Sonoran Sky Elementary School

The teachers are great! However, I have many questions concerning recess. There are 180 kids and 5 duty aids during my daughter's recess. The playground is very large. My questions are: How can a duty aide be able to hear or be aware of psycholgical bullying in a large crowded environment? Is there an organization to the playground and for the children such that the duty aides can effectively intervene if psycholgical bullying was occuring? What proactive measures are implemnted to prevent bullying or do we simply react after the damage has been done? The PTO is enthusiastic and well funded. They have many great ideas on effective management of the playground. There have been 2 principals and 2 vice prinicipals in two years. The current principal is temporary. Will the new administration be vested in the community to make the playground safe and comfortable for all children? Take Care Sonoran Sky and take care of your children. I wish you well.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in kindergarten. After an initial basic screening, they clustered her with like minded peers within the classroom, while keeping her with peers her age. My daughter has continued to excel and I have been so impressed with her teacher's ability to keep a multitude of academic levels in one single class room challenged. The communication with the teacher and the district on options available to my daughter has been amazing!
—Submitted by a parent

I am happy with the academics @ Milestone.My preschooler is way ahead of other preschoolers from other schools.They teach a child ahead if the child is ready for it.A lot of involvement with the teachers have helped.We are very happy with his progress so far and we love Ms Jean and Ms Tiffany of PreK.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had children at this school for 8 years, and I have always been very happy with it. There have been a lot of changes over this time, but mainly everything has remained positive and I have never had a problem with any of the staff. If anything my kids have had some incredible, amazing teachers that have made a huge impact on them. The make your day program can be challenging for some kids, particularly those with a lot of anxiety, but it has instilled a greater sense of responsibility in my son. Overall this has been a great school with huge parental involvement and I would recommend it to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

Superior school! I had a difficult time making the decision to change schools but I am so glad I did. My kids have never been happier.
—Submitted by a parent

Well - the first few weeks of school have come and gone and I am loving what I see. Yes - there are some teacher changes - changes for the good. The school PTO has come up with some new ideas (Family Bingo night was a blast). I have been here for some time now and continue to love what I see - teachers working their best to help all the kids. High parental involvement. Fun filled learning. What more is there to love!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My child was in the self contained gifted class for one year and it was the biggest mistake, and I regret trusting all of the educators who assured me that this was the best environment for my gifted child. My child is now in a wonderful performing arts charter school, where the success of the child comes first, not the ego and overblown pretentious attitude of the gifted teacher....and I'm being nice in that description. The shining light of my child's school year was Mr. Norris, the music teacher. Thank you Mr. Norris for being kind AND extremely competent.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been going to Sonoran Sky for 3 years. Although she is gifted, she is not in the self-contained program. It has been a wonderful experience: the staff are caring, the administration is supportive and positive, and the parent community is strong. Whether your child is in a regular class or the self-contained, you will find a great group of people who have the best interests of your child at heart. I would highly recommend this school to anyone who is considering!
—Submitted by a parent

I have to disagree with the last review. I have 2 children; one in self contained and the other in regular ed. and both students needs are being met. The change in administration has been challenging but they have found the diamond in the rough with Mrs. Minor. Her ideas and drive will only help improve this school. For those who are opposed to change...they need to understand that change can only improve our children's lives. For those teachers who feel that this administrator isn't right for them, then they should go to another school where they can sit behind a desk and not grow as educators or grow the minds of their students.
—Submitted by a parent

In the past I was one of those parents that gave a rave review of Sonoran Sky. In the past 2-3 years my opinion has changed drastically and we will not be returning to Sonoran Sky next year. If your child fits into the self-contained gifted program you may find the school to be a great fit for you. If your child does not fit into self-contained you may find the work to be mediocre. There is little push to move your child beyond grade level material regardless of their ability and when questioned you may be told that "you can challenge them at home". There is inconsistency among each grade level for what is being taught. Some teachers go above and beyond and others are simply getting by. I think the frequent change in leadership has taken its toll. We have had 4 different principals in the 6 years we have been at the school. The new principal has tried to make a lof of changes which has resulted in the teachers attending frequent meetings and not being in the classroom. The working relationship between faculty and administration is at an all time low. Those looking to send their children to this school for 2011-2012 should expect to see a lot of changes.
—Submitted by a parent

