Horseshoe Trails Elementary School

As a parent that formerly sent their child to an accredited private school back west, I feel that HTES is comparable to a private school education. We came to the school for the gifted program and to continue the academic rigor that my children were already used to. The school is 14-17% gifted and a good majority of the teachers are gifted educated or gifted endorsed. There are caveats to choosing a public education vs. private education. For a public school that cannot be selective of their students, HTES lives up to "excelling" grade.
--Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school. Our daughter needed an IEP, and they made sure that she had everything she needed. Mrs. Marlow really cares about her students and their well-being. It is too bad the Cave Creek area keeps shooting down the bonds, because it will make the schools suffer eventually.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter attends this school & having 3 older children out of school I have seen poor schools and excellent schools- HTES is one of the outstanding schools. There are 3 sixth grade classes- 2 honors math classes- as a parent I find that accomplishment amazing 2/3 of the class are in honors. Anyone living in the Cave Creek area knows that horses are a way of life here. What is not to like about offering students a one day a week chance to interact with horses? The district offers other language programs also.. another elementary school has Spanish Immersion classes. Not on board with learning Mandarin? Our children will be one of the few in the country who will be able to communicate with people of a huge country that is definitely a world influence. My daughter and I are both sad that this is her final year here- she was in kindergarten the year the school opened.. her class is the first class to complete every grade.. again I applaud Mrs Marlowe for her genuine concern for all the kids.. the ability to make decisions that benefit the entire school, and even though I am not active or a part of the PTO - the PTO here is fantastic and they work well with the teachers & principal
--Submitted by a parent

As a PTO member I wanted the readers to know fact from fluff. HTES is an excelling school with 2 A+ programs. Our Mandarin language was chosen after 5 years of district study and a trip to China with 5 HTES staff members. Being one of 200 schools in the world honored with a Confucius Classroom from the ASU Confucius Institute is a source of pride. The nearly 300 families who attended our opening ceremonies would agree. Hands on science has produced scientists who have received school and district awards. Real World Social Studies is being honored with recognition of our students from the Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest. TRRFCC Horsemanship is a Character Counts Promising Program that reinforces trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring & citizenship and is supported 100% by donations. The overcrowded parking lot is a result of school choice and parents who care about a school that has teaching and learning at the forefront.
--Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately, this school does not live up to all its hype. The school has a lot of fluff and not much substance. The AIMS scores show this, especially the 6th grade ones for 2010-2011. The principal, Mrs. Marlow, cares mainly about the image of the school. She does not survey her community to see what programs they would like to see on campus. She makes those decisions alone and tells them what she is bringing. Equine and Mandarin programs are two such programs now at the school. By having these two programs (and Mandarin is now considered a CORE subject) included in the daily schedule, the main subjects of math, reading, language, etc. are not focused on enough daily to ensure mastery of concepts/standards. The parking lot is SO crowded before and after school, not to mention high classroom sizes in the upper grades, due to all the open enrollment she accepts. There are some good, caring teachers. It seems as if the principal, though, tells the teachers how and what to teach and does not allow for much individual creativity, freedom and fun. A lot of parents are not on board with the Mandarin and Equine programs. I would rather see a hands-on science and social studies program.
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my children went to HTES. This school not only has an amazing principal but also an amazing staff. Both my children exceeded academic expectations and scored very high on AIMS. They are successful learners and enjoy the challenges of each school day. I give this credit to HTES for giving them the foundation they needed to become the independent learners they are today. The staff creates an environment where students are the priority and their success is paramount. Teachers teach to each student s individual academic level. After visiting HTES it is clear why families come from miles away to enroll their childern.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has exceeded my expectations. My 3rd grader is very bright (although not gifted) and each of his teachers has found ways to challenge him and to keep him excited about learning. Mrs. Marlow does a wonderful job and makes a point of getting to know each family. It is an outstanding school. I couldn't be happier.
--Submitted by a parent

Let me start this by saying my son just started Kindergarten at this school. I agree that the principal is amazing, and the programs are progressive. On paper this school is everything I could have hoped for, but in experience i've had an unsettling time. On the third day of school my son lost his lunchbox. When I asked the teacher "who montiors lunches?" she told me she wasn't there, it was 2 aides, and that he had his lunch when he left her classroom for the Cafe. However, when I met with the principal later, the teacher had written a statement that she WAS with him at lunch, and even witnessed him eating. My son told me he didn't get lunch, and we found his full lunch box in the office. I guess i'll never know what happened or if he really got to eat that day, but i'm beyond unsettled that the teacher was either dishonest with me or her principal (she told us 2 different stories!). I haven't asked about switching classrooms yet, but I AM considering moving my son. It's made me very sad as i'd rather he stay where he started, but I feel that I can no longer trust what his teacher says. I'm giving this school a 3 overall, but I may move my son.
--Submitted by a parent

What can one say about an admin. staff, teacher staff and a principal that far exceeds any expectations? HTES! I have two children attending HTES and I couldn't be happier about the elementary school experience my children are enjoying. They love going to school! As a parent volunteer I can say with confidence that the HTES staff is a group of professional, down to earth people who really care about the well being of our children. Mrs Marlow is an incredible human being and the most amazing principal! I feel so blessed that my children are HTES students!
--Submitted by a parent

I went here 5 years ago when it first opened ( i was a fourth grader and had a winder experience. Mr. P is awesome!!! And Mrs. Feibus in 3rd grade is the best teacher i've ever had!!!