Imagine Elementary at Tempe

This school was terrible. The teacher kept changing for art, computers, GYM, and even the regular teacher. The students were allowed to watch movies like the Lorax for gym time. My child did not feel liked or welcomed by anyone including her own teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

I picked this school when we got custody of our two kids, they were going to a public school where my daughter were making all F's and my son had some special needs that weren't being met. At this school, my daughter has blossomed in her 4th grade class. She absolutely loves her teacher, something that hasn't happened in her school experience. Both kids did complain at first about the school being too small, about having to wear uniforms, about the food they have there, but the complaints has lessened the longer they attend Imagine Tempe. They have only been there since October 2012, so I can't really say more about this school but what I see so far, is wonderful faculty at Imagine who truly care about the students. I highly recommend this school only for 1st-5th graders.
—Submitted by a parent

They have a test rating of 4 out of 10. 10 is the highest. That is all that needs to be said about the teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended Imagine Tempe for kindergarten, first, and second grade. As parents, we decided it would be best academically to enroll him in our home school because it is an A++ Excelling school. Imagine Tempe had dropped from a Performing Plus school to one that was in improvement and it was definitely evident when we saw the academic deficits that my son had in 3rd grade at his new school. He is now in fourth grade and continuing to make up for the lack of education he received the three years he attended the school. As parents, we have had to spend over six thousand dollars in outside tutoring because he is still playing catch up. I wish that I would have moved him after kindergarten when we had planned to and then he wouldn't be struggling so much in school. I do not recommend this school to any parents looking for a new place for their child.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughters enrolled in Imagine this year after several years of homeschooling, and they love it! The teachers care, the front office staff is very helpful and knowledgeable, and their core subjects are spot on with where they need to be in each grade. I will continue to support Imagine and recommend it to my friends as a great alternative to traditional public schooling.
—Submitted by a parent

I pulled my kids from this school to homeschool. Come to find out my daughter who was passed on to the next grade was not taught anything. I have to restart 4th grade with her. Tutoring is available at Imagine, but I was never told that she needed it. My other daughter's teacher told me that she need tutoring and she was going, but my eldest was completely unprepared for the next grade. It really saddens me. I will give them props, because they are starting to change the school. I hope that they continue to make those changes.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a former parent who pulled their child after 2 years there. THey didn't receive the proper education or teachers didn't get the proper support from admin since they were most new. Unfortunately, they care more about the numbers and not about the kids. The test results for the last few years are a direct reflection of this and the inexperienced teachers who come from an "agreed upon partnership with the parent corporation" are not trained accordingly. The new teachers are not true educators and only have 1 summer of experience before they are thrown into their first year of school. How can a shool go from Performing to Improvement in 1 year. They fire all of the good teachers who have a voice. Also, the school is underfunded by the parent corporation. In the end, they have to cut specials like library, computers, art and pe because they can't afford them. I would not recommend this school to any parent who actually cares about their child's education.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids are what I teach them to be primarily. When there has been an issue I've handled it with integrity and I'm never let down with what we could change together. They say it takes a village to raise a child. So very true.What the teachers and staff put in each day to make it happen and to help our children grow, we could never repay. I love Mr Boyd. He has not let our school down and most of the parents down. We cant make one little issue the whole problem. Imagine is going forward and we are going with them. So thankful for Imagine of Tempe. Do not be discouraged. God is blessing this school!
—Submitted by a parent

Sites like this can be a valuable tool for parents making choices for the best education experience for their child. However there is a danger that disgruntled parents can use the tool to make inaccurate statements that border on libel. Statements such as students leaving because of education not happening are untrue. Statements that tutoring is not available is untrue-in fact it is available 4 days of the week. Finally, that the staff is puzzled to the identity of the parent is evidence that the parent did not approach the staff with concerns to find solutions but cut and run, leaving questionable criticism in your wake.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have been a parent of 4 students that have attended Imagine Tempe through out the past 4 years. I can't begin to explain the amount of true dedication that I have seen from every person that has worked there. From the janitorial staff all the way up to the Principal. Every teacher my children have had has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help, give more challenging curriculum and assist in any way that they possibly could. Imagine has it's own philosophy on how a teacher should teach and take on additional responsibilites to help the students flourish, such as tutoring, extra curricular activities, child study teams, events, etc., and they do just that! They are always improving. With the addition of an instructional data coach to assess the students academic progress and target areas of weakness in order to get the help that they need, I can truly say, the school is on it way to becoming an academically rigorous school with the leadership of a Principal who won't tolerate the behaviors of those students who are not serious about their education. As a result my children have always felt safe and secure. What a great combination!
—Submitted by a parent

