Kyrene De La Estrella Elementary School

2620 East Liberty Lane

School District

Kyrene Elementary
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Kyrene Elementary 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 May 18, 2022

The school is great. I would have preferred 4.5 stars but 5 is fair. The teachers that we have encountered are compassionate and caring and the front office staff is also very kind. That is not to say that everything is perfect, as we have had issues regarding very very late bus drop offs and other administrative things like the office not calling or notifying for some things. However, the safety of the school, the communication from the teachers, and the academic rigor is what pushes me to give this school such a high rating. We are very grateful that our children go to this school and to see the progress our children have made in such a short time while being at the school coming from out of district has been very eye-opening- in a good way!
Submitted by parent on March 31, 2021

My 3 kids went here, 2 from Kindergarten through 5th Grade, the other from 3rd grade to 5th grade. My oldest was told she had reading problems during 2nd grade while at Hudson elementary in Tempe. In 3rd Grade we permanently moved to Estrella and they put her in a K3 reading program that I did not have to do any paperwork for and she progressed quickly. she spends all of her time reading now as an 8th Grader along with being in all Gate/Advanced classes at Akimel (Middle School).My 2 boys were placed in Advanced Math, again without me having to do any paperwork. Because they did well in that area and the teachers recognize what students needs are and have a program to help them advance. They had also mentioned putting my kids in the gifted program however I never took the time to really understand how that worked and so my kids missed out at my fault. I believe they’d have to transport to Monte Vista (???) and I would have had to fill out paperwork for that as well so...... unfortunately I dropped the ball there. My 6th Grader is in Advanced/gate classes now at Akimel as well. The teachers have Always been very friendly and communicate effectively about issues that have come up at times. No bullying issues and the kids here all seem to be good friends and Inclusive to new students. Plus the buddy program which helps students recognize the disabled/Autistic students and include them daily also. My last child graduates this year from 5th grade and I couldn’t help but write a review for the school that has basically made my children so interested in learning and being whole balanced loving leaders for life. As a single mom at low income I’m very grateful for this school.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2019

This is the best school my kids have been at. Everyone is so friendly and teachers are fantastic.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2018

Great school first year at Kyrene and Im very impress!
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2018

This is our second school year at Estrella. We love it! Mr Lamp is an amazing principal. He is very approachable and he knows the kids by name. The teachers really care about their students and my daughter has grown academically here.
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2016

My son recently started at Estrella and has really enjoyed his experience. The school hosts many great events and the teachers are truly passionate about the kids and education. They also provide a variety of clubs and sports to enhance the kids' learning experience. Mr. Lamp and other leadership always great the parents and children in the morning and take the time to get to know everyone. Estrella does well with communicating to parents via newsletters, emails, and flyers.
Submitted by other on September 23, 2016

I believe that the excellence with in the school starts with the leader. Mr. Lamp shows such wonderful skills in leading the school. Not only does he care for the teachers but also the parents and the students. He is so involved and really sticks himself out there to be the face for this school. I commute my children 40 minutes to this school and it has been so worth it. We are really happy with Estrella!
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2013

This is our home school but I have talked to several parents who send their kids here because the atmosphere is more down-to-earth and less 'keeping up with the Jonses'. The kids don't care what you wear or what you drive, and neither do the parents. The parents are very involved and friendly. I have seen only one instance of bullying in the 3 years my kids have been at Estrella (I hear it's much worse at other local schools).
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2013

Estrella is a wonderful school! My three children have spent all of their elementary years there. The staff is loving and caring. They have challenged my children, and helped them when they struggled. Estrella is a hidden gem in the community. If you are a family looking for a school for your child, I would highly recommend Estrella.
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2013

I pulled both of my children out of Sierra and moved them to Estrella this fall, following bullying issues. The competetive, judgemental nature that seems to be rampant at Sierra is nowhere to be seen in Estrella. The teachers are hardworking, innovative, and challenge my kids on a daily basis. Mr. Lamp cares deeply about the students and has made getting to know each of them as individuals his number one priority. I am impressed on a daily basis with the challenging, loving education that my children are receiving and I can't stress it enough how happy I am with my choice in schools.
Submitted by other on March 01, 2012

