Cochise Elementary School

This school is such a disappointment. It used to be known as one of the best in the area, however, with our 2 children we will be leaving next year. They teach so slow and under grade level, it’s really sad to see how far behind the academics of this school are compared to what is being taught in other districts nearby. We came here based off a reputation that is sadly no longer viable. The accommodations for the gifted children are marginally better, however what is being taught in gifted rooms appears to be what should actually be being taught in regular rooms based on what other districts are teaching. The children going to this school are at a disadvantage to Scottsdale schools without any doubt .

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.

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.

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.