Willow Creek Charter School

My kids went to Willow Creek Charter for most of their elementary and middle-school years. Loved the multi-age classrooms, which helped to drive them to be better students. They had no problem transitioning into a larger high school and have all been very successful in high school and college. They always felt safe, because of the bully-free environment and loved the extra attention they received in the small school.
—Submitted by a parent

FANTASTIC SCHOOL!!!! We love Willow Creek. The teachers go out of their way to make you welcome, the kids want to be at school and always love to learn. You can't say that in a school with 500 students.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter absolutely loves her new school and so do I. We recently moved here from another state and visited many schools. We chose Willow Creek Charter School because of the small class size, their teaching philosophy along with their fabulous teachers, and the overall environment. I feel my daughter is in a very safe and enriching school. She has made wonderful new friends and is really blossoming. She even wants to go on the weekends. We couldn't be more thrilled!!
—Submitted by a parent

GREAT SCHOOL, GREAT TEACHERS! If you want you're child to receive a great education in a small school with small class sizes then this is the school for you. Great art, music, spanish, p.e., reading, and math programs.
—Submitted by a parent

I visited the school and after meeting the teacher and principal decided not to enroll my son. The teacher had many small toys/figurines on the side of her desk (which the kids walk by everytime they enter and exit the classroom). The teacher seemed very irritated and upset that my son touched a plastic McDonald's toy. She could have put them on the other side of her desk so that it would not be so tempting for kids to touch. I am sure my son was not the first child to do so. The principal told my son (who has ADHD) that if he gets distracted in class he will be sent to her office so he can focus better (meanwhile missing his class instruction and work). The receptionist who I talked to prior to visiting the school told me there will be 2 certified teachers in the class. There was a teacher and and aid who was a parent of a student without a degree or experience teaching elementary grades (just Pre-K).
—Submitted by a parent

This school has no regard for the well being of its students and parent concerns are completely ignored. My child will no longer be going to this school for these reasons among others. I do not recommend this school. The staff is completely unprofessional.
—Submitted by a parent

I taught at this school for a number of years and was disappointed by the lack of strong leadership who could do what was right by students. The idea of discipline was threatening to call police. The idea of school reform was hiring barely out of high school students as "parapros" to teach arts programs and tutor struggling students. As a starting teacher in middle school I entered a classroom filled with beginner reading books. Compare test scores.
—Submitted by a teacher

My child was struggling in public school and attended this school for a while. He has had to return to public school and no longer struggles but excels. If this school is so out of date, under trained and just doesn t have it together, what does this say about the public school system. I think the school is great.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a parent at WIllow Creek Charter School and I feel so blessed to have my child there. Everyday, I am confident that he is surrounded by the wonderful teachers and staff that care deeply for my child's well being, emotional development and academic achievement. When I visit the campus I am greeted by friendly faces and a family-like atmosphere. Thank you all for the amazing work you do.
—Submitted by a parent

I taught here for a couple of years. I believe every staff member cares about children. Unfortunately, leadership is poor. The turnover rate for teachers and students is very high. Little Parent involvement. Astonishingly, no school-wide intervention or assessment plan is in place. So students wait to fail and then get tested for special education. As for curriculum goes, Saxon Math & Open Court is used halfhazardly. The materials are old and teachers don't get proper training on how to use them. Much of the instruction is done by teacher aides who have little to no training. Aides teach Art, P.E., Computers, Spanish, and Music. There are no after or before school activities. Discipline problems are prevelant. After working hard to better the lives of the students at this school it is disappointing at how little has changed.
—Submitted by a teacher

A lot has changed since 2006, there is a lack of strong leadership and the arts programs are no longer what they were. A sad disappointment.
—Submitted by a parent

wonderful curriculum, the teachers care about the students and their abilities to learn, and the rules of the school are strict. No one has the right to interfer with anothers learning. The school does not put up with drugs, name calling, disapline problems, disrespect, etc. They are on the student immediately for any infractions. The State of Arizona should offer more funding for a school like this one that offers safety and a wonderful learning environment.' The staff is willing to work with all students to assure they receive the academic education they require, whether it be by assisting a student who is delayed or helping a student accelerate beyond his/her grade level. 'Wonderful school. It feels more like a family atmosphere. Because it is smaller, most of the teachers know every student.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful school. It feels more like a family atmosphere. Because it is smaller, most of the teachers know every student. Parents are encouraged (but not required)to volunteer inside and outside the classroom. The multi-level classrooms allow the students to work at their level or above. Computer classes are taught at every grade level. The fine arts program includes music, drama, drawing, painting, ceramics and more.
—Submitted by a parent

I am so thankful for Painted Pony. The staff is willing to work with all students to assure they receive the academic education they require, whether it be by assisting a student who is delayed or helping a student accelerate beyond his/her grade level. My child loves Painted Pony. At Painted Pony, everyone is a part of the family. If only all schools could be so close knit and caring.
—Submitted by a parent

Painted Pony has been a wonderful alternative to Public School. Public Schools have gotten out of control (lack of supervision by Principals, drugs, uncaring teachers, unsafe playgrounds, teasing, etc.). Painted Pony, although small, and in need of additional funding, has a wonderful curriculum, the teachers care about the students and their abilities to learn, and the rules of the school are strict. No one has the right to interfer with anothers learning. The school does not put up with drugs, name calling, disapline problems, disrespect, etc. They are on the student immediately for any infractions. The State of Arizona should offer more funding for a school like this one that offers safety and a wonderful learning environment.