Echo Canyon K-8

4330 North 62nd Street

School District

Scottsdale Unified District
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:7
Type

public

School Map for Scottsdale 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 November 19, 2024

We have 2 kids in Echo Canyon and they both started out in their outstanding Pre-K program. As they have grown and continued on we have loved all of their teachers and their looping model as well! We live the small school feel, where the students are created by name every morning by the principal and assistant principal. Their beautiful gardens, tortoise habitat and monarch weigh station and some of the features that really set this school apart from the rest. We really couldn’t be happier that we found Echo and that it’s a part of our families story :)
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2024

Both our kids started at ECS in Kindergarten. They’ve had outstanding teachers, made great friends, and have had an overall enriching elementary experience!
Submitted by parent on June 29, 2024

Echo Canyon is a hidden gem! We started in the preschool program for both of our kids and now they’re going into 3rd and 1st grade there. Both kids are thriving there and so happy. The teachers and staff are phenomenal, along with the principal and assistant principal (both of which greet students every morning and somehow remember all of their names.) Our kids love their chef in the garden program and they’re always excited for exploration Fridays. The school also recently received an A rating, National Distinguished Title 1 school and named Arizona’s first blue zone approved school. We highly recommend ECS!
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2024

I couldn't be more pleased with our experience at Echo Canyon School. Our school is a small, close-knit community. For example, our principal stands at the gate each morning and greets every student. Our 8th graders read with the kindergarteners. And our growing PTO has been putting on some fantastic events! :)One of the standout features of Echo Canyon is the beautiful garden that weaves through our campus. It not only enhances the aesthetic of our school but also serves as an outdoor classroom where students can learn and explore. We also have a Chef in the Garden program where local chefs come to our campus and use produce grown in our garden to make fun recipes with the kids. It's sooo cool. We also have a fun quarterly event called Exploration Friday where community members/organizations come to our campus to teach children a wide variety of new skills -- from circus performance, to taiko drumming, to frisbee golf. Echo Canyon is also the first Blue Zone certified school in Arizona! This certification reflects the school's commitment to promoting healthy, sustainable habits and it's wonderful to see our children being educated in an environment that prioritizes their well-being in such a holistic manner.Our A+ rating is a testament to the exceptional academic standards upheld here. The teachers are not only highly qualified but also deeply passionate and dedicated to the success of each student.Overall, Echo Canyon School has exceeded our expectations. We're grateful our kids are part of such a wonderful school community!
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2024

Echo Canyon is a hidded gem in the Arcadia area. We wanted a small elementary school where my children wouldn't get lost and stumbled upon this school. After touring this school we were sold. The campus is amazing with beautiful gardens and natural light. Every teacher has been amazing and there are resources for advanced students or those needing more help. There is a strong sense of community and students all seem to know each other. My kids have friends across several grade levels. The families are super supportive and active in family events. This has been a great choice for my family.
Submitted by parent on July 27, 2023

I truly don't have words for this horrible school..
Submitted by other on March 26, 2023

I went to school at Echo Canyon when it was still ANLC, from grades K-6 and then went back for 8th grade. It was a second home to me as a student. The gardens, having the same teacher for two years, all the artwork displayed everywhere on campus — it truly was a place where I felt safe as a child. I have nothing but a positive connotation with the place and remember my experience there fondly.
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2022

We have been an Echo Canyon School family since 2016, beginning in preschool with our oldest and then bringing our son through from preschool as well. Now in 2nd and 4th grade, we continue to be proud members of the Echo Canyon Jaguar family!The looping model has allowed for our children to build meaningful relationships with their peers and educators and we feel that this model is beneficial for educators to teach to each student's needs and academic ability.Echo Canyon School offers a unique setting with garden and sustainability integration and feels like a small private school (without the tuition). The curriculum is rigorous while also supporting individual student needs and the school and PTO offer a variety of exploration activities.We like to say that ECS is Arcadia's best kept secret.
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2022

Proactive, strong school leadership displayed at Echo Canyon. Teachers are highly qualified, certified professionals who have a passion for education. Communication with my child's teacher is on a daily basis. Echo Canyon loves to integrate engaging lessons using the awesome school gardens to all subjects! Wouldn't go anywhere else! The neighborhood a is absolutely stunning location for the school. Most beautiful campus with quality education.
Submitted by parent on November 01, 2019

Totally love it. It is Arcadia's best kept secret. This is a far better alternative than Hopi or Great Hearts. You have relatively small class sizes, a smaller school, and a fantastic group of programs that you can't find anywhere else.
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2019

We LOVE this school! Quality teachers, quality student peers, lots of extracurricular activities. Supportive environment with involved parents. Highly recommend!
Submitted by other on December 07, 2018

The school garden and Chefs in the Garden programs are an inspiration for other schools and communities.
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2017

I hope never see anyone from Anlc at other Scottsdale school district ever I'll remember her name and I sure karma is real They ignore what happened to other people kids it certainly gonna happened to their own kid soon , for whom who lack of humanity
Submitted by other on May 30, 2016

