2638 W Shepperd Ave
Apache Junction, AZ 85120

This school is terrible. The principal is incompetent and has no idea what she is doing. They say they have zero tolerance for bullying but they actually have a 99 percent tolerance policy. One evil child is making life hell for over 14 students but she is still allowed to attend school and walk the halls bullying and threatening other students. I had to remove my child because of that student after she was beat up in the hall with absolutely no teacher intervention. Several other students left because of that student as well but she is still allowed to stay. If you move to the area, find a good charter school. You do not want your child in this district.

All of the new administrators treat pupils with a great deal of disdain and are poor role models. The step program, a new regulation that they have devised, is an absurd program that only causes problems for the students. I wouldn't advise any parents to send their kids there because the staff and administration are solely interested in "improving school ratings".

The staff attempts at getting everyone on board but the teachers are constantly leaving retiring or being sent to other schools that need more help? I haven’t had a good experience this whole year. There has been a huge lack of communications and now that the principle is leaving they don’t really care to carry out the last few weeks the correct way. I feel like the teachers do not have enough support from the district or their principle. The intervention specialist left after I finally got some lead way with my youngest and his behaviors. He has had two brand new teachers right out of school out of the 3 years we’ve been here. My oldest is failing in reading and the teacher just let me know at the last conference of the year. I’ve had many concerns brushed off and never had any resolutions. They except the teachers to watch 90 kids on the recesses and when all the kids are up to trouble they blame one kid and never actually solve the issues or resolve the behaviors. I have had a hard time deciding whether to keep my kids in the school district or attempt mesa public schools. And now I have my mind made up. The high turn over and low resources make it hard for any kid that is at risk let alone kids that experienced Covid and closures. Not to mention the front desk staff has sent mixed messages and have lost my children at least five times.

My children have been to schools in Tempe, Scottsdale, San Tan Valley and now at Peralta, and we have had a better experience at Peralta than anywhere else. From my first encounter with the office staff, to meeting the teachers, everyone has been kind and respectful. My children loved their teachers. They make sure to keep parents in the loop with class dojo, emails and flyers. They have lots of school activities that involve the whole community, such as a Halloween festival and steam nights. I'm so glad to have found a great school for my kids, after everything that's been going on in the world these past few years.