Sahuarita Intermediate School

I keep waiting to be impressed by this school and so far in two years that has not happened. Our transition to this school was not the best. The front office staff are cold and make you feel like an inconvienence when you enter. Not friendly at all. AIMS testing is VERY emphasized at the end of the year to the point that caused some children to become ill with stress symptoms. The lunch time the children are given is ridiculous as well. No person should be monitored with their lunch time by people walking around saying "10 minutes! 10 minutes!" That is literally all the time the chil.dren have to eat too. So disappointed in this school and the district.
--Submitted by a parent

I moved from Texas and my child started school there from k to 2nd. 3rd and now hes in 4th at s.i.s. I am disappointed that they dont have challenging/gifted programs because he was in one when we lived in Texas. My child complains hes bored at school everyday and he complains about his teacher. His teacher has rules that I found was not right or fair to the children.
--Submitted by a parent

My son entered the school with an IED and the previous speach teachers at the Sahuarita Primary had even suggested teachers to meet his needs. Instead, he was put in with possibly the worst teacher there according to numerous parents and a fellow teacher we've talked to. The principal told us they had no right to suggest a teacher and won't help us. Over the past 2 months the teacher has proven disorganized and our son tells us he's bored. He has almost no homework compared to every other teacher and is falling behind. The teacher gives various contradicting excuses, and refuses parents in class (red flag). We're looking for a new school. In fairness, or daughter had decent teachers there.
--Submitted by a parent

My child is starting his second year at SIS and I am somewhat satified with this school. My son is enrolled in the Discovery program and it appears that the Sahuarita school district has problems retaining an instuctor for this program. My son was not challenged in his regular class but was challenged in the Discovery program. The Sahuarita administration needs to invest more funds in this program or incorporate some of the discovery programs charateristic in the regular classes. Two hours per week is not sufficient.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has been a great experience. It has a well established positive reinforcement system and teacher interaction. I love that it is only grades 3-5 so that the focus is only the needs of this age group. The teacher communication is great, as well as, communication from the school itself. It is also a great place for children to prepare for higher learning, as responsibility is expected. My children love this school and their teachers. The class sizes are a bit large, but I think that is almost everywhere right now. The level of homework is appropriate and definitely a reinforcement of class learning.
--Submitted by a parent

The classroom sizes are around 30 students in grades k-5. Many of the children in each class have learning disabilites and behavioral problems. There has not been an aid in any of the classes my children have attended. The children with special needs have an aid for their help. The teachers are great (with a few exceptions). The principals and leadership of the school are awesome. The school just needs more funding to accomadate for all the children in this rapidly growing school district.
--Submitted by a parent

The quality of the intermediate school is excellent. Having been a volunteer art instructor it was a pleasure to work with so many smart,bright well mannered children. The class was fun and the children had a thirst for learning. They kept up their regular school work while working with me in groups. The staff is most friendly and the Principal Wayne Ross is an all around good man. The learning was fun for the kids and thats what counts. I have done this type of volunteer work for 15 years and it gets better every year. I can't wait for 2006-2007 year. Frank Lopez
--Submitted by Frank Lopez, a teacher

'This school has been a big disappointment. It is probably fine for most kids, but our third grader needs accelerated learning opportunities which have not been available. The special 'Discovery' program seems to be just ok, since they are only in this special class for 2 hours a WEEK! It has therefore given none of the advantages of a great school. I can recommend it only in contrast to most of the other public schools in the district.'
--Submitted by a parent

This school gives a good running start for high school. The transition can be made quite smoothly, and you will have learned what you need to succeed.
--Submitted by a former student

My child attended this school for exactly one year and that was one year too many! the teacher my son had spent more time counseling troubled children and disciplining trouble-makers than teaching children who were there to learn. Their schedule is ridiculous. The children have a half day every week and short hours each day 'because of the bus schedules.' This adds up to even more learning time lost. I feel that my child wasted a year of his education in this school. I was very involved as a volunteer, not because i wanted to be, but because i had to be. I left the school on many days shaking my head over what i saw. It's too bad the area is growing as fast as it is and can't offer the children who are new to the area a decent education. It was shocking. Beware.
--Submitted by a parent