Senita Valley Elementary School

Posted: April 27, 2024

I have two children at this school who are high performers. The curriculum is well-organized and there are many good teachers at the school. The students that aren't engaged are a constant distraction and discipline is poor and ineffective. My children come home everyday complaining about it. It is a mixed culture of kind and respectful students and very disrespectful, undisciplined students. Unfortunately the administration is incredibly ineffective in managing this and it really takes from the experience the teachers and cooperative kids deserve. The students to teacher ratio is closer to 1:30, not 1:20 as they claim.

Posted: April 27, 2024

Posted: April 27, 2024

Posted: April 27, 2024

Posted: April 27, 2024

Posted: April 27, 2024

Posted: April 27, 2024

Posted: April 27, 2024

Posted: August 6, 2022

The kindergartn teachers laugh about getting in students' faces. I don't find anything funny about getting in a 5 year old's face. When a safety issue in the classroom was brought up they refused to do anything about it. They also refuse to evaluate or re-evaluate students for IEPs because they don't have the resources. Parents are referred to as demanding, pompous, and volatile.

Posted: August 6, 2022

Posted: August 6, 2022

Posted: August 6, 2022

Posted: August 6, 2022

Posted: August 6, 2022

Posted: August 6, 2022

Posted: August 6, 2022

Posted: June 28, 2022

I am a former SVE student who just graduated to 6th grade. I think Senita Valley is a very fun school with good academics and fun events. My only complaint would be that the communication (Teacher to parent) isn't the best. Overall this is a very good school.

Posted: June 28, 2022

Posted: June 28, 2022

Posted: June 28, 2022

Posted: June 28, 2022

Posted: June 28, 2022

Posted: June 28, 2022

Posted: June 28, 2022

Posted: January 28, 2022

SANITA VALLEY IS NOT THE BEST SCHOOL IN THE AREA
MESQUITE ELEMENTARY IS THE BEST SCHOOL IN THE AREA

Posted: January 28, 2022

Posted: January 28, 2022

Posted: January 28, 2022

Posted: January 28, 2022

Posted: January 28, 2022

Posted: January 28, 2022

Posted: January 28, 2022

Posted: September 4, 2019

Posted: September 4, 2019

Posted: September 4, 2019

Posted: September 4, 2019

Posted: September 4, 2019

Posted: September 4, 2019

Posted: September 4, 2019

I have two kids that attend Senita Valley Elementary and they both love coming to school each day which as a mom makes me so happy. When I am on campus, it is wonderful to see the administration, teachers, and staff walking around every morning greeting parents and kids. The campus feels safe and welcoming. We have had nothing but positive experiences at Senita Valley! It's the best!

Posted: June 18, 2019

Posted: June 18, 2019

We have had a great experience here with our two daughters. They always love their teachers, and we feel that they have programs to keep them challenged.

Posted: June 18, 2019

Posted: June 18, 2019

Posted: June 18, 2019

Posted: June 18, 2019

Posted: June 6, 2018

Posted: June 6, 2018

The teachers do their best to instill these morals into the students.

Posted: June 6, 2018

Posted: June 6, 2018

My son has ADHD. Yes, he was on medicine, and we were trying multiple Rx, and behavior modifications at school. I tried on multiple occasions to set up an IEP or 504 plan and it never went through. After a couple incidents, the principal decided to make it her personal goal to get us to leave the school. Because of classroom outbursts, emotional instability, and inattention, he always had the finger pointed at him, so he always assumes he's the problem. So, without any investigation after a supposed hitting incident, she suspends him. She suspended my son twice without even talking to him, only talking to the other students, who would always gang up on him. Because of her lies, we punished my son for things he didn't do, learning only later that he never hit anyone. She threatened my son with expulsion and a police record. He was in 3rd grade at the time. She lied to me about what other parents were saying. So no, this school does not support students with learning differences.

Posted: June 6, 2018

Good at first, but after a month or so passed, and discipline issued arose, there were multiple days where I've left this school in tears. The teachers do what they can under the micro-management of Mrs. Erickson, not allowed to manage classrooms on their own. Front staff is genuinely helpful. But after seeing the true colors of the principal, ... I pray no other parent experiences the pain this woman put me through.

