Desert Canyon Elementary 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.

I have so much love to the school after going to it for nine years but the last few years at the school were honestly awful. The school has gone downhill so much my siblings go there now and struggle in school and they’ve received no help. teachers are mean hate their jobs and destroy kids mental health.

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 Compared to other schools, the experience here feels limited and outdated.Even more concerning is the neglect of gifted students.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.