Canyon Pointe Academy

4941 West Union Hills Drive

School District

Pointe Schools (79455)
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

charter

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 other on April 12, 2019

I have had a very POOR experience. When I first toured the school, I have to admit I was impressed. I toured with the principle (at that time), she told me that there were going to be TWO kindergarten classes, they were building a new play ground for the younger classes and the class sizes were supposed to no more than 18 students in the K class. Now, the school is on the THIRD principle, they have not built the play ground and my son ended up with 32 kids in his class. We signed him up for the summer week program so he would meet his teacher and get acquainted with the classroom setting and rules. He had a wonderful time. We were very excited. The very next week on the first day of school we walked into his classroom and he had a new teacher. Apparently the teacher he was supposed to have had quit like two days before the first day of school. His teacher this year has done the best she could with having 32 kids and 3 different levels of abilities and reading groups. We received a letter right around Thanksgiving ( if I’m remembering correctly) that basically said that the school was in danger of losing its charter status because the previous board members and principle refused to comply with Arizona’s State requirements for standardized testing. They ultimately were able to keep the charter status but had to comply with testing. There have been so many administrative changes that it has caused a disruption in everything.THE FINAL THING THAT HAS HAPPENED THAT made me want to write this review and let everyone know I WOULD NOT recommend this school to anyone... when we enrolled and signed up, the school offered FREE before and after school care. Now with ONLY 6 weeks left in the school year, they have decided to TAKE AWAY the before and after care from 60 of the 100 families that are using this program. The 40 they are allowing to stay were decided by a lottery. I have no other option but to take my son out of this school with only 6 weeks left! I am a working mother that relies on after school care. They can’t offer the option to pay because they have a non compete clause with the day care next door. THIS IS DRASTICALLY AFFECTING my family. They day care next door is not an option for me, the cost to too much. $320 a month for 2 hours of care after school. I just can’t believe that they couldn’t wait until the end of the year!!
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2018

It has steadily declined! The person in charge is the problem. He has disrespected teachers and other staff, students, and parents! Without a good foundation, the school has been steadily falling.....
Submitted by teacher on March 02, 2018

High teacher turnover, too many jobs for teachers like teaching Spanish even though they dont speak Spanish, no explanation about or guidance for new staff, just throw you into classroom, then yell and stomp out of classroom, when you question them, very unprofessional environment.
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2017

Absolutely worthless! Currently they are being investigated by The United States Department of Education for violations of student civil rights. Discrimination against disability, Retaliation and harrsment with threatening language. My children were transferred immediately to another school for our safety. Very sad to have had to endure so much Educational loss due to staff inorance.
Submitted by parent on July 13, 2016

We have been at Canyon Pointe for 2 years now and truly love it. The teachers and staff are welcoming and put the children's needs first. We have had such a great time at the variety of family events that welcome families to come and enjoy and even volunteer if they wanted.
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2016

My child has been attending canyon pointe since kindergarten and is now in fifth grade. She absolutely loves it there, the teachers are great and care so much for their students. The learning environment is absolutely incredible they make learning fun. They care for their students as one of their own. Its been amazing see my child grow because of the neutering environment of canyon pointe academy. The students, teachers, and staff there love and care for each other and make everyone feel welcomed. My child came in as a quiet shy student, it was hard for her to get out of her shell but the teachers there helped make her feel welcomed with open arms. She loves waking up everyday for school, she never wants to leave, she always gets home telling me about all the great things she did in class today and what she has learned. Everyday is a new story. She loves everyone there. I truly recommend Canyon Pointe Academy for any parent whos looking for a great fun learning and happy environment for their child. You wont regret it. The staff and teachers will not disappoint you. My child will definitely be coming back for next year!
Submitted by teacher on July 12, 2016

I am an employee at Canyon Pointe Academy and I can honestly say that it is unlike any other school. Its obvious that the teachers and staff care about the students and its amazing to see how we can positively impact them. The students are all extremely engaged both in and out of the classroom. It feels good to be a part of such an amazing school!
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2016

My Child is in the Fifth Grade and has been going to Canyon Pointe Academy for several years. I fully recommend this school because of the incredible teachers and staff that go out of their way to make my child feel comfortable. Since his years at Canyon we have only been blessed with caring teachers that communicate and update me on all aspects concerning my child. Overall I am overjoyed with my experience I've had at Canyon Pointe Academy and plan to send my child to their JH and High School in a few years.
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2016

It may not be politically correct and to a prospective parent the school's actions may seem harsh, but my husband and I are very grateful that Canyon's administration took the actions they did against the 'scared child' referred to in the July 11th post. Our child was in that class and he was afraid to go to school because of this child. As we lived through, even a 5 year old can cause emotional and even physical stress on other students. Although we want schools to be a place where every child is cared for, when does a school have a responsibility to make sure one child's actions are not harming other children. We believe Canyon did a great job of trying to balance the two responsibilities.
Submitted by other on July 11, 2016

