never received any information about the PTA or booster club. You would think flyers would be sent home about these but they are not. I would like to see the kids learn at grade level but it seems like that is an impossibility, according to AIMS tests.
—Submitted by a parent

My children went to another Peoria school before I transferred to Ira Murphy and I'm so extremely happy with Murphy that I don't want to ever, ever, ever take my sons to any other school. The 4 years we attended Santa Fe, no one in the office (Secretary, Principal, Assistant Principal, etc.) knew me or my boys. Before the 1st year at Murphy was done, the staff knew us by sight ... and cared! The teachers are very good about calling when there is a problem or just to tell me good news. Keep up the good work!
—Submitted by Glenda Permenter, a parent