Sunrise Drive Elementary School

Sunrise Drive has many places to improve. My child was tramatized by one of the teachers. I filed a complaint to the District and never heard a word. The lack of open dialog is disappointing. My child's teacher this year is adequate. She teaches to the middle and has a difficult time reaching children outside the bell shaped curve. The Principal is also more focused on moving on to here new job at a private school than addressing concerns brought to her attention. There are good teachers but my child does not have one this year. Hoping for better leadership next year.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my child's 2nd year at Sunrise and I have had quite the opposite experience as the previous parent. I work full time and do not consider my family wealthy. I do find that it is difficult to participate in some of the school activities as a working parent, and have taken off work to attend the FFO meetings so that I can be in on the latest information. However, I do not feel that my child is treated any differently by Teachers, or the Administration. The current Principal has done an amazing job knowing each child's name and she has been very responsive to my requests when things have not gone as smoothly for my child (with behavior issues between my child and other children). I Love that my child has 'specials' classes and that each student is encouraged by all the teachers to do his/her best. The only thing I would give less than 5 stars for is Parent involvement and that's only b/c I am constantly seeing the same parents (mostly stay-at-home Moms or Moms who work part-time jobs) participate and b/c the FFO meetings are in the mornings and never at a time when I would be able to go without taking time off of work. I hope they find an amazing principal for the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Sunrise Drive is a well organized school. The teachers are wonderful and the Principal is outstanding. My daugther is very happy attending this school. She feels that the parents, teachers and students are all very nice. Grade level teachers work well together, they work as a team. This is our third year there and I believe my daughter is receiving an excellent education.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been amazing for our son. His teacher wrote us notes, emailed and called us for good and bad behavior or work. Dr. Sherrill, the principal, is involved, caring and really great. The 'specials' are things he comes home and talks about all the time. And we loved the fact that, as new parents to the school, other parents and the FFO really went out of their way to welcome us, find things for us to volunteer at and just make us part of the 'family.' I wish we weren't moving out of state...or that we could take the school with us.
—Submitted by a parent

Sunrise is a great, family environment with an exceptional principal and teacher pool. All the instruction is individualized, so what my child exceeds in is targeted in his curricula, and what he struggles in is also addressed. I am so impressed, and I've had my children in many different schools in various states. While the funding in AZ is atrocious, you can see where the money is being prioritized and I actually feel like my son is getting a better education here than in some districts back east.
—Submitted by a parent

We feel so fortunate to be members of the Sunrise Drive community. My children are both thriving and the teachers are exceptional. I love that instruction is individualized and that my children are expected to achieve at their ability level. Although the state funding in AZ is pathetic, the Foothills community supports the schools with bond and capital overrides so the schools are able to have computers, arts, music, etc. Calling the parents and staff racist is ridiculous. My children are mixed race and we have not experienced anything but encouragement for them to share their customs and celebrate diversity. In fact, I am thrilled by the diversity of the school (racial, economic, special needs) and the welcoming and loving atmosphere. Students, staff and parents are expected to be kind and respectful at all times. Parents are encouraged to volunteer. As an active volunteer at this school, I can honestly say that the very few kids I have witnessed not thriving at Sunrise are those who are not able to follow societal rules or function in any setting.
—Submitted by a parent

African American parents beware! Very racist school. Glorified daycare is what the kindergarten is....Great school for white children, but no place for minorities.....the parents are racist (not all), and so are the staff (not all). If you do not want your child to suffer from low self esteem, and mental issues do not leave your child here....Very happy to be out of there....the after school program is nice though.....The funny thing is that most of the parents that do not live in the area who are from the open enrollment are more snooty than the people that live in the foothills. (very funny). We lived in the area, and they didn't and we were treated like we were on welfare......otherwise....I'd say spend the money on a good private school, or take your child to a school where people of color are treated equally. Good luck!
—Submitted by a parent

Sunrise Drive is exceptional in so many ways. The public school funding situation in Arizona is appalling, but this school is bursting with gifted and dedicated teachers. The principal, Julie Sherrill, is outstanding and somehow manages to know every student's name. They take wonderful field trips, do amazing art projects and have a gorgeous student garden running along the length of the school. My kids love it here. The posts below mentioning Laurie Patton are right - she is incredible, and she is one of many teachers who really shine.
—Submitted by a parent

