Ironwood Elementary School

I am very happy with the way the first grade teachers are giving homework. My child is coming home with new ideas to help her grow in her math skills. Also, it is an excellent idea to have a reading/book report chart. This has encouraged my 1st grader to read even more than she already does. The teacher has also let my child know she is doing well and to keep it up. It is nice to know that she is being challenged but not frustrated with her work. She enjoys school and the teacher now! Also, I am very pleased with the communication between school (teacher/principal) and parent. We are very happy.
--Submitted by a parent

We have three children; one has 'graduated' from Ironwood, one currently attending and one who will start next year. Our experience with this school has been very positive. We love the teachers and Mr. Padglick. What I love most about this school is that the staff is always trying to recognize the positive in children. Sometimes in school we see the kids that are making good choices being overlooked because the staff focus is on the children making wrong choices. This is not the case here. Children are recognized for good grades and outside reading time. The staff works hard on encouraging the children to make good and healthy choices. In the last five years we had one negative experience and our principal got right on it and made things right. When we call the principal with a question we get a call back immediately. Great job Ironwood Elementary School!
--Submitted by j gibbs, a parent

Thank you Ironwood you have made a difference in my childs learning. I would like to see a list of websites my child and everychild can practice on. But you have changed my child already and she is only in 5th grade,anyways thank you!
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended Ironwood from 3rd through 6th grade. I found his teachers hard working, caring, and fair. I was a teacher's aid for one semester in his room and it was a worthwhile experience; parents should do this if they have the spare time. Ironwood is welcoming to parents, stays in constant communication with parents, and I think they do a terrific job of educating kids. I like this school better than his previous school, which was in the Paradise Valley School Dist. Ironwood proves that you don't need to have a *highly structured, time wasting* program like 'Make Your Day' in order to discipline children or run a classroom well; all it takes are good teachers and a professional administrative staff, something Ironwood has.
--Submitted by a parent

I went to Ironwood as a child. When I went back to do my student teaching at 31, Two of my teachers were still there. The teacher's that teach there are really dedicated to providing the best education to those kids as they can. If I did not live in Surprise, I would love to teach there myself!
--Submitted by a teacher

I think the quality of the academic programs is great. My daughter was put in the gifted program in 1st grade, where a lot of other schools in other districts don't offer gifted programs until 3rd grade or later. She was evaluated early, and has had a great time in these accelerated learning classes, and I know she's getting a great head start. There is a lot of parental involvement in these school.
--Submitted by a parent

I was very disappointed by some of the teachers at Ironwood. When I went to parent teacher confernces there was one in particular that would stand there and ignore me while I was trying to ask questions about my son's progress. The office staff is rude and they also ignore you when you try to ask them something. I will not let my children going to Ironwood ever again, because I don't want my children to be ignored.

I am very concerned with the below-average rating for Ironwood when compared with other schools. When seeing the school calendar, I am amazed at how many days are scheduled as half or full days off for Professional Development/Seasonal Breaks. It is my opinion with a school rating such as Ironwood's that one would want to work harder at providing a proper education for our children. I have struggled with getting help for my child via special services. Right now my child has been placed in a behavioral classroom environment because no one knows where the correct placement should be. My child is mainstreamed in one of the class subjects but struggles and no assistance has been given to help my child to succeed (i.e. Special Ed resource, teacher's aide, etc). There has been a constant push by teachers to place my child on Ritalan without any type of clinical diagnosis. The Occupation Therapist provides minimal one-on-one support for my child. IEP meetings have been scheduled beyond the due date and are scheduled for a short period of time. I have extreme issues with the IEP process at the school in that it is not set up as a Team approach which includes the parent as a Team member. My experience has been a meeting is set up, the IEP is pretty much filled out and the parent has to push for what they feel is right for their child which typically does not go over well with the rest of members.

Ironwood has been a wonderful school for my daughter. They have worked with her and kept me informed of any changes in her behavior and discussed solutions. I am very happy with them and thank them for working so well with children with behavioral problems. They are doing an awesome job for our children!