I am a parent of a student entering 6th Grade at Arizona School for the Arts. I work in Education…read moreand I talk to Teachers, Curriculum Directors, and Principals from all over the West Coast. And,I am married to a former teacher at ASA. I am passionate about this school. I will admit, I was suspect. I thought the parents who were so ecstic over the education offered at ASA might be a little off. It couldn't be that good. Really? My son started school with all the aprehensions of a 5th Grade student who knew very little about music, was active in sports and was very sad about leaving his friends behind. We (even he) chose this school because they had a strong emphasis on education and we expected the school to offer my son the opportunity to learn in an environment that was strict, supportive and creative. We were not disappointed. ASA was all that - and MORE! The academic teachers are inventive, collaborative, and very supportive. The arts teachers are music professionals and perform with and for the students and move them along in the curriculum with such finesse it's like they have private music lessons every day. And, the year was a success. My son was delighted with all his classes, especially his music classes with Monica Sauer Anthony. What a surprise to find him begging us to play his clarinet every evening before we had dinner or before we participted in a famly event. He loved the Science Curriculum, the hands-on activity and his teacher's passion for education. He worked hard in Language Arts and Social Studies and really showed off his new found maturity and knowledge during Presentation Week. And the lessons he learned in Life Skills class were really applicable and life changing. Then the performances at the end of the year were very remarkable and telling. I saw kids excelling in their musical expertise and showing off this success with such poise and confidence that I couldn't believe these were the same kids I met just 10 months prior at our summer welcome parties. The school does have a rigorous application process that leaves you on edge just wondering if your son or daughter will be permitted entry into this prestigious, blue ribbon school. The school doesn't tolerate any bullying and supports all types of students. And, the school is near Downtown Phoenix, so there are issues with the campus being spread across some streets, but those are being addressed quickly as they are building and expanding into new facilities that will offer a number of benefits for the ever-growing school. This school is really a dream. It's an educational opportunity I would recommend to any parent. I think my son would write a similiar recommendation!

I have had 6 kids there over the years and the school has really gone downhill recently…read more Leadership cannot keep things straight, then invent new policies and apply them here and there but no constancy and a huge lack of communication. The students are the ones losing out due to them shifting to be a very punitive type of campus. They have taken retaliatory actions against my children for me pointing out their hypocrisy and sadly the kids are only there because they want to be there whereases before I loved and supported the school and wanted them there, now i dont but they want to be there, so im trying to put up with it but many parents i talk to are disappointed with them as well, and new parents should be warned. They cut dozens of good teachers due to loss of students, but they seem to want to push more out!!!

I can't say enough great things about this school! Every single morning, you're welcomed with…read moresmiles, and everyone is there to help guide the kids safely to their classrooms. The campus is always spotless--from the grounds outside to the hallways inside. The teachers genuinely care about the students, and it shows in everything they do. Mr. Anthony is an amazing principal who has created such a positive, welcoming environment for the children and their families. I wish there were more places to leave a review because I'd happily leave a five-star review on every platform. Thank you to everyone at the school for all that you do for our kids!

Focuses on grades, but not much help there's no tutoring when you ask for tutoring they just tell…read moreyou to go on your computer and look. Not family oriented something I don't really like. Don't really bring the spirit at school. Really feels like a school that just focuses on grades not personable.

I toured this school not too long ago with my husband, what I saw what not the best yet not the…read moreworst. While they are somewhat organized, the cafeteria looked quite messy. But, I will take this place into consideration in regards of my wonderful daughter!

A lot could improve just don't go there. the teachers talked bad about my daughter.I was very…read moredisappointed to find out my daughter cried herself to sleep because of this inverment.Thank you for reading and please just don't put your kids through that unless you truly don't care please don't go there.

Good school my kids came here teachers are nice. The only thing is the classrooms how they smell…read morelike wet rags. Wish they can do something about that. But dont get me wrong its a great school.

I've worked with many of the Cartwright teachers, have observed them teach in classroom as well as…read moreteach professional development courses to fellow teachers. They are professional, knowledgeable, and motivated. The students I have interviewed seem happy and alert. I asked one Grade 2 student what they did at beginning of the day and he said something about studying the city of Phoenix. I asked him who the mayor was. Without hesitation, he said, "Greg Stanton." When I asked how he knew that, he replied, "I looked it up on the internet." That was in November, so early in his Grade 2 year. The administration and their staff are conscientious and eager to accommodate the needs of students, parents, teachers and the community. They are excellent.

My son attended 1 horrifying year here... This has got to be the worst un organized school in the…read morevalley..first of all they make the kids wear uniforms, and I am all for that except when I see teachers and staff dressed like they were on their way out of door to go to a rave..unacceptable .. In a whole school year I did not once see the principle out on school grounds and my son said he never saw him either..the secretaries dont know much and never return calls ..when you ask them a question they give you a look like they were a deer in headlights..my son was accused of something he did not do, and taken into the vice principle office and interrogated by himself without parent permission..should have taken that one to the board...but I am happy now I have him in a great school, the principle knows the kids by name..the teachers and staff are great ..but yet it lingers in my mind as to where all my tax dollars are going? This school should concentrate on getting organized..especially the principle and secretaries..also maybe a dress code should be in place for staff ...

This school was never very special to me. The only reason I tried was because of the praise I was…read moregiven which eventually lead me to having a complex. Always telling me that because we learned a year ahead we were special. I never really learned until I left the reality of high school. It's so different from what I was prepared for, and I was never taught about it, so I was terrified. Even though I was never harassed in this school I always felt left out. No one really talked to me and that's kinda because the thought of grades always stuck to me and left me pretty anti-social. I was in gifted and was proud but now I'm just a burned out mess full of anxiety about little things because I was taught grades were worth more than my mental health. I'm mentally not stable anymore and people I know are the same. I'm ashamed that this school is the only thing I could ever have on my resume when I eventually get any job because I was just too focused on trying to put in so much effort that I didn't have time for anything else. Truth is, all that stress and effort got me B's at best, which made me feel absolutely useless. The lessons weren't even entertaining and I always felt like I was doing the same thing over and over again. Like a repeating process that I got sick off and wanted to leave from. This school never really stuck to me as "wow, this is a good school." It's like "oh, this is what screwed me up." Y'know? The fact that we had to wear uniforms is understandable but if I didn't have it I would get in trouble. We had to pay for wearing normal clothes as if it was a privilege and most of the time I couldn't afford it because my parents were BROKE. The only reason I got in at a young age was because of someone I knew and it's not something I'm proud of. I just don't like being put on a pedestal and gain all this pressure because of one school I went to. The only reason I got an A in my math class was because the teacher was chill about everything which made the kids go to havoc, making me feel like the only stable thing in there. You can look at Phuq's post for more things that happened in their time of going there, since I didn't have many memorable things when I went there. Kachow

Horrible school ! Do not send your kids here at all! They treated me like shit! Their was only a…read morecouple of good teachers was Mrs.Fala Mr.pierce Mr.Iyler and etc