Posted: June 6, 2018

Posted: November 23, 2017

Posted: November 23, 2017

Posted: November 23, 2017

Posted: November 23, 2017

I'm a parent of five kids all attended Senita valley. ABSULTLY THE BEST SYSTEM AROUND. We need more schools like SENITA not only in tucson also nation wide throughout the United States.
It's sad how our governments don't focus on education. ***WASTE MONEY ON UNNECESSARY THINGS***
Education shall be the number one priority .....that's how we build generations

Teachers that newly joined senita please adjust to the great school system and don't think about previous schools that lack in teaching.

Posted: November 23, 2017

Posted: November 23, 2017

Posted: November 23, 2017

Posted: May 18, 2015

Connie also does not follow up on bullying, as someone else mentioned. She is afraid of confrontation. As a staff member, when I brought up a bullying incident (it was blatant, and had been going on for weeks without stopping even with my intervention) Connie responded, "Now now, we don't believe in bullying here. The correct term is conflict". Then she walked away. I was appalled.

Posted: April 29, 2015

I agree with the statement, "SENITA VALLEY IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST SCHOOL IN THIS AREA," which was posted in 2013. I'm very happy with the entire staff (the principal, teachers, and the front office). Excellent job everyone!

Posted: September 16, 2013

SENITA VALLEY IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST SCHOOL IN THIS AREA. PRINCIPLE STAFF AND TEACHERS ARE EXCELLENT!!!!!

Posted: July 31, 2013

This is our second year at senita and I am very impressed with student safety. Adults wear yellow vests are seen outside at all times during drop off and dismissal. Great education, great secretaries and great teachers!

Posted: February 17, 2013

We have had our children at Senita Valley for four years and we love it! In our experience, the teachers are so engaged and proactive in the kids' education and we can't say enough positive things about them. The principle is completely engaged and is seen daily on campus, personally making sure everything is running smoothly and making herself available for parent and student interaction. She has high standards, and it shows in her choice of teachers and in our kids' learning. The kids are learning much more than to take tests; they are learning to think critically and creatively. Character is a big focus at SVE and we feel that the staff there is partnering with us in raising caring, intelligent, and responsible kids. We have a total of four children that will be going through SVE, and we are so thankful for this awesome school!!

Posted: August 18, 2012

The philosophy of teaching, overall, in the Vail School District tends towards teaching to the test. Vail students definitely know how to test as they are drilled in it daily. Ratings (regardless of their meaning or lack thereof) are of more importance than actual learning. The latest in technology in the classroom (smart boards in every class) more important than knowing whether these technologies actually have any real and lasting impact on learning. Open enrollment has led to overcrowding in the classrooms as the District vies for students (and their accompanying tuition paid by their home school districts). Yes, our children had some wonderful, dedicated and highly motivated teachers at this school. However, several have left and more have indicated frustration with leadership and the trend toward teaching from a script. As is possible with any school, there are also teachers on staff who would be better suited to employment that did not involve interaction with children. We withdrew from the district and have not looked back.

Posted: May 13, 2012

Here is a review from a Dad of three in the Vail schools.... Senita Valley is a great school. The teachers are outstanding. The students are in a great learning enviroment. Year in and year out, I am amazed that with the limited budget, they get a great education, have nice friends, and come home and still have a positive attitudes. A school isn't daycare. We as parents have to get involved. And Vail has all the outlets for us to just that. Power School, lots of activities for us as parents to get involved in, easy access to the teachers and lots of letters coming home to keep us up to date. If you are reading this, it's because you are thinking of having your children to attend here. Take a tour, it's a great school. But then so is all of the Vail schools. Just look at the rankings and reviews. I'm not going to say Senita is the best. I will say Vail is the best. Thank you Calvin Baker for being an outstanding leader!

Posted: March 17, 2012

Connie Erikson, the Principal is horrible when it comes to physical assaults on other children on campus. School policy was not followed- up on and nothing happened to the other student who assaulted another, per school policy. This is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. Her lousy reputation preceeds her with TPD regarding the lack of conern, rather action in these cases, which have been many. Along these lines are the opinions of other teachers aware of her lackluster leadership when these negative incidents occur. It was quoted from another teacher that "...she tends to sweep these things under the rug to improve her outcomes and funding she receives for this school."