Alhambra Traditional School

An excellent example of how parental involvement in education can lead to excelling performance regardless of intelligence level, SES, or negative environmental factors. This school functions exceptionally because of Dr. Lopeman's expectations of students, parents, and staff. The teaching staff are hand picked examples of excellence within the profession.
—Submitted by a parent

ATS is a great school, I have two children who attend. Its great that they don't tolerate behavior problems or kids with ADHD issues. Parents like to put that responsibility on the school, but behavior is a home problem. Its about time schools stop allowing kids with social issues from home ruin the class environment. Thank you ATS for creating a safe, fun, and creative environment where kids can grow to become who there are.
—Submitted by a parent

ATS is one of Arizona's top schools for a reason! Their staff and administration put the kids first and include parents with every step. The teachers are caring, the principal is amazing and the education is rigorous. i have driven my kids miles and miles to ATS for over 11 years-- and I couldn't imagine bringing them anywhere else. Their structure, discipline and high academics has helped my high school student sail right through honor's classes! Thank you ATS staff for providing so many challenging opportunities for my children to learn and grow.
—Submitted by a parent

This school might be great if all you care about it academics, but if you want social, mental, physical growth this school is not for you. They dont have the resources or the help to help with any behavior problems, ADHD, or any kids who might be to smart for a regular school, but need help managing their self control. The principal is not understanding and does not cooperate. She would rather kick your kid out of school than to help them all she cares about is her scores for AIMS. She will mistreat both students and parents to get kids to leave.
—Submitted by a parent

Another great year begins! I have several children at ATS and they were all lucky enough to begin in kindergarten. The flow in curriculum from one grade to the next is smooth with solid and consistent expectations. The principal and teachers are excellent. I am so happy that the wonderfully creative art teacher is back again this year. I am continually impressed with the academic achievements of ATS, but the quality of the social interaction is also top notch for the children and parents alike. A solid education, in a safe school, with likeminded families is wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school. I personally attended this school, graduated in 1999, and I know the school has played a signification role in my success. My younger brother also attended this school and graduated earlier this year. Are there limited extra-curricular actives? Yes. Is the school work demanding and difficult at times? Absolutely. However, if you have the mental drive to work hard with your child towards a great education and the capability to physically drive them to the campus for nine long years, it is 100% worth the effort since they will receive the groundwork for mathematics, English composition, research skills, reading comprehension, and time management skills (due to the homework). I am glad I attended the school and I am confident that my brother will breeze through high school due to the strong knowledge foundation. Overall, YES, the school is excellent; it is better than a charter school (established and excellent test scores) and cheaper (no cost) than a private one! :)

Our son went into kindergarten at another school. He did not like going t school and was not doing well. We decided to take him out and have him repeat kindergarten at ATS. This was the best decision we could have made. He loves school and excels in most areas. The teachers and their assistants are very caring and keep parents involved in all areas. He likes school so much more now and cannot wait until he starts the first grade.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is a first year student entering the 5th grade from a Charter school and I LOVE ATS, his teacher is AWESOME, she genuinely cares about him, his transition into ATS and his well being, it is very hard to find teachers that care these days, I am so appreciative of the support he s receiving. The academic program is challenging, but in these first couple months I've seen my child grow so much. The school offers before and aftercare which accommodates my work schedule and leaves me with one less thing to stress about during the school year. The kids are respectful the staff is professional, I couldn't ask for anything better, this is a private school quality education at no cost. I drive from Avondale every morning gladly. There s not much focus on extracurricular activities but to me that s a small price to pay for the type of education he s receiving.
—Submitted by a parent

This school came highly recommended to me by another parent whose child attends ATS. I have a child that just entered Kindergarted at ATS and it has been a great experience for him. He has learned so much already and they have only been in school for 6 weeks! Thanks ATS for being an excelling school!
—Submitted by a parent

I am an 8th grade student i Love this school. Most of my family goes here. The teachers are fun the playgrounds are fun. The space is open. They come up with new creative events.

