Zuni Hills Elementary School

It's challenging to rate the school. I have one student at the primary level and I would rate it high. My other children are there for middle school. (6-8) I would not rate that area well. It seems there has been a lot of turnover at the school; students and staff. I don't feel there is quality education at the middle school. Not sure what to do as my primary students moves into those grades.....
--Submitted by a parent

I would like some information about the Traditional School Program offered at Zuni Hills. I do not know a lot about Traditional Schools and I know nothing about Zuni Hills. I would like to hear from parents about this.
--Submitted by a parent

Peoria Traditional School is inside the Zuni Hills building. It is seperate from Zuni Hill. Administation at Zuni did not inform us of the Traditional school when we were there. We saw kids at dismissal coming out in uniforms and had to inquire with other parents. It was what we were looking for - smaller classes and love the uniforms of polo shirts and docker type pants/shorts. Feel like we are in private school but with no tuition.
--Submitted by a parent

My children have attended Zuni Hills for 3 years, and overall, I have been very satisfied. All of our teachers have been great. They have challenged my boys and are willing to accommodate my gifted child. I have had to be assertive about some things, but they are willing to work with us, especially at the classroom level.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children at Zuni Hills. My oldest child has been there for 7 years. We have had our ups and downs, but for the most part it has been satisfactory. I do wish that when a child struggled there would be better communication and more tutoring or after school programs. I do understand resources are limited for the teachers. We will just keep up the work and support and wish Zuni the best in the future.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended Zuni Hills for the past 5 years. We have been very happy with most of the teachers. I cannot say enough positive things about Mrs. Fry, the P.I. teacher. When the new principal came in, things changed tremendously -- for the better! Ms. Storms has gone out of her way to keep the parents informed (love the phone reminders about early release days). Now the administration and staff seem organized and cohesive. A welcome change. Zuni has been a great asset to my daughter's eductation. I do think that education is a partnership, and that parents are vital in the overall education of a child. It is up to us to make sure that our children get what they need. Zuni has been a great partner.
--Submitted by a parent

We have had 2 children at Zuni for 3 years. The Peoria school district K-8 structure is very hard on 6-8 graders. Adminstration and teachers cannot meet the needs of all the age groups represented in this format. Middle Schools are needed to specifically meet the needs of children in this transformational age group - Hormone enraged ealry teens should not be subjected to the sames rules, adminstration, facilities, and structure. Nor is it fair for 1st graders to see/hear the everyday behavior of these shouldbe middle schoolers. Zuni Hills does not prepare their students in this age group (6th-8th grade) for the next step of life - High School. The current administration only attempts to patch holes in the failing dam - Than address the problems and issues at hand. We struggle on a daily basis to fill in the educational and social gaps left unaddressed by Zuni Hills.
--Submitted by a parent

We have been in the PUSD for many years and have been very happy with Zuni Hills. The teachers, staff and administration all work for the betterment of their students. I hope that the new principal will be as strong and honest as Mr. B was and as the school sign shows, Good Luck Mr. B, we are going to miss you!
--Submitted by a parent

We have sent our children to ZH since the first day in 2001. We have had wonderful teachers every year except the first year. Unfortunately it seems that the quality of leadership has deteriorated in the past two years, and several teachers have left or transferred to other schools. Public education is supposed to focus on educating the children, but it has become a political battlefield since the No Child Left Behind Act was implemented. Now, all that seems important are the test scores. I have 3 different types of learners for my children, and they are either bored or over-challenged. I am not sure if I want to continue our support at ZH. I wish it could be better, but it seems like the zeal for excellence and concern for the children has depleted. I hope this current situation doesn't forecast a bleak future; a miracle is needed in education!
--Submitted by a parent

My children have been attending Zuni Hills since 2006. We have been very happy with Zuni Hills. It's disappointing to hear other parents speak so poorly about the school, it takes more than the school to educate children, parents must be involved as well. We have been happy with the curriculum and the discipline is a no tollerance policy. I heard since the new Principal is here, the school has improved very much. The only downfall is the lack of parents that attend the PTSO meetings, parents usually complain, but never attend meetings to make improvements.
--Submitted by a parent