Ashland Elementary School

1945 South Ashland Ranch Road

School District

Gilbert Unified District
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

public

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 February 15, 2025

As a parent, I have mixed feelings about Ashland Ranch. The teachers are generally good—they care about the students and do their best in the classroom. However, the overall leadership of the school leaves much to be desired.The principal, Suzanne Carlson, is largely absent from the student experience. Many children don’t even know who she is, which speaks volumes about her lack of presence and engagement. When she does interact with students, it’s often in a cold and condescending manner rather than with the warmth and encouragement you’d hope to see from a school leader. A strong principal should foster a positive, welcoming school environment, but unfortunately, that’s not the case here.If you’re looking for a school where leadership actively supports students and creates a strong sense of community, you may want to consider other options. The teachers do their best, but without effective leadership, the school struggles to reach its full potential.
Submitted by teacher on August 01, 2024

Ashland Ranch is such an amazing school! I have been here for many years and always work with such amazing teachers and staff. Students are our priority and everything we do is to support kids!
Submitted by parent on July 31, 2024

This is our third year at Ashland Ranch and we love this school! Everyone from the front office to classroom teachers and support staff have been nothing but exceptional for our family. They all communicate regularly and whenever we have a question or concern they are there to support us. One of the best things at Ashland is all of the opportunity for after school enrichment. My daughter has done drawing club, piano, and science. She loves all of the classes and the best part is we don’t have to take her anywhere- they’re right after school!
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2024

My children have attended Ashland Ranch elementary for the past couple years and we absolutely love their school. The teachers have been kind, dynamic, and engaging. My kids enjoy learning and come home excited about what they have learned and experienced during their school day. I have volunteered at their school as well have had great interactions with the office staff and support staff. I would highly recommend this school (and do recommend it often!) to my friends.
Submitted by other on July 30, 2024

Ashland is a great school. Two of my grandchildren have been students there and one is in his 6th grade year. Both loved school and thrived. Ashland teachers truly care about the kids and they are a high achieving school. I couldn’t ask for a better education and school experience.
Submitted by teacher on July 19, 2024

Ashland Ranch has a strong community. We are a family. New students are welcomed in excitedly. The staff is warm and friendly. Ashland has strong academics. Besides their strong academics, they have many clubs students can join such as running club, math club, and service club to name a few.
Submitted by other on December 22, 2022

As a former teacher at Ashland Ranch Elementary, I saw first hand the care that each teacher/administrator has for the students at the school. It is truly about every kid, every single day.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2014

My kids have been going to school here for the last 3 years. The teachers are great and very dedicated. Our class size each year has been no more than 23 students. Great, friendly, and helpful staff. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2014

This is the 4th year my children have attended Ashland Elem. The class sizes have an average of about 33 children per classroom which is a disappointment. The Principal is arrogant and lacks leadership skills in a major way. On the upside, I have found most of the teachers are good teachers and do their best considering the circumstances.
Submitted by parent on July 03, 2014

My children are entering the 6th and 4th grades at Ashland Ranch and have attended this school since kindergarten. I have loved most of our teachers and find that the staff deeply care about the students. One of my children needed additional help with reading in 1st and 2nd grade but is now exceeding grade level per their AIMS test results. Oceanography is a before school activity and is a great learning opportunity. I would love to see the robotics club return.
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2014

Son attended preschool here last year and the teachers were excellent. They went above and beyond to make sure the kids did fun and educational things in an age appropriate way. Traffic flow could be better but you can always park by the park or playground and walk your child in. I wish this was our home school!
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2013

We have been at this school for 2 years. For the most part I am happy but feel a bit concerned with one of my child's teacher who lost their homework and school assignments and had to re-do it. Also the teacher told my child we were doing a math homework wrong when on fact it was correct. How does a teacher instill confindence in a child in this manner? This is very concerning.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2012

So far this year, I have been very pleased and impressed with the level of parent/teacher/school communication. My son's Kinder teacher is amazing. He loves his school and we are very happy with our choice to place him at our home school.
Submitted by parent on August 10, 2012

We found that the Kindergarten teacher was nice and and the school is clean with a decent playground.
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2011

The school website does not accurately describe this school as Oceanography, Project Greenlight, et al are no longer available and the classes are NOT 20 students per class. It's an average of 30 now, some with 35. The award received by the principal at AR does not accurately reflect the opinions and experience of staff and parents. True accounting of this school should include the faculty turn over rate and the student withdrawals (long term families, multiple sibling), over the last 2 years, as well. Parents are not welcome and teachers are afraid to be seen talking to parents AT ALL. An investigation continues into the involvement of a parent , who is not in this school's boundary and the legality of her involvment with various board decisions and local election results. Until all information is gathered and decisions can be made as to the mystery surrounding decisions made at this school, this award is a questionable representation of reality. This school has gone from being an in demand, highly regarded school to a mediocre institution where no teacher is allowed to outperform another.
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2011

I have 3 children that have gone and are currently going to AR. I have heard many complaints about the former and current principal. I like them both. I haven't had to deal with them a great deal, but some, and found them both very responsive. Most of the teachers are what makes this school great. We have been very lucky to have a bunch of excellent, motivated, creative teachers. I agree that some wonderful teachers have unfortunately left. The PTSO is also great. Last years Science fair, sweetheart dance, and Spring auction were great fun. I appreciate how the Principal is visible around the school at the crosswalk etc. He appears to be big on safety. Great school, teachers and families. We are grateful to be here.
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2011

Ashland is an awesome school with well behaved students, caring teachers and great leadership. Wouldn't want my kids anywhere else. Keep up the good work!
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2011

My daughter has gone to this school for 3 years. I had been impressed with the academics, teaching quality, and high standards for behavior at the school. Under the 'new' principal, I am not. Test scores have dropped dramatically. Students wander the halls freely. I have read memos from department chairs full of mis-spelled words and grammatical errors. The school installed a 'squishy' machine. For $.25 kids get a little squishy plastic toy. It's a huge money-maker and a huge distraction at the school. I wondered - where does the money from this machine go? Turns out it goes to the principal! And it is at his discretion as to where the money goes. Unreal! Great teachers have left, class sizes are going up, test scores going down. Time to move my daughter, and my tax dollars, to another school. Sadly, this was a great school. It's not now.