Desert Trails Elementary School

4315 East Cashman Drive

School District

Paradise Valley Unified District
Grade

PK, K-7
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 parent on March 17, 2024

To be honest, I think the school is way too advanced. Now that is not necessarily a bad thing, however, my child is in first grade, she can read, write, and spell 100 words all on her own without any help, her teacher says she should know 170 words and I should look into a holding her back a grade. An average first grader knows 100 words I am very proud of her. They also started doing presentations in front of the class and they grade them on pronunciation of the words which are very hard with the layout given. I feel that is too much for a first grader. Some of the spelling words that she had was responsibility, punish, and awkward. In my opinion, this is way too hard for a first grader, and she will not be going back after the school year.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2022

Would not recommend for many reasons. Discrimination proven. Bullies galore. Very young teachers who need training. Poor resources for IEP/504 students. Extremely high turnover of staff. New principal specifically went against years of documented bullying. Our child is now at a new school and the curriculum is much harder. They have new teachers, young teachers with less training and old teachers just waiting to retire who are harsh and uncaring. There are a very few exceptions. Avoid at all costs. The parents are extremely unfriendly. One child we knew is left in a public park until the parents arrive to avoid aftercare. So sad.
Submitted by teacher on July 19, 2022

The principal is awful there and completely unprofessional. She only cares about test scores.
Submitted by parent on March 22, 2019

Our experience with Desert Trails was a nightmare. There isn’t much that is done well at this school unless you are in the gifted program and are there everyday being a helicopter parent and trying to befriend the administration. My child fell through the cracks and no one cared, in fact I was bullied for asking for help. Kids are unsupervised at lunch and recess. Test scores are all that matter and so all the stats are inaccurate. The culture is that of catty, bully parents and similar children, the approach to bullying is a joke. A teacher actually yelled at me when I told her my child was being bullied over religion. Don’t walk, run!
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2018

The teachers work diligently to meet not only my daughter's academic needs, but her social needs as well. They use a variety of instructional strategies to bring learning to life. My daughter is excited about school and can't wait to tell me what she learns each day. The new principal is visible and approachable, and she has a positive energy that is contagious. We love Desert Trails!
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2018

We have been so happy with our neighborhood school! Staff and administration are excellent! Class sizes are on the smaller side, so my child's teacher is really able to identify areas to remediate and challenge in his learning.
Submitted by parent on June 29, 2016

The school principal is the main reason I am giving this school 2 stars. She buries her head in the sand and does nothing to resolve problems. She sticks up for bad teachers 100%. She has poor communications skills, is not approachable and it is obvious that she hasn't been in an administration position for very long. Most of the teachers are very good but there are a few who are not and there is nothing a parent can do about it.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2015

We were a bit surprised by the poor review below. Our experiences with the 1/2 gifted class don t resemble that post. The class is great. The self-contained model is project-based learning, and in this class there is not a lot of homework. But gifted kids learn better that way. The amount of homework doesn t mean we don t know what s happening. We can log into our kid s online programs to see progress. In-class work is available on request. And there are weekly newsletters and near daily photo uploads. Parents are welcome to come into the class, and Mrs. Jones has been responsive and available to us outside of school. The principal usually responds within half an hour to email. Earlier in the year when a parent was concerned the principal called a parent meeting for the entire gifted program to address the issues. The earlier complaint with specials was that they are scheduled so that some of the special-needs kids were in the same class. After one family raised a concern about the specials, we understand that the principal and someone from the gifted office observed the classes. If there was an actual problem with the mixed classroom we re sure it would have been addressed.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2015

My child attends Desert Trails in the first/second grade gifted classroom. I know gifted classrooms don't resemble a "traditional" classroom and for that, I am thankful. The teacher facilitates opportunities for the students to learn and apply their knowledge through blogs, open houses, slideshows, and problem based learning activities. My child comes home excited about learning and the connections that they're making. They adore their teacher and it's obvious that the teacher cares a lot about her students. The administration is wonderful as well. I feel confident in her ability to lead a strong school. I would definitely recommend Desert Trails to any family.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2015

