Arts Academy at Estrella Mountain in Tolleson

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	2/10	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	6/10	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 18, 2026

Dont expect your kid to actually learn anything here. Teachers and administrators are just yes men who dont want you asking tough questions or advocating for your child. They give out As and play movies and games all day. No real learning is happening

Posted: October 20, 2023

This school has been a great experience.

Posted: March 29, 2023

I did not feel respected or valued at this school.

Posted: June 10, 2022

I worked at AAEM for a couple of years on the lower elementary side. Prior to working here, I had experience at several other elementary schools as a classroom teacher in the state of Arizona. AAEM is by far the best school that I worked at throughout my teaching career. These teachers really do want what's best for their students, and they try to make the impossible possible. Parents have to be somewhat understanding and empathetic to the fact that teachers in Arizona face many hardships and difficulties surrounding the political side of education in Arizona. They are doing the absolute best they can. AAEM has a decent amount of resources and teachers/administration who actually CARE about their students. I highly recommend working here and/or bringing your children here for their educaiton.

Posted: May 16, 2021

With the principal leaving (this job was NOT for her... she should have stuck to teaching first graders with her immature attitude) and other teams falling apart, you can totally tell why this is a school on the verge of being taken over by the state due to its poor grade. (D/F school) The kids never did work, parents were lazy and not pushing their kids to work, teachers were belittling students- fat shaming them, giving high grades to those who were friendly towards them( since when is a 63% a "B" grade?) The moral sucked, there was NO discipline or consequences for bad behavior.. it was ok to play with lighters in the bathroom, skip class, swear.. the place is run more like a circus than a place of education. Take your child elsewhere. It is only going to get worse!

Posted: May 16, 2021

Posted: December 3, 2020

this school has helped my son a lot he brought his grades up and knows hoe to respect and me kind

Posted: December 3, 2020

Posted: April 9, 2019

For the most part, both of my daughters enjoy attending this school. My experience has been good.

Posted: April 9, 2019

Posted: March 15, 2018

So far it's been a good experience with staff and my son's teacher. He loves going to school.

Posted: March 15, 2018

They focus on each kid's needs as an individual as well as a group. (at least my son's teacher does)

Posted: October 11, 2017

So far our experience is great with the school our son is in first grade an enjoys going everyday

Posted: February 5, 2017

have not encounter a situacion but hope that they handle it appropriate

Posted: February 5, 2017

Can't really comment on this, I believe my daughter is doing good with my help but will see in the future if she needs extra help

Posted: February 5, 2017

communication between admin is not effective, seems like they are not team players and not willing to go beyond of their title, still belive this could change do, "hope"

Posted: February 5, 2017

i dont belive my daugther really understands this concept yet and it would be unfair to say that they do or not

Posted: February 5, 2017

my daughter tested high when class first started, however she decline at the begining of the year, it only took the teacher 6 months to undo my hard work

Posted: February 5, 2017

My daughter gets moderate homework, all do she is in kindergarden, I work with her reagrdless, just dont like that teacher doesnt take the time to review it, I know that we as parents are suppose to monitor this and help our kids and I totally agree with it but at least glance at it to make the kids feel good.

Posted: February 5, 2017

This is my first year returning to this school, teacher is not at all welcoming, laking communication and social skills, not enough team players withing admin, other teachers are great do, unfortunately I didn't get one of them. They participate in the free lunch program but food is not that great, many of the same items in the menu.

Posted: February 3, 2017

This is my daughter's first year at AAEM and we both love it. From day one she was welcomed into the school with open arms. A lot of the staff including teachers and administration are very personable and caring. My daughter's teacher is great, she is always keeping me in the loop with everything and I really enjoy the open line of communication we have. It seems we have a common goal and that is to make sure our children are getting the best education. I am pleased I chose AAEM for my daughter to attend K-8.

Posted: October 18, 2016

Administration and principal are money driven and terrible. Communication is lacking. We had more than 4 principals in 6 years.

Posted: October 18, 2016

Most of them don't even have teaching license. Not required at charter schools. Free for all here.

Posted: October 18, 2016

Administration is awful! Teachers are in constant turn-over. The principal drops the ball often and then covers up for himself and staff.

Posted: April 4, 2016

The teachers that have been at the school for over 2-3 years are great, the newer ones are still adjusting and sometimes it feels as if they need more practice.

