Desert Mosaic School

We have 3 kids enrolled at Desert Mosaic School. We are just about to end their first year at this school, & I have to say we absolutely LOVE this school! Our kids were at TUSD for the first few years and it was HORRIFIC! Our daughter was so horribly bullied at 2 different tusd schools with absolutely no help from the teachers or the principal. Then we found this school. Our kids love it here! The student- teacher ratio is great. Especially when comparing to tusd class. Our kids were lost in the crowd! Here each student has the chance to get the attention they deserve. We had a few issues which is expected every now & then. The attention that was given to these issues by the staff led to quick solutions. The staff here really does take bullying seriously. Unlike the tusd schools who would shrug things off with and "oh well" attitude" One thing I think could be helpful is to have a counselor available for troubled students. I've volunteered a few times, & I've seen a couple students who act out & could tell they most likely come from troubled homes. I think a counselor would really benefit those children. This school is wonderful and we plan to keep our kids here! -Vero Cruz
—Submitted by a parent

But what kind of parent wants to send their child to a school that you and your child have to walk on eggshells as the parent stated below " it takes a bit to learn quirks of the school and what to say and not to say" oh this is wonderful! That does not tell me a good school! That tells me to Run! That means something really wrong with the school!If i where this parent i would wake up and smell the coffee! You or your child should not have to watch what you say and don't say! That is your right! And for telling parents that Maybe they should home school if they think its failing! The parents have the Right to send their child to any school and their child has the right to proper Education!They should not have to be afraid to say anything to anyone! But if you want the truth and have time for the hassle then yes send your child hear! I mean you go to the office and its filled with students just sitting their all day or going to what ever class they want to because they are friends or family with office staff their is high school one boy who ditches class to be in another class to be feeling up his high school girlfriend in a 5th grade class because she is a helper in their!
—Submitted by a parent

Hey parents and teachers, my child has been here for 3 years... she really likes this school, as well as myself. Yes there does need to be a few fixes. If parents think it shall be greener on the other side, meaning TUSD, more power to them! Not! The school is doing rather well compared to TUSD. If you think this school is failing, maybe your child needs to be home-schooled..... we do have some really great teachers. Some, that really are not up to par, but I am very thankful for some of the great teachers that we do have! Their communication skills have even improved with parents! This is an incredible mile-stone! Please do not think that this is a bad school... It really is not. It does take a bit to learn quirks of the school and what to say and not to say. Suggestions are pretty receptive here. Some staff like other schools need to go, but I certainly pray that the good ones stay for next year! As far as one of the office staff,, please do the school justice and go. otherwise golden!
—Submitted by a parent

Hello i am a teacher her at Desert Mosaic we are a wonderful school! But if we could chang the offfice staff members it would be wonderful for the students! I am new to this school but heard from other teachers that it was a lot better 4 years ago! I admit we cant say nothing to some students because of some staff ! one teacher got fired this year for saying something to a staff member. So i just need my job but most of us teachers work really hard! But when it comes to discipline This school has none because the ones that need it are friends or family of staff members.Also some staff members chang the students grade's because they have friend or family staff members.So just think long and hard befor you send your kids hear. Thank you a Teacher at Desert Mosaic High School
—Submitted by a teacher

Do not ever send your child to this school is is BAD!! Bulling from staff members and their children! School boys Groping Girls in class and no one saying nothing! Because related to staff members!! My daughter has been bullied nothing done! School does nothing! it is a really BAD SCHOOL!
—Submitted by a parent

My son and I love this school. The teachers and staff are great. It is like a family. My son has gotten the help and attention he needs and would not have gotten in a tusd school.
—Submitted by a parent

Desert Mosaic School is a great school! People are great staff helps it is a safe school no problems. For all the people who have said bad about DMS i think maybe it was just you that had problems or you make up stories about this school to make it look bad. but it is not! Dms is a school where they will help the students succeed they help where they struggle. when there is a problem I just call the office and it gets taken care of I recommend DMS to my friends and family.
—Submitted by a parent

i have two children who attend desert mosaic school. over all i am happy with their academic progress but find the class rotation, lack of electives and lack of staff(including a principle, nurse, physical education teacher) frustrating. i want to give this school another chance because there are a few teachers who really care for the students, you know who you are. other teachers seem to only want to be seen as the most challenging teachers and not to concerned about overall education of the children. i also find it odd that a school has no textbooks...it makes it difficult when helping my children with homework when i have nothing to go by except the basic instructions given on the worksheet. everything is photocopied. i hope the 2012-13 school year improves or i will be forced to find another school for my children.
—Submitted by a parent

