Sandra Day O'connor High School

25250 N. 35th Avenue

School District

Deer Valley Unified District
Grade

7-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

public

School Map for Deer Valley 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 other on February 01, 2025

I have had the pleasure of working with the TSW students (Transition School to Work Program) from Sandra Day O'Connor for almost two semesters. What a GREAT group of students and teachers. You know you have something special when children come to school excited about learning new skills, working together as a team, and a fantastic set of teachers who go above and beyond to equip students for the "real world". One of my biggest take-aways from the SDO Crew? Their genuine laughter and smiles working together. Bravo Elisa Lake & Miss Allie. You are a real encouragement!
Submitted by parent on January 10, 2024

I can't even begin to explain how horrible of an experience we've had. I've been forcing my son to go every day. His grades dropped significantly. He missed more than 7 days because of the anxiety from bullying. Bullying for literally no reason. Not because of looks, nothing. Or because he "wears the same shoes most days" in the week. I guess because he's a good kid? But the teachers don't care. He even has a 504! They don't care. His grades drop after his absences and they just give him a harder time. He now sits alone at lunch. 2 classes he gets things thrown at him and everyone laughs. Do not send your kids here unless you are part of the elite group who raises your kids to act this way. They'll fit right in.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2021

Would not recommend this school for any one who isn’t Caucasian. All the other reviews regarding teachers, coaching staff, and bullying we’ve experienced in half a school year.
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2018

HORRIBLE. The district also doesn't care. There have been several complaints made with NO ACTION. The school brags on its iPads but their technology is terrible.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2018

Leadership needs to be more proactive in communicating back to parents when there is a concern. Ditch the iPads and go back to books.
Submitted by parent on June 26, 2017

If you are looking for a good school, keep looking. The administration and especially the Principal are unprofessional and do not like communicating with parents. My children will never come to a high school reunion due to the horrible experiences. The school favors people and families they know so if you work and go to church in a different community, you will be treated poorly. Good Luck in deciding on a school and hopefully my review helps you decide.
Submitted by student on July 19, 2016

This school deserves my rating because of the certain issues is has. Whoever believed it was right to use taxpayer money to fund iPads for students' education wasn't thinking clearly. I've witnessed many students playing games on their iPads during instruction time. This school should also rethink their Honors courses, as some of them feel like ordinary classes to me. I feel that many of the staff seem to favor those who participate in the athletic program, and ignore the concerns of those who aren't.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2016

Awesome staff, great athletics program, teachers that really go above and beyond. Top notch atmosphere and great support!
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2015

This high school is getting worse by the day. Three years ago, when the district appointed a new principal, Dr. Miller, the school started going down hill. Now it is spiraling out of control. The principal has no leadership skills. The teachers are miserable which is why many students and parents are frustrated. The students are forced to use iPads to learn. They watch the lesson on the iPad. Many times if my student has a question, they are directed to look it up on the iPad. It's a joke. If you have concerns and wish to speak with administration, good luck. You have a better shot at getting a meeting with Obama! You usually have to wait anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks for a day and time. Then they won't meet with you unless you email your questions/concerns to them prior to the meeting. You are also only given a certain amount of time to talk. I've been in a meeting where I was scolded for speaking out of turn. They obviously do this so you won't want a meeting. Then absolutely nothing is resolved. They do not put the students well being first. It is the most poorly run school I've ever experienced. This is an amazing community, however the school wants nothing to do with it.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2015

I have a son in 9th grade there, and I'm desperately searching for an alternative school for him. The classroom sizes are ridiculous, trying to get the teachers to work with us (parents) has been a joke, and my son has basically given up any hope that he can succeed. As a parent who is more than willing to sit with him at night to get him caught up on the poor learning he is receiving, I still cannot. Everything is done on the iPad without a single textbook for me to help him with. The social aspect has been equally terrible, with bullying, physical threats and attempts on my son, drugs galore...it's a miracle any child can succeed in that environment. If your child is not 100% an auditory/self-driven learner, I urge you to consider another option!
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2014

We have 2 students enrolled in the American Studies Academy... We love the high level of learning they are receiving. They have hands on learning through in class room studies, Saturday Academy, Field Trips, National History Day Competitions, Class trips where they travel out of state to learn Archeology, Visit Philadelphia and Washington DC to learn about our Founding Fathers, Our Constitution, Revolutionary/Civil War - It is an amazing program that challenges students. We love the teachers!
Submitted by other on June 28, 2014

