Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary School

I pulled both of my children out of Sierra and moved them to Estrella this fall, following bullying issues. The competetive, judgemental nature that seems to be rampant at Sierra is nowhere to be seen in Estrella. The teachers are hardworking, innovative, and challenge my kids on a daily basis. Mr. Lamp cares deeply about the students and has made getting to know each of them as individuals his number one priority. I am impressed on a daily basis with the challenging, loving education that my children are receiving and I can't stress it enough how happy I am with my choice in schools.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student from Estrella and I can't say how much I miss it. The school was great and and took great deal in it's pride. Especially in CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. They created this new thing called Character Counts when i was in 5th and other Improvemnts like We deliver. We deliver is kind of like a postal service for the pupils in Estrella to send letters to. I was using it non stop! I've read comments about bulling. NOT ONCE IN MY 6 YEARS GOING TO ESTRELLA HAVE I EXPERIANCED OR WATCHED BULLING. WE HAD FREQUENT TALKS ABOUT IT ACTRUALLY. I'm sorry but as a fomer student their i can't say I believe you. Sorry. My 2 sisters go there and love it. My brother will soon to. . Its is a great school and for 5th and I am so glad i did it. It was fun even though I didn't win. Oh yeah i almost forgot. There is this thing called K3 and I thinks it helps you with reading and i went there. In 3rd I was able to read twice above my grade level and now i can read a whole trilogy in 2 days! Im not exagerating. Ugh there is so much i can tell you about but i barely have enough room left. Estrella is a great school, so keep it in mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The staff is dedicated and doesn't give up on your child, even if they struggle. And Mr. Maloney is the coolest school admin you could ever meet. My son thinks he's hilarious!
—Submitted by a parent

It was sad news to see the principal leave to go work in another district. He was always kind and put the kids first. Dave will have BIG shoes to fill -- Dave is a wonderful person and I am happy to have in as principla, but Will miss our old principal!! He even did morning crossing some days!!
—Submitted by a parent

My kids and I absolutely love Estrella. The teachers are wonderful and are always willing to take the time to talk with parents They genuinely care about the students. We have never had any problems with bullying, nor have any of the other families I have asked about this. My oldest is now at Akimel and excelling in honor level classes. I give credit to the teachers at Estrella for my child's success. Great school!
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children attend Estrella Elementary and we can't say enough about how much we LOVE this school! We attend Estrella by choice - our home school is Kyrene de la Cerritos, but we find Estrella to be a much friendlier, welcoming school. Both of my children have much smaller class sizes than they would have at our home school - each with 20 students per class. I believe this makes the biggest difference in quality of education. They receive plenty of 1 on 1 and small group time with their teachers due to this small class size. The teachers at Estrella go out of their way to make our family feel welcome and to feel part of a community. My children have both been tested "gifted" through the district and they are constantly academically challenged. They have never had a problem with "bullying," either directly or indirectly. The school follows the Character Counts program and the teachers make behavior expectations clear and follow through on any discipline as necessary. The office staff is warm and welcoming and we couldn't be more pleased with our decision to choose Estrella Elementary as our school.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended Estrella for 4 years. pros: front office staff is wonderful, most teachers are super helpful and very qualified. Cons: Bullying IS a problem. Some kids lack any compassion for others that are different. Over the last two year is seems to have gotten worse and I'd have to say that nothing seems to get d one about it. I have thought about going through the district but instead look for alternatives for my child to attend another school. And it breaks my heart to do this because i afore the teachers, but when your child says they want to leave, you have to listen. No one should feel scared and anxious to go to school. This school started out great but has gone downhill with bullying behavior and the leadership seemingly not caring.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids have been at Estrella for 6 years. We love it. The teachers, administration and staff are fabulous and have always been responsive to our needs. The school has a science fair, art masterpiece program, readathon and now a character counts program as well. Class sizes are not too big and my kids love their school. Not sure what bullying problem another reviewer mentioned. I am frequently at school and have never seen/heard about it. I recommend this school to everyone-average student, special needs or gifted.
—Submitted by a parent

The Bullying problem is big at this school, unfortunately. The bigger problem is how many teachers turn their backs to it. Story after story of kids being bullied, and teachers doing nothing. I was amazed. The Principle did very little as well. In my case i finally had to being in the District to deal with it.
—Submitted by a parent

This school was wonderful for my child in the beginning. The teachers are very good at what they do and I couldn't be happier with the teachers. However over the past couple of years I have noticed the overall character development (that this school once pride itself on) has fallen way off. Some kids are becoming disrespectful with a serious problem with bullying behavior. This school needs improvements in this area. Sending my children there next and last year is becoming difficult knowing that character development is no longer a priority at Estrella.
—Submitted by a parent

I had nothing but good things to say about this school until the principal leadership changed. Very unpleasant to deal with, very, unreasonable, particularly difficult when you are a single/divorced parent. The teachers are outstanding, very dedicated and willing to go the extra mile. Based on my experience with the leadership I would not send my kids back to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a parent of three young children at Estrella, an am also a former teacher at the school. As a teacher, I had great admiration for all of my colleagues, experienced a close connection with my students and felt a strong sense of support from the families I worked with over the years. I am so fortunate to have complete faith in my children's classroom teachers, the special area teachers, instructional assistants and administrators.
—Submitted by a parent

My family moved back to the valley in July. We have two children 2nd grade and 4th that attend Estrella. Our biggest concern was that our kids would make a smooth transition into a new school. Our kids love Estrella. My husband and I have thought about moving back to Scottsdale because of his commute back and forth to work. Our boys begged us not to take them out of Estrella and for that, our feet are planted. Thanks to the staff at Estrella elementary, our kids are very happy. This school offers great teachers and a great learning program.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been very impressed by this school. I have two children at Estrella and they both have had excellent teachers. Mrs. Wilcox, though sadly in her final year at Estrella, is warm, responsive, and caring. She backs up her teachers, as she should, but will go to bat for parents also. The PTO is very active and welcoming as well. If you need care afterschool, the Kids Club program afterschool is terrific! I recommend Estrella wholeheartedly!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent and an instructional assistant at Kyrene De La Estrella and I think the school is wonderful. The teachers my daughter has had so far have been excellent. My co-workers are great to work with and I have enjoyed my friendships and experiences at the school.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at Estrella for 2 years. My daughter is in first grade now. She attended all day k last year and she learned so much. I have been extremely happy with the school. Both her teachers are excellent, patient, & kind.
—Submitted by Patrina, a parent

Estrella has a wonderful principal and wonderful teachers. They welcome parent involvement in many ways. The gifted program is a pull-out program which creates some confusion and tension between the gifted teacher and the regular classroom teachers. The gifted teacher is superb. The quality of the academic programs and music, art,and p.e. is very high. Extracurricular activities include a chess club.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe Estrella stands above all the other schools in the area. The teachers are truly committed to our children's education. What is most impressive to me as a parent is how well trained the teachers are in the area of student's differentiaton and how willing they are to design lessons based on the individual needs and academic levels of each sudent. Impressive PTO too, very involved.
—Submitted by a parent

Estrella is a warm and nurturing environment where students are encouraged to learn and grow. I am very proud of this school!

Sharon Wilcox is a wonderful principal. I am very pleased with Estrella's curriculum, teachers and staff.