After 6 weeks, I have removed my children! This school is not organized. All grades are rotating teachers. Which makes is very difficult to keep communication between teachers and parents. There was not any structure in the classroom, we had no clue when homework was sent home let alone when it was due! My kids where being intimidated by the administration staff! Incidents happened that I was not notified by the school! I want to let other parents know so they don't experience what we had to go through.
—Submitted by a parent

hi this is me chad wood remember me i went to the school like 1 or 2 years ago oh and the school was the best school ive ever been to thanks love u im in 7th grade now i went there 4 6th grade and if the same science teacher and math teacher r there just let them know there the best

Coming from TUSD, what a 180! Low teacher student ratio, teachers and staff that show support and care for students and their families. 18 year olds helping 4 year olds, gym class-where they actually RUN and EXERCISE-never saw that at TUSD. They hold the kids to academic and behavioral standards and actually follow through, if they don't pass they stay behind, if they are ahead they move them up. If the kids do something disrespectful they are disciplined accordingly. Never saw any of that at TUSD. As for afterschool activities they have several opportunities and keep trying to add. This school works by being small, and I'd like to keep it that way. Keep it up DM, whatever your doing is working very well. Me and my children are very happy here.
—Submitted by a parent

I started at Desert Mosaic School as a very troubled child in 2002 from a Christian private school on the east side of town, after being suspended. I started 6th grade there, and did very well. In 8th grade I got into some trouble again and was suspended. I returned to private school as a punishment, 3 months later I was back at DMS, after being expelled from private school. Through that and the rest of my schooling at DMS, the teachers and staff were supportive. I did go through many different teachers and though that may seem unhealthy to some parents, it actually taught me more about life. All those teachers left an imprint in my heart and mind. I graduated as a Junior in 2007, with more credits than those needed to graduate. My most cherished memories and my best friends were made there. If it is still around when my children are of age they will most definitely attend Desert Mosaic Charter School. I have allot to thank them for, they turned my life around and I will forever be grateful.
—Submitted by a student

I am mixed about our first year at D.M. My second grader is doing very well and loves her school. My 6th grader is struggling to keep up because he'd gotten behind in TUSD. Teachers seem fine, principle lacks in understanding young children, he needs to walk in the pre-teens shoes a bit more. Kids get enough electives with church and scouts.
—Submitted by a parent

Desert Mosaic is a great school The student ratio is low. My kids and I love this school. They were in the TUSD district until we found this school all Ta=eachers and staff are great. DESERT MOSAIC IS THE BEST!
—Submitted by a parent

I decided to withdraw my daughter from this school with no team sports, no electives of any kind. Only the bare minimum of curriculum. Outdated textbooks and little leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

It makes me a little sad and disappointed that parents could say such awful things about this school. Me and my children have had nothing but a wonderful experience with the school, teachers and education plans. In the bigger TUSD schools my children were lost in the system and floundering, with this school they are the center of attention and provided an excellent education with a brighter future before them. Thank You DMS!
—Submitted by a parent

There is a waiting list for some grade levels. Desert Mosaic is a small school with a BIG heart. Kids feel safe, special and are supported to meet their potential.
—Submitted by a teacher

This little school is getting better all the time. The campus is small and teacher/student ratio is low--kids get lots of attention
—Submitted by a parent

I disagree with those that say there's no limits. DMS is an ok school It has some truely great teachers that take the extra effort. Most of us only meet a few teacher's like that in a lifetime.It is a shame we lost such great electives.They were so good for the kids.We will stay and hope electives come back.
—Submitted by a parent

We had negative experience. Major issues with the teacher and no support from administration. Principle made excuses for teacher's behavior. In my opinion, this school should be shut down by the state. It is in no way productive in educating or protecting our children.
—Submitted by a parent