preschool/elementary schools in SE Valley, AZ (we're in Queen Creek area)

[Double Dip]

Hi- we just moved to SE Valley of Phoenix (queen creek). My twin girls will be four next week. We are trying to search for schools in our area. We are excited about the charter option and also wondering if anyone has good or bad experiences with the public schools in this area...

right now we are looking at
San Tan Learning Center (Montessori charter school)
Benjamin Franklin Charter School in Queen Creek
Eduprize Charter School in Queen Creek


I am a fan of Montessori concept and the Reggio Emilia approach for children and learning. Any advice or personal experiences?

Thanks in Advance-
Kristin
mom to Gabriella & Savannah

[azfiresmbm]

Grow and Learn is a pretty good preschool they do "zoo phonics'
they are off of santan blvd between power and sossaman

Edu-Prize would be get my vote for elementary schools ..
http://www.eduprizeschools.net/
I know quite a few people who have there kids there and they LOVE IT !!
The "cottages" the kids do every quarter are too cute and very educational
Take a tour or look at their website !

A friend of mine had her child in the kinder program at BenFranklin and she was comming home with over an hour of homework every night , which I think is way to much for a 5 year old ..

http://www.greatschools.net/search/s...ype=0&state=AZ I did a search for queen creek schools,
real reviews from parents , and all the state test scores and rankings !!!

[Double Dip]

thanks...I did see some of the info on that other site.

I apreciate your opinion on comparing Ben Franklin & Eduprize.

So far we've toured San Tan Learning Center so I guess this next week I'll have to contact Ben Franklin & Eduprize.

Sounds like Eduprize is more of a Reggio Emilia approach. I just wish their was one that used both Montessori AND RE!!!

I am guessing it'll be Eduprize or San Tan Learning Center as the best choice for us.

Kristin

[arnellathon]

School options

Hi - if you're still looking for good school options, my son attended Eduprize for the last two years, and we absolutely love that school. However . . . we have opted to transfer him this ear to Leading Edge Academy, also in Queen Creek, for two reasons. 1) They offer both a sports program and instruction in the Arts, whereas Eduprize does not, and 2) Leading Edge is currently building a high school branch here (my son is starting 8th grade this fall). If you run into the inevitable waiting list at Eduprize, talk to Leading Edge. I just met with the principal, and I'm very impressed.

[Double Dip]

Thanks for the heads up for Kinde!

We are also looking at Cambridge Academy for Kinde.

The nieghbors in our block go to the local public elementary, Leading Edge and Ben Franklin.

Coming from states with few public or charter options it is so interesting to see all the different choices each parent makes.

Please consider updating the thread about your experiences once the school year starts...I'd love to hear them!!!

[amcal]

We are at the Gilbert campus at Edu-Prize and we're very happy there.

I love the combined classes so each child is taught at their level. They do "specials" so they get PE, Art, Computers, Music etc...

I find there to be a huge focus on creativity which I love. They do a ton of different art projects, songs are used for learning math, art and music are incorporated in their day in many, many ways.

I don't know about the Queen Creek campus but, the Gilbert campus has a long waiting list so, if you're even remotely interested, I would get yourself on the list.

[azfiresmbm]

FYI

Edu-prize in Queen creek has a longer wait list than their Gilbert campus .

[Double Dip]

We got on the wait list for Queen Creek Eduprize in February w/in one month of moving here...I talked to someone after the tour about how long the wait list was and she would not give me any clue! She did say to have a back up...

:crossingmyfingers:

[amcal]

You got on the list this past Feb (5 months ago) but, your kids aren't starting Kindergarten until the 2010 - 2011 school year, correct?

If so, I would say it's probably a pretty good chance you'll get in. I know the Queen Creek list is longer but, friends I know that got in at that campus were on the list about a year. You'll have 17 months on the list and Kindergarten goes by first come first served (the older grades are by lottery).

Good luck! I know how stressful it is!

BTW - Edu-Prize starts school this Thursday! Only 2 more days - Yikes!

[rgjmja]

Originally Posted by amcal

You got on the list this past Feb (5 months ago) but, your kids aren't starting Kindergarten until the 2010 - 2011 school year, correct?

If so, I would say it's probably a pretty good chance you'll get in. I know the Queen Creek list is longer but, friends I know that got in at that campus were on the list about a year. You'll have 17 months on the list and Kindergarten goes by first come first served (the older grades are by lottery).

Good luck! I know how stressful it is!

BTW - Edu-Prize starts school this Thursday! Only 2 more days - Yikes!

My Bonus Son goes to Edu-Prize Queen Creek ,
the Start date is JULY 30th over here !!!

With the new building that has been built they have made room for a lot more classes for each grade .
But they are still keeping their teacher/student ratio low.

I think k-8 there is now around 1800 that are enrolled for this year

So you have a REALLY good chance at getting into the kinder program for the 2010-11 school year.

Sibling have first dibs on kinder classes then it goes to the wait list .

[Double Dip]

yep- we're on the wait list for 2010

Plus I am thrilled to have found a preschool option... I had almost given up on finding what I was looking for.

[mama2mia]

What are our chances?

My daughter has been on the waiting list for kindergarten at Eduprize QC next year (2010-11) since September of 2008. Anyone have any insight about our chances for getting her in?? I know a lot depends on how many siblings take the first spots...