Whispering Wind Academy

My daughter has attended the school for 2 years. One thing that I like about and I think is extremely important for the school's progress is what kind of principal there is. The previous principal was a great person and very close with the students. The current principal is even better. He is a very down-to-earth person who will take the time to listen to your concerns. He is always outside telling kids goodbye at the end of the day and making sure they cross the streets safely. He goes the extra mile. Teachers are happy with him too as he has provided them with much wanted improvements and technology in their classrooms. The teachers in WWA are nice and constantly make interesting projects for the kids to do. Overall a nice school, but I don't know why its rating dropped so much. Used to be a 9/10.
--Submitted by a parent

My kids have been going to WWA for 5 yrs. now and we have seen a tremendous change... When Mr. Clancy came on board, the moral, integrity & philosophy really kicked in to overdrive. The teachers and faculty on various occasions commented how they are really enjoying coming to work now. It has shown in so many ways. There is a real sense of team work. No more... The leadership is an equal playing field. Even the students are more inspired... It seems that everyone lights up when they interact with Mr. Clancy. However... With the New School year 2011 comes a New Principal... We are hopeful ... although many think he has some big shoes to fill. We know it is not far to judge & we will certainly go into this with an open mind. We already miss Mr. Clancy and will always have fond memories... We wish him well at Desert Shadows and maybe we will be lucky enough to share his leadership again when my 3 move onto middle school...
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in 5th grade and we moved to phoenix last year.he came in the middle of the school year and he was welcomed into the class. the teachers are good. especially the gifted and talented teacher.he is also in the school band.it is quite an enriching experience for my son.i love this school. planning to put my younger kid in kindergarten during fall this year.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers and administration at this school are great... Helpful, knowledgable, flexible and very approachable. The only negative really is the lack of funding for improved teacher to student ratio throughout the upper grades. Parent involvement could improve as well. Overall we have had a very positive experience.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has excellent teachers. the new principal is now getting rid of the teachers that made this school excelling. The philisophy has changed. Excellent teachers, Worst principal ever, No vision or importance for academic programs.
--Submitted by a parent

Our child has been at WWA since first grade and is now in sixth. At that time, we were changing from private because we felt the experience in private was too culturally limited. WWA has been a great public school experience: students from a diverse social and economic background coming together under the school motto of work hard, be nice, and achieve. The new Principal's leadership is greatly positive and supportive--he leads a staff that is 100% enthusiastic about education and love teaching above all else. He has made it a point to get to know each and every student. The Special Areas Teams complete a rounded education that every student enjoys. The PVUSD gifted teachers and experience is amazing. I give the school 5 stars for their community, school, and staff. My one wish is that the District would find the money to restore the smaller class sizes to the upper elementary grades.
--Submitted by a parent

Unlike private (but expensive) schools, teachers and principals in public schools don't get their salaries from families payments. As a result, treatment of children and parents depends on the principal's philosophy. The new principal has the old fashioned view that faculty is always above students and parents too. The school now has some teachers that academically don t know much more than their students, and don t even care. The grading standards of tests are becoming of low quality, but cannot be challenged. Realizing that they are well supported by the new principal, some teachers are becoming increasingly rude to both students and parents alike. I can t give details because of the space limits for the reviews here.
--Submitted by a parent

The new year has started with a new principal. He seems very dedicated and will ing to make positive changes. The only drawback this year, due to budget cuts, is 4th,5th and 6th grade have only 2 teachers per grade with 30 plus students in each class. There were aides for kindergarten and 1st grade (no aides for 2nd-6th grade) and the aide positions were cut too. The school is a great school and if/and when a budget gets passed and classes can get back to normal this school will really be the school it should be.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a student beginning second grade in the fall. We searched several public and charter schools in the area, and found the staff to be the most welcoming and informative, the class size to be good, with an aide in the room as well, and just a really good energy overall. We drive her 5 miles each way, and wouldn't do it any other way. The teachers really care about her education and about our interaction with them. They help us know what to work on for homework and give us fun games to play. All the 1st grade teachers were invested in our student, know her by name and let us know what's up. When I call the office to talk about her, the staff knows who I am as well. Can't wait for 2nd grade to start.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is great! I absolutely love it!!
--Submitted by a student