Ashton Ranch Middle School

14898 West Acoma Drive

School District

Dysart Unified District
Grade

5-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

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 August 20, 2023

I have two children who attend this school. I am a teacher (20 years) and I am grateful for the current administration. They have gone above and beyond to support my daughter academically and emotionally. They set a standard for excellence in character that you don’t always see at a public school. Their variety of sports and electives have kept my son and daughter involved and engaged as learners. The teachers have been supportive and responsive whenever my children have needed any support. I would highly recommend Ashton Ranch Middle School.
Submitted by student on May 03, 2023

they dont support us students and care more on thre funds
Submitted by student on July 05, 2022

This is honestly one of the worst schools I've ever been to in my opinion, the school (generally most of the staff does but not administration) doesn't care about special education. I was in Positive Behavioral Support (PBS) for the first quarter of the year and that was the worst part of my year this year. If you have a child who has anger problems, outbursts, ect., please do not enroll them in the Positive Behavioral Support program, it is unsafe for students (because kids have frequent outbursts and throw stuff, scream, and get physically aggressive) and the staff don't actually care about helping, they focus on punishment rather than helping. The staff (other than the actual teacher like the behavior techs and paras) picks on students, as in giving them punishments when they've done nothing wrong. Even looking at them the wrong way can give them a "warning" (prompt). They build the classroom around this point system that I feel (personally) is designed to make your kid feel more guilty about something they've done (whether it be something as small as speaking with them with a little bit higher tone than the staff wanted them to or something as "big" as an outburst because something triggered them.) General Education is a little bit better than PBS for the reason that (most) staff isn't so rude and always constantly over your shoulder but the safety is about the same. The hallways aren't safe, there's people pushing other people down, knocking stuff over and making a complete mess in the hallway like spraying water on everyone with a water bottle. Bullying is another huge problem because the kids don't care if they get punished or not no matter the punishment. I do not look forward to coming back to school this upcoming year.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2022

My kids started at Countryside Elementary school, just down the road and they loved school. They loved their teachers and their teachers loved them.Then the district changed things up and created Ashton Ranch Middle School (ARMS) for grades 5th - 8th. Countryside is now K-4th. A lot of Countryside's upper grade teachers moved to ARMS so we know many of the teachers already.Teachers we've gotten to know from Countryside are now miserable, after just one year. They won't go into detail, but they aren't happy and many are leaving ARMS.My oldest has shown me posters on the walls, girls writing "stop the inappropriate touching", directed at the boys. This went on for about two months, reports made, but no swift results. All kids should feel safe at school!Bullying is a common occurrence, especially between 5th and 8th grades. One of my kids hit a bully for attaching their smaller friend. I figured I would hear about it, but I didn't. Some of the 8th graders ram their way through the very packed halls, nothing is done about this.There is a lot more, but it's all hearsay, some drama, exaggeration, kiddie stuff. But the bruise from the bunch, the picture on the wall, those I know happened.Paraphrasing from several teachers, it's all pretty much the same thing. The upstairs is horrible, discipline is nonexistent. Trying to maintain a classroom disciple is met with resistance, not assistance, like the teachers are the bad guys.I really hope ARMS can someday become what Countryside was, a safe, fun place to learn. My kids hate school now, but it's not too late, but they won't be back next year.
Submitted by parent on July 02, 2021

Part 2........I know if you aren't a popular kid, the students and some of the teachers will make your life a living hell. The classroom environment is okay if you get the right teachers but if you don't you're kind of stuck getting laughed at. A piece of advice if you are looking to go into Ashton Ranch I would make sure you are into the popular group because just putting this in your middle school and high school year that's what all kids are about is if you're popular or not and if you're not you're going to get bullied. If you are a girl and you're not popular, be careful of what you wea, other girls and boys will find anything to criticize on what you wear. There are only a few people that I like at Ashton Ranch and that was the cross guard lady who is also the lunch lady. Every morning I would walk to school and I'd be super excited to see her. She would make my day a little bit better. We had good teachers on the teaching part. Overall I would rate the school 1 out of 5, the fact being that the office doesn't care, the teachers don't care about the child's personal being. They only care about teaching you work, grading it and getting you out of their class.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2020

If your child needs services but doesn’t yet have an IEP, this is not the school for you. Behaviors will escalate without explanation, and you can’t go to the classroom to observe. Their suspension rates for kids are twice the state average. If we weren’t 30+ days in to trying to get help, I would move schools.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2017

You know I promise I wouldn't . However after getting a call TWO days before school starts telling me there was a mistake and my son will not be eligible for the preschool program. The problem went unnoticed all summer long due to change in office administration. Really? His application was turned in LAST year and your calling me two days before school ?? That was such a joke of a phone call. Joke of a principal, joke of a school really. Remind me NOT to buy a home in this schools zone. Such a disappointment. POOR communication!
Submitted by other on July 17, 2014

