Mountain Vista Middle School

Mountain Vista is an amazing school with a great staff who care about their students. I took my son out of Eduprize because the staff there went down hill along with the Dean of students. Who told me my son's teacher was not affective at doing her job, but he would not move my son to another teacher. This has not been the case at Mountain Vista, Ms. Taylor is on top of all student problems. She herself witnessed another student physically bullying my child and had it all taken care of before she informed me of the problem. The teachers here are the most dedicated teachers I have seen in a long time. The student problems that are on this campus are not because of staff not handling it, it is because of lack of parenting and discipline at home. People should not put the school down for things they have no control over, if parents have problems with how things are done they should get involved. The school gives parents plenty of opportunity to be apart of the school plans/idea,s as another parent below had said parents don't show up. People ask why does this school have so many "problem" students it's because Charter schools won't take them, or they were kicked out of other schools.
—Submitted by a parent

Wow, what an awful experience. I withdrew my child from this school, finally after he was bullied constantly for 2 months. The teachers have so much discipline on their hands they can't teach properly. My child went from an average student to failing in 2 months and nobody at the school seemed to care. I will not bore you with the details but I will say that if you are truly interested in your child's education than I highly recommend one of the great charter schools in the area instead of any of the schools in the Coolidge District.
—Submitted by a parent

To the person below me this school is a GREAT school and Mrs Taylor does a great job.. She is a great principal and she does NOT bully no kids around.. The only reason i would rate the principal a 4 out of 5 is because, YES there is only ONE principal but i can tell you right now since my Kids have switched from Magma K-8 they have learned 20 MORE and excelled WAY better than they did in Magma Ranch. This school is GREAT and NO DOUBTS ABOUT IT! GREAT PROGRAMS, AWESOME TEACHERS, AND VERY INVOLVED WITH THE PARENTS! 5 OUT OF 5!
—Submitted by a parent

If you spent just a bit of your time at the school I honestly believe you would be overwhelmingly impressed by the dedication and care that is being offered to our children. Speak to one of these dedicated teachers -ask them about your student - they know them - I promise you - your student is not lost in the crowd. Once you see how the staff interacts with our kids - you see the engagement - the kind that some of us only wish we had or SHOULD have with our children - then you will know that much of the negative that has been said in previous posts is from parents who know absolutely nothing at all about Mountain Vista Middle School. Ask your child about the amazing elective classes that are being offered - they are out of this world - and offered only because of the additional work and time the same teachers put in to create these NEW classes. Ask them about the new Math program that the school is piloting. Ask them about how their principal knows each one of them by name and knows to ask them how a test went and exactly what that student is working on in each class. Did you know there is a PTO? I am just so proud to say that my daughter is an MVMS Wolverine! T.Y. MVMS!
—Submitted by a parent

There are a lot of negative comments for Mountain Vista Middle School. But the positives comments seem to go to the charter Schools in the area. Why? And there are a lot of teachers standing up for Mountain Vista and that's good. But Coolidge Unified School District needs to make more academic improvements to win back the students that the parents have given many chances to San Tan and Mountain Vista over the years. As a parent I want what's best for my children and if that means putting them in a Charter School then that's what I need to do. I don't think that CUSD is meeting their needs, right now.
—Submitted by a parent

As a teacher at MVMS I am so upset to read to the negative comments from these parents. Let me tell you how it really is at our school. Our team is small but it is very powerful in many ways. Every teacher stays at this school ( not for a paycheck) but because we love enriching the live of our students in a positive way. We are there for students when they are laughing and comforting them when they are crying. Many teachers stay after school to tutor students who are struggling without receiving extra pay. The teachers build relationships with students and parents that last a lifetime. We are encouraging students inside the classroom and cheering them on when it comes to activities outside of school. As far as dicipline I believe as teachers we handle that well within our classroom. An experienced teacher does not need to send a student to the principle for every little thing. I am appauled about being blasted on here when I have been committed to this district for four years. As a parent if you have a problem please come in and discuss it with us. Our school has a open door policy which students and parents are more than welcome to talk to teachers and the principle
—Submitted by a teacher

I just want to say that I have seen Mountain Vista Middle school go through some growing pains. Last year however, I was very excited to see this school return to the Middle school format we grew up with. What a change this had made! The new athletic grounds are fantastic for sports! The new principal has really done a lot to move forward. I realize that some parents are upset because there students may be held accountable for their actions but I think I speak for most parents when I say that thats what we want. I dont hear anything about discipline problems anymore.

My name is Cecilia Johnson and I am the superintendent of Coolidge Unified School District. I am beginning my third year. I am very proud of our accomplishments, our students, teachers and administrators. I want to make this district an outstanding district for the community. Please contact me at 520-723-2042 and I would be happy to discuss any concerns that you have.