I'm a current student at this school and from my experience it is not the best out there. From my experience from my teachers and my friends teachers they would make us read the book and watch videos to teach ourselves while they sat behind their desks on their computers. I also had experience with somebody I knew almost killing themselves and when I went to the school about it they pretty much did nothing about it and just had a brief conversation with the person. I would also like to point out that our math department is not in very good shape at the moment. But, we have a amazing language arts department and I would recommend Mrs.Simon or Mr.Jones who are amazing teachers. And my last issue with this school is that it's so full of drama and there's rumors about people all the time. And one last thing kids come to school high all the time and the teachers do nothing about it when they are disrupting the class and it's very hard to focus.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2014

Sandra Day O'Connor has been a wonderful high school for both of my girls. My oldest daughter is physically handicapped and had been in the Peoria District - they stuck her in a classroom with kids that were mentally challenged - she didn't belong there! SDOCHS has been GREAT!!! She actually graduated, on time, with her Class of 2013. Our youngest daughter hated going to grade school, but when she hit high school at SDOC... her attitude changed big-time!!! She is now a Junior and loves going to school. She is involved and rarely misses a day. When kids get to high school... we believe... you have to let them grow up and be responsible for themselves. If there were any issues, which was not often, I made them go to the teacher and deal with it themselves. I love SDOCHS!!! And so do my girls!!!
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2013

Sandra Day O'Connor High School is NOT a model of excellence in education by any stretch. I agree with quite a few of the posts and reviews here that the staff and teachers are not student-centered, do a very poor job of including parents and families in educational decisions, and are often a bit rude and condescending. They do not seem to place much value on differentiation in the classroom to meet diverse student needs, and do a very poor job of supporting average or struggling students. This school has been a huge disappointment in terms of preparing students for college and in promoting 21st century skills in students, as well as in cultivating an effective student-centered, differentiated learning environment. Twenty years ago, this type of school was the norm. But in this current time of transformation in education, there are MUCH better options for students.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2013

SDOHS is overcrowded and the staff does little when issues arise. Students have to eat outside standing due to the overcrowding. High theft cell phones stolen out of P.E. lockers while students are outside participating in class. They don't care if anything is stolen and make little or no effort to recover items stolen. This is been our worst experience with a high school in Arizona. Students get no help from the counselors. Schedules is messed up every year. Staff is lazy and they really need to start firing. Parking is terrible and drop-off is always slow. This school has exceeded their enrollment level for several years. More concerned with sports then with academics. Look for a charter school!!!
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2013

O'Connor is not a very good school. They do not focus on the students. Their staff is rude. There is high turnover of administration. Not a quality educaiton. We are looking for a good charter to move our daughter.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2013

Both of my children attended O'Connor High School. They had some really great teachers in their honors and AP classes. The general education teachers seemed more interested in teaching so that they could coach or advise a club. Sports seems to get more attention than academics by the administration and students. In looking at the other options for high schools in the area (Mt. Ridge, Goldwater or Boulder Creek) Sandra Day is a much better choice. My kids were fairly well prepared for college and would recommend that students try to get into the advanced classes for the best education.
Submitted by parent on December 26, 2012

Very happy with the school. My daughter is in the 9th grade and loves it.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2012

I've had 3 students go thru O'Connor. The brightest did best. The other two, one of which has a slight learning disability, was another story. I feel the school administration caters to the high achievers and lets the others flounder. Too much emphasis on sports, as well, and good luck getting on a team, as so many out-of-area transfer students take those spots. Math teachers seem particularly bad. One consistently fails multiple students each semester, does not answer emails, etc., He even specifically told us to emaill him, then never replied after repeated emails. Frustrating lack of interest!
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2012

My son just graduated in May of 2012 from O'Connor. He is now attending ASU on a full ride merit scholarship. He took all honors and AP classes at this school. I am pleased to say it prepared him immensely. My only complaint... the math program. It could use some help... not so great. My son had to teach himself math for the most part but still scored exceptionally high on both SAT and ACT in all areas. All in all this is a Great school and we have no real gripes about it. My daughter is now a 9th grader there and loves the O'Connor spirit. Send your child there. You won't be sorry.(: