Zia Elementary School

We love Zia! We were previously at a local private school, however, due to my sons sensory processing disorder the private school did not feel he was the best fit. Nervous about going to public, I researched and found Zia, small, with good test scores-taking into account it's population, with an open mind and an advocate for kids who march to the beat of a different drum. My son has thrived at Zia, has had the best year by far! He did not qualify for services, so we got them privately. Zia is better in many areas in comparrison. The school, the teachers, the principal are all top notch. I have attended several APS school board meetings, due to APS' budget deficit, and have been most pleased to see our principal there- while many schools don't have representation at the meetings. Our principal is very pro-active, having held budget meetings for parents and meeting with parents individually, he is very approachable and I feel manages the school well. I disagree with the prior rater, he is very proffesional. I have not encountered any lack of proffessionalism or arrogance from my interactions with him. The PTA is also very active, but needs more involved parents, as do most.
--Submitted by a parent

Zia is a great school with fantastic teachers. My children have learned a lot in the time that they have attended Zia. Unfortunately the pincipal is arrogant and very unprofessonal. He has very poor communication skills and not very much interaction with the children.
--Submitted by a parent

My two children attended this school for 3 years. The teachers are wonderful! The principal on the other hand is rude and judgemental. I placed my daughter in another school for his poor treatment of students (not just my children either) and his inability to understand that children are children and categorizing them makes you a bigot.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a child entering 2nd grade at Zia. I am pleased with the organzation of the school and the leadership. We are delighted to be part of the Zia family.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has an unusually high level of parent and family involvement. It's a giant family!
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my children attended Zia Elementary and received (with the exception of one very bad teacher) a great education and great support. I love this school and hope they'll win the $20,000 and that it's used directly for students and creative endeavors like art and music.
--Submitted by a parent

There is an individual at Zia that always finds time for us... Thanks to Ms. Hillard! She's awesome, the time and extra effort put in by this lady is greatly appreciated, and will be missed by a certain fifth grade student and his family.
--Submitted by a parent

Our family actually moved to be in the Zia school district. We love Zia! It is a small school with a great community. We couldn't be happier with my daughter's teacher, Mrs. Lucas and her EA, Miss Kelsey. They are as kind and sweet as they are great teachers. My daughter's class is bilingual K/1st combo class and this has not hindered her learning at all. Mrs. Lucas really knows how to make sure the kids don't fall behind in either language. The teachers at Zia are all great and care about more than just their own classes. The Family Focus center is wonderful and offers a number of classes. My daughter has enjoyed it immensely and it is very affordable, with some completely free classes. The PTA is also great putting on many wonderful school events. We are moving and will be sad to leave Zia.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a great school with lots to offer. We love all the teachers. The Family Focus Center offers great after school programs for the students. The principal is another story. He has no personality and apears to be mad all the time.
--Submitted by a parent