Audrey & Robert Ryan Elementary School

4600 Bright Angel Way

School District

Chandler Unified District
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Chandler Unified District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 14, 2024

We started at another CUSD school just north of Ryan and left within a week. From the minute you walk on campus, you feel like a part of the Royal family. Mr. Durham is gracious, understanding and partners with families. My children started to love school again, after coming to Ryan. Great atmosphere!
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2024

I moved from california with 3 children and searched some public schools in Chandler school district. I read some bad reviews here, but the staffs are very friendly and helpful when I contacted them. I found out those past reviews were from few years ago - maybe they got some great new staff. The principal, Mr. Derham is very friendly and helpful, too. When I have any concerns or questions, most of staff and principal are willing to help us to find the right answer. The teachers are also great to my children. Can you imagine there are some teachers work in this same school for more than 10 years? Wow~ they all encourage students’ works and good behavior.
Submitted by other on May 13, 2023

Administrators can't tell the difference between their upper orifice and their lower one. Not interested in having the very best teachers, only ones they can control and micromanage. Their high turnover rate is an indication of this. Wouldn't know good pedagogy if they saw it. Of course, this is becoming more and more a reflection of the district as a whole. Narcissism amongst administration is running rampant.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2021

Wow! I'm simply amazed to look at 1-star reviews from parents dealing with Admissions staff over the past 5 years. Look's like no action is taken and unfortunately more students will continue to suffer. Very poor response by School's staff on my son's admissions process who is a special needs kid. We were told it should be straight forward when we met in person prior to the enrollment process. Thereafter, we left several voice messages over a period of 2 months for special needs admissions office while my son was going through an open enrollment process. Zero call back and Zero courtesy to return any calls. No updates whatsoever. I'm glad my son is not going to a school where the staff doesn't care and has zero responsibility towards their to be students/parents. Special needs class teacher was very excited to have my son in her class. She too was left clueless on what was going on. Staff needs to go back and learn about basic courtesy and communication skills.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2018

CATS (gifted) program is great! School is in a nice area, and has a beautiful park right next to it. Pick-up and drop-off is definitely not easy, especially since other parents are sometimes impatient, but now my kid takes the bus, so I'm relieved of that difficulty. My child likes school there, especially the great P.E. teacher and fun PTO activities. There is always something fun going on, which is good for a child who needs social development opportunities. I don't think I'll choose Ryan for anything besides CATS, though, because of the traffic.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2018

several years ago this was a fantastic School. the last three years have increasingly gone downhill
Submitted by other on April 21, 2017

We have had 3 children at Ryan Elementary and it is an exemplary school. My children have been so fortunate to have such engaged and caring teachers. They have all been very helpful, responsive, and the communication has been excellent. Most importantly we have had teachers that are passionate about bringing out the very best in our children both academically and socially. I can't for the life of me understand the one star reviews and disparaging comments, this simply does not characterize the Ryan Elementary we know.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2016

One of the worst schools I have ever encountered. Staff is extremely rude and unrealistic. Suggestion to Principal - find another career because it is obvious that you do not like kids.
Submitted by parent on September 28, 2016

We have been at Ryan for 3 years and my two girls have flourished. My eldest had math issues since 1st grade and started at Ryan in 3rd grade. She is now doing great and succeeding in math. The staff is very organized and that includes HW. Each of the teachers we've had had been incredibly responsive to parent feedback and emails. It's a great school and I would recommend it to anyone.
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2015

My daughter has attended Ryan for the last 7 years. She had a great learning experience! Although in all regular classes, she will be in honors classes next year in middle school. This goes to show that she was challenged in the regular classroom and guided in the right direction. The teachers at Ryan are fabulous! They go above and beyond in so many situations. They keep the parents informed. They are interested in your child and their future. We are out of boundaries for Ryan, so we choose to go there because of the hard work and dedication of the teachers. Ryan offers lots of opportunities for each student. In order to have these opportunities, teachers go beyond their job duties to make them happen.... honors orchestra, science camp, Lego club, Battle of the Books, choir, running club. I could go on. These things don't just happen. These things happen because teachers and parent volunteers at Ryan work tirelessly. I appreciate everything that everyone at Ryan has done for my daughter! Thank you for your time, efforts and dedication!
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2015