I am a former student from Estrella and I can't say how much I miss it. The school was great and and took great deal in it's pride. Especially in CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. They created this new thing called Character Counts when i was in 5th and other Improvemnts like We deliver. We deliver is kind of like a postal service for the pupils in Estrella to send letters to. I was using it non stop! I've read comments about bulling. NOT ONCE IN MY 6 YEARS GOING TO ESTRELLA HAVE I EXPERIANCED OR WATCHED BULLING. WE HAD FREQUENT TALKS ABOUT IT ACTRUALLY. I'm sorry but as a fomer student their i can't say I believe you. Sorry. My 2 sisters go there and love it. My brother will soon to. . Its is a great school and for 5th and I am so glad i did it. It was fun even though I didn't win. Oh yeah i almost forgot. There is this thing called K3 and I thinks it helps you with reading and i went there. In 3rd I was able to read twice above my grade level and now i can read a whole trilogy in 2 days! Im not exagerating. Ugh there is so much i can tell you about but i barely have enough room left. Estrella is a great school, so keep it in mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2011

It was sad news to see the principal leave to go work in another district. He was always kind and put the kids first. Dave will have BIG shoes to fill -- Dave is a wonderful person and I am happy to have in as principla, but Will miss our old principal!! He even did morning crossing some days!!
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2011

Both of my children attend Estrella Elementary and we can't say enough about how much we LOVE this school! We attend Estrella by choice - our home school is Kyrene de la Cerritos, but we find Estrella to be a much friendlier, welcoming school. Both of my children have much smaller class sizes than they would have at our home school - each with 20 students per class. I believe this makes the biggest difference in quality of education. They receive plenty of 1 on 1 and small group time with their teachers due to this small class size. The teachers at Estrella go out of their way to make our family feel welcome and to feel part of a community. My children have both been tested "gifted" through the district and they are constantly academically challenged. They have never had a problem with "bullying," either directly or indirectly. The school follows the Character Counts program and the teachers make behavior expectations clear and follow through on any discipline as necessary. The office staff is warm and welcoming and we couldn't be more pleased with our decision to choose Estrella Elementary as our school.
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2010

My child has attended Estrella for 4 years. pros: front office staff is wonderful, most teachers are super helpful and very qualified. Cons: Bullying IS a problem. Some kids lack any compassion for others that are different. Over the last two year is seems to have gotten worse and I'd have to say that nothing seems to get d one about it. I have thought about going through the district but instead look for alternatives for my child to attend another school. And it breaks my heart to do this because i afore the teachers, but when your child says they want to leave, you have to listen. No one should feel scared and anxious to go to school. This school started out great but has gone downhill with bullying behavior and the leadership seemingly not caring.
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2010

My kids have been at Estrella for 6 years. We love it. The teachers, administration and staff are fabulous and have always been responsive to our needs. The school has a science fair, art masterpiece program, readathon and now a character counts program as well. Class sizes are not too big and my kids love their school. Not sure what bullying problem another reviewer mentioned. I am frequently at school and have never seen/heard about it. I recommend this school to everyone-average student, special needs or gifted.
Submitted by parent on July 25, 2010

The Bullying problem is big at this school, unfortunately. The bigger problem is how many teachers turn their backs to it. Story after story of kids being bullied, and teachers doing nothing. I was amazed. The Principle did very little as well. In my case i finally had to being in the District to deal with it.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2010

This school was wonderful for my child in the beginning. The teachers are very good at what they do and I couldn't be happier with the teachers. However over the past couple of years I have noticed the overall character development (that this school once pride itself on) has fallen way off. Some kids are becoming disrespectful with a serious problem with bullying behavior. This school needs improvements in this area. Sending my children there next and last year is becoming difficult knowing that character development is no longer a priority at Estrella.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2010

I had nothing but good things to say about this school until the principal leadership changed. Very unpleasant to deal with, very, unreasonable, particularly difficult when you are a single/divorced parent. The teachers are outstanding, very dedicated and willing to go the extra mile. Based on my experience with the leadership I would not send my kids back to this school.