Carrillo Intermediate Magnet School

Ruben Diaz is no longer the school principal (the TUSD governing board moved him to a different school), and sadly, it shows. It really angers me that TUSD moves principals, especially excelling principals, out of the schools they've built up and replaces them with..... We used to see Diaz after school, regulating student / parent traffic, making sure no one crossed the street outside of the school crossing zone. Now it's a mad house when school lets out. I'd be interested to hear from other parents what they think of the school, now that it's had a different principal for the past two years.

Super staff and a great learning place for my child.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is a kindergartener at Carrillo and he loves it! When we were touring schools to find out which school to send him to, the principal, Mr. Diaz, gave us a personal tour of the school. I was excited by his enthusiasm about the students and faculty at his school. He has so much pride in his school and in his faculty that it shows in everything the teachers do and in how the students are learning. The fact that he is involved with every aspect of the school lets me know that he will keep everyone on their toes and I am confident that my son will receive a great education.
--Submitted by a parent

As the parent of a child with unique needs, I began researching schools in the Tucson area prior to our actual arrival there. The principal, Ruben Diaz has reached out and contacted me directly, offering support and encouragement. If the rest of the staff is as open and giving as this principal, I have no doubt our children will have a great elementary experience!
--Submitted by a parent

This year was a much better experience than last year. Her fourth grade teacher had twenty years experience and didn't do much for her. Yet, her fifth grade teacher, Mr. Sanchez is an excellent teacher, who holds his students responsible for their actions. My daughter has improved tremedously academically and socially. Carrillo is a good school because of Mr. Sanchez. We need more teachers who are caring and serious about their students education as Mr. Sanchez.
--Submitted by a parent

We've had two of our children attend Carrillo and had a wonderful experience with the teachers and administration. The current Principal has wonderful leadership qualities and supports her staff 100%, which has created teamwork and dedication from her staff. A 5th grade teacher at Carrillo has helped our child gain confidence, self esteem, and excel behond her expectations. The school strives to get their parents to involve themselves in several of activities geared towards making Carrillo a better place. They have done a wonderful job with parent involvement. We feel safe while leaving our children in the care of Carrillo and know that the school is secure while in session. Carrillo continues to strive to keep test scores and standardized expectations from the district and state above average. Carrillo school is a wonderful place to take your children.
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my sons attended Carrillo. My eldest I didn't have such a positive experience, although I realize he's not the most motivated individual. But I believe that's where teacher involvement comes in, just because you've been teaching for 20 something years doesn't mean you're good at it. He was just not pushed to his full potential. My younger son on the other hand had an outstanding 4th and 5th grade teacher Mr. Sanchez! Homework everynight in all 3 R's, consequences if it wasn't turned in, really making them accountable for their actions. It is with the help of Mr. Sanchez that I and my son feel well prepared to enter middle school and achieve academically. We need more Mr. Sanchez's in schools today.
--Submitted by a parent

Carrillo is a wonderful place that nurtures the whole child. The staff is warm and friendly and they truly care about taking a holistic approach to educating children through the mind, spirit, and body. A small school with a strong family type atmosphere! A better school does not exist!
--Submitted by a teacher

Both of my children are at Carrillo and I cannot be happier. Academically they are both meeting the standards set by the state and this is due to the wonderful staff at their school. Their teachers work hard to make sure that every child is succeeding. I am happy to say that this school focuses so much on academics but also on the overall child. There are many opportunities for children to succeed in all areas of the curriculum. The art, music and P.E. teachers are excellent. After school students are able to take part in computers, basketball, baseball, weaving, art, guitar lessons, tutoring, dance class, and many other opportunities. There is something for everyone. My older son really loves the docent program that is run in part with the partnership with La Pilita Museum. I would suggest you visit Carrillo and see what a wonderful school it is.
--Submitted by a parent

We absolutely love Carrillo, in our opinion there really is no comparison to other schools. I have taught in 3 schools, my husband has taught at 2, my daughter has attended 4 schools and we can honestly say that this is the best environment for a child. My daughter has been at Carrillo for three years and she has really flourished academically (and more importantly to us) socially, which I seriously doubt would have happened anywhere else. As a teacher I realize that test scores are important, I also know how important community service, arts, a close knit community and a caring faculty is to a child's academic future. Carrillo provides all of this in abundance. There has been severe budget cuts at all of the public schools, but I believe Carrillo has made the best of the situation. I wish my school offered half of what Carrillo offers their children.
--Submitted by a parent