Sonoran Trails Middle School

STMS is an excellent school. We have been so pleased with the quality of the teachers, their enthusiasm, their knowledge and their ability to incorporate 21st century technology into the curriculum. They bring a fresh approach to teaching which has engaged my child and increased their enthusiasm about learning. The principal and assistant principal have a strong presence at the school and are always available to both the parents and the students. STMS offers World Language as a core class, so students have language instruction in either French, Mandarin or Spanish daily. I would highly recommend this school!!
—Submitted by a parent

I have a son that is finishing 8th grade this year. STMS has really turned around with the new administration. It is the only middle school that offers a complete world languages program with daily language classes. We've encountered caring teachers that are willing to help kids that want to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

STMS is a great school. The teachers are always very helpful and available at any time. The principal is very involved with the students. My daughter really enjoys going here. I recommend STMS to anybody.
—Submitted by a parent

STMS is an excellent middle school and we feel so fortunate to have our daughter there. I was anxious about the school before she started, but the school completely exceeded my expectations. She was challenged academically, she was held to high expectations from the teachers and she has really grown this year. Discipline problems exist in any middle school, but the principal of STMS has a huge presence with the kids and his expectations are clear.
—Submitted by a parent

STMS is outstanding. We have been so pleased with the quality of the leadership - very grounded and the teaching staff are outstanding. My children are very happy and doing quite well. Issues are handled well and the teachers care a lot about their students. Love this school!
—Submitted by a parent

We are from Europe and we moved to AZ a few months ago. Our son is currently at Sonoran Trails and really this is the worst school we have ever seen. Academic level is really extremely low, classes are more than full and there is a huge bullying problem going on. Some students are organizing themselves in little gangs and the lady who is in charge for this kind of problems doesn't want to hear about this matters happening in her school. Panels with 'no bully' are everywhere to find but again the person who is in charge has a very strange strategy to resolve the problems, she keeps the bad kids in the classrooms and school transportation and suspends the victims that are trying to defend themselves! Pretending there is nothing wrong going on. Really disappointed....
—Submitted by a parent

3 of my children have gone through STMS - two are now in HS and one is in college. STMS has been a outstanding exper. for all my kids. The front office staff is very welcoming and the teachers are very committed and caring. The communication between parents and teachers is wonderful. Newsletters are very informative and interesting to read. Administration seems to be very committed to a well run, successful middle school experience for all.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter spent 3 successful years at STMS and is off to high school. As middle schools go, it was a good place for my motivated daughter. She had excellent teachers and great opportunities. She was involved and hardworking and got the most out of her experience. I think she is well prepared for the challenges of high school and AP course work. Parent involvement is encouraged and I was happy to have a network with other parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I've got one student in Sonoran Trails and another who is a past student in H.S. The quality of teaching is suspect. I've grown so disappointed with the academics at the school that I am looking to move just so I can enroll me kids in a better quality school district.
—Submitted by a parent

Sonoran Trails provides a high quality academic program. The school offers a variety of elective subjects and sports programs. Their strength is in the welcoming atmosphere for parent involvment and genuine caring for studnets.
—Submitted by a parent

Academically, STMS is right on par. They have a staff of caring teachers who have really helped my son this year. They go out of their way to stay connected with both the student and parent.
—Submitted by a parent

OK school that could be better - class sizes are much too big. The student population isnt very diverse which is reflective of the community. Teachers seem to know their students well which must be a challenge given the class size.
—Submitted by a parent

Need more organized gifted/honors programming; the district is working on this but not there.
—Submitted by a parent

Somewhat disappointed in overall middle school. I like the idea of the longer class times but do not feel that the time is used wisely in some classes. Would like more emphasis on achievement and music.
—Submitted by a parent

I have one child currently at Sonoran Trails and another entering 6th grade this year. Our family loves the staff and teachers we have encountered. The teachers are very dedicated and go above and beyond the call of duty. I would like to see more technology in our school. I am a working mom who wants my kids to be sucessful in school. These teachers work hard and deserve all the support they can get. Sonoran Trails is a great school in a great community. Keep up the good work! We will keep pushing for better technology to communicate teachers needs and students progress.
—Submitted by a parent

STMS has an extremely dedicated staff that bends over backwards to work with their students. Discipline is high and in some instances a little over the top. Implementing the new math program to students in middle school is ridiculous and has to be the reason why the students did so terribly in math testing. Many parents moved their children from the CCUSD to private or charter schools because of this math program. Get rid of it and get back to basics!
—Submitted by a parent