Ishikawa Elementary School

2635 North 32nd Street

School District

Mesa Unified
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

School Map for Mesa Unified School 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 April 10, 2024

Great neighborhood school! Kids ride their bikes to school. The staff knows students by name. We've had such wonderful teachers here- creative, loving, inspiring, helpful. The principal cares and works hard to accomodate students and families. The PTO is active and provides great activities to build community. We feel so lucky our kids go here.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2024

IshikAwa is the best! Our family has a boundary exception to go there. We love it! The teachers there love their kids jobs and test scores are in the top 5% in all of Arizona. The class sizes are large but it’s worth it!
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2024

Three of my kids attend this school with the 4th coming into kindergarten this year. This is the best school in Arizona. The principal and teachers are amazing. Learning and atmosphere is top notch. Ishikawa has always been an amazing school. I attended Ishikawa 28 years ago and it just keeps getting better. We love the staff and students. They keep the families and parents involved. I have nothing but praise and love for this school.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2024

I am super impressed with the principal and her team. Our teachers have been so nurturing of my children's learning and well being. The campus is a clean and safe environment.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2024

We have chosen to put all of our 4 kids at Ishikawa Elementary and have been extremely pleased. The love and care we have felt for our children is amazing. Child safety is very important and taken very seriously. The parent involvement is great at Ishikawa and the PTO is active and supportive. Only the best teachers are highered and they love what they do and it shows.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2024

I have two kids that attend and cannot explain to you how much I love this school. The teachers are so supportive, loving, caring, kind, patient and insanely nice!! Shelley heath is the most thoughtful principal. She remembers every child’s name and will stop to talk to them, give them hugs, check in on them, etc. the front desk reception ladies are very attentive to who comes in and the purpose of your visit. They are kind and caring! Safety is their number one priority and making the children feel loved and cared for.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2024

Good teachers and helpful staff! We have had great communication with the staff!
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2024

I have two children currently attending Ishikawa. My kids love Ishikawa. The school provides such a positive atmosphere for students to feel safe and welcomed. The teachers are amazing and provide constant feedback to the parents. It is clear when you meet the teachers and walk onto the campus that the teachers enjoy their students and their careers at Ishikawa. I love hearing from my kids what they have learned and what they are excited to learn about. The school shares opportunities for parent involvement with school activities, community involvement for families, and options for on campus after school care where your child is still safe and having fun until you can pick them up. One of the most important feelings I have daily from this school is the trust I have in the staff.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2024

We LOVE Ishikawa!!! The teachers and office staff are top notch! I can’t say enough amazing things about Mrs. Heath and her staff! My kids love going to school, they feel loved and accepted. I have one son with a learning disability and all of his teachers have accepted him with open arms and been willing to work with us and have helped him sore in confidence. Thank you to everyone at Ishikawa who have made my kids love learning!
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2024

Once I moved to the east side of the valley and completed my teaching degree, I started substitute teaching throughout Mesa to figure where we would want our future kids go to school. My first time subbing at Ishikawa I knew this was the place. I continued subbing around the valley and it quickly became a top 3 school in my book. The teachers were friendly and welcoming, the office staff was knowledgeable and kind, and all the kids I interacted with were beyond helpful and so considerate. 5 years later our first child started at Ishikawa and we have been blown away by how truly great of a school it is. My son has an IEP so we have worked closely with teachers, special education specialists, the principal, and various other staff on campus. I feel like my children are surrounded by extended family who love and care for them and their success. We have kept in contact with past teachers and each year we have found our children in a class with a new teacher to love. Other families at the school are involved, inclusive, and we have made so many dear friends. Also, the school has so many clubs, activities, and events each year put on by a collection of parents and the PTO! The community here is unparalleled. There is a reason families come from other schools’ boundaries to be here—it is amazing! My kids are excelling and always look forward to school. Our principal, Principal Heath is fantastic, warm, and welcoming. The teachers are constantly evaluating the curriculum with the help of Mrs. Cumberledge to make sure the kids have all the tools they need for success. The school has established many programs to encourage good citizenship, responsibility, a love of reading, and resilience. The one thing I would personally like to change is the early start time, but that’s a district decision and has actually been a draw for other parents. We have adjusted to the early mornings and enjoy the longer afternoons for clubs and activities. We never plan on leaving Ishikawa and will plan future home moves with the goal of keeping our kids here—that’s how much we love it.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2024

