Explorer Middle School

We moved to this neighborhood because of Boulder Creek. It's the end of our second year at this school, and we are so happy with it!A-rated, award-winning, and named #1 K-8 in AZ for two years in a row for both public AND charter!The community is vibrant and joyful. The school (and surrounding neighborhood!) is very safe for the floods of children walking home every day. The teachers are passionate and good at what they do. The gifted program is engaging. The SPED support is vast. The PTO is huge and super involved. The school/PTO/community events are enriching for the entire family, and there is so much school pride.Our new principal is a strong, dedicated, and warm leader, and she's "one of us"—born and raised in Phoenix, an ASU grad, and with almost 30 years of service to PVUSD as an educator. My husband and I are AZ natives and products of the PV district ourselves, so we love to see it.Go Bobcats!

My child attended this school for several years and continued to do well academically, consistently making the honor roll throughout. However, despite their success, we faced ongoing issues with disruptive students who had repeated patterns of behavior year after year. Several incidents were serious enough to require reverse evacuations in the classroom, which became increasingly concerning. Along with frequent teacher turnover and inconsistent leadership, we also never truly felt included in the school community, even though we volunteered for many events and activities over the years. Ultimately, the school no longer aligned with what we needed for our child's education and overall well-being.

This is my 2nd time writing a reciew of MY EXPERIENCE so how it can be deleted is beyond me. But DO NOT SEND YOUR BIPOC kids to this school! They will allow them to be called slurs and then when your kid retaliates (after numerous attempts at intervention), they will label them the aggressor and write them up for verbal abuse and harrassment yet NOTHING has been put in place for the family using the word repeatedly TOWARDS BLACK STUDENTS.

NO TELEPEHONE ETIQUETTE, THE STAFFS ARE RUDEIT SHOULD BE NO STAR FOR YOU POOR MANNERS

This school hires teachers for their gifted education programs whose only experience with giftedness is having gifted children (as opposed to actually being gifted themselves), or having taken a minimal amount of training (which does not in any way equip them). Class sizes are extremely large. Teachers exercise minimal control over their classrooms.Ridiculous “project-based learning” assignments are handed out at the last minute, requiring parents to take significant effort to help their students complete in time. Minimal learning is accomplished as a result of these constant exercises in busywork.Bullying is rampant, out-of-control, and is tolerated and rewarded. Victims of violent bullying are blamed and made to feel that is their fault. School administration is grossly incompetent. Do not send your children here.

I’ve been a part of this school community for four years now, both as a volunteer and as a parent. I can’t say enough good things about the principal, the administration, the teachers, and the staff. The principal is incredibly professional and kind to everyone; he carries himself with such respect, and the students truly adore him. The front office staff is always welcoming, with smiles on their faces, and they’re always ready to help. The teachers are kind, respectful, and truly dedicated. They all work together as one cohesive team.My daughter is so fortunate to be at this school. She receives an outstanding education, along with the reading and speech therapy support she needs. I am so grateful to everyone here for their hard work and commitment to giving our children the best. Thank you all for everything you do!