Stetson Hills Elementary School

This not the place for IEP or special needs kids! My children have been overlooked and ignored! The administration is cold, and the teachers are unsupported and burnt out!
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at this school since 2004-05 school year. I have two kids at this school and have been very happy with what I have experienced, as are my children. Stetson has very dedicated, caring teachers. The teachers and staff always strive to be better than the year before. It has been an excelling school for 5 years in a row and also has an A+ rating. I realize that every once in a great while a particular parent or family is not happy with how things are going in their particular situation. But, that is not the norm at Stetson Hills. Having been at Stetson for seven years, I can tell you that the vast majority of families feel the same as we do. In addition to the great teachers and academic sucesses, Stetson has great community support. Our family has made lifelong friends and can rely on the other parents to help keep your kids safe. We love our community and all those that help make Stetson Hills the great school it is. We are proud to be Stetson Stallions!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

We are now looking for a new school, because this school does not communicate with you! In 5 years we have had 3 outstanding teachers and 2 horrid teachers. I feel a huge disconnect between teachers and administration! If your child has the smallest need they almost refuse to meet it!
—Submitted by a parent

I highly recommend Stetson Hills School. This is the 7th year I have had children at the school. The principal is an outstanding leader with high standards and a clear vision for her staff and students. Teachers and staff are dedicated and strive to provide the best education for the students. The parent and business community provide strong support to the school. In addition to the students performing well academically, the 7th & 8th grade sports programs also continually finish at the top. My children are also fortunate enough to be a part of the Band Program which consistently is rated Superior and Superior with Distinction. The variety of sports and clubs available will allow any child to become a well-rounded individual while being taught by some of the best teachers. Stetson Hills Schools is an A+ School, has an Excelling rating, and received the District's Superintendent Award as a school and for parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children finishing their first year at Stetson Hills. They are in first and second grades. I am very happy with their teachers. Ms. Harder and Mrs. Lepick. They have been very well rounded teachers. Each has high expectations for behavior and scholastics yet my kids do not feel stressed out, a good balance. We did have an incident with bullying from another student that I felt was address immediately and properly. it is a very full campus and students are expected to know where they are supposed to be and to act appropriately. For the most part they do. The students here at Stetson Hills have exceeded my expectations as does the principal, teachers and the parents. I am looking forward to another year at Stetson Hills.
—Submitted by a parent

I was so excited about enrolling our daughter at this school because my niece had attended a few years back and had a great experience. This was not the case for us. Though I truly believe her teacher is dedicated to her, there have been so many issues with communication and policy that we are now trying to find other alternatives for her next year. In the beginning of the year our daughter was lost on campus for over 45 minutes. In November a little boy made a serious threat to our daughter that required the office to pull her and the boy from PE class to discuss....yet they didn't inform us nor her teacher. There was another issue between her and the same boy that we weren't notified of (again neither was her teacher)...we only found out when his parent approached us on a field trip to find out if we were going to be at a meeting that we knew nothing about. Disputes are common in school, but not being in the loop when things are going on is not something we, as parents, can tolerate. I think this school has great intentions, but there is a disconnect in communication that really needs to be addressed.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers truly care about their students and expect nothing but the best from them. My children are challenged to exceed and to achieve in all areas of the curriculum. My husband and I are very happy with the school and we highly recommend it to those families who want their child to have a solid education. Stetson Hills not only provides a academic program but also an opportunity for kids to shine through many enrichment programs and activities. Stetson Hills is an A+ school in our eyes.
—Submitted by a parent

My boys love this school. I adore the new principals and my kids have had wonderful teachers. A couple of years ago my son had a problem with bullying at the bus stop and the old principal did nothing to stop it except tell me that they were working on Olweius bullying training (which is a great program) but when the administration changed nothing seemed to change. However, there is more supervision on the playground which has helped my children feel safer than last year. Overall this is a very good school.
—Submitted by a parent

This past year has been a wonderful experience for my children. Our new President, Krista Anderson and Vice-President, Deb Roets, have been very involved in not only the day to day activities, but also in taking the time out of their personal life to attend most academic, sporting, and musical events. They really try to get to know all the students and become very involved in every aspect of the school to make it a better learning environment. I am also very impressed with the quality of teachers at Stetson Hills and the enduring effort they put forth every day. Keep up the good work - Bravo!!
—Submitted by a parent

This years new administration is doing a fabulous job in keeping parents informed about all activities at the school. GREAT JOB!
—Submitted by a parent

Lower grade teachers are very mixed. Many of the teachers are not kid friendly and talking style is often viewed as yelling by the younger students. Administrations view on the issue is that the children will get use to the loud teachers. Not sure this is something you want young kids getting use to.
—Submitted by a parent

New school, grounds still in excellent shape, very new and modern. I am very happy with the parent/teacher communication. Both of my sons are extremely happy with the school. They both enjoy going to school here. They have only positive things to say about their teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

Very disappointed in the 'curve' grading given by the teachers. They are setting our kids up for failure with grading curves like these. I understand the teachers have quotas they need to meet but it shouldn't be at the expense of our children. I have a student who works hard to be a B to a C student. But here at Stetson my student is getting straight A's. Hhmmm. Teachers, re-evalute your curiculum and ask yourself - are you preparing your students for the next grade and beyond or just getting through the year?
—Submitted by Very Concerned Parent, a parent

I feel the 7th grade teachers are some of the best in the state. The english teachers go above and beyound to help students have success. Great School.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been very happy with Stetson Hills. Our child has learned so much in the last 3 years her reading is better and better every day. The parent involvment is wonderful. All the activities have been good as well. We really like our experience at the school.
—Submitted by a parent

My 7th grade son went to the asst. principal to get help because a group of boys were stealing his hat and harrassing him(pushing & calling him names), she said she would talk to them that day. Well she didn't and the next day they did the same thing and my son put one of them in a headlock, I had to go down there and talk to her. She told me she was too busy to talk to those kids, I told her if she had some adult supervision on the playground maybe this wouldnt happen. She said one of the boys had been suspended 7 times and this was only october. Obviously there is a problem with discipline at this school.
—Submitted by worried mom, a parent

We just moved here in September, and have been impressed by the effort the teachers have made to make our children feel welcome. I am concerned about the level of the curriculum as compared to our old school, but overall, we are pleased. I see a high level of parental involvement, and am glad of a regular PE program.
—Submitted by a parent

Poor parent teacher communication.
—Submitted by a parent

I am still ashamed to say this is still our home school even though this school has failed my children in every way. 'Special Needs' Student should not even enter this school. Between Lies and Promises that were only partially met I am so disappointed. This School is only concerned with the cosmetics of their students and then they charge a fortune for that. This school is rated by my opinion a big fat 0.
—Submitted by a parent

I was impressed with the PTA involvement. I think that the parents are very active at this school. My children feel good about the principal and the vice-principal, they feel they are very friendly and open. The teachers encourage parent to interact, both with phone calls and notes home. My children were in the 1st and 3rd grade for 2004-05 and they felt very nurtured by their school. The Young Champions of America offer programs for the kids along with the YMCA and Deer Valley School District.
—Submitted by a parent