Sunset Ridge Elementary School

This school is working hard at changing the bullying problems. There is a no tolerance policy on bullying and/or harassing that they are really enforcing, especially since the new Vice Principal came on board this year. My own son has been spoken to about jokin around with friends, about not crossing the line. Also, the adminstration is teaching kids to stand up for others if they see bullying! I am glad to see them take even the smallest hint of harassment seriously. Maybe in some ways they are overracting to some situations but I see why and I support the bigger picture of the no bullying policy. Our kids should feel safe in all ways while at school to learn... and I feel that is the goal of the administration too. My opinion has changed to a more postivie view of this school! Sometimes you have to be the bad guy to make positive changes. I support the Vice Principal and her stance against bullying!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is phenomenal. The kids are so happy, friendly and polite, and they have a fabulous character education program. If you ever have a problem, the principal and the teachers are quick to solve it. Sunset Ridge takes every kid's differences and helps to give them the best education possible from the level that they are. If you want your child to get a top rate education from a school with caring and compassionate, well trained teachers, send them here! I really don't understand the negative comments or reviews that have been posted here. As a parent, I know that I have to become involved in my child's education and not blame the school. Yes, it is a K-8 school, but every time I've seen all of the kids on the playground in the morning, the older kids have been separated from the younger ones. The kids have smiles and are safe, so I have no idea what that review was talking about with the kids wandering around together.
—Submitted by a parent

Our children were here for two years. We recently moved to Idaho, and I just can't express enough how much we miss everyone at this school. I don't understand the reviews about people not being ihelpful as this was the exact opposite experience we encountered. We had help and support from every staff member! My children received the extra help the needed on several occasions. We needed to address a possible bullying matter and it was taken VERY seriously by the Principal. Before being too quick to judge this school, I would encourage people to get involved with the classes. Now that we are in our new place, we miss Sunset Ridge and all the staff even more. They are amazing and will continue to excel under the great leadership they have.
—Submitted by a parent

I had a child in this school for four days before taking her out. The school allows the kids of all ages to mingle in the morning and at lunch, so the little kids are walking around with the junior high kids, which I find very wrong (and dangerous). The classes were packed and the teacher wasn't helpful or kind. The only nice and helpful person was the lady at the front desk of the office.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has to be the WORST!! school I have ever seen. My daughter goes there and she gets stuff stollen out of her backpack almost daily. The princible does NOTHING, this score really needs to be updated, the kids there bully everyone and its over crowded, if you want the best fro your child DON'T!! send them here I promise you, you will make a very bad choice.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved here 3 yrs ago have been very happy with the school. My son has been there for 3 yrs his first teacher didnt always teach in a way I would think is best BUT she prepared him for the next grade and he learned A LOT! His teacher next year was totally different but seemed to handle the kids yet got annoyed with silly behavior that is quite normal for this age group but still taught he excelled/learned a lot. This year he has a teacher who is very different then the last 2, she is too relaxed for me but still getting the job done, kids are learning great amounts. What im trying to say here is there is more then 1 way of getting a teaching job done kids today have to learn how to deal with different teachers. I think the school is GREAT and yes it has issues we had a bullying issue last year (I stayed more on top of it then the school) but from what I hear that is common in most schools! Unfortunately parents dont discipline at home so there is only so much the school can do! I think parents have to be more involved after all we are our kids first teachers! Funny how most parents dont want to add to their own kids education! We plan on staying at sunset ridge for the duration!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in Kindergarten at Sunset Ridge. I adore her teacher. Unfortunately, I cannot say I adore the office staff at this school. They are the most unhelpful group of people I have ever come across. I've been in that office a total of three times for various questions and need of assistance. Each and every time they helped me very reluctantly. I don't know what these women's deals are, but it's really very annoying to ask for help and get indifference and attitude. I've never once seen any of these ladies smile. Not once.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had great teachers at this school. No problems. My son has gone here for 3 years and is excelling and happy. So we are happy. Parent involvement is encouraged and I think that has helped us have a good experience, too. I have gotten to know the teachers and have been very pleased with them all. You are always going to have complainers and you can't make everybody happy. There will be mean kids at every school...
—Submitted by a parent