Unfortunately this school has emotionally scared my child in kindergarten. The principal and staff complained about my child's behavior, tried therapy, and behaviors to modify it without consulting the parent. I requested to view these behaviors and was denied. They compared my adhd child as being not normal and showing disturbing behavior. He's 5! What type of childhood education people do this. The principal then put my child and I in front of board members to diagnose my child without any type of medical background and kick him out of kindergarten. My child was kicked out of kindergarten. I said my child was just diagnosed with adhd. They said they didn't have to support our state disability requirements because they have their own set of rules. Please do not put your child in this school unless you want them shamed on a daily basis. Some people should not be molding our children. My child is now thriving at park meadows and I still continue to try to repair the damage Canyon Point caused emotionally to my son and his opinion of school. This has affected him for the rest of his life. Please look at other options. Point schools have no place teaching our children.
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2016

My kids have been going to Canyon and now The Prep for 8 years. There have been many changes this year but I can tell you that you are not going to get a better education for your children. The public school system in Arizona is a joke compared to other states. I went to school in New York and the level of the students there and here are night and day. My oldest started out in a public school here and I pulled him out after 2 months. This school is not perfect but, they know my family, they know my kids and they do everything they can to accommodate every students needs. I saw a comment about teachers playing on their cell phones and talking about dating sites. If that happened then you need to go to the school and have that teacher confronted but it's most likely hearsay from a friend of a friend. Also everyone plays on their phones. In fact my sons teacher emails me from her phone when the kids have down time to discuss issues with me again I am pretty sure your kids told you that they are playing but maybe they were working. Anyway not every school is right for every student that's just a fact so if your not happy they find where you will be but I know my kids thrive in the Pointe School system and I wouldn't change that for anything.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2016

I was nervous about all the changes last year, but this year seems to be going great! The new principal is SO friendly and approachable, unlike her predecessor. My child is having a great year, thanks to awesome teachers who care. Very happy.
Submitted by other on September 03, 2015

After 12 years and 3 children either gone through, or still attending, I thinks it's time to start looking elsewhere. How will it affect our kids - even with the stress with starting a new school in the middle of a school year, I feel the changes will be positive. If anyone knows of a good school where the academics are important, but the individual needs of the student is of utmost importance. Thank you
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2015

As for the comment below...Did you know that Board Certification does not guarantee a great or even a good teacher? You can teach anyone the skills of a job, but you cannot teach a love for children, a gift for communicating with them and a desire to engage them in every aspect of their learning. Some of the very best teachers my children have ever had do not hold current certification and some of the worst they have ever had do. Don't judge a book by it's cover! The teachers at Canyon LOVE and are dedicated to the students at the highest level. This year has been tough, and I admire those teachers that have loved our children enough to stick it out - board certified or otherwise!
Submitted by parent on April 21, 2015

Would you like to know that some of their teachers aren't board certified? Or how the assistant superintendent bullied the sixth graders saying he would get rid of them the way he did their teachers? This school is not for anyone. If you value your students' academic success, stay away from this school.
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2015

I would be lying if I said that I wasn't concerned about all the changes that have occurred at Canyon in the last few months however, I chose to wait and see what would happen and I'm glad I stuck it out. Is this school perfect, by no means, what school is. However, the changes that have been implemented are making Canyon a much better school. My kids are happier and they say that things in class are better because kids are behaving, probably because they are being held accountable for their actions now. The new vice principal has been doing an amazing job with discipline and has been extremely helpful in calming parents and students who have been anxious about all the changes, myself and my children included. So instead of jumping on the bandwagon to bash the school for making changes, I would like to say thank you to the teachers and staff for enduring these difficult, yet necessary changes in order to make the school better for our children.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2015

Canyon Pointe has been nothing but amazing for our family. Yes, things are changing, yes, change is hard. Very hard!! Luckily, my children haven't seem affected by the changes at all... They love some of the new teachers that have been brought in too. I honestly believe in my heart of hearts that all the change will be positive in the end. Unfortunately, I do know that some of the negative reviews are coming from former disgruntled employees. I volunteer for the school and have never, not once seen a teacher on their phone and the teachers have been nothing but professional. PLEASE don't believe everything you read. If you are looking for a school, check Canyon Pointe out. My 2 children love school and their teachers, we won't be going anywhere.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2015

If you want your child(ren) to have a good education.....withdraw them from this school!!!! The teachers play on their phones, talk to students about dating websites they are on, and are clearly brainwashed by administration. Your children PLAY more than learn. Is this what you want? Even the bus driver said he couldn't believe how many days are wasted where he drives kids from Canyon to the Prep ( on a chartered bus) to PLAY. This would NEVER happen at a district, ever!!!! Pointe schools are the worst! DO NOT ENROLL your child, ever!
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2015

As mentioned in previous comments, there are A LOT of changes taking place at Canyon right now... Aside from the shock at so many long time Canyon employees being "let go" at the same time, these changes seem to be geared at "fixing" some of the complaints from parents/students. My family was very sad to see some of these great people leave the school, however my child does say she is excited with some of the positive changes taking place, specifically in the daily schedule. Change can be both scary and exciting... I am reserving judgement until the school has had some time to implement their vision.
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2015

What is happening to this school! I thought it had the stench of the assistant superintendent all over it and the last post confirms it. It is so sad when someone abuses their power and is so destructive. The students are obviously not the priority to the administration. ..but funds from the state are being used well I see....Get a load of the new stage posted on website, oh and the new principal sporting a new 2015 Caddy SUV. I am contacting the state pulling my two kids!