Miles-Exploratory Learning Center

Posted: March 1, 2021

Sadly, this school put my child with special needs in danger and then completely abandoned her. This was our home district and we were happy to get my children into what we thought was a kind and inclusive school community. The problem at Miles wasn't the teachers, they are caring and creative, the problem is poor resources and ineffective and inflexible administration. The district will try to get out of paying anything they can for students with special needs. I had a letter documenting my child's need for an aide from her developmental pediatrician and they had the data from the school showing she clearly needed 1:1 support but they still would not provide it due to the cost. When my 5 year old got away from her teacher who was in charge of a whole kindergarten class and ran into a busy street they finally recognized that she needed some aide support. That was several months into the year when she had already been endangered by their reckless policies. Then when school went to online only in March 2020 and my 6 year old child with special needs could not learn that way, admin just gave up and refused to educate her. They would not bring her in for tutoring or any services, nothing, even though her special ed teacher recognized that she could not learn online and wanted to teach her in person and felt she could do it safely, admin refused and completely abandoned her. The school has remained shuttered for an entire year now, 12 months, to students who desperately needed in person education, what a travesty, I feel terribly for any students stuck in TUSD who needed in person education and have list out on so much. I am so incredibly thankful we got our kids into CFSD, they are doing an excellent job educating all children safely even during a challenging year and are a much more welcoming and inclusive community!

Posted: March 1, 2021

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Posted: January 14, 2020

Most homework for k-3 is busy work. I think it should be more focused on activities than on academic practice. The 4-5 homework seems to be more project focused, which tends to encompass more cohesiveness between many subjects, which is good.

Posted: January 14, 2020

The team teaching and ratio dilution is paramount.

Posted: January 14, 2020

The atmosphere of inclusion and the absence of any observable bullying are a testament to the character of kids attending Miles ELC.

Posted: January 14, 2020

I think the leadership has evolved and added excellent characteristics that strive to navigate the trenches of the TUSD administration. Effectively, this leadership succeeds in spite of the TUSD admin.

Posted: January 14, 2020

The hearing impaired fully integrated classrooms and the multi-grade mentoring approach is boost to everyone in the program

Posted: January 14, 2020

Students striving to earn the Ben's Bells kindness awards and the overall lack of bullying is almost unreal!

Posted: January 14, 2020

We have had a tremendously positive experience at Miles ELC. We turned down self-contained GATE offers several times to stay at Miles ELC. Our kids look forward to school and learning and they strive to be supportive, kind and helpful to their schoolmates. The Gardening, Art, and Music programs are wonderful addition as well as the enrichment and sports. These programs wouldn't happen without the hard work and organization from the School's leadership and office staff.

Posted: January 1, 2014

I believe Miles used to be one of the best schools in Tucson, however, that is unfortunately not true anymore. There are only a few good teachers left and if you are not lucky enough to get them, then it is really bad. Leadership is lacking, especially in the areas of responsibility and change. I think that any continued success that Miles has is really riding on the coattails of previous staff and administration. Miles has an excellent reputation but that applies to earlier times. That and an incredible community of parents and volunteers who try to keep the school great. Unfortunately, that is not what is educating your child on a daily basis. There are many amazing and dedicated parents who have tried to work with the school that have been pulling their children out and sending them elsewhere. Also, if you have a child with SpEd needs (outside of hearing impairments) they will not receive their services at Miles. Notice that the rave reviews of Miles and how old they are dated, which only proves my point. I hope that this small school can regain its glory, but it will take new leadership and many years, years that my child will no longer be attending.

Posted: September 23, 2013

this school is awesome i rated 5 stars because they have a lot of activities for my kid and they learn from it

Posted: April 12, 2011

If you are a parent of a special needs student, who isn't deaf or hard of hearing, you need to tread carefully when thinking about Miles. It used to have a great reputation for autism and inclusion, but its original autism team left and a huge hole exists that does not offer supports students need. It's been a huge disappointment. Think of looking elsewhere.

Posted: September 15, 2010

When I look back at the 5 years my kids have been at Miles, I feel like I've won the lottery. It's an incredible community of exceptionally dedicated teachers, a very diverse student body and parents of all walks who all support the school however they can.