3159 W MATTHEW Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85027

I am extremely proud of this school and campus staff. As a full-time volunteer at DVMS, I have observed 2024 as the year of camaraderie with respect and excellence. Under the helm of Principal Utter, there is purposeful forward momentum at DVMS to improve not only test scores, but personal growth and ownership of students amongst themselves. The school received an entire grade improvement from the state of AZ over the last year. The vibe is positive and children respectful, which is quite a feat for middle school students.Cool story. A student rode his new scooter to school and left it in the bike rack. Unfortunately, an unscrupulous human jumped the fence and stole the boy's new scooter. Staff heard of the predicament. They personally took it upon themselves to donate and contribute to purchase this student a new scooter to replace the one stolen! THIS is the current culture at DVMS. Teachers and staff working together to love on and help students succeed in the classroom and in life! Bravo DVMS. Bravo.

I am very disappointed with Barry Goldwater. My niece was working at getting her cords for a school program in the mornings. She had no way to get to school before the morning bus, so she reached out to me to see if I would drive her. I am not going to lie, it was rough getting up an hour early and taking her the few times a month, every month. We did it and she worked hard. I was proud of her for not giving up and attending each meeting. Now she is graduating, and they said she did not attend all her required classes in the mornings and she would not be getting her cords. I am a teacher at another school and had those dates registered at my work for early clock-ins. My own principal said she would confirm this because she would always ask me, why am I at work so early on those days. I called and called Barry Goldwater and no one got back to me. I went down to the office on my lunch break, and was told there was nothing that the school could do at this time and someone would contact me. I left my name and number, and nothing. My niece just graduated last month without her earned cords. She was heartbroken. I am ashamed of the school. I myself even graduated from Barry Goldwater in 1993. Going forward, when my 8th grade parents ask me which high school I would recommend, it will not be Barry Goldwater. They have no integrity!

Paseo Hills has been known for its issues for many years. Poor communication from staff and principals regarding big things like threats, but you'll get weekly emails with a word of the week. Principal Hood will call you and sweep things under the rug if you have a concern. My friends child was found with an older student (she was in kindergarten) in the bathroom stall and the staff acted like it was no big deal. Another friends son's teacher is simply passing him along rather than actually helping him. He doesn't understand the material and is on an IEP but the minimal support is evident when a third grader can hardly read. Our experience has also been less than ideal with everyone except the amazing office team, and we are happy that they now have a police officer on staff. Even the nurse does not communicate, if your child comes home with a large bandaid and blood dripping down their skin with a huge bruise you'll have no idea they even went to the nurse unless your student tells you. We have been a part of DVUSD for several years ranging from kinder to HS and the district as a whole continues to go downhill. They want their students off of IEP's, they do testing without consent, their curriculum is awful, they spend countless amounts of money on things like technology when their money can be used other places, and their focus is not safety or the well being of students like they say. A matter of fact, you don't even need to have a background check to volunteer on field trips or go to school dances. You also cannot open enroll with an IEP, therefore we are stuck with Paseo for a few more years until my children go to HS, as it's our home school. If you're looking for a home, I do not recommend moving to an area where your student will go to Paseo Hills. From the principal, to the teachers, and the learning in between, Paseo Hills continues to be a disappointment.