Posted: April 4, 2016

My son had a bullying problem and because the teacher never talked to the student who bullied him the bullying continued for more than it should have.

Posted: April 4, 2016

My son has been going to Arts Academy for about 3 years now, they have a great honors program and the extra curricular activities always have great teachers. I love that there is a performance every quarter and teachers reach out to parents consistently. Love that school!

Posted: February 22, 2016

This school has gone downhill since it first opened back in 2005. It went from having Art, Band, & sports to very little programs that have nothing to do with "Art". Teachers and Office assistants do as much as they could with what is given to them but Higher Management (Principle & Vice Principle) are a joke. So sad to see this school get so low when it had so much potential.

Posted: February 22, 2016

Posted: November 20, 2014

Thank you for working so diligently in helping me educate my children. The staff there is great!

Posted: September 16, 2014

My children attend Arts Academy and have been for the last two years. I am so happy with my girls teachers and the assistant principal is great. Whenever I have a concern it is addressed. My kids love it there and my husband and I are looking forward to A midsummer's night dream!

Posted: September 14, 2014

I moved my kids to Legacy Traditional in Sept of 2013 and I'm so glad I did. Legacy is not perfect but it improved to an A rated school and the leadership seems alot more professional. I decided to move my kids after Mr. Alexanderl was disrepectful to my wife when he raised his voice at her after a disagreement. We had been told by both of our children that Mr. Alexander would intimidate the children by yelling at them and belittling them. My kids felt like he was bullying them.

Posted: September 14, 2014

This school has changed so much over these past couple of years, unfortunately for the worst. My child has been a student here for 7yrs and the only reason she is still attending is because she has maintained good grades and she has good teachers. I'm saddened by the fact that the grade has dropped to a "C" i know that teachers are trying but they lack support from admin. The Principal is rude and very disrespectful, i have witnessed him yelling at teacher, parents and students, i truly believe he is the wrong person for this position, AAEM needs a positive and caring person that will accept positive feedback from where it is offered.

Posted: September 12, 2014

I recently removed my children from this school because of the principal. Under his leadership, the school's grade dropped from a B to a C. I have seen him in arguments in the office with parents and decided this is not the place for my children.

Posted: May 5, 2014

it is a good place and it has fun things to do mis.borthold is the best LOVE KALEENAH IN MIS.BORTHOLD'S CLASS I HOPE HER SEES THIS

Posted: April 20, 2014

I am a teacher at this school and while the school needs to reimplement a fine arts program(after all it is an "arts academy") as well as a band program, it is a great school to work at. I feel supported and encouraged by the vice principal as well as the CEO. The students are hard working and the parents are helpful and supportive. I think the school will continue to improve with positive guidance from administration. Teachers at this school are dedicated and motivated to move students into the 21st century. If anything, I would just encourage administration to recognize all teachers for the hard work they are doing and focus on the positive. Also, implement more rewards/incentives for our students who are truly remarkable whether it is in their grades or their character.

Posted: April 15, 2014

The school needs a band and art teacher but other than that i like the school.

Posted: April 11, 2014

This is the second year my daughter has attended AAEM. I read the negative comments about the principal and other office staff and I am sorry to hear other parents feel that way. Fortunately, I haven't had any negative feedback from any of the staff or teachers. This year all of my daughter's teachers have been helpful and respond to me promptly via email when issues arise regarding my daughter's education. The parking / picking up children situation could use some reevaluation. It is very challenging. If there was more than one way to enter and exit the school instead of on 91st Ave. , that might alleviate some of the traffic congestion. Other than that, my husband and I are pleased with our daughter's progress at AAEM.

Posted: March 9, 2014

I cannot believe how much the school has gone down hill these past 2 years. Communication is the worst it has ever been. My son and his classmates say their teachers complain about the principal during class. Earlier this year I was walking up to the office when I heard the principal arguing and yelling at another parent. Very sad and unprofessional. I will move my son to another school next year.

Posted: February 20, 2014

The principal is rude. He needs to learn how to treat people with respect. My daughter loves her teacher but me and other parents cannot stand the parking problem or the principal. I believe he is the wrong person for the job.

