Benchmark School

4120 East Acoma Drive

School District

Benchmark School Inc.
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

charter

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 December 28, 2024

I cannot begin to say how much I appreciate Benchmark and the role it played in my children's lives. My daughter started here in second grade. She immediately began to thrive academically and socially. She suddenly loved school again. She couldn't wait to get there and hated to leave in the afternoons. When my son started there in preschool the next year, I was thrilled. He came home telling me his shapes and colors and about the animals he saw in Science Lab. Both graduated Benchmark and have gone on to do great in school. My daughter is now studying psychology at ASU and my son is in his senior year of highschool. I was so impressed that I began teaching there. I have now been teaching at Benchmark for 11 years and will never teach anywhere else again! I love the team teaching approach for so many reasons. One reason is not every personality meshes with another so each child has 4 teachers to find the one that they feel most comfortable with. Also, team teaching means every kid is getting what they need, academically and emotionally. I do want to address the recent bad reviews. We had an administrative change that rocked Benchmark to it's core. We weren't happy with what happened or more importantly, how it happened, but many of us stayed to keep Benchmark going. At the end of last year, we had another administrative change and the entire staff could not be happier. Kelly Bauermeister has been at Benchmark for over 20 years and knows what she's doing. In her short time as principal, she and the rest of the front office staff, have brought Benchmark back to its original glory! The students are thriving, teachers are happy, and the school is running smoothly. If you are looking for a place to send your child, I ask that you read those old reviews with a grain of salt. I was there through it all, as a parent and teacher, and we have come on the other side. I cannot recommend this school highly enough! Benchmark is a community, a family, and a safe space for kids!
Submitted by parent on December 18, 2024

Benchmark has been a God send to our family. My daughter transferred mid year in 6th grade. To have a 12 year old switch schools mid year is incredibly hard leaving her friends, teachers and the community she has known since her school journey began. My daughter has thrived at BENCHMARK. She has out done herself in the small amount of time she has been there (3 months). She has a whole new attitude towards school and her own personal achievements. She is pushing herself and excelling in all the things she once found difficult or boring. Her teachers have been wonderful, beyond supportive and encouraging let alone fabulous educators. They offer after school programs that include science with a room full of animals that the students must learn to care for amongst other things they have a choir program that is top notch. I could go on and on about how GREAT BENCHMARK is but I will just leave you with this. I have a twelve year old girl (if you know , you know, everything is boring…) who gets in my car every day and tells me how fun school was that day. That is a big win for us. Benchmark was the best decision we ever made the only Regret I have is that we did not move schools sooner.
Submitted by parent on December 13, 2024

Very impressed with the principal, front office and quality of staff. My kids love going to school. They have been challenged academically and have formed great friendships. I appreciate the small school, hands-on learning style. Choir program and science lab are truly one of a kind. Highly recommend this community.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2024

My family has been involved with this school for 20 years. My husband and I chose Benchmark for our children because we loved the student to teacher ratio, lots of hands-on learning, and lots of family involvement. It was a great transition from our carefully chosen Montessori preschool. My children came out of Benchmark at an academic level 1-2 years ahead of their friends from other schools, and had the unique ability to problem solve, work with others, and think critically. They went on to be very successful in all honors classes at Desert Shadows Middle School Engineering Program, and the CREST Engineering program at PV high school. They are both currently Aerospace Engineers, and I feel their start at Benchmark made a huge difference in their love for learning, and their ability to think critically and problem solve.I became a teacher here half way through my children's journey, as I just couldn't help but get involved in the fun! It is true the administration has gone through a few bumps over the past couple years, but this year has been fantastic!! The new principal has a long history with Benchmark and she has the school on track to be the best it has ever been. Come join the fun, and fall in love with learning!
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2024

This school has been an absolute godsend to my family! My kids adore it here and look forward to school everyday. They feel loved and cared for by the teachers and administrators. I love how each student gets met where he/she is at academically so they can be challenged to be the best they can be. The low student to teacher ratio is also incredible! We love how involved the families are here: it makes it feel like we are one big family. It is truly something special at Benchmark. I would recommend to anyone and everyone searching for a good preschool / elementary school!!
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2024

We have been part of the Benchmark school and community since 2021 and have seen the rather abrupt changes in administration since that time. This school year seems to be more organized with the current principal than the 2023-2024 school year. Further, with the current principal, the culture that I loved about Benchmark in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 has returned. Benchmark teaches to the whole child and has the most incredible science lab and music programs. The staff and teachers go above and beyond and seem to truly love what they do. We are so grateful we found Benchmark.
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2024