My child attends the 1st/2nd grade gifted class at Desert Trails Elementary. This will be our third year within the PVUSD gifted education program. We have been so impressed with this school, our child's teacher, and the program itself. The principal has been completely helpful The principal is supportive of her teachers, backing them completely with her care and concern. My child's teacher has exposed the children to various technology. I am impressed with how informed she keeps her parents, posting weekly classroom pictures of the children working, sends out weekly classroom letters, and has the children complete their homework online so the parents can view their progress. This teacher encourages students to expand their creativity while challenging them to the next level. This teacher truly understands what it takes to teach a gifted child as she ventures away from the worksheet practice and instead opens the minds of the children through various hands on projects. I have been to gifted conferences and the experts have reiterated that worksheet homework does not work for gifted children, and this is the first time I have actually seen it in action. A+ school.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2015

Our family made the choice to move schools in the fall of 2014, when our child was accepted into the self-contained gifted program 1st and 2nd grade combined classroom. It was the first year the program was offered at this school and the small class size appealed to us - only 12 kids. We soon learned that the lack of communication between the teacher and parents was of concern. Our child never came home with any school work or homework. There was no follow through and we were unable to gauge our child's success or struggles. Emails to the teacher would usually go unanswered. The principle is not supportive of families with concern, especially if this is not your home school. We were told that we chose the school and if we do not like it, we could leave. If you are considering this school for the self-contained gifted program, please make sure that you ask which other class will your child be having specials with. The lack of communication, the lack of follow through and the lack accountability was a serious concern with our family. If we couldn't be treated in a respectful manor as parents with concerns, what was it like for our child?
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2014

My family has been very impressed with Desert Trails. All Teachers & staff have been absolutely wonderful. Very family oriented atmosphere.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2014

Desert Trails is a great family school. The principal and the teachers are very accessible. I feel like my son is getting more one and one attention from his teachers as well as the special area teachers. We are glad we are there!
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2013

Our children have had a wonderful experience at Desert Trails Elementary. They have enjoyed their teachers and the many firends they have made. We would highly reccommend this school to anyone.
Submitted by parent on October 21, 2013

I find it amusing that the previous reviewer wants people to form their own opinion and not take into account the negative reviews at all. The new principal asked at a PTO meeting to have parents come out on this site and give good reviews to help boost the scores. She is completely enrollment driven and wants her numbers to look good. The bullying by children and her "chosen" parents is a real issue. They have driven the working parents out from being a part of anything and it is truly sad. If it weren't for the amazing teachers k-4 we would have left. When it is time for 5th grade if better teachers haven't been brought in, it may be time to look elsewhere if you want your child to have a great education.
Submitted by parent on October 07, 2013

Desert Trails Elementary is a school I am proud to have my children attend. The new principal, Sheri Duggan is a person who knows how to get things done for the school & the students. The school is rated "A" & the test scores are very impressive: 3rd & 4th grade scored highest in the District in 2013! The teachers are phenomenal, they give it their all. There is a new vibe at the school- new principal, several new teachers- it's an exciting place!
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2013

The one problem at this school, PARENTS. The talk in the neighborhood is filthy. These parents don't mind tearing down other parents, teachers or the principal. Would not recommend this school only because the parents are horrible, horrible, horrible.
Submitted by teacher on April 06, 2013

I agree with Feb 12, 2013 post. School is not crowded and any bullying is taken very seriously. Principal is a caring, kind person as are the teachers. This school is not in Surprise or Scottsdale. The post on Feb. 11, 2013 must be referring to a different school.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2013

HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE School.... Teachers & Principal lack in proper education and GOOD discipline. Expect allot of bullies, crowding, and poor leadership.. The only plus to this school is Kinder and 1st grade. I live in Surprise and drive my kids to Scottsdale everyday just for high quality teachers and good schools..