Zaharis Elementary School

9410 East McKellips Road

School District

Mesa Unified
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
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 July 28, 2023

My daughter has been going to this school since kindergarten. She suffers from social anxiety, generalised anxiety, and her doctor thinks she may have Bipolar disorder. What did the teachers do to help her? Force her to face her fears and present things to her class. This lead to many mental breakdowns and even more stress for her, she even stopped talking at home because of it. They recently got a new principal and she is so unkind to the students and puts on a smile to show that she cares, but she really doesn’t. The old principal was very nice and caring, and provided fun programs for the students to do, like help refurbish the courtyard and take care of the tortoises. I’m very disappointed on how much they care now, they don’t.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2020

The principal and staff are amazing. They make learning magical at this school.
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2019

We had a solid experience in the classrooms, the teachers are committed and truly love their students. Outside of the classroom, which is over an hour a day, good luck, your kids are going to need it. The bully behavior is encouraged and reinforced-parents are kept out of the loop if your child is bullied, and your child will be punished without your knowledge if they are involved. There isn’t consistent homework policy throughout the school, so if you have multiple children here you may or may not have homework. We found our kids didn’t have a lot of time to eat, and were always hungry.
Submitted by parent on October 17, 2018

I have two kids at Zaharis (and another one going in a few years) and I've had nothing but amazing experiences. The teachers are all fantastic, the administration is lovely, the campus is awesome. They use an inquiry based approach to learning which the kids really respond to and I'm always so impressed with the things they are learning.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2017

Every child is pushed according to their abilities and needs. The teachers go above and beyond for each student. I have seen many approaches to learning and zaharis is in a category all its own. They take inquiry to a whole new level with celebrations and their project-based learning truly stretches across the curriculum. I could not imagine my child learning any place else! If you have not visited the school I recommend touring it now.
Submitted by other on September 24, 2017

Zaharis fakes that they are above average. Smooth over or sweep into the closet any issues
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2017

Zaharis is a unique, amazing school! I have one child who went from kinder through 6th grade and another currently in 5th grade. The teachers truly care about students and go above and beyond to make sure they are learning and growing, whether they are at, above, or below grade level. They work hard to provide real-world learning experiences, rather than boring out-of-context textbook activities, encouraging students to think critically and share their ideas with others. You can feel the caring as you walk through the hallways and in the classrooms. My children absolutely LOVED their experiences! I wouldn't want my children to go anywhere else!
Submitted by other on November 18, 2016

My niece is having to transfer out of Zaharis due to extreme bullying in 4th grade. When the teacher was informed of what was going on, her response was and I quote "I don't deal with drama" well its not "drama" its bullying in its rawest form. Notes being left in her desk calling her names, having to sit alone at lunch, being called ugly or brace face. ITS NOT OK! It is so disappointing that such a well known school in Arizona wont take a stance against a very obvious problem that many students are being exposed to, due to the celebrity status of many of the parents there. They choose to allow the more wealthy parents to line their pockets and fund the school, even if its their child doing the bullying. Its completely unacceptable and I would never want my child to be an environment that she didn't feel completely accepted and comfortable. Someone needs to call the news station and take a stance against the school, teachers and principle that choose to continue to allow this to be acceptable under their supervision. STOP enabling these children that think its ok to behave this way.
Submitted by other on March 22, 2016

Great Principal and teachers! Awesome learning environment, they make learning fun! I have never seen a school like this one!
Submitted by parent on January 19, 2016

Zaharis is a wonderful community-oriented elementary school. The teachers and staff are very committed to education and delivering the very best to their students. My child is thriving at this school, and reading chapter books in first grade, and is making lots of progress. We are enjoying the school and all it has to offer!
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2015

Mr. Oliver is fantastic, too bad he is a temporary worker. My kids have been bullied and inappropriately touched by older kids. Another kids had a nasty cut and got stitches and I found by a very late night phone call by the parent's mother saying my child was involved. He has learned many swear words at this school and now hates school. Many other kids don't even do recess more
Submitted by parent on October 01, 2014

We have had kids at Zaharis for 11 years now. What an amazing school! All the teachers and staff are excellent and the culture is so warm and inviting. We're so thankful we have had the opportunity to be a part of this school.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2014

We moved into the area from out of state, and with natural trepidation explored our options for our soon-to-be-newly minted Kindergartner, our son who is long on "bright & spirited," not so much on "focused attention." The school currently scores an 8 as compared with some neighboring schools scoring a 10; I suppose one has to wonder what that actually translates to for an individual child. All we can say is we can't be more thankful we ended up at Zaharis. Ms Pena, our son's kindergarten teacher, has been a perfect match, the parental involvement and school spirit is strong, and the principal Mr. Oliver makes a special note of of describing himself as "prince-a-pal," a fun twist but appropriate -- he allows his teachers the freedom to stack their walls with books cover side out (clever rain-gutter shelving), and inspires everyone in the age-old tradition of learning through reading. We feel lucky to have landed here.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2013

This is the most amazing school. I have 6 kids and this school has been great for the first four that have gone so far. The teachers care so much and the principal is outstanding
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2013

My daughter attends Zaharis and it has been the BEST experience we could have asked for in a school and teacher. Ms. Kuhlman is FABULOUS and we feel very blessed to go to such an amazing school! I have never heard of such an engaged, caring, active, public school... but it does exist at Zaharis!
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2013

I am a parent of 2 Zaharis students,this school is all about your status.if u make 1 comment about there rules (which they make up as they go) they will shun u From that day foward,the whole staff is a bunch of gossiping men and women.The principal has n knowledge of discipline to the children that need it.If your child has a problem in any subject there first stepped is to assume your child is special needs instead of the teachers working with your child...
Submitted by teacher on August 24, 2013

I know and have worked with the Principal Mr. Oliver in the past at another school. He is kind and has a great relationship with all of his staff, parents and children. I love that he has books in his office. I love the bed time stories..If I were to move back to Mesa I would definately have my children attend Zaharis.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2013

There is no better school out there! You seriously won't find any better! Everyone works together to create an environment unparallelled to anything you've every seen! You have to go see it to believe it!
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2012

Zaharis is an outstanding school that teaches kids to think rather than just memorize. The principal is truly a role model that the kids look up to and love. He is creative, involved, and thinks outside the box, and therefore attracts that kind of teacher. The teachers are there because they love to teach kids and challenge them daily to be better learners, discovers, and people. Academic excellence these days is only measured by test scores, but they cannot measure the intangible skills of real life problem solving, critical thinking and so many other qualities that parents want their kids to learn and embrace. I am blessed that my kids have all attended Zaharis since it opened when my oldest started kindergarten. They have gotten the very best educational experience I could ask for.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2011

Great school! Really reaches outside the box to teach kids in different ways from the traditional school formats. No desks, make kids comfortable and they are more open to learn.