Benchmark school has been such a blessing to our family! I currently have two children here (first grade and preschool 4). They love coming to school every day. Their teachers go above and beyond, truly bringing learning to life through amazing projects, crafts, experiments, festivals, plays, dressing up, etc. My kids come home with all sorts of exciting things to share about their days. The front office has always been so warm and welcoming to us all. They greet my children by name, daily! I even received pictures when they helped my son pull out his first tooth! The collaboration between parents, teachers and administration is stand out. Together, they have thrown some amazing Benchmark celebrations- Spirit Fridays (dance parties with the whole school), Flag Day, Fall Festival, Veteran's Day, Pioneer Village, Cultural Day, Holiday Parties, Casino Night, STEAM Festival/Science Fair, etc. etc. It truly is the perfect blend of academic rigor and fun! Both my kids are happy, thriving and academically successful/challenged at Benchmark!
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2024

My family has been a part of the Benchmark community for almost 13 years. A few of my kiddos that have graduated from this school and I have one child still in school here. There has been ups and downs (as I'm sure there are at any school) with changes in administration and a turnover in staff because of said changes, but this year seems to be a turning year! The new administrator/principal is engaging and welcoming. Her way with the students is warm and encouraging, and she has a strong relationship with parents and families. As a parent, I love seeing her outside every morning greeting the students!And the staff! There are not enough words to explain how amazing the staff is here. This school uses "team" teaching, meaning there are 2 teachers per classroom. We had kids that were in this school from preschool through 6th grade and we have been so impressed with each grade level team. And for the elementary grades, each grade breaks down into ability groups for ELA and Math, so that each student is pushed to his/her academic level. This allows for a great teacher-to-student ratio and lots of one on one attention! My kids have thrived with this!!Their specials are their other strong point. They offer art, music, PE, Makerspace (their Technology/engineering lab) and a Science lab that is one of a kind. And all of these classes are so hands-on! My kids have loved all of these classes and are always so excited to tell me what they do or are working on. As a parent, I think the specials teachers are amazing and they seem to really love what they do.I do wish they had a gymnasium or cafeteria. Since they are a small school that seems to be landlocked, they don't have the extra space for a multi-purpose room or a gymnasium. And my other suggestion would be that I wish they had a full time counselor. I think they have a counselor but she is very limited in hours and which students she can see.Over all, we love the school!
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2024

Benchmark was a warm, engaging community when we joined, but after a few years we started to see through some of the façade we were promised and left the school, sorely disappointed, and honestly, a little disgusted. When one of my children was demonstrating some academic challenges, I was repeatedly told he was "fine" and I should "just tell him not to worry so much" - when we transitioned schools he was immediately evaluated by a staff specialist and given a wonderful plan of action with which he's made great progress. I wish Benchmark had taken the time to address my multiple requests for help rather than brushing them under the rug. The school is completely disorganized when it comes to payments (after care, tuition, etc.). No receipts, no electronic payments, many families shared they never paid fees and weren't contacted. Discipline approach felt shame-based and outdated.Front desk staff is dismissive regarding safety. At the time of our departure in 2023 the front door was regularly propped open, and there was no locking of gates during aftercare. No lockdown drills. Anyone could walk onto or off of the campus. No school nurse. The only aftercare supervision was one teenager and three elderly women who on more than one occasion could not find my child at pick-up. The spontaneous firing of both tenured principals in spring 2023 with no interim leader was a mess and poorly communicated. There were protests, resignations and family departures (this even made local news). Then a new principal was brought in who had never previously led or taught in a public school. This schools seems to have grown in popularity and then let its success allow it to become outdated and complacent. Second grade teachers are lovely, science lab is amazing, but not a place I would recommend.
Submitted by other on February 29, 2024

One of the things that sets Benchmark Elementary apart is its strong sense of community. Parents are actively involved in the school, and there are numerous opportunities for families to participate in school events and activities. This sense of community creates a supportive and nurturing environment that helps students thrive both academically and emotionally. In addition to its strong academic program, Benchmark also offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, and art programs. These programs allow students to explore their interests and develop new skills outside of the classroom. Overall, Benchmark Elementary School is a truly special place. It is clear that the staff are passionate about education and are dedicated to providing the best possible learning experience for their students. I would highly recommend Benchmark to any parent looking for a school that values academic excellence, creativity, and community.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2023