I must say that having attended this school for half a year, I was thoroughly disappointed. I hardly knew the principal and the school work was too easy with lenient grading scales. There was way too much bullying and too many cliques with little school diversity and although there were 'Character Cards' there was never a cap on the bullying or irresponsible behavior. There was too many 'fun days' and 'Character Party' days where little to no work was done. I loved the teachers though.
Submitted by other on April 24, 2014

My school is so energetic that helps us as students to care about our future. Ashton Ranch helps us reach our goals everyday.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2014

My daughter has attended Ashton Ranch for the past 3 years. I have found that the school has its ups and downs but not any different from other schools in the surrounding areas. There are plenty of extra curricular activities for all ages to participate in. The 7th grade team stays after school to provide extra help to any student that needs it. My duaghter has grown a great deal academically and has made some amazing friends along the way. The majority of the families that attend Ashton Ranch are involved parents in their child life and pay attention to what is going on, making it nice that my daughter was able to meet people with the same parental background. We are unfortunately moving this summer and will greatly miss Ashton Ranch, if you are looking for an involved school, with great academic success, you will be very Happy with Ashton Ranch.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2013

We are new to Ashton Ranch and as always, I make sure to read through past comments/concerns so that I know what to expect when I walk in. I have to say that in reference to the negative comments, that was NOT AT ALL what I have experienced. The office staff greeted me with smiles and were willing to help out with getting my 3 kids enrolled. I LOVE the security measures that are in place. I am a parent that understands the importance of education and unfortunately that comes with test scores. Teachers are there to teach and the principal is there to ensure that's happening. It's also my repsonsibility as a parent to make sure my children are at school each day on time, with their supplies, lunches, etc., and doing their homework and turning it in. Parents have a responsibility, too. When I first walked in there were kids showing up late for no other reason than just being late. When I went back to turn in my paperwork, there was a line of people checking out their children. I understand the frustration of the schools having to deal with this on a daily basis. Dr appointments are one thing, but I heard someone saying that just didn't want to be in school traffic. CRAZY!
Submitted by parent on July 25, 2013

I have been a proud parent since 2009. Dr. Stoeve is a stern but compassionate principal who wants only to improve the academic and social lives of each and every child in the school while striving to move the children in becoming 21 century learners. The teachers are dedicated individuals that seek to empower the children. The office staff, while small for such a high volume school, is extremely courteous, professional and efficient. I came from another school in the district where the PTA was dysfunctional at best. Here, the PTA is strong. These ladies are fantastic. There are so many different fun opportunities for families to come out and spend time together. My husband has taken my daughter to the father and daughter dances for the last 2 years and both my daughter and husband could not believe how beautiful it was. My children love their teachers and the school. There is a Drama and Art afterschool program where the kids can. Everyone in the school works well together. My only concern is that there isn't enough parental participation. My children's teachers tell me often that they have no volunteers to help out. What a shame!
Submitted by other on July 24, 2013

Ashton Ranch is a great school. The Administrator is a great leader and has done wonders with this school. It's rather unfortunate that some take his concern, structure and attention to detail as a negative aspect; when in fact he's the driving force of moving Ashton Ranch forward to being and "A" school. The front office staff is friendly, efficient and helpful in light of the fact they not only support the almost 80 + faculty and staff, but the parents/guardians of over almost 1,100 students. My hat goes off them and all of the professionals who work tirelessly to motivate our students both now and for the future.
Submitted by parent on July 24, 2013

I am impressed with the overall learning environment of the school. I am however disappointed with the lack of parent volunteers. No one could ever keep me from volunteering in a school where my very own children attend. That's just ridiculous. Parents sit back and complain an awful lot but I say...be part of the solution and not part of the problem...,VOLUNTEER, attend meetings, become active at the school. These are our kids. Let's how them how to work together for the betterment of the future. Remember they learn by example.
Submitted by parent on July 11, 2013

This school is terrible... Dr. Stove is a jerk and doesn't even care about the students unless they get good AIMS scores. I do not like the office ladies... They have no personality. Signing a child out is horrid. The nurse is mean to my child.... I am very annoyed with this whole school. My little girl just got out of Kindergarten and her teacher was mean and very rude. I am not planning on sending any of my kids here. I am very annoyed!
Submitted by parent on May 30, 2013

My children attended for 2 years and I am soooo happy they will be attending a different school in the fall. Dr. Stoeve is a pompous jerk, he doesn't care about the students at all, he only cares about test scores and the money the school receives. The front office ladies are not friendly or welcoming at all, and getting involved with the PTA is nearly impossible. The only good thing about this school is the teachers, they are excellent but so terribly oppressed by Dr. Stoeve and his ridiculous policies.