Posted: January 15, 2014

This school is something else my kids are behind and Vice principal, principal and 8th grade math teacher don't care. My kids have ask for make up work for missing a day and the teachers reply was its not my fault you missed school. Another kid in same class was egnored when ask for his paper work and end up going to principle just to get his home work three days later with excuses that our printer is broke. I'm sure there's more than one printer there. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS SCHOOL AT ALL.

Posted: January 7, 2014

Nothing but a nightmare at this school the principal and new vice principal are rude never in there office when need. The vice principal is more worried about her book she's going to right then her Student so sad. Your only good as your leaders maybe it's time for new leaders. From what my kids say is every month a teacher quits.

Posted: December 11, 2013

so i attended this school last year fourced to because my family was doing bad at our old school. so we were new and i got put into the D class but most of my class was new to.so why did they put the label D if they dont know our abilities. so i got a form that said i was going to be in the honors class. not much of an honors class. the class is rude and the teachers teach us the same as all other classes. i don't get how this school has 4 stars. the principal scares all the kid here.my cousin was told 3 times that he was going to be expelled and yet he's still here. they just give the kids in school suspension and are done with them. they olny expell the students that do little things. also my cousin was bullied. hah! they didnt expell the kid bcuz it was two kids that did it. i have alot to say about this prison. oops! i meant school. no i meant jail! get better AAEM!!!

Posted: October 14, 2013

I have a lot of friends here and the work is not always easy but my teachers always help me. I think most of the teachers in the 8th grade really want to help us and have fun with us. My favorite thing about the school is some of my teachers and the students. I wish they had more field trips and more sports equipment for 8th grade.

Posted: October 1, 2013

This school is not perfect but no school is. All I would say to all of you considering this school is to check it out and see if it is a good fit for your kid. My kids love it here and I am ok with the school's challenges right now because it grew so much in over just two years. It is the most popular school around here.

Posted: October 1, 2013

The dust has settled and all the kids are doing great. The routines are really helping my kids. This school has a lot of parents that are involved. I like how they invite me to be part of everything. Ignore the negatives below. When I saw them, I was disappointed to see that we always point out the bad instead of the good. The parents that complain need to learn no school is perfect. They need to offer solutions. Cannot believe them.

Posted: October 1, 2013

This happens when you are rude to office staff and then you do not like when you are asked to leave the premises. Many parents witnessed you taking out your aggressions on a staff that is willing to help your kids. Get over it! Glad you left! A parent at AAEM for 7 years so trust me when I say this guy needed help!

Posted: August 22, 2013

Just moved here. Kids (grades 1 and 4) went to an awesome charter school in Nevada last year. Picked Arts Academy over Dos Rios after reading reviews and hoping for a similar experience. WRONG. So far, this school has been nothing short of a nightmare. Getting information is a joke at best. They seem to love surprises. Staff seems like they re scrambling to prove last year s problems are fixed while this years problems are plentiful. Pick up process is terrible at best and they will have your kids standing in the heat for prolonged periods of time. Be prepared for the teachers threatening the kids rude and or distracted crossing guards Cafeteria meals are totally unhealthy. Teachers are they even teachers at all?? One of the reasons we moved to Arizona was so my kids could get a better education. Way to go Arts Academy for the first impression. You guys are a mess. As such your school is a mess. We should ve stayed in Sin City smh.

Posted: August 6, 2013

This school was Great about 3 years ago. It however has become the worst school in area! CEO, Principle And staff have the worst communications with its Parents. The dropping off and picking up is a nightmare in itself! Not to mention they treat our kids like Prsioners!!! Would not recommend this school to anyone!!

Posted: August 5, 2013

4 stars my a$$, most of the good reviews are from 4 or more years ago. It might have been a real arts academy then but not now. Somewhere along the lines they slipped.. sorry to say.

Posted: August 5, 2013

Arts Academy is a gross overstatement of this school. Bare as a blank canvas. Its basically a concrete slab with a few buildings on top, nothing artsy about it. The teachers are not what I think qualifies as suitable to teach. Picking up or dropping off your children is ridiculous. I wish I would have known these things before enrolling my children. I'll be getting my kids out as soon as possible. And if you hear good things just as I did, don't fall for it. See for yourself.

