Academy Of Tucson Elementary School in Tucson

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	7/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Arizona Academic Standards Assessment data from Arizona Department of Education, and using 2025 Arizona Science Field Test data from Arizona Department of Education.
Student Growth	7/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Arizona Department of Education.

Posted: August 15, 2024

Their smaller class ratios and campus is what I was specifically looking for. I believe that teachers who have smaller classes are more attentive and less stressed. AOTE teachers and staff are welcoming, attentive and supportive. My child had an awesome six years there!

THANK YOU ACADEMY OF TUCSON ELEMENTARY!!! :)

I highly recommend them!!!

Posted: May 27, 2021

Its has been a great school for our kids the teachers are dedicated and incredibly supportive. Administration supportive and dedicated. I would recommend this to anyone.

Posted: January 21, 2020

I'm over all unsatisfied with misc things at all of the academy of tucson schools.

Posted: November 18, 2019

Always wonderful! My kid loves going to Academy if Tucson!

Posted: June 24, 2019

More concerned about their reputation then kids.

Posted: June 24, 2019

Not happy with their professionalism of admin or office.

Posted: June 24, 2019

Sad because I had such high hopes. Not a good environment at all for anyone.

Posted: July 24, 2018

My son loves this school!
AOT has an efficient and effective way of teaching their kids. I recommend this school to all of my friends!

Posted: October 8, 2017

A+ school! Never putting my children in any other schools!

Posted: September 18, 2017

I enjoy substituting at this school. I always feel welcomed and appreciated by staff, teachers and the student body. The lesson plans are through.

Posted: September 12, 2017

My Grandsons are in First grade and Kindergarten. I have been lucky enough to participate in several volunteer opportunities and I'm delighted they attend Academy of Tucson.

Posted: July 30, 2015

I was in debate over giving four stars or five. You can see where I settled. The teachers at this school are outstanding! The atmosphere for the kids is great. The only kids I have noticed that didn't love the school appeared to have behavioral or family issues. I am not saying all that didn't like the school do....just all of the kids that I observed over the course of one year of picking my kiddo up less than one day per week.

This sounds like a five star review, right? Well, my only issue is their lack of willingness to even consider making an exception on their arbitrary cutoff for kindergarten. The cutoff for state funding is 1 Jan, most schools use 1 Sept because that is the cutoff for state funding if a child ends up repeating kindergarten. AOT's cutoff is 15 Sept. They are already making a blanket exception for every child with a birthdate between 1 and 15 Sept, why would they not even evaluate a child who may be ready but have a birthdate in that grey area? As a result of this policy, we will be forced to have our next kindergartener attend a different school and then attempt to transfer in after she has completed kindergarten...which is potentially detrimental to her social development. Had their policy been one that allowed for evaluation of the potential student, and a teacher told us that she isn't ready, we would stop pursuing this...but it isn't. Our oldest would not have been allowed to enroll in Kindergarten at nearly all of the schools in the city (because of her birthdate)....but she was one of the more advanced students in her class. The one star was only lost because of the rigid enforcement of an arbitrary date that isn't even one of the arbitrary dates dictated by the state.

If they fixed this one issue, I would have a hard time justifying rating a school higher than this one.

Posted: July 30, 2015

Posted: June 13, 2015

My daughter has attended AOT since kindergarten and is looking forward to fourth grade. The teachers have been very responsive to the needs of my daughter and have communicated well with me. The curriculum is challenging and the parents are encouraged to volunteer. This year I was involved with the third grade Olympics, preparing meals from different countries related to their heritage project, Science Fun Fest, various field trips, and Water Day. I also dropped in an watched a couple of their class skits. I highly recommend the school.

Posted: January 31, 2015

My grandchildren goes to this school. It has been an A rated school since atleast 2011 when we started vissiting the school. Our grandchildren absolutely loved the old principal and we all miss him and are sorry for his loss. The new principal though is great. This is a great school that is still very academically based. In spite of some of the reviews I have seen mostly the same teachers since we started picking up our grandchildren, I do not see a high turnover rate of teachers or students, and wonder if the other reviewers are reviewing the right school?

