Zuni Hills Elementary School

zuni hills is awful I took my son out of there and he goes to parkridge is doing so better zuni hills office is rude its like drepressing when walking in there. so sad there also lacking academically my son had to catch up at parkridge cuz he was so far behind. so sad this school is in are neighborhood
—Submitted by a parent

both my girls 7 and 9 go to zuni. both are doing very well and love there teachers. i have been very pleased with the new principal but as of recently both my daughters have been having problems with the lunch lady Linda. linda yells at my girls and has cursed at my daughter for being to slow getting her money. i have talked to other parents and they have told me they have had problems with Linda or have heard of other kids having problems. one parent even told me not to bother reporting it because she is untouchable. may have to leave school, not happy.
—Submitted by a parent

My child had great primary teachers. His teachers used data to determine what he needed and taught that! They used small groups and could really identify where my child was! Now that he is has gone on to intermediate grades, he is assigned worksheet after worksheet. I miss the days when he was in k-1 at another district when he used smartboards and laptops continually! It seems Zuni, if not all of Peoria is behind the times.
—Submitted by a parent

Attended community meeting about the rezoning of schools in our area. Sad to say, what parents stated about Zuni is true. There is a lack of professionalism within the main office. The district dress code is not at all enforced.
—Submitted by a parent

Parent who attended Peoria Traditional, sorry you did not feel the school was challenging, parents are extremely happy and so are the students. Not weird about the uniforms (even though we are located inside Zuni, we are seperate different start/dismissal times, on other side of school), parents like the uniform policy so there are no inappropriate clothing worn like extremely short shorts, low cut shirts or other childrens making fun of students who may not wear certain types of name brand clothing.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids attended Peoria Traditional and it was not as challenging as they promised! I feel like its a little weird that they wear uniforms and Zuni kids do not.

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

I have been let down by PUSD and especially Zuni Hills. The school, its administration, and the majority of its teachers stink. The classrooms are overcrowded, teachers are overloaded, and most of the teachers are unwilling or unable to provide the communication and support that children need. My children have attended Zuni since it opened, and despite neighbors who have pulled their children out, I held hope that it would improve. Not only has it not improved, it has gotten worse. I am now at a point that I cannot stand this school, its obnoxious principal(obviously an opinion, but it belongs to many others as well), and the teachers that my children have. I am looking for another school to take my children to because I have no confidence in their ability to lead and teach.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been at this school since it opened, I am quite happy. Reading some of these reviews are a little disheartening. My motto is 'you get what you are willing to give.' I feel that many parents are to blame for their students lack of achievement. We have become a society of dumping our responsibilities on others (ie government, schools, churches, etc.) Schools, churchs and the government are simply supplements to what the parent should be doing. Sure a lot of the teachers are young and inexperienced but are eager to learn. Parents need to take a hand in helping these teachers and the school as a whole. Parental involvement is what is lacking in this school. Work or not every parent has a responsiblity to be involved.
—Submitted by a parent

I am disappointed in Zuni Hills Elementary School. When the bells rings the teacher are out in the halls rushing the children like cattle. Waiting for the bus must be a nightmare for the kids because they must line up in crowds (again like cattle)in the way of kids trying to exit. Kids love having subs because there is no lost love for the teachers here. Just ask the kids. Doing away with student of the month presentation..What a dumb idea. Whats next?
—Submitted by GK, a parent

I have had 4 children attend Zuni Hills Elementary in the last 5 years. With the exception of one teacher that 2 of the children had difficulty learning from we have been very fortunate at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children that attend Zuni Hills, and I have been very happy with the school. Their academics are great, and the P.I. teacher is terrific. My kids are challenged, and the teachers have been great. We feel the school is doing a wonderful job.
—Submitted by a parent