I move my child out of tucson school district and what a difference! The teacher are loving. The kids love the lunches. They have lots of activites. Lots of families that participate. They have extra reading and tutoring. Small classes. Fun school spirit and field trips.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is graduating this year. He been here since kindergarten. There not one bad teacher. They have extracurriculum activities. The best lunches. Lots of fun activites. They celebrate holidays. My favorite is halloween. Real fun! They have onsite before and after care. Great test scores! They treat your kid as an individual. Free bus service too!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a little surprised by some of the reviews I have read. I am disappointed in many ways with SDES but mostly with the lack of resources available to the kids and the dated materials they use. The school lunch program is way overpriced and my child comes home starving every day. There is very little communication from my child's teacher and not much comes home in the backpacks. I have yet to see 1 art project from the 2008-2009 school year. Catalina Foothills may have been the best school district in the past, but certainly is not currently the best. I would also warn you if celebrating holidays and important dates are important to your family, consider another school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best school district in tucson. This is coming form someone who moved from anther state and search for the best place to live in this city, and this school district has the best reputation. This particular elemntary school is the best of district 16. If your moving to Tucson, move near this school. They seem to have lots of money from donors to give to students in learning resource such as reading classes and music and sports, science, etc.. Nice big campus with new buildings and playground.
—Submitted by a parent

Outstanding school in every way. The teachers are all world-class and the parent support is unbelieveable. My kids love it here and I appreciate the time and energy that everyone puts into their education.
—Submitted by a parent

Very positive principal. Hires truly otstanding teachers. Many nice families who care a lot about their kids' education.
—Submitted by a parent

Our child is just finishing Early Kindergarten. We could not be more pleased. Her entire class has learned reading, writing and math. They have an excellent foundation to continue forward with their education. Their teacher Mrs. Mulay is at the very top level of teachers. We have found the principal Dr. Sherrill to be involved with the students and responsive to us as parents. A few reviews complain about the fundraising. The fundraising is necessary. The state dollars do not provide enough fiscal resource for the school to be able to accomplish all that the school does. The Early K curriculum has been reading, writing, math, Spanish, art, music, computer lab, PE, decision making processes and taking personal responsibility. The most important aspect has been that the children are given individual attention and confidence. We feel that our child is receiving a private school education in a public school setting.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a daughter in first grade at this school. We think it is a wonderful school. She was struggling with reading through Kindergarten and the first part of first grade, but because of the extra attention from her Kindergarten teacher, Laurie Pennington, her first grade teacher, Allyson Jacobs, and the reading specialist, Laura Patton, she has now caught up with her classmates. All the teachers seem to be wonderful and Dr. Sherril seems very hands on. She seems to know almost all the students and takes interest in future students. My younger daughter starts Kindergarten next year and she can't wait. I know she will also get the best education.
—Submitted by a parent

I was expecting the same positive experience from this school that we had at Valley View Elementry. This is not the case. Sure if your child dosent have any special needs and your family has money this school would be great for your child. With a total inclusion classes you would expect teachers to be prepared for handling and teaching special needs children. I have had nothing but issues and dont feel that any extra effort has been put towards my sons education or well being. I would not suggest putting your child in this school if they have any learning or any other type of disabilities. This school definatly caters to families with money and children that do not need any special needs.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended Sunrise for a short period of time, initially I was under the impression that this was an excellent school in all aspects. I soon found out that Sunrise lack tools imperative in providing children with a healthy social environment. Some parents desperately need a lesson in cultural sensitivity 101.' Sunrise needs to know when a child enters the world and interacts with different cultures, ideas and perspectives, the outcome of these challenges are not going to be based on how much money you posses, but on the content of your character. Sunrise needs to put more effort into broadening their intellectual horizons by thinking outside the box, and not basing their morale on parents putting money into the' FFO Treasurer's box.'
—Submitted by a parent

Sunrise Drive is an exceptional school, and I certainly agree with the posting below that Dr. Sherrill is a very talented principal. She does a great job communicating, is open to parent suggestions and is clearly a highly qualified academic leader. My children have also benefited from the quality and depth of the staff. I can't say enough about the wonderful teachers there...they really put a tremendous amount of dedication into their classrooms. I'm not sure if it's appropriate to mention specific names here, but Ms. Speelman, Ms. Pennington, Ms. McGroaty, Ms. Morrissey, Ms. Lane, Ms. Patton, Ms. Sherman, Ms. Marx, Mr. T and Bari Ross have all contributed greatly to my kids' education. There isn't enough thanks in the world for all that they do!
—Submitted by a parent

We think Sunrise is fantastic. While I agree that teachers are certainly 'teaching to the test', this is a product of No Child Left Behind and the bazillion related assessments (Dibels, AIMs, etc.) that have been mandated by the powers-that-be. Most of the teachers that I have come to know at Sunrise work 60+ hours each week to provide the best differentiated lesson plans they can while staying within the prescriptive curriculum. I also have to respectfully disagree with the last review; the current principal, Dr. Sherrill is very talented & has a great repertoire with the kids. It is the quality of the staff that really makes Sunrise great -- the reading specialist, art teacher, and school counsellor are all really wonderful, dedicated individuals. The perpetual fundraising IS a pain...sure would be nice if we diverted some of our federal defense budget to eradicate the need...
—Submitted by a parent