Yuma Lutheran School

YLS is the BEST SCHOOL and has the BEST STAFF. We moved to Yuma a few years ago and after much research were blessed to have enrolled our children at YLS. We have 3 children and have experienced PreK-3rd and 7-8th grades. The staff is very compassionate and focused on our children's academic and social development. They are constantly improving their facilities, programs, resources, etc. They are adverse in their athletic programs, music & orchestra, outdoor ed trips, science fair, and more. YLS demonstrates a clear desire for family and community involvement. The staff begins their day in prayer and models Christian behavior and leadership throughout the day with their students. My children are in a safe, Christian, learning environment with caring teachers and classmates. YLS takes pride in helping students excel and be good citizens. It's one big family I plan on being a part of for a very long time.
—Submitted by a parent

Very pleased that YLS offers electives for 6-8 grade. 7th and 8th graders can also take an advanced math class. I also like that my 1st grader is getting the opportunity to learn to play the violin. The orchestra teacher is so wonderful!- just as all the other teachers my 3 children have had so far!
—Submitted by a parent

I sent two children to this school for two years. My son attended his first grade there and the experience was less than satisfactory. My son is an extremely bright boy but hyper. His lessons bored him constantly. Parent-teacher meetings were requested and never scheduled. Eventually I wrote a letter to the teacher calling her to task and I got my meeting, with her and the Principal which was less than helpful. The next year my son transferred. My daughter attended kindergarten there the next year with similar results. She was doing poorly academically. Meetings were requested and never held. Towards the end of school year, her teacher had the nerve to tell me she thought my child should be held back. She told me this in the parking lot. My children now attend a charter school. One that has resources and that staff that is trained enough to intervene when a child is having difficulty. My son's issues were caught within the first two weeks by his new school, was diagnosed as ADHD with an IQ of 120. My daughter is still pending, but her difficulty was determined within weeks of school starting. Why did I pay over $3000 a year for this school?
—Submitted by a parent

I am a mother of two and both attend Yuma Lutheran. I am a proud parent of what this school offers. With the change in Principal, the school is very positive, academics exceeds many other schools. We are a family here and we are very happy. I do not understand why some of the reports are negative, they do not push through academics, teachers care about students.
—Submitted by a parent

After two years at YLS we are leaving. It seems they push through the academics regardless of how the kids are doing. Instead of reteaching and retesting when kids don't understand and do poorly, tests are given and counted in the grade book regardless and they move onto the next topic. Too much attention is paid to getting through a book by the end of the year instead of making sure everyone understands the subject matter. Many of the children don't seem to uphold the Christian values that we expect in a Christian school. I would guess that many parents leave it up to the school to teach children Biblical principles and nothing is reinforced at home. Many children cuss and bully. I can get this for free in a public school, so why am I paying for it?
—Submitted by a parent

Absolutely NO recommendation for YLS! We did not return our well behaved, bright and talented children after one year due to the administrative policy of ignoring its own handbook regarding discipline. IN the Biblical sense, they are respecters of persons of influence, or parents who are intimidators, whose children enjoy a double standard with total immunity to discapline. They have burnt many bridges here....
—Submitted by a parent

I would not recommend this school to anyone! It is the worst school out of all that my child attended and its teachers were the worst we ever had. There was lots of bullying, harassment, and gossip. Telling the teacher did not help because she supported this behaviour in children, and the principal did not take control of the situation. This school is also weak academically. The math program for 7th grade was barely halfway completed. The teacher did not want and was not able to answer my child's questions concerning the contents of the subjects which she taught.
—Submitted by a parent

After looking at the other schools in the area, I chose Yuma Lutheran School for my child. I am very happy with my decision. The teachers really care about the students and keep parents involved in the learning. It's like a big family. Next year they will have a new principal. The program is superior. Beyond the challenging academics, sports teams compete against other schools as part of the after school athletic program. String orchestra instruction is available for gr. 1-8 during school as well as a well rounded music program for the whole school. My child wouldn't consider going anywhere else and is sad that they don't have a high school as well.
—Submitted by a parent

Pulled my child out after three years. School has no controll of the students my child was bullied and harassed. I would not recommend this school to anyone ever.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at Yuma Lutheran for three years (K-2nd) and now have two children attending. We have been very pleased with this school. They receive a well-rounded education, with science, social studies, music, art, PE, etc. This would not be the case at public school. The teachers at YLS have been wonderful. They have responded promptly and pleasantly to any issues we have had (such as sitting next to a bully). The environment at this school is what we enjoy the most. It's a place where modesty, respect for others, and love are paramount. There is no dress code on non-PE days because they don't need one! The students are being raised to dress in an appropriate fashion. In the past three years I have never heard a curse word from any student, even the 7th & 8th graders. We feel that YLS is helping us raise decent, loving kids.
—Submitted by a parent

YLS has been a huge, disappointment and bad decision for our 1st grader. At 6yrs of age our child has had to endure bullying behavior by 8yr olds in her first grade class. These older children are repeating first grade because they were failing in public school. I have been told by the teacher and the principal that I am NOT welcome to visit the class! I have tried to discuss concerns with the teacher, now my child begs me NOT to talk to the teacher, because the teacher yells at her. My child has been ignored, and bullied, learning has come to a complete stop thanks to the neglect of the teacher and disregard of the principal. This experience has been devastating to our daughter who once said,'I love school', now she says, 'I hate myself'
—Submitted by a parent

Wow. We took our son out of a local Catholic School and enrolled him at Yuma Lutheran. Obviously we had concern about the religious structure, especially being Catholics. However, I must say, this was the best decision we have made and are pleased that we found this school and it's wonderful staff. The students are very respectful and raves about the school. His teacher is awesome and provides constant feedback regarding his progress. I have received emails on my blackberry regarding my son's grades and homework even when I have been 2000 miles away from home. I would definitely recommend YLS and say..you will not be disappointed!
—Submitted by a parent

YLS is a a well rounded Christian school. Focus on christian ideas permeate daily lessons, and chapel is fun for all ages! Mrs. Pendleton was my daughter's kindergarten teacher and she is adored by my child (and mom and dad). The school has a wonderful music program -includes orchestra, bells, guitar, and of course song. The music instructors make such an effort to instill a love of music in the children. All in all, an A plus school.
—Submitted by a parent

Yuma Lutheran school staff put the children first and push the children to accomplish their best.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a student at YLS for about 5years, and now returning this fall for 8th grade. During those five years, I felt as if all the students and teachers became a family. I remember each and every one a my old teachers. They always supported me and helped me through everything. The reason there aren't alot of students is because (well for me) it was easier for the teachers to get to each student, and each student was given the right amount of attention, to get their work done and learned. I really love YLS and can't wait to return. :)
—Submitted by a student

This school has a wonderful caring Christian environment. My younger children have regular music, art, and pe, while my middle school student has pe and choices for various other electives. The faculty and staff are very supportive and help each student strive to his/her highest potential. I highly recommend this school to anyone looking for an excellent PK - 8 experience.
—Submitted by a parent

We are extremely happy with Yuma Lutheran. Can't say enough good about it. Great teachers who care. Nice families who go there too.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is second to none. The teachers are caring and see each child as an individual child of God. No bullying, no berating. Good christian values all around.
—Submitted by a parent

this is a great school, we are very happy here. The parents are very involved with the school. the academics are up to par, especially compaired to the public schools in the area. The children participate in music art and p.e. classes. we're very happy here.
—Submitted by a parent

Yuma Lutheran School is a great place for children to learn. The teachers and staff all care about them as individuals and their progress.
—Submitted by a parent