Soleng Tom Elementary School

We love Soleng Tom! We have been very pleased as first year parents and are planning to send our daughter next year. The parents, teachers and administrators make for a wonderful team. We utilize the before and after school programming and my daughter loves the STEP program. It is pricy to use before and after school programming, but that said, it is the same price as our previous school, and we use it every day so we are definitely getting our value. If I have any reservations, it is that the billing system is a bit awkward, but that is a product of the TUSD district, not the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I truly love Soleng Tom. The students, teachers, and staff are friendly and believe children are the top priority. Mrs. Domec and Mrs. Vuturo are most friendly. Mrs. Richardson, too.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been nothing but impressed with Soleng Tom. The staff, teachers and parent commitment is AMAZING! Despite the budget crisis recently, Soleng Tom's PTSA & Staff have stepped it up to continue to provide the BEST for their students by raising funds on their own time & effort. Because of the PTSA, parent support and commitment, Soleng Tom has special touches throughout the school that sets them apart. (ie: covered/shaded playgrounds) Once again, due to the commitment & dedication of the students and parents, the school has "one" major fundraiser throughout the year. The yearly "spell-a-thon" is something everyone looks forward too, and it's quite educational as well, which is refreshing for a fundraiser! The teachers are truly great teachers....we have yet to be disappointed. I never worry about who's class my boys will be in each year as they all are worth having. The principal trusts his veteran staff, and supports them endlessly. We're proud to be Soleng Tom Dragons!
—Submitted by a parent

Please consider the cost of after school care at Soleng Tom before you make the decision to take your child/children there. The school charges twice that of any other school in the area for full time after school "enrichment" and a $40.00/day flat rate (even if it's only for 1 hour a day.) There are other schools in this area that offer physical education, language, music, art and AFFORDABLE after school programs. Soleng Tom does not offer ANY of this.
—Submitted by a parent

One of the better schools as far as TUSD goes, from what I've been able to gather. But compared to schools outside of Arizona, still a disappointment. I moved here with my 6 year old son over the summer and requested a transfer to Soleng Tom through the TUSD Open Enrollment program. He is gifted by the standards of other schools, but could probably handle being skipped two grades here in Tucson, and I have met with nothing but brick walls trying to get my son into a challenging program. They use buzzwords like "the whole child," and worry about teaching life skills that should be the responsibility of the parent, effectively making me, the parent, responsible for his academic growth. Bottom line, I should have just kept him in our local school for all the difference it has made.
—Submitted by a parent

My grand daughter goes to Soleng Tom and we all love it!

Soleng Tom is awesome! It's a bummer that it's in TUSD, because TUSD is not so awesome. But Soleng Tom has done a wonderful job of giving students a quality education despite all the challenges of being in TUSD. Now that the new principal is there, it will be even better. My daughter is in 1st grade. She transferred to Soleng Tom from another TUSD school and the difference is dramatic! The students in her class are well behaved and not allowed to get away with bullying or misbehaving. My daughter loves school now. I would highly recommend Soleng Tom to anyone who takes their child's education seriously.
—Submitted by a parent

I love Soleng Tom. My Daughter hates to miss school. Her teacher's have been amazing. The support of both parents and teachers is hard to find and we have it. Our home school is Ford and I will never send my children there. My daughter is in 1st grade and reading and comprehending at a 2nd grade level. She loves to read and now she wants to write her own stories. The programs that they offer the kids such as 'Stories that Sour' teaches our children that what they have to write about matters! I am proud of Soleng Tom. I am not impressed with TUSD and I am not sure if she will stay in TUSD but as long as my kids are in Elementary they will be at Soleng Tom. Keep up the great work!
—Submitted by a parent

Soleng Tom is one of a few elementary Tucson schools receiving an excelling rating. My grandson goes there and the environment there is outstanding. Great teachers, great programs. Having been a teacher I know from experience that this is a superb school. At thr teacher conferences it is very common for both mom and dad to attend. That was not what occured in my teaching experience.

My daughter is going into her 3rd year at Soleng Tom and is so happy there! We believe what makes this school one of the tops in Tucson are the teachers. They love what they do and they do it with so much heart. They set a high standard for themselves and by their example the kids strive to do their best and be their best! We're very excited about the new principal and are eager to see what new ideas he brings to the school and the teachers. We know with all the budget mess it will be hard to implement 'new' things but with the principal, teachers and parents all wanting the best for the kids anything is possible! We're hoping for more Music, PE and Spanish!!
—Submitted by a parent

We love the principal and staff at Soleng Tom. It is a very caring environment and a great place for my son to thrive.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter is about to finish her second year at Soleng Tom and it has been a great experience. It seems we've gotten a 'private' school education very inexpensively. The principal is very involved and she is highly visible throughout the school. The teachers, so far, have been very, very good (especially Mrs. Lowe). Children are taught accountability and organization very early on and there is no tolerance for bullying or gossip. The only downside, is that the school is part of TUSD, and cuts are being made for the upcoming 2008-2009 school year and class size will be increasing dramatically : ( Suggestions for improvement would be earlier music education, increased GATE hours and more P.E.
—Submitted by a parent

PTSA Rocks! Great parent envolvement
—Submitted by a parent

Wow! What a great school! The teachers are outstanding and extremely caring, the staff is always friendly, and it is just an over-the-top extraordinary school! It is such a great experience for my child to come here. Soleng Tom is an A+!
—Submitted by lisa, a parent

For eight years I have watched this administration transform the most wonderful school into a place of sadness and misery. My children will now attend a private school, something we should have done years ago. I will never forget the handful of wonderful teachers that have truly enriched my children's lives, nor those of the PTSA & staff that have become my true friends. I will forever mourn the loss of the wonderful teachers & our counselor that were bullied out of this school because they stood up for what was right for our children. For those that remain, stand up for the children and fight for what is right, and do not let this administrator continue to be the only one that has a say in what goes on.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school, positive teachers, motivated and smart students and well-arranged schedule of activities!
—Submitted by a parent

Different leadership would restore this school to its 'great' status. I, for one, have pulled my children and enrolled them in a charter school where students are the top priority, not the private agendas of the people who are responsible for educating them.
—Submitted by a parent

It is really sad that Soleng Tom is spiraling downhill. It was a great school. If you look at academics it still is.
—Submitted by a parent

The involvement of the teachers and the principal is excellent. They are good not only with the curriculum, but also with keeping the kids respectful and in line. The only complaint I have for this school is I wish they had more school based sporting events.
—Submitted by Monica Standifer, a parent

Not a good school for open-enrollment if your child misbehaves a little. The Principal will inform you unkindly to go elsewhere. Every week it is mandated to say the pledge in Spanish(although many of us parents don't agree) and if your child is tardy then he/she has to sit in the Principal's office. You don't get to know who the teacher is until the night before. There are no music programs.
—Submitted by a parent