I will continue to have my children attend Imagine for their education. My son has been at Imagine since kindergarten and has been in Mr. D s and Ms Browning Special Ed class for almost 2 years and I can t begin to express how happy I am to see how much my son has progressed. The two of them together make an awesome team. In Kindergarten my son was in a normal class setting where he was overwhelmed by the class size. He was disruptive and wasn t able to soak in the information that was being taught. The staff at Imagine saw the issue and set a meeting with me so we could come up with a win win solution for all involved. Now he is where he should be academically and has been able to toggle back in fourth from Mr. D s/Ms Browning s class back to a regular class setting. I am a happy mom!!!
—Submitted by a parent

In the last 6 years at Imagine I've gone from Impressed to dissappointed. Under prior Principals the teachers and school were very family friendly. In the alst two years the quality of teachers has been greatly reduced. Teachers are no longer knowledgeable and do not know how to communicate. I think the great experience stops in elementary school and I suggest other schools for middle school. Imagine WAS an excelling school and no longer is considered that. There is bullying on the bus and on the playground with the older grades. I recommend Imagine for the early years but for great education for middle school I suggest going elsewhere. My sons class lost 6 kids this year due to educators not educating not because of kids being bad. When asking for tutoring and other help this year for my child I was told in private by one of the educators that the reason they wont tutor is because they dont want to stay later after school to help. The teachers are too busy. Im glad to be told the teachers are to busy to educate my child. Thank you I found a Prep school that is willing to make sure my son has a smart future.
—Submitted by a parent

Is there room for improvement...yes. However, which school doesnt have room for improvement? My daughter feels secure at Imagine Tempe knowing that the teachers have her best interests at heart and that is all that really matters to me. Because of this she is thriving. Her 2nd grade teacher, Ms. Bennett along with the other 2nd grade teacher,Ms. Knox work beautifully as a team to get the kids motivated to learn and progress. The principle has shown that it's more important to have kids that are serious about school in the classrooms and not just bodies taking up space by cleaning out the school of rift raft. this has given the serious kids a place to flourish:-)
—Submitted by a parent

Imagine Tempe is a great K-8 school; my children have thrived and excelled in their studies there. The staff there is courteous, cooperative, supportive and friendly. They work with you to help the children succeed. My children have been to various schools in and out of state during their lifetime and Imagine Tempe is the only school were they have academically achieved greatness. It truly takes a village to help raise a child to greatness and Imagine Tempe School is that village .
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been in the special education classroom for the past two years at Imagine Tempe. I have been extremely impressed at the progress my son has made in the last two years. He came in knowing virtually none of his kindergarten skills and is now functioning adequately with his same age peers in first grade! Mr. D'Agostino and Ms. Browning have been wonderous in helping my son catch up and teaching him appropriate social norms! I would absolutely recommend this school to anyone. The school leadership at this school is outstanding and I feel that my son is always safe and in the best hands!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been at Imagine for 5 years and it's a great school. The teachers and all the staff are very friendly and so helpful. Its like a family. Everyone knows everyone. I definitely recommend this school to everyone.
—Submitted by a parent

Last year was a year of change and transition for Imagine Tempe. Any educated person knows that change doesn't come without challenges. Many parents were upset with the principal because he holds everyone accountable for their actions. Parents have been use to being completely catered to after whining and complaining too much. There is a line that had to be drawn. As a parent at Tempe, I expect to be heard but the world doesn't revolve around me or my student. Imagine Tempe cares about my child as an individual and motivates her to success. Teachers that were dead weight and caused test scores to be low due to lack of teaching have been cleared out. It is going to be a solid year and I have faith in the principal and his professional staff.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended this school for the past 2 years and will not be returning for the upcoming school year. In the beginning of the last school year the principal was demoted and it all went downhill from there. Their middle school was absolutely horrible - the one saving grace was Mrs. Paylovash, however, she has also been let go. The principal, Mr. Boyd, refuses to meet with you or return phone calls to discuss any issues. Choose any other school besides this one!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a fantastic school. They are excellent with communicating with the parents and each other. They have gone waaaay out of their way to give my son the special education he needed through his IEP plan. They don't treat the parents like they're dumb and they have really made my kids feel comfortable in a their new school year. I'm definitely having kids stay here.
—Submitted by a parent

no, i am not a digruntled employee, but a disgruntled parent. i have watched this school go from excelling to flat out failing in 3 years. my son is being taking out of this school as of today. the 8th grade teacher turn over is unbelievable. Mr. Boyd is out sick 2 out of 5 days and the fron office does not have a clue as what they are doing. Mr.D has become unattainable leaving the kids in the learch. this is by far the worst school I have ever seen. try contacing the corp office and you get nothing. Mrs. Polveious is the only good thing to happen to this school.
—Submitted by a parent