Cactus Villa

My daughter attended the school since preschool age in their special education PANDA program, then moved down to the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten program, also in special education. The school's teachers are very caring and enjoy their work. I feel very safe when my kid goes to school, and when my kid is not feeling well, the nurse's office is always able to take good care of my child. I feel this school has a great parent-teacher ratio and a positive atmosphere. I can feel the energy of the teacher, especially from the principal and administrative office, that they really care about kids thriving at the School. I also like that the Scottsdale Police Department often comes to ensure the school is safe. The traffic is controlled, which really makes parents feel safe about their children going to the school. The school organizes many special events, and there are also many opportunities for parents who want to volunteer for extra activities. The Boys and Girls Club is just right next door, along with the park. It's a perfect school.

Redfield Elementary in Scottsdale is an exceptional school. My two children love being part of the community. The teachers and staff are warm and know every student by name. The teachers are genuinely caring and clearly skilled in classroom management. My children feel challenged and supported. Dr. Amanda Rand is an exceptional leader. I felt welcomed by her the moment we enrolled. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of a school that combines strong academics, caring faculty, and a truly connected community.

ISA is an amazing school (PK1 - 8th grade) with an amazing bi-lingual education program. Giving your child a second language truly sets them apart and allows them to succeed in a global world. All graduates of ISA are bi-lingual and some are even tri-lingual as they enter into high school. The leadership and teaching staff at ISA care about each other, each student/family and do their very best to support the school community. Small class sizes and bi-lingual teachers really offers the best opportunity to learn and be successful. I hope they will consider adding a high school in the future.

I had a very disappointing experience with this program. When I brought up concerns about how my child was being treated and offered respectful suggestions to support him, I was met with defensiveness and hostility from the principal. I expected a collaborative, child-centered environment and did not feel that was what we received.This setting may not be the right fit for families seeking emotionally aware educators or respectful communication with parents.

I am giving one star based on our experience.My daughter is in 5th grade here and has been dealing with ongoing bullying, including repeated name-calling within a group of students. Despite reaching out to both the teacher and the school social worker, nothing has changed. The lack of effective intervention is unacceptable. A school that cannot protect students from basic bullying is failing at one of its most fundamental responsibilities.The overall environment feels toxic and dismissive. There is little sense of accountability when issues are raised, and concerns are not taken seriously enough to create real change.Academically, the school is overly rigid and one-dimensional. There is a heavy emphasis on homework and pressure, but almost no effort toward balanced development. There are no meaningful enrichment opportunities—no strong presence of art, music, or creative programs. Compared to other schools, the experience here feels limited and outdated.Even more concerning is the neglect of gifted students. My daughter is advanced in math, yet there is no visible effort to challenge or support her. It feels like once a student meets the standard, the school stops investing in their growth altogether.If you are looking for a school that prioritizes strict academics at the expense of student well-being, creativity, and individual growth, this may fit. Otherwise, I would strongly reconsider.This has been a deeply disappointing experience, and I would not recommend this school.

We withdrew our child from Rancho after a very disappointing experience. We had initially understood Rancho to be among the top private schools in the area, second only to PCDS, but unfortunately, our experience did not reflect that reputation whatsoever.After several concerning interactions with the school’s administration and feeling underwhelmed by the quality of the teachers, we began looking more closely. The administration and faculty largely hold basic degrees, with many teachers being recent ASU graduates. We did not find one that had graduated from a top tier university. There is no Head of School or Headmaster, as one should expect from a leading private institution, and the individual overseeing the school does not inspire confidence, either in qualifications or leadership presence. This was the major red flag that made us rethink our decision to have our child at Rancho because the quality of the admin and faculty is a direct reflection of what and who is cultivating your child's educational experience. Our attempts to contact the school’s owner went unanswered, and further research revealed a troubling history of legal disputes related to other private schools he owns. It became clear that we were misled by surface-level impressions - high tuition, uniforms, and overly positive social media reviews from parents similarly swayed by appearances.We wish we had taken a more critical look before enrolling and are very relieved to have moved our child elsewhere. If you’re considering Rancho, I strongly encourage you to research the backgrounds of the faculty and staff. Compare their credentials to those at truly distinguished private schools — it’s an eye-opening exercise. After all, the quality of your child’s education can only be as strong as the people leading it.