We have two children going to ATS. Our older daughter excels in a class where every student would be a stand out at any other school... The curriculum is advanced for their grade level and challenging enough to hold the attention of some incredibly intelligent and well behaved students Thanks go to the wonderful caring teachers who get personally involved in the success of each of their students. The teachers always have the time to discuss the lessons. The principle for ATS is the best. She is no nonsense and takes the excellent academic legacy of ATS very seriously. At the same time the school is ran with much charm and pride We know our children are being well cared for. Our younger daughter is a bit more challenged but has come around nicely with the terrific support from her teacher. We re confidant that our children are getting the very best education available at ATS and an experience they ll fondly remember for the rest of their lives.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an outstanding school. They teach respect, and our daughter just leaving Kindergarten is farther than her friends who just completed the first grade at other schools. There is nothing about this school that we don't like. Way to go, ATS!!
—Submitted by a parent

If you want your child to be able to be safe from getting beat up, and have higher academic skills then send them here. I like ATS but now am switching schools. I wish I could stay!

I pulled my girls from one of the worse schools. I am disappointed in myself for not doing it sooner and allowing my now 5th grader to stay so long at that school. I am very proud that she was accepted and is enrolled in 5th grade at ATS. I also have a kindergartener that will be attending and have a 1st grader on the waiting list to attend ATS. I am glad we live only a mile from the school, but can see why so many parents travel from far valley cities to bring their children here. We attended the Meet the Teacher day and many of the parents came up to greet me and welcome us to the school. Probably the best elementary/middle school in Arizona. ATS is at the top of the list of Phoenix Magazine s Best Schools 2010.
—Submitted by a parent

The best school ever! My son is now entering 5th grade and has attended ATS since K. I took him out of ATS for the last 2 months, last year, after we moved to Litchfield Park. I thought the schools over here would be "good enough". It was the biggest mistake I ever made. My son BEGGED to go back to ATS. I made him stick it out at his new school, telling him he needed to give it time to adjust to it (even though I hated every aspect of it myself!). Needless to say, he is going back to ATS. He will start back next Tuesday and he is THRILLED! So am I. This school is very high on acedemics and your child will learn so much--but every student who I've spoken to, who attends ATS, LOVEs it there.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful teachers, incredible principal, great staff. I can't say enough good about this school- living almost 30 miles away and driving in everyday should say enough!
—Submitted by a parent

Half way through another year for my third grader and my kindergartener. And, I am still amazed at how terrific this school is. From Dr. Lopeman's leadership through the teachers and curriculum down to the Extended Day staff, excellence is the best word to describe it. My husband and I are on campus at least once a week for lunch with the kids, and we are always impressed.
—Submitted by a parent

My child started attending ATS (2nd grade) during the 2009-1010 school year and has learned more in 3 months than he did in an entire year at his previous school. The system in place requires both student and parental accountability and involvement. My guess is that those who are unhappy with the school are not fans of high expectations. I have seen Dr. Lopeman at various activities interacting with students and parents by name. At my child's previous school, I don't believe I EVER saw the principal. I am thankful that ATS is a school of choice. Those who do not like it can go elsewhere, leaving those of us who love the expectations, discipline and achievement. There is a reason we drive 15 miles each way when we can see the old elementary school from our front door.
—Submitted by a parent

First I want to say, I attended this school and my son now attends. Before you start posting your thoughts on the school, ensure you are using the correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. If you have had the privilege of attending this school, you will understand the importance of making sure you are stating your thoughts clearly in the proper format. It is hard to take a comment seriously when there are errors that are negligent. Do not start giving the principal a hard time if you, yourself, are not capable of completing a thought with dignity and the knowledge to back it up. This school excels in every area. The staff for Extended Day is terrific; the teachers are terrific; and I have never seen a principal so involved with the students as the current principal is. Past principals do not compare to Dr. Lopeman ( give respect with the proper title, it is earned ). The teachers are excellent and my son would not receive an education even close to what is offered here. A.T.S. is a school that prides itself in the curriculum and success rate of children. It helps when you are in the real world to be able to complete a thought and sentence when you have been taught how to express it properly.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best school I could hope for. I only wish it could go beyond 8th grade. It's hard finding a high school with the same high standards as ATS.
—Submitted by a parent