Posted: January 23, 2015

I wish more parents would write in and share their good experiences since sites like this mostly generate the bad. I am a parent and had my child go to the Academy of Tucson Schools. My son absolutely loved it and flourished! The Academy schools are fantastic and continue to earn high ratings - not only among parents and students, but also among the state. I have never seen any teacher be mean, or cruel, to students in the 10 years in which I have been associated with the school. The students are also more welcoming than any other school we have ever experienced (being a military family we have moved a lot). I also have had no problem helping at the school whether in the classroom, or any other area that I was needed or willing. What I can say, is that there are parents that don't like their student/s being held accountable. Accountability is a life long lesson and the Academy of Tucson does a great job at teaching our children just how important it is. I have found that most of the parents that are disgruntled with the Academy of Tucson schools, have this issue.

Posted: January 21, 2015

If you are planning on putting your child at this school you might want to make sure you volunteer quite often and trust me it will not be in the classroom because they don't encourage that; in fact it is discouraged. The only parent volunteering that this school ask for is outside of the classroom and making money for the school. (They put up a front and say its because they don't want the child distracted from their learning) but really it's what goes on behind closed doors that some of these teachers don't want to be exposed. what is said to these children behind some of those closed doors can be very detrimental to a child's learning journey. Some of these teachers are very mean and rude to the student and the new principal is as lost as a puppy without it's mama. When she does get involved she makes the situation worse instead of better. She can be confrontational and just chimes in without even knowing the story. She and the superintendent come off as professional but are far from it. Some of the teachers are super afraid to speak their mind in fear of losing their jobs. Finally, some of the administration gossip about the parents/children & are completely wrong; but felt.

Posted: September 16, 2014

Fantastic school, both my kids are there and love it, they look forward to going to school. The teachers are highly skilled and motivated and the principle is in a league of his own. He really does know all the kids by name because he doesn't hide in an office. He gets out there walks the playground, directs traffic and generally gets involved. I can only assume the negative reviews have some kind of other motive since this is a wonderful school. Perhaps somebody didn't get the results they expected because they were unwilling to accept that they have a part to play too.

Posted: August 9, 2014

I can honestly speak to a majority of the teachers at this school. To say that the only grumblings are about the hot temperatures on the playground are ludicrous. I don't know who is painting such a rosy picture, but it is not the teachers I have spoken with. The atmosphere at this school is terrible. The superintendents create an atmosphere of fear and paranoia. Everyone is afraid to be honest because they are worried about job security. The principal has very little respect from the staff. He is viewed as being lazy, a real under achiever. I know of some teachers who can't wait to get out of this school.

Posted: August 1, 2014

My youngest son was thrilled to come back to his school, he loves AOT! He's looking forward to science and all the class pets. Thank you to all the teachers that make this environmentl so safe, bully-free, and successful as an "A" rated school.

Posted: July 26, 2014

Awesome school, tucked away and tuition free, amazingly because this is likely the best public school in Tucson. Highly recommended, best kept secret.

Posted: July 25, 2014

The start of school is just around the corner and I am so happy to report all of our teacher staff is returning! (100% retention) The previous reviewer is misinformed and should not put incorrect information in their review in order to make our school look bad. Our teachers seem very happy and my children love this school! We can't wait for another great school year!

Posted: July 23, 2014

As a very satisfied and quite frankly a happy and fortunate teacher at AOT, I can speak for the majority of the teachers if not all. The only grumbling that goes on at this great school is how hot it is on the playground during the summer. Clearly if this parent is not happy, yet feels the need to fabricate trash regarding the teachers, principal, etc. then I bid them farewell. We all have an open door policy, so feel free to speak to any of the teachers in regards to our great school.

Posted: May 21, 2014

We were disappointed by this school. My child had some very specific needs and was struggling and they were willing only to a point to help. We kept trying but when it comes down to it, they have very limited resources. As long as your child does not need any special services or accommodations, he or she should do fine

Posted: May 19, 2014

I am not impressed with this school. It lacks in up to date materials as well as technology. The school really needs to invest in technology as well as the most basic in classroom supplies . If you compare it to other schools, it fails in comparison.

Posted: May 19, 2014

I cannot say enough about Academy of Tucson Elementary School. As a parent of a child with special/specific needs everyone from Principal Allardice, therapists, teachers, office staff and parent volunteers have been nothing but helpful, encouraging, flexible, accommodating, extremely knowledgeable and respectful to my child and our entire family. I feel such comfort with my child in their care and educational expertise. I am an involved parent and I have been heard and welcomed as an active participant in my child's educational, emotional and behavioral plan. It is such an honor and relief to find a school that has my trust in all areas of a child's educational needs. Our experience as an entire family has been nothing but positive. As this amazing school year comes to an end I would like to thank everyone involved at Academy of Tucson, well done, many thanks! I fully recommend this school for any and all children.