Poor leadership, teachers who are NOT trained in multi age education nor care to be and very punitive in the lower grades! Work sheets galore. Low morale amongst teachers. Dumping ground for behavior plan kids. Only school in district with no waiting. No thanks.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2016

For an "arts integrated school" I was shocked at the lack of art here on all facets. My 5th grader just colors out print outs from a coloring book. Toured Ingleside and tons of art in the art room. Sculpting, pottery, weaving, drawing, painting, art education but not at anlc. There is little to no homework in this school which would be fine if the kids were doing more creative hands on projects at school like we were told they were. No, just more handouts. There's a great garden and we were told that chefs would come and teach the kids about the veggies and make meals with them. No, just an overgrown garden now. My daughter likes the school and it's pretty but there is almost zero STEM. No electives to speak of for the middle school. Everything we were "promised" about this school is a joke. This school could really be a model of student led project based education with a strong focus on arts and music. Instead it's choir, coloring books and average classes.
Submitted by other on October 26, 2015

So far we are very pleased with this school. Unfortunately I completely forgot about this school until last year at the end of 7th grade last year. My child struggled as well as I did with our previous school. There was constant disrespect from teachers and staff and we were both in tears all the time.I can't tell you how happy and pleased we are at ANLC the communication is opened. If you have a ? All you have to do is send an email and they typically reply that same day within an hour or two or at least by the end of the school day. If you need a meeting they schedule it within a few days or sooner never we're too busy it needs to wait a few weeks. The teachers are respectful to the students and parents everyone is very welcoming. It's a Scottsdale public school but considered a choice school. If you like the Montesorri Phylosophy but still want some traditional this would be a great choice. The older kids help the younger kids out and they love it. Can't say enough about ANLC they have many opportunities to be involved within the school.
Submitted by parent on December 29, 2014

ANLC continues to provide a unique learning experience for children. All children are held to high expectations without sacrificing their creativity and individuality. Children are valued in more ways than just a grade on a test. The multi-age philosophy allows children to bond with their classmates and the teachers really get to know his/her students on a personal level. While ANLC provides an exceptional, safe learning environment, children are exposed to real world experiences through Exploration Friday or Chef in the Garden. Older students are mentors to the younger kids through Buddy Read or being a TA. My children have achieved academic success while still free to express their opinions and creative learning style. They have said they love knowing everyone in the school and they don't experience bullying. My children were never 'stressed out' and have always loved going to school. They have continued to Arcadia High School fully prepared for honors courses. If you are looking for a learning environment that creates a very well rounded individual, ANLC just my be the place.
Submitted by parent on December 27, 2014

My very happy 4th grade daughter attends ANLC. I can't begin to say how much ANLC has helped shape & nurture my daughter's spirit and intellect. ANLC provides an exceptional learning environment for all children. The teachers at are dedicated and share ANLCs philosophy of cultivating life long learners. The front office staff, support staff and administration really go out of their way to get to know all of the children on campus. ANLC is more that just a school - it is a vibrant and enriching community.
Submitted by other on December 03, 2014

I'm an student at ANLC and I can definitely attest to great learning environment of my school. From the time of kindergarten, ANLC has instilled the values of doing my personal best and being a meaningful, creative thinker. I would describe ANLC as not just a smart school, but as a gifted school. My fellow students and I not only understand the materials were learning, but we draw inferences to connect to the curriculum, we don't just listen with interest, but we show our opinions to fully understand. Examples of this is when we get to do thinking maps, project based learning, and Socratic seminars. When I came to ANLC in kindergarten I had the opportunity to be inspired by older students. I love going to a school that has kindergarten through 8th grade because as an 8th grade student I know I'm a role model to many younger students. ANLC has an endless amount of opportunities. Some of my favorite activities at ANLC are, the morning announcements, taking math at Arcadia high school, National Junior Honor Society, exploration Friday and buddy read, family read, and student council . Regardless of what others have said, now you know, firsthand what ANLC is truly like.
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2014

ANLC is an awesome school and a second home for my kids and I! I love the diversity. There is also a strong sense of "community" between the parents and the kids of ALL ages. It is a multi-age school where kids are grouped by two grade levels (K/1, 1/2,3/4,5/6,7/8). They have a "project-based" learning model and the kids are encouraged to "think outside the box" to complete their projects. This freedom helps spark passion and the love of exploration and learning. Because the kids are grouped by two grade levels and mentor each other, the relationships carry on through the years and on the playground. The older classes are also paired with a younger class and meet weekly to "buddy read" together. This is another opportunity for mentoring to occur across the ages and relationships to grow. There are also awesome programs that are traditions at ANLC. My favorite is "Exploration Friday". This occurs 4x/year. The kids have two (1hour) classes where they learn about various topics from square dancing to veterinary medicine. ANLC teaches much more than academics, it teaches the importance of community & passion for lifelong learners & leaders!