My children have thrived at Ryan elementary I love it! All my kids have had educational problems and Ryan has provided the staff and programs to help them excel. The front staff is amazing and helpful and I understand they are there to protect the children that is why they ask so many questions that lets me know they don't just let anyone in. The health office is wonderful and helpful and the teachers are great and so is the principal.
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2015

Our son loves it here and, most importantly, he is getting a great education. He's in first grade and is reading at almost a 4th grade level. And his teachers have been great about making sure he stays challenged! His teachers have been easy to work with and quick to respond to resolve any issues. The school does the best they can with pickup/dropoff, it's just kind of an awkward place to have a rush of traffic at once. It does clear out pretty quickly though, just bring a little patience!
Submitted by parent on July 22, 2014

I've had three total interactions with the office staff. Every time they have been rude condescending and snarky. Second day of school and I'm already fed up and moving my kids.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2014

I have four children and moved to the neighborhood very excited that Ryan was our "home" school. That didn't last very long. The principal has been there since the school was new and DOES NOT work with parents. If you have the slightest issue, they carry it to crazy extremes. My first grader (with autism) was given a gallon sized ziplock bag at the end of the school year full of the half-eaten pencils he had chewed up. I knew that he eats pencils, but the teacher seemed intent on proving a point. The same child was given a fast detention over a very minor playground incident. The following year, I moved him to another elementary school and had a wonderful experience! Ryan has some good teachers, but it's luck of the draw... and don't try to request one or they'll make quite sure that unless an older sibling had that teacher, you don't get them. New this year is the lady at the front desk that I affectionately think of as a "blonde pitbull" She makes sure that you feel unwelcome when you enter the office by grilling you with questions about your intentions when visiting the school. I removed all but one of my kiddos from Ryan. It takes easy-going kids to do well here.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2013

Such a great school for my kids! Hard to get in and out of because of parent drop off (they do there best to address this issue), but tons of people drop the kids off instead of riding the bus. Seems like a few parents below may have some problem kids on there hands?:(
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2013

We feel so luck to attend this school. The principal is outstanding and creates a positive and consistent school environment that allows all students the right to learn. The families are inclusive and involved and the teachers are gifted in so many ways. Keep up the good work Ryan Elementary
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2013

As a prior post suggested, this is a terrible school. Couldn't agree more! Teachers and administration are extremely difficult to work with, children are not challenged whatsoever, no positive reinforcements, and even the slightest mishap by your child(ren)will be punished to the fullest extreme. They are completely unwilling to work with you and your children. Parents, do yourselves and your children a favor - drive down the street and you will find a school that offers an excellent education, outstanding staff, physical education, wonderful parent involvment, and a positive learning environment. My kids have learned to love school again and are succeeding beyond our expectations!
Submitted by parent on July 08, 2012

My kids have been at Ryan for the past 5 years when we moved here from the east coast education system. We have been extremely happy with this school. My kids have NEVER had a bad teacher. All the teachers have been wonderful, easy to communicate with and very responsive to any problems or concerns. The front office staff is very friendly and helpful. My children have received an excellent education here.
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2012

I read most of the comments published before, and I have to say I am surprise. I can't think of a perfect school, there are always going to be issues. I personally had one (indirectly) with another parent regarding the bullying, and as someone mentioned before, some parents abuse this great tool by blaming other kids for their kid's insecurities; but still having the bullying system in place is wonderful considering how nowadays kids get easily depressed. That the parent drop off-pick up structure is bad? It is great to have this school in the heart of the community and it takes no longer than 10 minutes to get in or out. Parents please don't act like spoiled children, I come from a third world country, things here are so easy and there are such beautiful buildings, that is sad that you don't appreciate this anymore and complain that easy. Ryan is a rank 10, very well deserve, my son is a perfect example of how good the school is, he has learn so much this past year and his first language is Spanish. Teachers are good, I don't know how the management people are, but they seem nice and in charge. I suggest parents should volunteer more as I do, in order to be more objective.
Submitted by parent on December 23, 2011

I find it hard to believe that there are legitimate 5stars ratings for this school. Our experience and many others saw the poor attitude of the administration from the beginning. We did remove our children because of the poor leadership here! I believe those who say other have their head in the sand,don't care or are bamboozled by someone. This schools is terrible.