Sonoran Sky is awesome and continues to improve! The principal is very open minded and making a lot of positive changes. The front office staff is kind and welcoming and my child's teachers have been top notch. We started at this school a few years ago and now I would not go anywhere else. I will send my younger children to this school too. Keep up the good work, Sonoran Sky!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been attending for the past (3) years. All in all the experience has been positive. We are paying closer attention now! Those looking to send there children to this school for the 2011 - 2012 should expect to see a host of new teachers arriving. Teachers will be leaving in great numbers..and in short order...after the year is completed. The working relationship between faculty and administration is at an all time low and is taking its toll on staff, parents and children. Very sad to see...(3) years ago an enthusiastic group of educators walked the halls of Sonoran Sky. Now everyone is just trying to get through the day and out the door.
—Submitted by a parent

My children attended for 1st and 2nd grades. There is very limitted recess time, and it generally feels like a prison the way the school is totally enclosed. The kids only get PE once every 4 days. The teachers were good. The special education for my son was fair. The gifted class is fantastic, but most children are not gifted, and I think they are a little left behind. We have chosen to home school this year, and will not return to Sonoran Sky, even though we live within walking distance.
—Submitted by a parent

We transferred to this school because of the self contained gifted program. It exceeded our expectations. The principal is warm and informed. She spent time getting to know my child, who had a very negative experience at his previous school. The enrichment classes offered before and after school are a huge bonus. My son has never been happier.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. My teachers have been excellent and the principal is very responsive. Even the secretaries are helpful and friendly and always greet me with a big smile. Sonoran Sky is great place to be.
—Submitted by a parent

We open enrolled into 1st grade last year for the gifted program. I often joked that the school is like a public military institution but find this year that is no joke. The rigidity is over the top. Often punishing children for things like not sitting properly and not pushing their chair in enough. They stiffle creativity and make children toe an arbitrary line. The resut of which is that my daughter now hates school and I am looking elsewhere for 3rd grade. We have been nothing but disappointed with 2nd grade. I have to fight to get assignments sent home and find that the work being done is very similar to what my daughter did last year. On top this, the school's AIMS test scores took a nose dive last year. Disturbing for a school that prides itself on its gifted programs.
—Submitted by a parent

Caution for kids w/special needs, LDs, ADD, ADHD, autism, etc. I wrote a rave review in 2008, but the culture continues to become more rigid. The 1st-3rd grade culture seems more intent on 'breaking the kid' than inspiring a love of learning. Make Your Day works for the vast amount of students, keeping them in line, teaching responsibility and setting boundries--but NOT ALL kids: particularly those with special needs. These kids can't always stay inside the lines, and Make Your Day and the lower grade 'culture' can zap their self-esteem, evoke anxiety or depression, make them hate school and themselves, and destroy their love of learning. I've pulled my special needs boy out because of the militaristic-culture that can damage the spirit of kids with special needs.
—Submitted by a parent

Sonoran Sky is a great school! Very happy with the 'Self-Contained' program for academically advanced students. The classrooms and school are very clean, and the music / choir teacher is superb! The school offers many chances for student and parent involvement, and there is both before and after-school care for students. Very happy with Sonoran Sky. Definitely would recommend this fabulous elementary school!

The school, the principal, and staff are world-class when it comes to public education. They are a shining example of the results of a well run public elementary school! My child is in the K-2 self-contained class. Karen Mensing is a genius when it comes to teaching the profoundly gifted children. One caveat - even if a child qualifies for the self-contained K-2 class (98th%), they may not be ready to work a minimum of 2 grade levels ahead in ALL academic areas. The kids must be already reading and writing at very high level (4th grade +). There is no 'teaching' of the mechanics of reading, it is expected that they are already there going in. It's not for everyone, even many highly gifted kids, but for profoundly gifted kids who truly need extreme differentiation and cannot be accommodated in the regular classroom gifted clusters, it's a godsend!
—Submitted by a parent

I moved my child from Scottsdale School District and couldn't be happier! Sonoran Sky works with child as an independent person and truly takes it upon themselves to work with each child and family to ensure the child is learning. My child is happy and challenged. I can't ask for anything more.
—Submitted by a parent