Cactus View Elementary School

17602 N CENTRAL AVE

School District

Paradise Valley Unified District
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
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 other on August 07, 2023

hi, i used to be a student at this school during 2017-2022. i've moved back to the philippines, but i wanna share my experience with this school.my family chose this school for me since it was the closest, and when i first came to this school it was alright for me. but as the years come, the school started falling apart. i know me and the other previous students at this school have a different experience, but i am a person of color and i know there are alot of kids that are poc but i've experienced so many racism in this school that it's crazy. during 2021, i told my grandparents that there were kids that were saying racism stuff towards me. my grandparents obviously told the staff, but the staff did almost or literally nothing at all. only the vice principal actually cared.also, most of the kids here are so rude,, even the teachers too. this is just half of the stuff that happened to me at this school, but i'd rather not say them (if it's okay). but please, do not send your child to this school PLEASE. listen to the other reviews especially from the previous students from this school.
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2023

We gave this school 3 years and that was too long. So now we feel like we have cheated our children out of what should have been a great elementary school experience. Our children started school at Cactus View at the beginning of the 2020/2021 school year, our youngest a Kindergartener and our oldest in the 4th grade. We know 2020 was such a funky year with COVID, so anything out of what we thought would be the norm from an elementary school was excusable. Sad enough though the principal chose not to have a celebration of any sorts, not even a drive thru celebration for the Kinder classes at the end of the year. Especially sad because other schools around were doing drive thru celebrations and our child was really excited to celebrate like other kinders she knew that did not attend Cactus View, so imagine having that conversation with your 5 year old... The next school year 2021/2022, I asked about little things that kids get to do in elementary school, like assemblies, winter concerts/spring concerts/science projects/field trips... nothing, none were being offered, when asked I received the COVID excuse, but by this time the in school mask requirement was long gone and we were getting emails pushing us to make sure our kids were not absent, so I am pretty sure illnesses were no longer a concern, but nothing exciting was going to happen to allow the kids to feel like kids in elementary school. So then comes the 2022/2023 school year, by this time our oldest was in 6th grade and wanted to stay at Cactus View due to developed friendships and such and understandably so our youngest wanted the one last year in the same school with their only sibling, but I wish we would have just moved them then, at least the youngest since she excelled at all that she was taught and was often bored, but we didn't. So now at the end of the 3rd year, our kids have still not had one school assembly that parents were invited to, no field trips, no science projects/no projects at all. The older kids rarely get homework and the younger kids always get a packet. No homework is okay if viewed that way, but for a school with lower than average scores homework may be needed.?. We will be moving our youngest this upcoming year and our oldest will move on to his next level of learning with his friends. Hopefully at this new school our youngest gets to experience the fun parts of being in elementary school for the few years she has left. Learning can be fun, if the school allows it.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2022

It was a nice school about 2yrs ago. It just fell apart .never homework and just no learning.
Submitted by other on July 27, 2022

The teachers (mostly upper grade), principal, vice principal, they are just plain rude. I am a past student at this school and all I gotta say is that the teachers there are just not nice/fair. One example is that they are never on the kids side, you try to explain something, nope… kids are wrong, and the fact that my family didn’t even like the school, we’re talking my mom, dad, grandma, grandpas, aunt, uncle, nope!! They didn’t agree with what they did too me not to anyone else, they have attitudes like a mf, and think they own everyone, which they kinda do for the day, but just no, they think if you try too explain yourself after doing something they misunderstood (happens a lot) they just assume you are argueing and don’t let you say something, and if I had to rate the teachers I was with, (Kindergarten: 5/5 | First: 2/5 | Second: 5/5: | Third: 4/5 | 5th: 1/5 | 6th: 0/5) and guess what, I had the same teacher in 5th and 6th, and she still didn’t change, the class tried to say something like the WHOLE class disagreed with her and how rude and unhelpful she was and she still continued, I didn’t even like learning in the class with her, didn’t even have a good grade cuz I never wanted to learn when she taught, but it goes the same with the principal and the vice. Nope! Hated it, never AGAIN. That’s it for me I guess other then the test scores are a$
Submitted by parent on December 18, 2019

