Howell Peter Elementary School

Both of my children have gone to this school and while the old principal was here, nothing could have been better. Now that the new principal is in, everything has gone downhill. I will not be enrolling my child back in this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great! The teachers at Howell are the best in the district! They are very dedicated to the most rigorous, researched based curriculum possible. All teachers have attended training in Understanding by Design and Arts Integration. As an OMA GOLD school, all teachers work to use art daily in their classrooms. Each grade has a special art focus. This school is working hard to improve the image of public education!
—Submitted by a teacher

They have a great staff of teachers.

We are reluctantly moving from Tucson. We have never regretted our decision to open enroll our kids at Peter Howell. This is a school where you must look beyond test scores to discover the treasure within. For example, the school has a comprehensive arts program, p.e. that is integrated into the academic curriculum, teachers who are dedicated to collaboration, and a newly implemented school-wide expectation program that has dramatically increased school pride and positive behavior in and out of the classroom. The school is rich in diversity. Language barriers may explain some of the low test scores. Because of the school's desegregation designation and proximity to the university and affordable housing, the student body includes many children from Russia, Somalia, Korea, and China, as well as Mexico. The few parents who volunteer regularly are extremely dedicated. The principal is very approachable. We will miss this school terribly.
—Submitted by a parent

Wow! This is public education? Although not every teacher is created equal, the community, support, and wide range of programs to enrich kids at Howell is wonderful. Their afterschool program is a rare option that gives kids structured experiences in glass mosiac, theater art, cake decorating, mechanical art, and sportsmanship. Their director, Ms. Myra, is personally invested in every child that attends. The school is very diverse - situated on the corner of both very affluent and immigrant communities. They offer GATE clustered classrooms and have a very positive approach to behavioral expectations. Their music instructor Dr. John, is a career musician, tutors kids outside of the school environment, and delights in their musical accomplishments. Howell's annual carnival is well orchestrated and really brings the community together. As a teacher myself, I firmly believe that a school is only as good as their leadership, and Howell's principal Joan Gilbert is dynamite!
—Submitted by Amy, a parent

Peter Howell has an excelent music, art and PE program. They also have dance. This is all part of their OMA program. This school has great teachers and a ton of volunteers.
—Submitted by a staff

Great school with wonderful arts and music program. Extra curricular activities are super and keeps kids involved. A core group of parents are very involved.
—Submitted by a parent

Howell is one of the gems of TUSD. The full implementation of OMA has added so much to my son's experience there. Additionally, the small, close community of faculty and parents make this a very inviting environment for the children. The after school program, Project Shine, is one of the best in the district- a reading and writing based program that includes activities such as art, sports, chess. Aside from the OMA program, all children can start taking violin in Kindergarten. We have been extremely happy with the quality of education our son is getting at Howell.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is amazing. I'm so glad I chose Peter Howell for my child. Peter Howell offers the Opening Minds Through the Arts program. They are the pilot school. A lot of curriculum centers around music & the arts. OMA sponsors free parent/student violin lessons. I did this for 4 years with my daughter! What fun! The faculty and staff at this school all use the Love & Logic concept. Classical music is piped in through the P.A. system and student's artwork is everywhere. What a pleasant environment! I enjoy being at Peter Howell more than I enjoy my work environment :) My daughter is graduating this year and we'll be very sad to go. :( Don't miss out on a great school!
—Submitted by Carol Lee Sausa, a parent

Very excellent school. Academicly challenging with many music and art activities. Very good parent involvement.
—Submitted by Jerry Detwiler, a parent

Howell has a wonderful after school program dedicated to Fine Arts and tied into reading and math. The teachers and administration all go above and beyond what is expected of a school; dedicating themselves to the betterment of their students. Howell is a wonderful place
—Submitted by a teacher

Peter Howell Elementary School has everything I want in a school for my child. It is such an enriching environment as well as a comprehensive curriculum. I find myself bragging about the wonderful things about my son's school that are unique such as OMA. The principal is very involved in opening the minds of children using the fine arts. The children listen to classical music in the hallways, receive instruction from the U of A in woodwinds, opera, muscials, plays etc. The children are regularly invited to attend many wonderful performances. Academically the teachers strive to improve learning and are successful as the schools statistics reflect higher than average scores. We are very satisfied with Peter Howell and whole heartily reccomend it to any parent looking for a great school.
—Submitted by a parent