Marley Park Elementary School

15042 West Sweetwater Avenue

School District

Dysart Unified District
Grade

PK, K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
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 November 14, 2024

Overall, we are very dissatisfied with the public school system in Arizona. It doesn’t seem to matter which public school you choose; classes are overcrowded, and the system is failing these kids. Instead of actually teaching, many schools lower standards to artificially boost poor student performance, allowing students to advance to the next grade without mastering necessary skills. They appear more focused on maintaining their school ranking for funding purposes than on true educational outcomes.Classes are oversized, and struggling students are often left behind. Boys, in particular, who typically require more attention, are pushed through the system without even achieving basic skills. These children, who endured the disruptive lockdowns and a lost year of remote schooling, have been especially affected and left behind. As a result, we are withdrawing our son from this school and will now take a hands-on approach to teaching him ourselves. His reading, writing, and math skills do not meet even the minimum school standards. The only response from his teachers is that he "does not want to do the work." If he lacks a fundamental understanding of the material, it’s unreasonable to expect him to succeed.The school culture is also troubling. Bullying often goes unpunished, while instances of racism, especially directed toward white students, are overlooked. The system is failing our children. Some educators seem more interested in preserving a "status quo" focused on diversity and political agendas than on true education. It is disheartening to see that, despite having one of the highest-funded education systems, we are achieving some of the lowest test scores globally. It is truly a disgrace!
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2023

We have 2 children in attendance at Marley and 1 starting there next year. The Principal and AP have been wonderful and make a point to address concerns promptly and take any bullying seriously. The support staff is wonderful and our daughter has had exposure to speech, a paraprofessional, OT, PT and a resource teacher. The special education staff is wonderful and truly cares about the children. The curriculum changed throughout 2020-2023 and can be a struggle at times but the teachers are supportive and do a nice job providing extra support where needed. A great school for children with disabilities and those without.
Submitted by other on June 09, 2023

My youngest son has been attending Marley since kindergarten (he just finished 6th grade) and it's been a fairly enjoyable experience. He's bonded with several teachers and developed great friendships with even more students over the years. However, this year my son was spit on by the PE Teacher, has been called racial slurs by students, and has dealt with sarcasm and impudence from staff members. My preference is to have him attend a new school next year, but he really wants to attend Marley for 7th & 8th grade. And made the argument that you shouldn't run from adversity. It's difficult to argue with that logic. Hopefully, this year was the exception... a bump in the road so to say and the next two years will be as enjoyable as K-5 were.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2023

Moved my kids to the charter school because kids are not safe at this school. Discipline is a problem and the district does not allow anything to be done to correct it. Teachers were at each other's throats and the climate felt unkind. It was good that the board fired Superintendant Kelis but it will take someone truly visionary to get them out of the mess they find themselves in now.
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2021

I love the culture and climate of MPES. I know that everyday, the staff are focusing on developing my daughter as a learner, a leader, and a citizen.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2021

We have been at this school for nearly 5 years now and I absolutely love it. We have experience with general education and special education and both have been fantastic. I think what sets the school apart is the administration, specifically the principal and vice principal. I have never seen one so heavily involved in the day-to-day events. They seem to be everywhere! I think it really makes a difference for parents to see they are right there if you need something vs locked in an office all day.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2021

My kids love this school and the leadership has been incredible during this pandemic.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2021

Marley Park Elementary fosters confident, creative learners. There is a wonderful focus on developing strong character in the students, like integrity, compassion and respect. I have been pleasantly surprised with the dynamic administration at Dysart Unified School District, and couldn’t be happier with our experience at Marley Park.
Submitted by other on October 12, 2018

Dysart unified did not do their homework when hiring their new principal. My heart goes out to the teachers and staff who are subject to her ‘leadership’.
Submitted by parent on August 17, 2018

Excellent administration staff, safety is a priority and school information is always readily available. I am very impressed so far with teachers, staff and rules/regulations as well as the importance of good character impressed on the students.
Submitted by student on April 25, 2018

Horrible only good thing were my friends.
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2016

My kids have been attending school here and have done well. Administration care about the kids' success.
Submitted by parent on March 10, 2015

The teachers at Marley Park have always had high standards for my children. I appreciate that my children are learning to be good citizens at the school. The School has a large focus on the student's Character and I think it is wonderful! Both my children who attend are bright and one is in the gifted program. We have attend the school for 3 years and find it to be fabulous. Most of all I love that my children can walk to school in a safe loving community.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2014

My son has been attending this school for three years and he loves it! His teachers have been helpful and understanding. I have no complaints! I would definitely recommend this school.
Submitted by parent on October 09, 2014

This school and the administration is a BIG JOKE! WHO CARES your an A+ school, when a majority of the teachers there HATE THEIR JOBS, which is so obvious- and the poor kids get the brunt of it all! Teachers walk out in the middle of class because they are so fed up. My daughter had 4 (seriously 4 different teachers) in second grade because they all KEPT QUITTING!
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2014

We had the best teachers this last year! Sad to see the school year end. Good teachers and curriculum are so important to great learning, but parental involvement is also crucial. When parents and teachers work together , great things happen. I feel like that was our experience at Marley Park this last year.
Submitted by parent on April 13, 2014

My son attended Marley Park his Kindergarten year. His teacher was not the best. She is the reason why I removed my child from that school. Poor kids. The teacher was not patient, yelled at the kids, and often complained my son had to "slow" down because he was always finished first... (He is very smart) My son attended the year his teacher started teaching... I wonder if she had any OJT because she was a HORRIBLE teacher. His teacher helped me on my decision to pull my son out of the Dysart district and on to a charter school. I am not impressed with this school at ALL. It looks pretty on the outside, but if they hire teachers like her- I am not interested. Now all my kids attend Calibre Traditional school and is challenged daily- unlike Marley Park.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2014

I have a child in the Cambridge program which everyone seems to believe is 'elite' and treated better than everyone else. The kids who are not in the Cambridge program treat the Cambridge students as if they're the odd ones out. It makes them feel like they aren't normal and that they're weird. My kid doesn't feel like they need their approval because they've been in Cambridge long enough to stop caring what the other kids think of them but what about the younger kids just going into 6th grade Cambridge? They're being separated from they're friends just like when Cambridge was first introduced. Plus, the teachers are not interactive at all. They want kids to ask questions but if they ask the wrong one, the teachers make them feel dumb for not already knowing. Especially some teachers that talk to the students with attitude and unnecessary sass
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2013

Can't wait to get our daughter out of here. Teachers are completely unconnected, leadership as presented to the parents is nonexistant. Child complains about teachers inability to teach. Teachers don't respond to emails/phone calls. Had to go into the office to demand our report card which was never delivered. We live in Marley Park and have since been scouting out local charter schools. We inquired about the Cambridge program here and were brushed off. Our daughters class room is completely overran by the disruptive students. Chalk another one up to the Dysart school district I guess.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2013

My son is in K and just started going here. He loves it, his teacher is awesome!! I am very happy with the school so far. Only thing that is a little hectic is the pick up and drop off, but what school isn't for kids that don't take the bus? Staff is nice and professional, test scores are high, rated A, what's not to like?!