Horizon Honors Secondary School

I graduated Kyrene De La Esperanza in 2018. This school was by far one of the most memorable. The teachers were inclusive and the front office staff were beyond friendly. Only downside is that I was looked down on for being unable to do work like my classmates. They didn't believe I had a disability and thought I wasn't trying. It has been awhile since then, so hopefully that's changed. The memories i gained from this school overrun that. The people I met, the teachers I had, the memories I made, made everything all the better. I loved the Kids Club. This school is really inclusive. I do recommend. :-)

We have had a great experience with the teachers here. They are passionate about this new model of multi-age grouping with an emphasis on project-based learning, and it’s been great to see them improve upon it from year to year. Our son’s teachers care about his success and growth in academics as well as his behavior and social-emotional growth. He is able to work at a level that challenges him and is not too easy for him. The community is great. I love the diversity, and the PTO is very active, sponsoring multiple fun events throughout the year, such as the fall festival and movie night. They also fund every students’ school supplies!

Years ago, enrollment was at a peak of 380+, the community was thriving, teachers were challenged to work hard, admin was transparent, PTO was kind, the BOD was professional. Then the decline happened. Teachers taught the same curriculum with the same exact projects year after year. Staff training lacked, especially as new teachers cycled in making for bumpy transition into the school mission statement. Then as the founders moved out and new BOD came in the school became more like a country club, ruled by only friends of friends with the main concern of creating a bubble for their own children. Then COVID; and this school was horrible. Treated children poorly, parents poorly, instituted ridiculous rules like making parents wear masks in their own car during drop-off, only being allowed to volunteer if you had vax card. Teachers didn’t want to do much; school pictures couldn’t even be done. Now enrollment is down and its’ all about the marketing. Tuition is raised every year and now this year has shot up to be almost 20K, becoming more expensive than many of the private high schools. Everything this school does now is meant for marketing, there is no sincerity to it. Look at the Neurodiversity Celebration week. None of these teachers have any experience of recent training on IEPs and learning differences, the school admits openly to not accepting students with special plans. Conversely, the school also fails excelling students, if your kids needs more challenging work it is not available. The school just pushes being able to excel a taking the state test to compare itself to the local public schools. And the kids in 8th grade have to take HSPT prep classes to help with entry to Brophy and Seton. School is so fake now, why waste 20k on a school that doesn’t acknowledge parents and just considers you a guardian? Only the Robotics program is run well here, other staff should take note of this program and what he does to make it a blue ribbon program. He networks, he works one on one with the kids to challenge them, and the skills gained from his program help kids excel in engineering programs in High School. But to put up with lackluster admin, teachers, expensive sports & tuition and snotty parents and kids is not worth it. You can find better and help bring a good Robotics program to a genuine school.

The staff at St. John Bosco are exceptional. The curriculum is above average and generally the students are 1-2 grade levels ahead of those students in the surrounding schools in the Phoenix Area. Their stem lab is very impressive and one of a kind. There is plenty of opportunity for growth and development of each of the students. The family community is very welcoming.

Our child has been attending since 2020 and will be graduating in the spring. Students thrive at their own pace with great teachers in a welcoming environment. Long time staff, prompt communication (esp during 2020), effective curriculum, and total transparency are only a few things that contribute to the trust we have! The staff's care, professionalism, and commitment is even reflected in how the students treat each other. AFM is wonderful community to be a part of. We are so thankful for the impact it has had on our child's early development!