I understand that there is some frustration within the community about staffing changes at MVMS; however, blasting the teachers is simply unfair and unfathomable. The reality is that staffing is based on student number, both for teachers and administrators. If enrollment declines, the school cannot afford to support a staff that it once maintained. So in essence, pulling your students from MVMS only perpetuates the problem that causes your frustration. Criticizing teachers however is unacceptable. Here's a bit of information that you might not have known about some of your teachers at MV. Many MV teachers came back, un-paid, and set up their classrooms to be prepared for Meet the Teacher and the first day of school. Many teachers volunteer time they could be spending with their families to help the students at ASAP. Some of the teachers have forgone positions in Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa, which pay considerably higher. BUT, we've committed ourselves to San Tan Valley and MVMS. The staff of MVMS has made a commitment to be part of your family. Would you make a commitment and be part our ours?
—Submitted by a teacher

I have been working here at Mountain Vista for the past 3 years and I can tell you that there is a definite improvement! Discipline has gone down, student spirit has gone up with this year strictly being a middle school! If you were to walk into the front office you get this family atmosphere and know that the administration, teachers, and staff care about the students! This next coming year will be a definite challange with only one administrator and two office staff members in the front office but I do believe that the family atmosphere will continue and Mountain Vista will succeed! Hand in there everyone! There is a definite need for parent involvemnet!!
—Submitted by a teacher

Huge kudos to Mt Vista! Fantastic job! Our son had a difficult time with school last year. If it had not been for the structure and patience of the teachers and staff we wouldn't have made it through. They did an excellent job with him and never stopped encouraging him. Ms Taylor often stepped in to help us out with issues we had. He is now an Honor roll student and above average learner in several subjects. Thanks for all you do! We are looking forward to another year at Mt Vista!
—Submitted by a parent

I believe that this school is getting better all the time. It has had it's problems since first opening it's doors in 2006, but what school out there has not! This year's Principal and Asst. Principal are outstanding, they take the time to know the kids and they deal with the kids on a one-to-one basis. The teaching staff is improving as well, they show that they care about the students. What the school is lacking is the support of parents, and parents who pay attention to their students education. Parents who don't like what happens with their children are always loud and unappreciative of the school and its personnel, but if they would actually pay attention, the school is doing the best things for the students. Maybe if those parents who like to complain so much would pay more attention, their children wouldn't act up so much and there would be less for them to complain about.
—Submitted by a parent

Problem after problem after problem with dealing with teachers and principal. The asst principal I beleive is more qualified to principal than who they have now. Parent teacher conference is a joke when they make you go into a gym and find your childs teacher and wait in line to see them.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have now been there for 2 years. The school is definitely improving. What I really find interesting is the parents who get on here and complain about the school, yet not a single one of them ever comes out to PTO meetings to try to make a difference. Yes, the 08-09 PTO had some issues, The 09-10 PTO was much stronger but only had 3 active parents. Where are all the parents? If you want to enrich your child's education, then GET INVOLVED! Take some responsibility. I remember when I was a child just about every parent got involved with the PTO/PTA. Quit being lazy and self centered and get out and help. I think too we will see some good changes with the reorganization of MV and San Tan Heights next year, where STH will be K-5 and MV will be 6-8.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great the teachers are very attentive ta all students. they work very hard with the child and parent(s) to see the child(ren) succeed
—Submitted by a parent

Dedicated teachers have created a more disciplined environment compared to previous years. Parent involvement is lacking.
—Submitted by a parent

I've been a Mtn Vista parent since the school opened. It's been one diasaster after another. I could not sit here and type out all the problems I've had. I have read many comments about parental involvement, and can't agree more. The problem is the lack of organization. I helped with PTO the whole time. Or tried to anyway. It is unorganized and frustrating for working parents. They change meeting dates, cancel, or just don't bother following through. The last time I tried to help with PTO, I traded shifts, drove 60 miles an hour down Ellsworth to be there, findthey changed the dates. I made the decision to put my kids in a charter school .I hope they turn it around, but I can't wait, I have to much to lose. You only get 1 chance with your children.
—Submitted by a parent

Mountain Vista is a Performing Plus School. The teachers at this school are terrific. If only we can have more terrific and supportive parents, I could have ranked this school as an excellent school. So, PARENTS -- help us help your students. We can make this school a school that we all can be most proud of.
—Submitted by a teacher

This School is Awful!! They expect the kids to be respectful when they don't even show any respect to the kids. The Principle is awful, she has no patience to be working with children, the Assistant Principle is no better. Academically this school way under the standards.
—Submitted by a parent

This school needs a better principal & better teachers! I am not happy with my children going to this school!!
—Submitted by a parent