I have a child who has been in this school for the last two years. The first teacher was amazing, the bullying was a pain to handle as previous parents have commented. This year I am very disappointed in the teacher and how things have been handled in certain situations. From what I have seen there is no individual teaching, and lack of positive feedback. When my child asked the teacher for help, my child was told to ask a partner or other classmate. The way I see it, the teachers job is to teach not to pass the buck to another child. What if that child is wrong? I have had many issues with this school. From the teacher, to the bullying to the shaming of a child in the classroom.( not my child, but a classmate). My child has come home more than once with issues on the playground. Scrapped knee, punched, sand thrown into the hair and eyes or worse. My child was never sent to the nurse and ignored when telling a teacher. When a child has a bleeding knee, you would think they would be sent to the nurse to have it cleaned and bandaged. As a parent I like to think the school has my child's best interest in mind. I do not feel this way about this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had 4 children attend Sunset Ridge elementary. We have been there since the school first opened. I can honestly say that for the most part I have been happy with the school so far. Now I have a child there in eigth grade who has had to deal with bullying on a daily basis coming to a peak before Christmas break where she was ganged up on in the lockeroom and shoved in the hallways. She came home in tears every day. I called the school with my concerns and there was minimal action taken. My husband and I had to call daily to see what they were doing about it.. The bullying is happening again now and I am extemely frustrated that we are still facing the same problem with the same kids. I feel that there is really no discipline for the junior high kids and that they kind of just look the other way.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have attended Sunset Ridge for 3 school years. I have had excellent teachers each year that have been academic and also nurturing and kind. The principal is making changes and she's out and about on campus. We need more parent involvement and hopefully over the next school year that will happen. I have not experienced bullying or any other problem. My kids are happy and excelling. My son made Principals List for each quarter this year and Honor Roll last year. He also exceeded on AIMS. I attribute that to the school, teachers, and also us as parents. It is a good neighborhood school.
—Submitted by a parent

I absolutely love this school and the teachers here! My daughter is in kindergarten and she can't wait to go each day. Her teacher is wonderful. In addition to being kind and sweet, she pushes my daughter to be a good student and show good character. My daughter is reading at a first grade level already, doing addition and subtraction and even graphing in math, and writing full sentences. She loves to create books and she even tells me about the pictures she draws to go along with the story are called the setting. I am very impressed with the level of instruction going on in kindergarten. Teachers are always present and smiling around campus. Students are very polite and open doors. The principal is always around to say good morning. I am very impressed with this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is an 8th grade student at Sunset Ridge. We moved to this school two years ago and have had nothing but good things to say about it ever since we got here. She is challenged on a daily basis and the teachers are always open and available to help when needed. The front office staff has been extremely helpful a in a variety of ways. I believe that part of my daughter's success comes from the fact that the teachers view the parents as partners in their child's education. Just like I hold my child accountable for her actions and her work at home, the teachers are holding her accountable at school. My daughter is not only getting an academic education from an excelling school, she is learning life lessons that will help her the rest of her life. I see these teachers working long hours to make the school a better place for my child; I only wish more parents were involved so that they could see all the effort that is put forth on a daily basis.
—Submitted by a parent

Want to add: my son has been on honor roll since being at this school! The teachers have been great in making sure he got the attention he needed in math to help him reach his goal of an A!
—Submitted by a parent

We pulled our kids from this school due to over crowded clasrooms, lack of individual attention, kids bullying. School is way too large for anyone to control
—Submitted by a parent

Allows bullying, not responsive in handling situations around bullying. Would move if we could...
—Submitted by a parent

Ignore reviews from before Summer 2008. This school has been excellent. This is our first year here, but the front office staff have been very helpful. Mrs. O 6th grade has been wonderful. She replies to all emails. The Art Teacher is great. She entered students' artwork to a contest and 19 of 76 entries won. The 19 including my daughter will get to go to the Phoenix Art Museum. There's an established Girl Scout troop and my daughter is in a new one with a good Troop Leader. The school has definitely changed based on the recent reviews. Rated 9 during this writing. I hope this continues with the new Principal.
—Submitted by a parent

I gave my two sons in this school going near 3 years and my kids love this school. I have been pleased with staff they are always helpful and I can not say enough great things about the teachers. They are awesome!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I have loved having my daughter at Sunset Ridge Elementary School. The staff has always been kind and helpful. The playgrounds are always clean and the PTA is second to none.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm not at all impressed with the principals help when students are bullied. They don't take it seriously.
—Submitted by a parent