Rock Ridge Elementary School

I moved my children from another local elementary school to RRE this year, and could not be happier. The new principal is great and the teachers are wonderful. The school has such a positive and supportive feeling, and the academics are great. My younger son has special needs, and the special needs team at this school is wonderful. I would not hesitate to send your child to this school
—Submitted by a parent

I had 3 kids go thru this school and believe its one of the best in the state. the teachers and student body was great during our time there. Are first kid started in 1996 and the last one finish 2012. First is off to college the 2nd is an top student in high school. My point is this a great place to send your kids and have a good relations with the teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to RRE for 5 years and only have good things to say about it. The teachers are always there to help with personal problems and school problems. RRE is always trying to stop bulling, when I went there they put up posters and did all kinds of stuff trying to stop bullys. There principal left last year and with a new princpal they are still trying to figure out a few things. Send your kids to this school! They will have so much fun! Now that I am in middle school, I am in advanced classes because the teachers they to push you to be the best you can be.

I think the negative reviews on this school are greatly exaggerated. Yes, the communication of the school and teachers could be improved (lots of emails and last minute requests from teachers). However, this is a school where the arts and PE are still available. Spanish is offered for 3rd grade and up. They still take field trips and offer Outdoor Ed. These are all things that better schools have decided to cut. My daughter is now in middle school and is thriving academically. She scored above grade level in reading and math and at grade level for writing. I look forward to sending my 4 year old next year. And there is a new principle, the old one retired at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. Education and academics is very important in our home, we would not send our children to a sub-par school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of Rock Ridge and floored by the negative comments regarding the school, and it's leaders!! Rock Ridge is an amazing school with an even more amazing staff... My son has received an outstanding education thus far and the school in it's entirety is 100% GREAT!!! Hats off to the Rock Ridge team for your commitment to our children and for all that you do for them. I feel it is my familys pleasure to be a part of the Rock Ridge community.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have received excellent schooling here at Rock Ridge. They have been given an outstanding education thus far and have exceeded my expectations in every way.
—Submitted by a parent

Rock Ridge is not a good school at all. The principal is really hard to deal with and so are the teachers and the office staff. They have a lot of bullying going on at that school. The principal and teachers do nothing about it. I would never recommend this school to anyone! This is a Very Awful school!
—Submitted by a parent

RRE IS A TERRIBLE SCHOOL WITH TERRIBLE LEADERSHIP. The teachers are awful they don't communicate well with the parents and ignore the bullying that is really going on. The principal is extremely hard to deal with... The principal also ignores the bullying! This is a very disappointing school and I would NEVER recommend this school to anyone!
—Submitted by a parent

I have a first grader and a pre-schooler who love RRE. The teachers we have had (PreK, Kindie and 1st) have been amazing. I feel like their teachers truly care about their education and truly care for my children! I am absolutely amazed at how much my children have learned! RRE also seems to be a school with very little bullying (if any, I have feet to hear of any). The students learn to help and trust each other even from different grade levels by having older "buddies" who they grow to care about and trust! Parent involvement in the school is phenomenal! Any time I have had a question, comment or concern, I am always able to speak to whom i need and everything is addressed right away! I would recommend Rock Ridge to anyone!
—Submitted by a parent

Major lack of communication, slow on stopping the bullying....and not learning enough...3 major parental concerns.....don't have much to top that...try homeschooling or cyber schooling...
—Submitted by a parent

We opened enrolled our son and it was the best choice we made. I have never seen a staff so dedicated to its students. The administration has addressed all our concerns and the teachers have helped move my son forward in his education and self esteem. The staff I have had contact with demonstrate many of the IB (primary years) learner profiles as well as the areas of interaction that make learning attainable. I read something about the FORR group spending money on silly activities rather than on good teachers. To be honest, that build community and a sense of responsibility. My family has benefited from all these activities. My son now sees his school as a place to learn but also how socialize and resolve conflict. Also, the parents involved do not make decisions on who RRE hires. That is up to the hiring committee. I work full time, like many parents and I have had many opportunities to get involved in school. To you that are unhappy, I hope you find a school that best fits your needs. That is extremely important. Good luck to you!
—Submitted by a parent

I am glad I found the postings below. I now know that I am not alone in my experience with Rock Ridge Elementary. I do not want to type out all the problems we have had---and there have been MANY and in just one year. Just know, with the staff and leadership at this school, what they say to you with a smile is not in line with the actions they perform, to include treatment of students. They just do not have the time or the patience for your child if there are learning or behavior issues. My child is not happy. I am not happy. The school has been a huge disappointment---we will not be returning for another year. Be careful in your dealings with this school...
—Submitted by a parent

I totally agree with the last post, I am having the very same experience. The right hand has no idea what the left hand is doing and so forth. The school is very disorganized and way overcrowded. The student/teacher ratio on greatschools.org is WAY off, it is much higher than 17 or 18 students to a teacher. Unless your child is fine with being on their own to learn, I would not send them to this school. It is very unfortunate that I based enrolling my child totally on the opinion of two other parents and not on the numbers that I saw. Now I have to deal with trying to get my child into a different school and uproot her yet again. My only saving grace is that my child lucked out with getting a good teacher this year, but I don't think I can take my chances next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the previous parent post about being "astonished by rave reviews" of Rock Ridge Elementary. He or She was not stretching the truth about the front desk staff being not friendly. WOW, is all I can say. The leadership of the school's priority, in my opinion, is "how can we get this done the easiest way" and that includes academics, special programs, or even fund raising. Does your child have any issues what-so-ever? Do not go to this school, do not. You will find yourself and your helpless child/children in a frustration loop with a staff that points fingers at anyone but themselves. We are taking our children running, not walking, to another school next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I am really astonished by the rave reviews for Rock Ridge. I have had many issues with most every teacher my children have had. The leaders of this school have in no way been helpful. The front office staff are not friendly. The school is overcrowded. Their PTA is called the Friends of Rock Ridge. They spend money on foolish things like ice cream socials and back to school barbecues, really? How about spending money on hiring better staff and worth while field trips. Honestly, I don't know what they're going for here, they want to known for their IB program and above average academics, but the childrens are the losers here. They are not receiving the education they deserve.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers, principal and staff are highly dedicated to providing the best possible learning experience and curriculum with care and devotion.
—Submitted by a parent

The best school ever! It's a little overpopulated, but once Sage Canyon Elementary pops up, it'll bring down that a little bit. Also they should move the sixth graders to Mesa permanently, instead of bringing them back and fourth all day.

caring, concerned, the most amazing principal in ever sence of the word. dedicated to each child
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers are involved and care about students overall well being and education.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children at RR in 2nd and 5th grade my children have problems with learning especially reading and RR has done miricales for them they have both been on ILP's every year including last year which has helped them get up to grade level and when they fall behind thier teachers always take notice and get them on track with extra help before and after school. My daughter has a learnig disability that they found and are helping her to learn with her disability. Our family has also had some huge family tragidies over the last 3 years and the school has been there for not only the kids but the whole family through all of it. I think the IB program they have started is wonderful both my kids have begun to learn spanish amoung other things I was never taught in school. And,the principal is amazing!
—Submitted by a parent