Posted: July 29, 2013

We were at this school for three years and every year they had a new principal. This is common. Two of my child's three teachers have also left and they were wonderful teachers. I am unsure if the third teacher is still there, but I wouldn't be surprised. The principal last year even applied to a different Charter School within months of starting at AAEM. There are major problems here. The campus is huge and actually beautiful. The art/drama teachers are wonderful, but only the older kids get to do electives such as dance, and to sum it all up, this school is just out to make money, not for the well-being of your kids. We spent a whole year trying to get my child gifted tested, with no result. The new principal is just as unresponsive and the parking at this facility is a nightmare! There are no buses and they "do not plan on ever getting them". The only reason I gave a second star are for some of the teachers who I know try hard, its just sad that they too are leaving. Would not recommend; we have enrolled our child at a different school which is very hard for us but we have to do what is best for our child.

Posted: January 1, 2013

I'm a student at this school, and I've been here since it opened in 2005, so I have quite a bit to say, naturally. I was in first grade in 2005, and now I'm already about to go to high school. This school has changed very much in all that time, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. The school is much more spacious now, especially since the addition of the new building for the older students. I'm a little disappointed with the school at the moment, though. ALL of the staff seems to care much more about what color your jacket is, no eating during class, etc. To the point where it's less about learning and more about being in uniform. In fact, in every one of the classes I have at this school, they make us get our things out of our backpacks, and put our backpacks against the back wall of the classroom. They did this because 2 students were eating snacks. That's gone way too far, as it's a big inconvenience to have to get something from your backpack. With that said, this school seems more concerned with petty material things than learning. The teachers aren't that great, either (I've gone through 3 math teachers!) I can't complain, though, as it is my last semester here.

Posted: June 6, 2012

Please do not send your students to this school if you would like to see them graduate from high school. Academics are lacking - and preforming arts instructors are not certified. Definitely ask to see standardized test scores and the high school graduation rate of their students if you are considering this school.

Posted: November 17, 2011

My child is in K and I feel that the idea of this school is really great, the follow through, not so much. The things I dislike the most about this school are the crowded play area, the parking lot, and the class rooms seem really dark and depressing. I feel like since this is an "arts school" the class rooms should be bright, there should be murals, there should be flowers, plants, gardens, sandboxes. There is a patch of grass, and a tiny play area where the kids climb all over each other and get hurt constantly. Also, there is no library which seems sad to me for the children. My child's teacher is ok, she seems to not want to be there most of the time, but my child likes her. I feel like they could do more, but I am not ready to throw in the towel yet. I feel like if they can make changes such as making the environment better, and expand the play areas and planted some trees and an organic vegetable garden it would feel more comforting to the children and parents, and also provide organic ingredients for school lunches. Also, allowing children to garden and paint around the school would be educational and make the school look beautiful. It needs some changes to be better.

Posted: November 2, 2011

So far I'm not happy with this school but we can't find any other school in our area that is doing any better. If we could afford private school we would send our children. Having said all of that I think the teachers do the best they can with what is available to them and the Principal is out standing, hopefully better learning is ahead for Arts Academies students!

Posted: September 9, 2011

I transfered to Arts Academy when i was in 3rd grade and just graduated last year from 8th grade. The school is deffinitly better than the other ones around the area. The only problem i had was the school wasnt focusing on education they were more worried about you only having 1 braclet on your arm and what color belts you wear, and there were no buses that took kids home . The teachers are friendly and do a good job i do recomend sending your child there. The best part of going there is there are never fights, all the kids are friendly, and the arts programs they have there are very good.

Posted: July 15, 2011

We found Arts Academy when we first started looking at schools for our first child. Sending your first off to school can be nerve-wracking, but after we visited AAEM I felt a lot better! The staff was friendly, the school had so many activities going on, it was clean, and, of course, completely appealing to the kids. Now my oldest is going into 3rd grade and my second is headed to 1st. We have had nothing but great experiences here. Anytime a situation did present itself, it got handled to everyone's satisfaction. The teachers at AAEM are awesome and really care about these kids. The curriculum is great, not perfect - the staff and teachers are always working and building onto it and that's what makes it even more special - they try new things and use what is effective with the current group. I have had the honor of working in the PTO in the past and help run other parent-based groups. This school loves when parents are involved. They strive for it. I am so glad we found it here and plan on keeping my kids at this school straight thru. It's a great fit for our family.

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Arts Academy at Estrella Mountain

Tolleson, AZ 85353

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Arts Academy at Estrella Mountain

Tolleson, AZ 85353

School Ratings

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