Posted: April 6, 2014

I absolutely love this school! I'm so glad I placed my daughter here. She is now in first grade and excelling. It's like a family here. The teachers are great and so is the principal. I'm actually shocked by some of the reviews, we haven't experienced anything like that at AOT. I highly recommend this school!

Posted: March 23, 2014

Just reviewed the average scores for our school, great stuff! Nothing but good from this school. Some parents are cowards and use this venue to complain, doesn't matter what school they go to, they whine, moan and complain. They don't help with the school or it's children. There are other schools to utilize in the neighborhood that only want warm bodies.. Please do take the grief there. Many others that would HAPPILY take your place at this school.

Posted: March 12, 2014

The last posting seems to be very defensive and frankly quite perplexing. There are many CONVERSATIONS that are not appropriate for professionals in a school setting and the students of the school. Talking about religion is a CONVERSATION that should be taking place between a child and their parents. Isn't this common knowledge? I would question the last reviewer that said there is no hidden agenda.

Posted: March 6, 2014

In regards to the previous posting - if a child at school starts talking about his or her religion most people would ask where they go to church. It is called having a conversation. He doesn't have any hidden agenda. We have a great principal who cares about every student. And he knows them all by name. Can you say that about most schools? If this is a serious concern of yours, why not address the principal himself and find out what the whole conversation was rather than post your "assumptions" where every potential new family can see it. Go and have a CONVERSATION with the principal.

Posted: March 6, 2014

I don't believe it is called a conversation when an adult brings up religion to elementary students in a public school setting. That should not be happening. Review the Constitution. Our school has students with varied religious beliefs. I would not want to alienate a single one. I believe we should keep religion out of public schools.

Posted: December 25, 2013

Yes, it probably is time for an ACTUAL teacher to respond to the comments. As someone who has taught at this school for many years it is unfortunate that I too will be looking for employment elsewhere. The high turnover at this school is happening for a reason. Morale at this school is low. Teachers have had enough. I know that I am not the only one. Let's see how many more teachers leave this year. It is sad really, when some of the teachers who have left tell me how incredibly happy they are to NOT be at AOT. Some schools treat their staff as professionals on all levels.

Posted: December 25, 2013

I am considering pulling my child from this school mid year. After touring other Elementary schools in northeast Tucson, I am astounded by some of the differences. This school pales in comparison to TanqueVerde Elementary.

Posted: November 9, 2013

I am so proud of the teachers at this school for getting an A rating. I am not proud of the Superintendents for going YEARS without giving teacher's raises. I am not proud of the principal for not earning the respect of the staff. Not proud of the fact that teachers will be leaving this school as soon as possible for better employment. They have no idea how deep seated the resentment is, how bad things are. When the good teachers leave because they have had enough,will they still have the A rating?

Posted: November 9, 2013

How can it be said that the school does not have a high teacher turnover when nine of twenty teachers are new? I think that says something about the way teachers are treated at this school.

Posted: October 25, 2013

Reading through the reviews it appears there is a lot of dissatisfaction with things at the Elementary school. I was worried about high teacher turnover - it's never a good sign. My concerns are about how unhappy teachers are overall. It seems as though the school ignores concerns of teachers and parents. They write nasty comments as rebuttals to parents reviews. I am looking for a school that actually listens to concerns of parents that only want the best for their children. It has become apparent that this just isn't the school for my children. I will be pulling my kids and enrolling them at Tanque Verde Elementary. It is far more organized and the principal truly cares about concerns as well as displaying professionalism on all levels. It also feeds into a superior Middle School. I never intended to send my children onto to AOT Middle School. Submitted by a parent

Posted: October 2, 2013

The school needs to invest in fixing the situation at pick up. With a little time and money this mess could be fixed. It is a direct reflection of the lack of organization,drive, and leadership.

Posted: August 12, 2013

There is obviously a problem with a school when it has such high turnover. There are many teachers who left for many reasons. One of the reasons is the lack of respect for the Administrator. It becomes very apparent to a staff when the person that you are working under does very little with their time. Teachers work extremely hard for their paychecks. A staff expects their superiors to work harder than they do, not significantly less.

