Echo Canyon K-8

Kiva Elementary truly feels like a home for our family. Both my girls grew so much here - academically, socially and emotionally. There is an incredible support system at the school - from our wonderful principal/assistant principal to our dedicated teachers and our supportive teachers aides and staff. There’ are so many opportunities for parents to be involved, and the school celebrates our volunteers. The PTO goes above and beyond and provides much added resources to the school each and every year. My favorite is getting to do Masterpiece Art in the classrooms every month with a huge art walk on campus in May. The theater program and robotics team are off the charts for an elementary school. My children also have been in the comprehensive gifted program the past couple years and have had incredible academics - critical thinking, small group work and the best teachers we can ask for our girls. We love you, Kiva Elementary!

Review of Tavan Elementary SchoolI want to share my experience with Tavan Elementary School, which is often regarded as one of the top public schools in Arizona. Unfortunately, our experience was disappointing. Despite high expectations, the support for students was severely lacking. My son faced unhelpful and even aggressive behavior from the principal, and the assistant principal’s response was often limited to issuing suspensions rather than providing genuine support. The social worker, who should have been a source of help, instead contributed to the issue by not engaging effectively and simply escorting him to the office.In contrast, after we withdrew him and enrolled him in a new school, the difference was night and day. He is thriving, and the environment is supportive, friendly, and understanding. There have been no issues, and he is flourishing academically and socially. This contrast highlights how vital proper support and communication are for students.In summary, while Tavan Elementary may have a good reputation, our experience shows that there are significant areas for improvement in how they support and treat their students.

I agree 100% with the most recent heartfelt review — it beautifully reflects the OLPH experience from 10–15 years ago, and based on what’s described, it sounds like that’s when the reviewer’s children attended the school. During that time, OLPH truly was a strong, faith-filled community where students thrived both academically and personally.Unfortunately, I don’t believe the same can be said of the school today. The environment has changed significantly. As stated in another recent review, many families who are not part of the current "inner circle" feel disconnected and disheartened. Another deeply concerning issue that continues to appear in both recent reviews and reviews going back as far as 2014 is the lack of action toward bullying. When bullying is ignored, it doesn’t go away — it escalates. Until the school acknowledges that there is a serious problem and makes a committed effort to address it, the situation will only continue to worsen. No child should feel unsafe or unheard in a place that is meant to nurture their growth.It's disappointing to see a school that once had such a powerful impact on so many families no longer reflect those same values and strengths. I sincerely hope OLPH can return to the vibrant and inclusive community it once was.

As a mom of three boys, I can’t say enough wonderful things about St. Theresa Catholic School. One of the things that stands out most is the culture of kindness and service. My oldest son wears hearing aids, and from day one, he has never felt different; he’s been fully included, supported, and embraced by both students and staff in such a genuine way.I also truly appreciate how the teachers bring creativity into the classroom, especially with recognizing boys need more movement while learning. It’s been such a gift for my boys, who thrive in an environment where they can stay active. The hands-on, engaging approach has made a huge difference in their enthusiasm for school.Additionally, the preschool and transitional kindergarten program did an amazing job preparing my children for kindergarten. The transition felt smooth and natural, and they entered kindergarten confident and capable. We feel incredibly grateful to be part of such a supportive and faith-filled school community.