Navajo Elementary School

While the teachers and administation at Navajo are amazing, I have been very disappointed at the level of academics. My second grader is not what I would classify as "gifted", but the work sent home that is completed in class and the homework are too easy for the grade level. I don't want to stress my son out with too much homework and I want him to enjoy going to school. However, I think there is room to challenge our children and I have not felt that Navajo has met that need. I have felt like the teachers are required to teach down to the kids that are slower rather than teach at regular grade level and challenge them to catch up. I have talked with other parents in the district in the same grade level as my son and there is remarkable difference in the work being done. It is truly a shame since as I mentioned the teachers we have had have been great, and I feel they are doing the best they can. We unfortunately will be moving to a different school.
—Submitted by a parent

Navajo is an amazing school that does not get the credit it deserves. This school is teaching to educate and not just teaching to test. These tests do not reflect the tremendous improvements made by children who were not given a chance at any of the other schools in this area because of fears it would hurt their scores. Navajo's Principal has completely turned this school around and has given the kids at this school a chance to thrive and belong and challenges them to excel. The STEM program is an awesome opportunity for our children and the things they are learning go above and beyond what is being taught in the other schools. The Principal should also be thanked for bringing in the ASU student teacher and intern program which allows every child an opportunity for more individualized attention and growth. I am proud to be a Navajo parent and a member of this wonderful community.
—Submitted by a parent

Navajo is a diverse school with wonderful, caring staff. It has recently become a STEM focus school with unbelievable opportunities in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics areas. Grants from ASU have made tremendous things possible.
—Submitted by a parent

Navajo is a wonderful school with strong teachers. It is a STEM school, but the fine arts teachers are great, too!

I always liked this school and the teachers, staff etc,, 2008 and 2009 has been challenging due to the amount of bullies at this school. They intimidate all ages of kids and do not care about detention or suspension. They will continue to push and threaten kids, all of the innocent children are afraid to speak up. The staff has been proactive in trying to control this but it has been ingrained into the daily life and culture of the school. The parents of the bullies blame the school, teachers, students, and parents instead of taking a step back and analyzing the way they are raising their kids and taking full responsibility and enrolling both kids and parents in counseling for anger issues. I will not enroll my children for another year of intimidation and threats.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is absolutely the best!!! My son went to another school for his 1st grade year and put back in Navajo. The teachers are caring and go the extra mile to make sure your child is getting the best education. I would recommend this school to anyone who has elementary aged children and are trying to decide where to send them.
—Submitted by a parent

I love Navajo. I have two children that attend this school. One is in Kindergardent and the other is in the 5th grade. I am excited about the new Science, Math and Tech that is starting. My children love Navajo as well. My oldest attended Pima last year for a week and cried everyday until we enrolled him back into Navajo.
—Submitted by a parent

This was the first year my son attended Navajo. The teachers are degrading and disrespectful. The staff I dealt with across the board are negative. There needs to be attitude adjustments and sensativity training. The favoritism and preferential treatment by teachers/staff is disguisting. My son will not attend this school next year. I will be enrolling him in Pima Elementary.
—Submitted by a parent

In conjunction with our dedicated teachers, our new principal, Mr. Holmes and parents, Navajo is transforming to a Science, Mathematical and Technology Academy. With Navajo's new leadership and teaching staff, Navajo has a very bright future and we are extremely happy to have our children be a part of it!
—Submitted by a parent

I love Navajo! I have two children at Navajo, a fifth grader and a kindergartener. Navajo has a new principal and a great Vice Principal that are motivated and invested in our school and community. With their help we are changing to a Math, Science and Technology school I feel that my children are being challenged and that they have amazing teachers!
—Submitted by a parent

Innovative principle with new programs for increased community involvement. Most of his teachers are excellent. Good opportunities for music, art and sport to enhance & improve academic performance. Parent involvement average but this year there seems to be increased programming for families with working parents! Mr. Holmes seems to be the principle this school needs!
—Submitted by a parent

Navajo is an alright school. I just moved this year, and I am so excited not to be going back to this school. The staff was full of drama. My daughter loved her Kindergarten teacher, which is great. She learned alot and I think the teachers are great. If they would get some new front desk receptionists the school would be much better off.
—Submitted by a parent

I taught at Navajo for 4 years. It is a great school that really cares about its diverse popultation. The staff had positive attitudes, were supportive of each other and were always striving to help all students. Also the PTO was very helpful and supportive of the staff. I would say that the classroom represented classrooms across the nation: above grade level, at grade level and below grade level students. The majority of my students were unique and cared about their education. No matter what the classroom population was, all teachers tried to meet every student's needs. I really enjoyed teaching at Navajo and will miss it. I wish all the students and staff the very best. Steve Yontez, 5th grade, 2002 to 2006.
—Submitted by a teacher

My Son is in the Panda Program and the teacher seem to be excellent. He is making advances in language
—Submitted by Laura Licona, a parent

School quality is good. New principal in 05/06 school year will make it a great school. Teachers are dedicated to helping kids succeed. After school art/scrapbooking/dance/soccer offered. Parent involvement is high for a small amount of parents due to many dual working households.
—Submitted by a parent

Navajo seems to be a very good school academic wise. Though it seems to me that there is not enough volunteers. I do really feel that they need more volunteers to help in the classroom and on the playground. Teachers are having to take the recess time and instead of doing paperwork and preparing ..they are out there having to supervise the kids. My daughter is in Kindergaten, and she has made so much progress in reading so quickly. They really do have great teachers but they could use some help and some supplies. With just a little bit of time and effort this school could really excell. Happy parent ,just feel for these teachers.
—Submitted by Phyllis Franklin, a parent

Located in a quiet Scottsdale neighborhood, good families, should be a much better school. Dissapointed in weak principle and weak academics. Good school for middle-low students, terrible for really bright kids.
—Submitted by a parent

diverse academic programs, foreign languages, music and art in every grade, not many organized sports for younger children, located in great quiet central Scottsdale neighborhood. Plenty of opportunity for parent involvement, fun school sponsored evening events, talent show, etc
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, the Scottsdale School district is good compared to other Phoenix area districts. I personally feel that the classrooms are growing ever year, and the staff size is shrinking. An average school in my opinion. Could be better for Scottsdale.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Navajo elementary 20 years ago and at that time it was exceptional, but lacked adequate music and art programs.
—Submitted by a former student