5422 W PERSHING Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85304

Many years ago, on my son's first day of kindergarten, he was riding the school bus home from Marshall Ranch when an older kid beat him up on the bus, and the bus driver just laughed. We went back to the school which told us they would not discipline the driver for not stopping the beatdown, because "bus drivers are hard to find". I will never forget or forgive Marshall Ranch, ever.

I would definitely recommend this school - we've had a very good experience. My daughter has completed 2 years at Ironwood, and she is now heading into her junior year. She is bi-racial, with a conservative background, and is an above-average achieving student. She's involved in performing arts. We arrived at this school from a small rural midwestern school system. My goal was to find a school that wasn't going to be so huge that it would overwhelm her. I wanted to find a school that did not have the reputation of lagging behind academically, nor did I want a school that took such a hard line on academics that students wouldn't have the chance to still be a kid and have some free time. I didn't want a school that was considered too rich or too poor. I spent HOURS reading reviews and comparing schools before we moved here. I had an epiphany while I read hundreds of reviews: a school that the students generally felt GOOD about, and had strong school spirit, could cover a multitude of weaknesses. If people feel GOOD about being part of an organization, it smooths over rough edges. This school just clicked for her when we visited - she enthusiastically chose Ironwood. The teachers and administration truly care, and in turn, the students do too. It's an imperfect world, so I don't hold this or any school up to microscope expecting perfection. I do not have first-hand knowledge of curriculum or activities in which my daughter hasn't been involved. But this is a GOOD school. I have not ceased to be impressed with the energy that is displayed here. To each of you at the school, students and adults alike: Keep up the great work. Your energy is contagious.