Posted: August 12, 2013

I asked a teacher why the turnover is so high at this school. I was suprised to find out that the teachers haven't had a raise in several years. This becomes hard to take when you must also take on the responsibilities of superiors who delegate their work load. It's shameful really. I pray things change.

Posted: August 11, 2013

My children have been attending the Academy of Tucson for a number of years now. Although there are always things that we could nit pick about at any school our children attend, I would highly recommend this school. Though we are only a few days into the new year, my children are excited to come home and tell me about their day. Their teachers seem eager to be at school and are jumping into the year feet first with positive attitudes. This is a school that allows for parent involvement on a regular basis, extension field trips that add to the student learning, and opportunities for the students to excel academically. Sure the parking lot issue is tough, and traffic the first week seemed unbearable. But honestly it is worth it to me to wait in traffic a few extra minutes to make sure that all students are safe at dismissal. Remember nothing runs smoothly without practice. In no way is the traffic issue a reflection of poor leadership, the parking lot issues have been around long before this was AOTE. The principal is very approachable, he seems to have good rapport with his staff, parents, and students. This is a great community school that strives for excellence.

Posted: August 11, 2013

I asked a teacher why the turnover is so high at this school. I was suprised to find out that the teachers haven't had a raise in several years. This becomes hard to take when you must also take on the responsibilities of superiors who delegate their work load. It's shameful really. I pray things change.

Posted: August 11, 2013

I am amused by all the negative reviews. They all carry the same theme, almost as if they were written by the same person who has an axe to grind. Complaining about the parking situation on the first day of school is sheer lunacy. I suggest you check out the parking lots on some of the TUSD schools. My children have been going to AOT for the last 6 years. Currently one in 6th grade and one in 2nd grade. I throughly trust all the teachers at AOT. They are all high quality teachers. Yes some did leave over the summer. One moved because her husband got transferred to another city, another got a better paying position. Such is life. The current princial is the best we have had in the 6 years we have been here. He has the most open door policy I have seen. He is on the playground in the morning before school starts, you can make appointments to see him, he is at the monthly Parent Advisory Committee meetings. He even has a monthly Peter Piper Pizza day where you can meet with him off campus in a neutral setting to discuss any school business you want. I have not seen any other school official do that. I highly recommend this school.

Posted: August 7, 2013

This school lacks leadership. This is reflected in pick up and parking procedures. It is reflected in the lack of professionalism of the administration. It is reflected in the teachers' lack of respect for the administration. Many of the parents that I have spoken with are not happy with the way things are being run at this school. Many of the teachers are frustrated as well.

Posted: July 24, 2013

To who ever made the comment about the principal wearing causal clothing at the graduation ceremony. I was there. I think you mistaken the principal for someone else. He was wearing dress pants shirt and tie.

Posted: June 4, 2013

The kindergarten graduation ceremony was wonderful! The pride the principal and teachers have in their students showed through. Thank you all for your hard work with my kiddo!

Posted: May 27, 2013

I saw this principal at an AOT graduation ceremony and was shocked at his casual appearance. As a professional representing a school, I would expect professional attire. Old jeans and an untucked shirt are far from that. This school used to take pride in the image it portrayed to the public.

Posted: May 8, 2013

I have 2 children at this school. We enrolled them this year because the classroom sizes were suppose to be small and the education is suppose to be great. My son is in 3rd grade and carries a 20lb backpack home everyday (he weighs 60lbs). The teachers are rude and talk badly about the students and often yell at the kids for asking questions. The teachers seem to be uninterested in the students or thier success. The parking situation is horrible and is a reflection of the lack or organization and leadership of the principal and staff. I will be pulling my kids out this year and sending them to our local public school for it is better organized and has a principal that cares about her school and her own image.

Posted: March 15, 2013

After researching several elementary schools, I have decided not to choose The Academy of Tucson. I was not impressed with my meeting with the Administration and I was not at all impressed with the school's website that publishes information with spelling errors. If they can't take a few minutes to proof read, it makes me wonder where else they fall short.

Posted: September 24, 2012

Principals are leaders. i find it disconcerting that this principal chose as the banner photo on FB, a photo of himself standing next to a man holding a beer in his hand. The principal is smiling and giving the thumbs up sign. The man with the beer is a cardboard cut out of someone who is known to advertise a certain beer in commercials. Doesn't this principal realize that students look at these social network sites? That students look up to him and he has a responsibility to set certain examples. Where is the leadership here? Beyond disappointed. I'll be looking for a school that upholds our family's values. This obviously is not the one.