I would never recommend this school to any other person.
Submitted by parent on April 19, 2018

Negatively!!! They should be closed down or held to actual standards
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2015

I'm a former student, I loved this school wen i was going there i am not in high school sophomore. This school has gone down way down, The teachers are leaving, and there replacing only a few they are not good. This school is no longer as good as it was. I would not recommend it. If your son or daughter is hyper they will recommend pills on the first try they will not even test them for ADD, or ADHD. there special Ed classes are great if you are lucky to get Ms. Sitez. the principals never stay for more that 2 years. this school is not stable and you kid should not go here.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2015

I love this school! The teachers and staff are really nice. My daughter has been at cactus view since kindergarten, she has learned so much in the four years she has been here! We have moved to surprise and I was about to pull her out for the simple fact that we just lived so far away. But we couldn't part with the school! So we drive her to school everyday! My son now is in kindergarten and is attending cactus view, he has been seeing a speech therapist, and Just in a couple of weeks since school started, he has been talking more and we are able to understand him more! He is learning so much! I always tell people about cactus view and how it's such a great school! My husband and I don't mind the drive everyday to drop our children off, because at the end of the day it's worth it!
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2015

All of the teachers are leaving, that should tell you all you need to know
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2014

Absolutely love Cactus View! My son has gone here since kindergarten. The staff is always nice & caring. I've never had a problem in the 6 years my son has attended Cactus View.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2014

Such a great school, great teachers, new principal and seems like itll be a great year!
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2013

My children's school is amazing, self proficient and caring of all its diverse children. This is the best elementary school I have come across in the entire Phoenix area.
Submitted by parent on June 20, 2013

My children have attended this school for 2 years now, and they have excelled the academic standards! I recommend this school to any parent. My children won soo many awards, but keep in mind parents, children need our support. They need to see you be there for them when they need academic support or even when they face challenges on how to problem solve with different kids' characters or attitudes. This school has mid level issues regarding bullying or with how kids choose their words towards each other. They are working harder at it as time has passed although they still need a little work on it. But when there is an issue, they try to resolve the problem and see to it that the trouble causing child faces consequences. If your child needs help catching up to the rest in class, teachers here are very supportive, and not to say the principal. She is very awesome! I really love this school!!:o)
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2013

My daughter is finishing first grade at this school and I cannot say enough good things about Cactus View and their staff! My daughter gets special ed, speech therapy and occupational therapy. She has blossomed at the school. She has so much more self confidence now and can easily make friends. She has progressed academically 300% over the charter school she attended for kindergarten. The therapists and the teachers are so supportive. I also love this school's campaign and constant presence on anti-bullying. I am thankful we found this school!
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2013

Very disappointed in this school. My son started in K and I have finally moved him to another school half way thru the 2nd grade. My son has been bullied and unhappy the whole time he was there. I kept thinking if we just stuck it out things would get better, they did not, they got worse. His second grade teacher was impatient, wanted him on meds, always complained about everything and didnt help my child. I finally moved him to Campo Bello and in a few short weeks he is happier than I've ever seen him, he is being tested for gifted learning and his teacher is amazing! I do not recommend this school!
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2012

My child has been attending Cactus View from Kindergarten thru 6th grade this year. For the most part I can say he has been blessed with very good teachers and staff. I'm sure he will look back at his years at CV with fondness and pride. I have enjoyed working with the principal, teachers and staff to help give him the best possible start toward his education.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2012

good school, nice teachers my kids been going there for 4 yrs now, all teachers ave very responsible and qualified.
Submitted by other on May 23, 2011

I went to Cactus View for 7years from kindergarten to 6th grade. I am now a 8th grader at Vista Verde Middle School. I loved all of my teachers! They all took the time to know each one of their students. I had a fantastic time at CVES. I recommend this school!