Paradise Education Center

All this school cares about it test scores. They do not care at all about anything else.
—Submitted by a parent

We are thrilled with PEC. The teachers and staff are so attentive and caring that it is actually a joy to drop our child off in the morning, knowing he will learn, have fun, and be championed in the process.
—Submitted by a parent

Im a student at p.e.c. and I absolutely love it. Im entering 8th grade and I think that this school is all about the kids and nothing else!! Teachers are great!!!!
—Submitted by a student

Very large school with caring staff, by my child seems to be getting lost. Too many students per class and not enough adminstrative personnel to properly give each child the attention they need.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is one of the best schools in AZ. My boys did exceptional well at this school. I highly recommend it. They would still be here if they offered. High School Football.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best school! The staff is great! The curriculum is perfect! I also love how they get parents involved and incorporate school with home. Because a child's education shouldn't stop when they're not in school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of PEC with a 4th and 8th grade students this is our 3th year in here, it was a very good year for both of them. They been in 3 different schools here in Surprise and finally we all were very happy in this school, academically speaking, safety, etc, all teachers were amazing!!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student at PEC and absolutely LOVE my school!! I have attended it since kindergarten and am now attending my 8th year at Paradise! The staff is wonderful and I really learn a lot! The students are amazing and are very friendly! :)
—Submitted by a student

My daughter is in Mrs. Barajas' 1st grade class and loves it! We both love her teacher...she goes above and beyond and is very attentive and caring towards the children. My daughter loves going to school everyday and is doing very well. The class is very organized and doing something new and exciting everyday. We couldn't be happier with her progress or her wonderful teacher this year!
—Submitted by a parent

I have nothing but good things to say about this school. I enjoy the fact that they are able to step outside of the box for their teaching. My son is doing fantastic at this school. They do focus alot on test scores in the higher grade levels, which unfortunatley is how they get their government money to keep this wonderful school open. You will find all schools focus on tests when it is time for those. For heavens sake think back to when you were in school, did you not take practice tests before the actual tests were done? They start at young grade levels helping students who are struggling. They ignore this in public schools. I plan on keeping my child in this school, and putting my younger ones in as well. I recommend this school to anyone!!
—Submitted by a parent

All they care about are test scores! The children are not learning, but the scores are high. Anyone can pass a test if coached over and over. Ridiculous!

I have three kids here and they take a hands on approach with weekly updates, daily if needed. I highly recomment this school over any of the Dysart District schools.
—Submitted by a parent

I've been at PEC K-9, planning on being one of the first K-12 to come out. I will say this from a student perspective, as I am one. The staff are very nice, and in 9th grade, they have personality that everyone thrives off of. The classroom is a comfortable learning environment. The teachers may not always explain something right the first time, but they usually find someone who can explain the concept to you better. The students are very...'tight' (for lack of a better word) with each other and the classroom is a community. This is one of the better places to be, not like Dysart schools (where I hear that one of my friends got offered weed three time within the first week of her freshman year. Yikes!) I look forward to the opportunities this school will provide me in my near future.
—Submitted by a student

After a very traumatic experience at Carden Traditional school due to the poor principal leadership and teacher quality, we are extremely happy at PEC. My son's teacher, Mrs. Hoogervorst, is wonderful and my son is excited to go to school again. Because of her superior teaching ability, she is able to instruct children who are above average like my son as well as children who may need a little more help. No one gets bored and no one is made to feel like a failure, like Carden! That school should be shut down. I am so glad we were able to get into this school. It was the best thing that happened to us.
—Submitted by a parent

We have three kids attending Paradise, and we have found it to be an outstanding school for the average to above average learner. We also had a child attend there who has special needs, but found that she was not given the attention or specifically designed instruction that her IEP mandated for all of her classes. The junior high administration was not as supportive as the elementary administration was. However, I can say, sadly, that is typically the way Arizona schools treat our special education students.
—Submitted by a parent

My 3rd grader attends Paradise and absolutely loves it. This is her first year there after trying 2 other area schools since we got to AZ in 06. Her teacher is very thorough and involved with the students, she goes way outside of the box in an effort to make learning interesting and fun. My only gripe is that the school has a 'no sibling' policy. As a military family (that doesn't know/trust many people in the area) and a stay at home mom it's very difficult for me to be involved in any of my daughters activities there at the school. To go into the classroom to watch my daughter deliver a 5-7 min presentation requires a sitter. It's ridiculous. I understand field trips and the fact that siblings can be a distraction but to totally ban siblings from any activities at the school is non-sense.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids are in 5th and 7th grade and love this school. They have made Honor roll and Principal's list throughout the year. The teachers are outstanding and the school is well organized.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in kindergarten and loves this school. He has an excellent teacher, Mrs.Nowell, and has learned a great deal. It is nice to see that there is still a school that has structure and teaches the importance of self discipline.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended PEC for the last two years. Her first year was in fourth grade. Previously she was enrolled at one of the Dysart Elem schools. She was struggling. We asked for help at the public school and received none. Our first month at PEC my daughter started to recieve the help she needs. This year (5th grade) has been a little more struggle. The teacher does not comunicate well. with the parents. But My daughter still loves the school. I will be keeping my daughter at PEC and looking forward to 6th grade.
—Submitted by a parent

This Is one of the BEST schools in the West Valley! We have 4 attending, & we could not be more pleased! All are on Principals Honor Roll,& in advanced classes & are all achieving well beyond their grade levels. I can not even begin to say enough of the staff---ALL are well educated,very caring & nice & always,always on top of things! Can't get any better! This school Is most comparable to that of private schools--- Thank-You to Dr. Schrader, Ms. Butler,Mr. Gonzales & Staff! Now--All just anxiously awaiting a High school!
—Submitted by a parent