Rio Rancho Elementary School

This school is just terrible! There is NO leadership, no communication from the teachers or administration to the parents. The PTA is not active at all, the functions are very poorly run and in turn poorly attended. Very few afterschool activities or clubs. I know of some clubs that tried to get in to offer different activities and they were turned away- but are welcomed at the other Rio Rancho schools with open arms. They are VERY unwelcoming to volunteers. The teachers we have encountered have very low standards and seem to really dislike children or be completely burnt out or made miserable by the principal. A miserable experience!!
—Submitted by a parent

I was very disappointed in this school We moved here from a long distance away. We are very concerned with the education our our children, two of which are special needs. We were told Rio Rancho had the BEST schools in the area. So working in Santa Fe and living here seemed worth it. We were certainly disappointed in THIS school. We were made to feel unwelcome by the principal, specifically. Made to feel like criminals in our beliefs. Fortunately all of our children are beyond the grade school level and the middle school and high schools have been much nicer to work with. I believe that this elementary school could be much better with different leadership. The majority of teachers that I have dealt with were caring and polite.
—Submitted by a parent

The principal is very rude and out of touch with the students and staff at this school. Her ethics are very questionable. The only good thing is the teachers. Hope the district makes the change at the principle level.
—Submitted by a parent

THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING SCHOOL!! THE TEACHERS ARE AMAZING, THE LEADERSHIP IS TOP NOTCH. WE HAVE A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD AND HE HAS JUST MADE HUGE ADVANCEMENTS SINCE ATTENDING RIO RANCHO ELEMENTARY. THE STAFF IS ENGAGED, NURTURING AND HAVE THE SKILL SET NEEDED EFFECTIVELY TEACH THE STUDENTS. HANDS DOWN ONE OF THE BEST SCHOOLS IN NEW MEXICO!!
—Submitted by a parent

I was a bit disenchanted with the quality trust and relationships between not only the student and teacher, but with my spouse and I as well. There was a sense of being unwelcome as a volunteer parent and a lack of sincerity in getting to know the family in order to create a strong team. The principal talks to parents as though they are children. All in all a very poor environment for my son and us to excel in.
—Submitted by a parent

Great staff, principle and administrators have really made a wonderful learning environment for my childs success.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school! Although it is a public school, it's a lot more like a private school, without the hefty cost. They need to in uniform, and they have a lot of rules to keep them on track. My daughter has become so independent and responsible, and loves going to school. Parent involvement in the classroom is encouraged, and I am very happy to send my son there next year as well!
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. I have a 4th grader with ADHD and a slight learning problem - they have done everything in their power to help him, every year. The teacher's put in extra effort with him, and the school is always putting him in extra programs to help. This year I also have a kindergartener who is quite advanced, and her teacher is finding her additional things to do to keep her engaged - with kids on both sides of the spectrum, I can honestly say this is a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

One of the reasons our family moved to this school district is because there is a dress code. Too many schools in this country allow the students to wear whatever they please. I applaud the district's policy and am pleased to see it carried all the way to the high school level.
—Submitted by a parent

1st grade is treated more like college prep and there are simply too many rules for 6 and 7 year old 1st graders to follow. There is an air of criticallness there even toward the parent and a I do not have the feeling that it is 'our' school that I would like. As a parent I feel rather unwelcome and my daughter's needs/feelings rather disregarded or brushed aside. I think it's great that 1st graders can have an advanced curriculum but I do not think can be expected to take everything SO seriously. They are still practically toddlers. I will say that I have never had a safety concern there which is a big deal to me. There is a dress code there and I am not thrilled about that either. I just wish there was a more inviting atmosphere there and less rigidity.
—Submitted by a parent

RRES is an amazing school! The principal encourages parental involvement and communication. The teachers are excellent. They are caring, compassionate and have high standards for the students. This is the best elementary school in the district!
—Submitted by a parent