Mesa Elementary School

Our daughters have attended Mesa for the past 3 years (between them 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6th grades) and we've been extremely pleased with the teachers, the education, and the administration. Yes the national tests are stressed, but the education is still most important to the faculty.
--Submitted by a parent

Mesa is all about looking good on the outside. You kid will be prepared to take a test, but not for life!
--Submitted by a parent

One grandchild has flourished in Mesa. This child has a wonderful teacher. Our other grandchild however, is in the grade level where the teachers are known among some parents as 'The Screamers'. This child flourished until reaching this level. The child has been belittled and degraded along with others, does not want to go to school and is near tears or in tears at the end of EVERY day. Fear of repercussion by the teacher prevents revelation of identity and gradelevel. Thank GOD school is over shortly. Hopefully the rumors of nexts years teachers are true.. They are supposed to be great! On a side note, homework is a bit over the top. It is a shame that the prize of being a blue ribbon school means more than the headaches and frustrations for the 'average' child doing this workload. If you have a high achiever you probably have no worries.

My fifth grader has grown tremendously this year at Mesa. Mr. Kendall has done a wonderful job challenging him.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in her 2nd year at Mesa, and is currently in 1st grade. I love the school, staff & teachers included! My daughter absolutely loves school, and always looks forward to going back after breaks. I was a nanny in college and the kids I watched attended mesa K-6 and are very intelligent, well-rounded adults, now ages 24 & 26.
--Submitted by a parent

I would have to say I have mixed feelings about Mesa Elem. ! My 3 step children have been attending there for only a few months, and already look wore out from all the homework and over-emphasis on A/R and A/M tests and worksheets ! On the positive the youngest of the 3 has caught up after being behind on his reading level ! I wish they would put more emphasis on ONE-ON-ONE classroom help instead of so much homework ! It seems to me that they want the parents to do their jobs !
--Submitted by a parent

I must disagree with any negative comments listed below. What I love about this school is that it challenges its students to the fullest, while focusing on the Multiple Intelligences. How else could it have become a Blue Ribbon school? The only one in its district. Mesa has a variety of activities that challenge the students' creatively and academically. Parents are an integral part of the school community. It has a welcoming and friendly environment. I have had continuous access to teachers to discuss my child's progress. There is no finer school in the country!
--Submitted by a parent

My children are of a different nationality, and needed ESL. Mesa doesn't have an ESL program. The district provided an ESL tutor, but the tutor is only available after school. I agree with the earlier posts. Too much emphasis on mandatory Advanced Math and Advanced Reading goals. Too much homework, and too many opportunities for children who are not above avg. to get left behind.
--Submitted by a parent

Mesa has its pros and cons. The front desk staff is wonderful, it is a very open environment to parents and the lessons are very challenging. There is too much homework and too much emphasis on whole class punishment. Both have created a very negative outlook toward school for my child, that formally couldn't wait for each day of school. While my child has learned a lot through Mesa, we won't miss it upon leaving and hope to find a school with a little more well roundedness and that doesn't over focus on the testing scores.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in the 1st grade at Mesa. He attended Kindergarten at Parkview. He likes Mesa alot, but has been stuggling since the transfer. At Parkview I had constant communication with my sons teacher, so I knew what was going on at all times. Mesa is a different story I feel parent/ teacher communication is essential for academic groowth of students and Mesa just isn't measuring up. Sure its a beautiful, picture perfect school, but if your kids haven't gone there since kindergarten they don't stand a chance. I think this school is pretty much overrated.
--Submitted by a parent