6136 W PERSHING Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85304

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.

This is, by far, the BEST school any of my children have attended! The warm feeling when you walk in is AWESOME - those front office ladies are THE BEST!! Teachers go above and beyond to help students and parents. The administration is very helpful too! (Administrators are quite busy but will always return a call, respond to email, or you can schedule an appointment to speak with them directly.) I love that it is a smaller school then most others, that gives it a real "community feeling". Desert Valley gets an A+ EXCELLENT rating from me!!! Thank you for taking care of my child and helping him be the best he can be. He finished 8th grade now but I will continue to tell others how awesome DV is! Now to address some of the negative reviews: I know that a few people have had bully issues, it happens everywhere, but more often then not it is because their child never speaks up! (There are state mandated rules and guidelines that must be followed before a student can be kicked out of a school for bullying - One report is not enough. One report gets the bully suspended but repeated offenses are dealt with harshly at DV.)