Desert Sun Elementary School

I am writing in response to the last few unfavorable reviews. This is my 10th year as a parent at DSES/DSA, having had all 3 of my kids attend from Kindergarten to 5th/6th. I served on the PTO board for 2 years & volunteered for 100s of hours in the classrooms, so I do know it VERY well. 1st, DSA has another new principal this 2011-12 year, whom I have only spoken to once, but my kids like him. 2nd, as with any school, there are great teachers and not-so-great teachers (not horrible), but I believe the great ones are the majority, and do an outstanding job educating the students. 3rd, the Everday Math program has been replaced with Go Math & is working well. 4th, a retired couple, both highly educated, volunteer every school day to run the best K-6 science lab & program I have ever seen! 5th, the gifted are clustered as part of an ongoing national study & I do admit they are only partially challenged (my kids are gifted). 6th, Core Knowledge is wonderful! And, finally, yes, there are a few bullies. But, I have yet to find a school that claims they have none? It is an important life skill to learn how to manage them! In summary, DSA is a good school and worth considering.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two children currently attending Desert Sun and I have nothing but good opinions of this school. The teachers really seem to care about the students and the overall school environment is very positive. Both of my kids love this school and are developing very well in their respective grade levels. The curriculum is challenging but also allows for individual student needs.
--Submitted by a parent

Very disappointed with the "gifted cluster" . Children who are identified as gifted are placed with a group of children for 5 years. If that group of identified gifted children have a group of bully's in that class, your child is stuck with very bright, powerful "mean kids" for the next 5 years. This is what I have observed happening at the school at one grade level. Those bullys need to be separated. Also, by the time they reach 4th or 5th grade they are in the "smart" class which makes them feel even more superior.

don't be fooled by this school. The leadership promised us everything we wanted to hear and as it turns out, this school is just an overcrowded "kiddy mill" I have never encountered a more inconsistent delegation. They make strict rules and some teachers follow and some do not. There are old fashioned "time outs" and your child will lose several recesses instead of being taught how to act in social situations. The playground is overcrowded and understaffed. Do not choose this school. It is terrible.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with other parents here. The great school ratings are definitely off. Do not be fooled by what they tell you - it is all talk! Believe me, I have been one of those parents who was so impressed by what I saw. The reality this school has serious academic deficiencies. In math the district uses Everyday Math, a program that has little focus on the fundamentals. There is almost no focus in Science. The reading program is a joke. Students are pushed to read words with no regard for building a knowledge base with quality literature. There is no gifted program. The principal talks of gifted clusters but in reality NO effort is made to meet the needs of the gifted/advanced. The smarter kids or top students get left alone in the classes. The advanced classes teach the same as the lower classes. As an educator myself , I was appalled at the lack of caring and assistance from the principal. Teachers say all the right things, giving parents hope and belief that things will change. NOTHING DOES. Best decision I ever made was to pull both kids out!
--Submitted by a parent

I could not agree more with a previous comment. Desert Sun and CCUSD have some serious shortcomings that are masked by the demographics of the area. I transferred to Desert Sun from a charter school and my child quickly became the teacher's assistant, helping other students learn, yet there was no challenge for my child. You will notice that all the praise for Desert Sun is all feel good praise but not praise for the learning, which is why we send our children to school in the first place. Your child will likely receive an adequate education in CCUSD but if you are looking for more you need to keep looking.
--Submitted by a parent

I currently have 2 children enrolled at Desert Sun and have been extremely happy with the teaching staff, principal and overall campus community. The Core Knowledge program has excited my children since the year it was introduced and I see a depth and width of understanding in subjects. I've seen my children begin critical thinking where they 'connect the dots' and extrapolate ideas, not just memorize facts. The teachers, principal and support staff are all very positive and work as a team. I am thrilled that my children are part of such a positive and successful learning environment.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very happy with Desert Sun. I have 3 children at this school. I am a mom who is actively engaged in volunteering and am at the school sometimes on a daily basis. I see nothing but caring people, from the front desk staff, Mr. Honigman, the principal and all of the teachers. They all strive to do the best for our children. I feel my children are getting a great education and the teachers are always coming up with new and unique ways to help them learn. Even given the budget challenges that all of the schools face. I would highly recommend Desert Sun!
--Submitted by a parent

Parents, don't be fooled by Great Schools ratings, AIMS tests & Core Knowledge. Desert Sun has serious academic deficiencies 1 No gifted program. The principal talks of gifted clusters but in reality little effort is made to meet the needs of the gifted/advanced 2 The math program is a joke. The district uses the dreaded Everyday Math, a program panned by experts. Expect little feedback on your child's performance in math as all they do is play math games (stations) and focus little on the fundamentals 3) Science is a forgotten subject. The program is half-baked with the use of FOSS kits passed between classrooms with small amount of Nat Geo lit tossed in 4) The focus on reading is quantity over quality. Students are pushed to read millions of words with no regard for building a knowledge base with quality literature. Do your child a favor and pass on CCUSD.
--Submitted by a parent

This is my son's 2nd year at this school. We are so happy with the school overall. He has had wonderful teachers who want the very best for their students. He has learned so much. Thanks and keep up the good work!!!!
--Submitted by a parent