Mercury Mine Elementary School

My child just moved into this school this year and I'm sure all of these reviews are correct for those parents that are fortunate enough to have children not requiring special assistance. The curriculum is interesting and they have a great reading program however their ability to teach difficult students could be seriously improved. The facility is clean and safe, except for the ongoing construction project, I think the fencing could be more secure around rambunctious children.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is tops from the Principal to the crossing guards, and every representative between. (not to minimize the value of the crossing guards) The over-all education experience of each child is highly valued here. Our 27 year-old and our 11 year-old have attended this school. I cannot say either of them ever had a teacher less than dedicated and extremely professional. Both were/are involved in strings and performing arts, having excellent teachers and experiences. There seems to always be something going on at Mercury Mine. Many dedicated parent volunteers work with staff and teachers to make learning exciting and fun. Communication has always been great. Discipline is what I would call rigid and efficient at this school. It is definitely New-Millenium-Politically-Correct, which there is no going back on now (in any learning institution). However, a no-nonsense approach to discipline is appreciated by parents who want an ordered learning environment.
—Submitted by a parent

I definitely agree with this review. Unfortunately both parents work and cannot volunteer as much as we would like to. It does seem there is a better student/teacher relationship for the kids whose parents are able to volunteer. I have almost felt like we have been brushed off anytime I bring my concerns to the principal.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a good solid school. The teachers are excellent and dedicated. Much parent involvement in the past and is needed from new parents that want to be involved in their child's education. Many extracurricular activities and an excellent physical education department. They have their own gym. A plus in Arizona. This is an excelling school. They work hard and deserve this rating. Mercury Mine is the best.
—Submitted by a parent

My son and daughter have attended Mercury Mine and for the most part everything has gone very well and we have enjoyed most of the teachers. However, the schedule favors girls much more than boys. Only one recess is given and that is at lunchtime. Last year when my son was in second grade, when it came time to hand out awards for the best behavior, it was all girls that were rewarded, no boys. I know that this is a shift in our society anyway to view boys as 'boys will be boys', but we need stronger leaders who know how to appropriately discipline boys so they don't get labeled 'bad' at such a young age. Beyond that, academics are great, the extracurricular activities are in abundance, and I agree with another review that the parental involvement and preferential student treatment is reserved for a few.
—Submitted by a parent

Nice School with real sense of community. Parent Teacher Volunteer group desires help, and plans various community building school events throughout the year. Families can really benefit from jumping in to help. Classroom have enriching volunteer and committee lead programs which include; Mini Museum, Mini Musicians, Classroom Gardening, Character Counts, Desert Learning Area, and Artist in Residence.
—Submitted by a parent

We are thrilled with Mercury Mine. Mrs. Alley is very organized and focused on making the school the best it can be. Positive behavior is recognized with a Character Counts program. Parent involvement is encouraged and appreciated, and there are so many different ways to help. We appreciate the extra programs that allow the children to learn through music, art, plays, and other creative ways. We look forward to watching our kids learn and grow at the Mine!
—Submitted by a parent

Staff is great. Principal and discipline are not so great. Rather than rewarding positive behavior, emphasis seems to be on punishing bad behavior. Parent involvement is good, but limited to a small group of parents, whose children seem to get preferential treatment by staff. Extra curricular activities offered seem geared more to upper grades.
—Submitted by a parent

Mercury Mine is an excellent school. Teachers are dedicated to the success of the students. My daughter is in her 3rd year at MMES. I wouldn't want her to go anywhere else. Mrs. Alley runs a tight ship. The kids respect her and follow the rules for the most part. The character counts that are given to children who earn them and it builds the morale at the school by rewarding good behavior. The ticketing system to correct unacceptable behavior is great. It is wonderful to know that the school cares enough to partner with the parents to correct unacceptable behavior before the kids get in middle or high school. The test scores are exceptional. I highly recommend Mercury Mine to any parent. You will be amazed!
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent multi-age program with lots of parental involvement and activities. School is rated as excelling and teachers are extremely dedicated. Kindergarten and first grade are excellent. Extracuricular activities like chess club and gardening.
—Submitted by Michael, a parent

We are very pleased with this school. The sense of community with in the school is very encouraging for us. We are very excited for our daughter to attend MM for her upcoming first grade year. This past year I was pleasantly surprised in that my daughter can read simple sentences, add and subtract, and likes to go to school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. Two of kids have attended the school. One of my kids was in special education and had a great male Resource teacher who made a huge difference in my son's academic performance and confdence. The speech pathlogist is also a wonderful person. The school has a very diverse student population and the kids get along extremely well. The principal, Donna Alley, is stern and a bit serious minded, but she is fair and definitely expects a lot out of her staff. There is not one bad thing I could say abut MMES.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this is a pretty good school. They have a neat drama/play group they do in the classroom. My daughter seemed very happy here and all of her friends parents were involved in the school. I know several students who struggled with the math department. Overall I would rate the school a 4.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school! Mercury Mine performs well and also teaches my kids actual life skills beyond the AIMS test. There are several extracurricular activities available to each grade level. The Kindergarten is all day, that means teachers don't have to rush our smallest students through a hectic 2.5 hour schedule. Kinders are lucky to have music, p.e., art, media and library as special areas as well as the 1-6th grades. Parents are encouraged to take an active part in their child's education. Administration and staff are supportive of parents' efforts. Parent/teacher communication is easy. This is a friendly environment that doesn't fail to teach well, achieve high goals and foster life-long learning. Students' work, art, experiments, and projects are displayed in the halls and media center. I think that shows the kids they are valued and their work is important. Mercury Mine is an outstanding place to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

There is exceptional parental involvement in the school encouraged by a faculty committed to providing a broad range of experiences to the students. There is a drive to show the community that the quality of education compares favorably to the private and charter schools that have recruited students from the area.

My child was at a private kindergarten and then a charter school before attending Mercury Mine. He did not like going to school prior to attending Mercury Mine and now he loves school!!!

The atmosphere among the parents and students at Mercury Mine is very relaxed and welcoming. All the kids that I have met over the past four years have been neat kids, curious and accepting of others with differences. You can tell when you walk into a class.