Desert Thunder

16750 W GARFIELD ST

School District

Avondale Elementary District
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

School Map for Avondale Elementary 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 24, 2023

Terrible place to work for supporting staff. I would not put my child in the self contained ESS classroom. My child also attends and says she likes her teachers.
Submitted by other on February 24, 2023

Horrible, I worked there and it's not a good environment for special needs kids. Staff are not believed when they reported. My daughter also attends this school, she seems to be doing well and likes her teachers.
Submitted by parent on September 27, 2019

I'm looking for a charter school. We just moved here, I'm now understanding why classroom numbers are so low. I thought it was a good thing, it's because parents take their kids to other schools.
Submitted by parent on April 05, 2018

We have loved our experience with Desert Thunder and intend to enroll all of our children there, even the ones not yet school age. We feel that of all of the schools in the West Valley, Desert Thunder has been the best our children have attended.
Submitted by other on April 05, 2018

I appreciate the philosophy behind the kids at hope. Every kid on campus knows that pledge. I think that kids really know they are cared for.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2018

This school in my opinion promotes bullying. My child has been pick on for her hair and lunch box AND has told the teachers about in which they either do nothing or she gets in trouble. My children will not return to this school and I DO NOT recommend this school.
Submitted by student on September 28, 2017

I would rate this school 9 out of 10 due to the test scores and the science programs at this school we have a good science teacher in the 8th grade "Mrs Pham" she makes sure all kids do well and pass the 8th grade standerized test. also we have robotics which is for kids of all age. Also we have good history teachers like Mrs Rojas who makes it feel so real, amazing teachers.
Submitted by other on March 09, 2017

Three of my kids have attended Desert Thunder. Best school in the area the principal and staff have become extended family. Glad to have my kids here.
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2016

My children have gone there for the past 2 years after moving from a small school up North. My girls love the school, their teachers, and the administration. They school has offered afterschool clubs, dual language courses, coding, sports, drawing, chess, music, band, cheer, and many more. Test scores seem above average for the area as well. I did a lot of research before sending my girls to Desert Thunder and I feel it has paid off.
Submitted by student on April 25, 2016

Our son has been continously bullied by multiple students and was told by the 6th grade teacher " they are getting older so they need to resolve it on their own." The assistant principle wants then to solve line up issues with rock, papers, scissors etc. One student with know issues continue to push and punch our son without consequences. Our son is a peaceful child and won't fight back because that would be apart of the problem and not the solution. The assistant principle is out of touch and implement unrealistic solutions. The bullying had caused our son great anxiety and has killed his confidence it's sad our child can't get a peaceful education and the school tolerates bad behavior. Last week we was called by the assistant principle because they were having substitute teachers a few days and couldn't monitor the bullying so we kept our son home. How sad. ..can't believe that was even acknowledged.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2016

The teachers REALLY care about their students. They will do whatever it takes to help them. There are a lot of outlets to explore to help a struggling student. Also, there are a lot of fun activities held by the school to boost moral for the students. The homework is fare, not overwhelming. My kids have fun learning.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2015

I love seeing my kids grow at this school. There is a lot of parent involvement and the teachers are great. My children are using iPads almost daily in the classroom and they are always excited to come home and share what they learned in school. Desert Thunder is an amazing school.
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2015

My children have flourished at this school. The teachers and the office staff are so caring and work to make sure that I feel welcome every time I go to the school. I am able to volunteer in my daughter's classroom several times each week. I love the positive atmosphere that the campus embraces. My children get to use iPads everyday and are learning to CODE on computers. My youngest will be attending the new Spanish dual language program in kindergarten next year. This is a GREAT school!
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2015

This school is implementing 1:1 iPads and Chromebooks for students and every child in every grade level is learning computer coding as well. I feel my children are getting a great technology education at this school!
Submitted by parent on February 20, 2015

I have had 2 children go through Desert Thunder. Both were identified gifted in Kindergarten. Both of my children received terrific educations at Desert Thunder. Their needs were met by caring teachers that differentiated for their needs. My oldest was more than prepared for high school and is now in the IB program and I have no doubt my younger child will be just as successful.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2012

So far so good. This is my daughters first year at this school and I must say her teacher is the best. She is currently in the second grade at a young age. So her maturity level is caught up with her grade level. Her teacher works with her and communicates with me every day. My daughter is doing wonderful in her school work. So if you ever get the chance for your second grader into this school, get them into Miss Haines classes. The school is wonderful the really keep up with there students and parents.
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2011

My child has a 504 plan for her food allergy. The administration has been outstanding on accomidating her needs as well as her teachers. She had been attending for 2 years now and we really couldn't be happier. The staff is friendly and caring and the education she is receiving is great!
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2011

My oldest is a 3rd grader who has an IEP and receives services threw the school. The services provided are bellow my expectations due to lack of individualized attention and slow process. My son has the same issue he started the year w/, unable to build clear thought sentences verbally and in written form. Due to his home room teacher he is ending the year on a descent note but could have been better if after school services had been available. As for my first grader he started the year on a good note but unfortunately is ending it poorly due to not doing well in reading and writing. Threw out the year I asked for tutoring and was denied multiple times due to services not being available. I was also advised his reading would pick up and not to worry. We help him w/ reading and writting on top of doing 2 -3 pages of home work a night w/ spelling. By the time his assigned work is completed he would be burnt out and our study time was always a struggle. He wasn't challenged in anyway and I trully believe he coasted by and his needs were ignored. Over all, DT is a good school, safe, clean, staff are approachable and the meals are balanced, tasty but can be small in portion.
Submitted by parent on December 08, 2010

I have had 2 kids in Desert Thunder and I have not been happy with the quality. My son was punched in the stomach and when he told the teachers did nothing. We weren't the first family to have this kind of issue. My son was terrified of 1st grade teacher and I have never see such fear in his eyes. He had trouble expressing himself so we never found out why he was so scared. He peed his pants every day and was never sent to change yet he smelled from a mile away. Never had an accident before. I pulled him imediately after seeing his fear of his teacher and I now home school him. He's back to being a happy out going kid. Now my daughter now in 1st begs me to home school her and I am not an easy teacher. She has speech issues and I have had NO communication with them and I am just trying to find out if she even goes like she is supposed too. They after 2 months in school have already asked me to hold her back next year since she can't read. No offer to get her help or test her for LD's. I had to request testing and it's been a month and I have heard nothing!!! I plan on pulling her and Home schooling her very soon!!
Submitted by parent on May 05, 2010

In response to the 6th grader posting 4/15/10. I agree with you, some of the teachers are inappropriate, catty, vindictive, immature and often in plain sight cold. I have a clear knowledge of this due to being a parent of this school and having to deal with the teachers behavior. No matter how polite you are never and I mean never question a teacher at this school. I'm sorry you as a child had to deal with this, they are the adult.