Aire Libre Elementary School

16428 North 21st Street

School District

Paradise Valley Unified District
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

public

School Map for Paradise 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 parent on October 25, 2017

Wow! Aire Libre is an amazing school! My husband and I searched private schools, charter & public schools to find a good fit for our kiddo. Aire Libre came out at the top of our list with the small class size, the knowledgeable and caring faculty, and their awareness and experience with kids who may learn a bit differently. We just met for fall conferences and our son is excelling academically and thriving in school; he's even looking forward to going to school each morning. He loves his teacher and his class. We have seen such positive growth and love the personal responsibility our son is developing... Aire Libre is such a wonderful school that teaches the whole child and really cares about your kid. I highly recommend Aire Libre, even if you have to travel a bit. Your kid will not just be a number! Thank you Aire Libre!
Submitted by parent on August 24, 2016

My sons have been at Aire libre elementary for 2 years and we couldn't be happier. I had a son that suffers from separation anxiety really bad and he got the best kinder teacher ever, Mrs. Harcus. Don't know how she did it but she was able to get him to open up and want to come to school every day. i couldn't thank her enough. Now hes in first grade and is doing wonderful. My oldest son has also been there for 2 years and loves it. His teacher Mrs. Haugen was the best 2nd grade teacher a mom could ask for. She is so caring and understanding but yet firm. My son still goes by her classroom and says hi. I've had my sons in 3 different schools due to bad schools and i'm glad to call Aire Libre our home school. Never have i ever met a school that not only cares for the students but cares for the parents and whole family. You should check this school out for your child!!
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2015

We like the small community minded school. The kids are each tracked individually by the principal so no child who needs help gets lost in the shuffle. They offer before and after care, which helps working parents. We find it a good fit for our family. The improving scores are not yet reflected by many websites who are behind in updating school profiles.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2014

I think the teachers are very helpful and doing as well as they can with the changing standards. It is a school that has a very diverse student population. I am pleased with our children's teachers.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2014

My girls have attended here the past four years. Each of their teachers have been amazing. So pleased with their experience.
Submitted by parent on September 06, 2013

This year (2013-14) we put our boys in a new school because of how truly awful Aire Libre has been! First of all, academically, they DO NOT teach the kids enough! Our boys had straight A's at Aire Libre but at our new school they were tested & we were told that they weren't taught several of the concepts they should've learned by now, so it was easy to get good grades at Aire Libre when they aren't teaching very much.Our son's 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Kelley was rude and often marked problems wrong on his work that were actually correct! We would go over the things she marked wrong and many times they were actually right, the teacher just got it wrong herself! We told her this, she was rude & said there's NOTHING SHE COULD DO! My son's K teacher Mrs. Harcus was very wonderful though, & she needs to be in a school that deserves her! Also, our boys were bullied almost DAILY for being white w/blond hair as the school is primarily hispanic now. They were physically cornered in bathrooms by kids & actually hit over and over! Even our 5 year old! The Principal did NOTHING about it & no one seemed to care or keep an eye on the children at all! DO NOT PUT YOUR KIDS at AIRE LIBRE! DANGEROUS!
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2011

We switched our son to this school a few weeks ago and we couldnt be happier!!!! Mrs. Harcus is AWESOME and very nice! My son is doing 10 times better here than at the otehr school he was at. LaDonna is Super nice and always willing to help. I think we made a wonderful choice in Aire Libre for our son!!!!!!
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2011

School relies too much on unqualified aides. Teachers run the school as if there is No Principal. They tell you one thing one day and something different the next, miscommunication is a nice word. Lack of integrity, lack of compassion, no patience - some people just should not work in a school environment.
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2011

Needs improving..the school needs more security. I din't feel like my daughter was learning anything because teacher was too busy trying to discipline the other children. My childs teacher was very impatient with the student even though my child never got into trouble, but I noticed this after volunteering one day just before lunch. I had to change schools and my daughter actually enjoys going to school now and has learned so much since attending Echo Mountain.