Disappointed with the change in administration this year. I stayed with my two children to give him an opportunity. The new administrator seems to rely on others to do his role. HIs emails are long winded and preachy. I do believe the staff care about the students and are great educators however it seems as if the school leadership seems to be failing both.
Submitted by parent on July 26, 2023

I’m a long time parent of Benchmark Elementary. Both of my kids started in preschool and my son just graduated 6th grade. My daughter has one more year and she is very excited to be a 6th grader and finish out her Benchmark career with all of her friends she’s had for the last 9 years. The teachers are exceptional, loving, kind, attentive. The class structure is above all others. The children are grouped based on their needs to thrive, with 2 teachers per classroom, and 4 levels for math and reading. The office and support staff are beyond compare. My kids absolutely LOVE the school and are both sad to have to move on to a new school for middle school. We love Benchmark so much! I can’t say enough great things about the school and the staff.
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2022

Benchmark’s ability based core reading and math is very effective at helping students. It helps students with disabilities participate effectively in the general education classroom by providing smaller group instruction and attention. The ESS department is very caring and teams work well to develop effective interventions for ESS students.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2020

We have been incredibly happy with Benchmark over our last two years there. The Teachers, Staff and Parents are all so involved in everything. I cannot wait for what the future holds!
Submitted by teacher on May 16, 2018

The students at Benchmark are nurtured and cared for. The curriculum encompasses art, literature, music, science, physical education in a way that enriches the students understanding of the interrelation of all subjects. They learn by doing. If the assignment is ancient Greece, they are making costumes for their play, creating Grecian urns to drink from, making a meal to share. They are submerged in the subject and come out the other side with great confidence in understanding their experience.
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2018

Excellent learning environment for kids. Science lab is amazing! Supportive teachers and active learning opportunities.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2017

Benchmark curriculum is designed to engage the vivid imaginative nature of a child. By helping children connect their experiences with their education. I taugh in NYC for many years, and I can tell you that Benchmark makes future creative and analytic thinkers.
Submitted by other on November 08, 2016

I can not believe I didn't write the previous review myself. It's 100% our experience with Benchmark. There is no room for opinions at Benchmark. Things will remain as they are, right or wrong. There are parents and students who hold more sway. There is a lot of excessive snacking on junk food. When I informed the school that my daughter would not be returning I was told, "I hope things improve for you," in the most condescending way. The arrogance of that response still makes me angry. I could go on and on. There is no perfect school, but unless your child is one of the chosen few, it won't be a great experience.
Submitted by parent on October 05, 2016

Please read thoroughly all the negative reviews, note that there is a common theme and they describe our personal experience.Also note the teachers' responses as they come across as angry and defensive. This is how you will be treated if you express concerns or issues.* Bullying and belittling by teachers and administrators.* Nepotism and favoritism toward certain children, families and teachers.* No positive dialog if you have concerns or issues. Teachers and administration will tell you flatly "Don't like it? Leave".* My child left below grade level.* Lack of empathy and compassion shown to those students with special circumstances.Please, I urge you to tour as many schools as possible. You will see the difference.
Submitted by teacher on August 20, 2016

As for the money and sport court comment, don’t be ridiculous! Get a quote and then talk. It cost a lot of money for “plastic”. Have you bought a plastic play set lately?? This school is well taken care of and maintained. Good luck finding a school that doesn’t fund raise. With Arizona’s education being cut year after year, fundraising is the only way that schools can better your child’s education and experience. One would think a parent would want that for their child. As for the other review, NO teacher has ever, ever stated, “Oh come on, what is wrong with TV? We teachers need a break.” That is more than a false and laughable quote. We DO NOT watch TV and movies to teach or for a break from teaching!! Movies are used during heat advisory days and rainy days only during the 30 minute lunch recess period. These days are very few and far between. Yes, the teachers absolutely deserve and are legally bound to receive a 30 min lunch break without students. That doesn’t seem far-fetched, lazy or selfish. It is also very seldom, a few times per year, that a grade level will show a video to enrich our Core Knowledge curriculum. These may include National Geographic, Magic School Bus or historical clips. Fortunately, because of our team teaching, movies are not used when a teacher is absent. This is very different from all other schools. We are still quite confused why these comments stay up on Great Schools’ website as they hold no educational value and are clearly outlandish and implausible. We wish this family the best of luck with their choice at a local Montessori.