Ishikawa has been a great school for my children to attend. My children have always had great teachers and are shown amazing support. I love that Ishikawa does ELA and Math switches so the students get the enrichment that they need. Most teachers send weekly updates of what is being taught for the upcoming week and I really appreciate that. It is true the class sizes are large, but that's because everyone wants their child to come here, because they know it's the best school and a very well run school! The counselors are also amazing! They go out of their way to make each kid feel important and recognized. They come into classrooms and teach and know their names, which is so important. You will not find a better elementary school in Mesa!
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2024

This has been a great school for my kids. While the classes are quite big the teacher show each child special attention. They have great teacher no matter the grade.
Submitted by other on December 19, 2023

I went here kindergarten through 2nd i left a few years back and seeing some of these reviews it’s all true. I hated the school and would always ask to go to another school. My 1st and 2nd grade teachers were the only teacher i liked, all the other teachers were very rude.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2018

Below average. The worst thing I ever did for my children, was enroll them in Ishikawa. I insisted they come to his school, because I grew up attending Mesa Public Schools. My children came to Ishikawa ahead of their grade; they leave with 1’s and 2’s on their final report card. It’s sickening to see the school system pushing children through like cattle.
Submitted by other on December 08, 2017

I enjoy the teachers. The music and library programs are on an upswing! Keep up the good work!
Submitted by other on September 28, 2015

My children have 30-32 students in their classrooms, which is far too many. The teachers seem to be overwhelmed with these high numbers, I actually feel sorry for them. They also move students from classroom to classroom throughout the day with different teachers, which just makes my children feel tossed around. They complain that they wish they could be in one classroom. I feel like this school is really trying but really it is failing unfortunately.
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2015

I have two kids going to ishikawa both my my kids had have bad experience with bad teachers in kinder and first grade my son in this past school year 1st grade did not pass do to very poor support from his teacher we tried to set a meeting with the principal because the teacher had been telling us in our conference we had in the beginning of the school year that she felt like our child was going to repeat first grade which is kind of odd to say in the beginning of the school year she also said she felt like we needed to go see a doctor for her son because she felt there was something wrong with his head. My son was depress and did not want to go to school the principle I believe talk to the teacher but never call us back for a meeting the teacher then started changing her attitude towards our son she started stating that he was doing great and was a great child which is fine but we wanted her to start working with us so we can come up with something that would help our child. I believe the teacher is just stressed out and maybe just does not want to teach anymore. My daughter had also told me that she felt like the teacher was kinda bullying our son she attended the class at times as the school switched the students around to different classes and she'd at times end up in the same class with her brother. I know the teachers job is very very hard but I also feel like they get burnt out and might not perform at their best. Some I think just need to retire or quit and let the next person take the job or responsibility. I normally do not rate sites but I do not wish this bad experience to any parent or child I hope this can help.
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2013

This school is an amazing place for children to learn and grow as individuals. The staff is incredible, the devotion they display is immeasurable. Shelly Heath is the phenomenal principal that leads the staff and children with love, positivity and energy! This is our 3rd year at this school, we do open enrollment & feel so very fortunate to be part of the Ishikawa family!!!!!!
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2013

I currently have 1 child at Ishikawa school, my son attended this school and is now in High School. I think very highly about this school they have great teachers and wonderful principal that have always attended to my needs and request to help my children. I highly recommend this school the quality of education is outstanding.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2013

I have 3 children at Ishikawa and have had only positive to say. My boys had the opportunity to attend outdoor/science camp this year and it was a wonderful experience for them. My daughter thrives with her teacher. I love the use of technology in the classroom. They are learning so much. The staff, teachers, and principal are always helpful and have my child's best interest at heart. I have been a volunteer in the classroom since my boys started and have always felt welcome. The PTO does an excellent job with activities for the children.