Posted: July 18, 2012

I have children in both the elementary and middle school. I was very disappointed to see that the middle school principal was moved to the elementary school. I know that many of the teachers at the middle school were very unhappy with this principal. I hope that this decision doesn't negatively effect the elementary school. From what I've heard I'm afraid it will.

Posted: April 15, 2012

I will also be pulling both of my children out of the school this year. This is our second year at the Academy. I have found the teachers hard to communicate with and the principal ineffective at best. The teachers are frustrated with her also. The lunch program is ridiculous. They have lunch catered due to no cafeteria and is approximately $5.00 per day! The children are required to eat under a ramada rather than indoors, unless it us raining or snowing. They also stand as a school in the morning on the basketball court to say the pledge and sing the school song. Even when the temperature is below freezing. The parking lot is also a disaster. It took me over ten minutes to drive through the lot to pick up my child. I agree with the other parent that the traffic directors try, but there are just too many people in too small a space. Part of the reSins I came to this school was because of the small classes expecting individual attention and do not feel that happens. I am also surprised by the amout of bullying that happens even though there is supposed to be zero tolerance.

Posted: April 14, 2012

The most honest review I can give to this school is a mixed one. It used to be an outstanding school and education and I would have loved for all my kids to spend all their elementary years here. However, the past two years things have been sliding a little downward. Allthough most all of the teachers here are outstanding, many seem somewhat disgruntled and/or unhappy. The school which was once a wonderful academic and family envolved environment has added too many students and lost it's past character. It's over crowded parking lot seems like a catastrophe waiting to happen. The parking monitors help a lot but they can only do so much. I can't imagine it is legal to have so many cars jamming in a small 2 lane parking lot! As if the parking lot nightmare wasn't enough, pulling in and out of the school is a nightmare! The lunch program is sub par at best. It is still a good school but not nearly the academic environment it once was. I was one of it's biggest fans and am really, really sad to be taking my kids out after the end of this school year, but I don't see things looking up here for the future. I will miss the lovely campus, great teachers and great office manager.

Posted: January 27, 2012

We have two children at AOT Elementary and have found the teachers, entire staff, classroom environment, and fellow parents to all be above our expectations. Both of our children are being challenged and are progressing wonderfully. Parents have to be willing, from Kindergarten on to spend some time almost every weekday studying with their children... You can reliably expect homework and study material daily and weekly. Our kids are making friends and we are meeting other good parents. Opportunities to help out in class, during special events, and after school keep parents involved and help them get to know one another too.

Posted: December 7, 2011

This is a great school! The teachers are caring, and communicate well with the parents. They work very hard to get students up to par. The curriculum is rigorous and may not be for all families, however, my children love their teachers and friends that they have made. The current principal of this school is very difficult to communicate with, if there is more than one thing going on at once she gets quickly overwhelmed, and cannot communicate. The teachers don't seem as happy as they have in past years, the lack of leadership may be why.

Posted: January 31, 2011

As a former teacher here I must say that this school is wonderful. The class sizes are small (about 20 students per class) and the staff here is great. Along with an excellent education the school also offers PE, Art, Music, and a Library. Learning is important at this school and the teachers truly care about all the students.

Posted: October 11, 2010

My son and I absolutely love this school. Class sizes are relatively small so the children get more 1:1 attention. I also love the fact that there is a no bullying policy which is strictly enforced so that my son can focus 100% of his attention on learning. Teachers and staff are very personable and will take the time to address any concerns you have without redirecting you to someone else that's not going to help you. The curriculum is geared more towards actual life and problem solving skills and is presented in a way my son can easily understand and assimilate.

Posted: January 5, 2008

Posted: December 5, 2007

#	Name	Type	City	State	Overall Rating	Distance
1	Austin Point	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Tucson	AZ		4.3 mi
2	Crow Creek Townhomes	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Tucson	AZ		6.5 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Old Spanish Trail/Harrison Area	Tucson	AZ	4.3 mi
2	Foothills	Tucson	AZ	4.6 mi
3	Reid Park and Zoo Area	Tucson	AZ	7.9 mi
4	Allegro	Tucson	AZ	8.6 mi
5	Artistic District	Tucson	AZ	9.2 mi

Academy Of Tucson Elementary School

Tucson, AZ 85715

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Academy Of Tucson Elementary School

Tucson, AZ 85715

School Ratings

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