Scales Technology Academy

1115 West 5th Street

School District

Tempe
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
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 July 26, 2024

Our 4 kids went to scales , we are sad to be leaving . We have watched the school go from a D+ school to and A , after bringing in an amazing principal and staff. My kids loved there teachers staff and especially the principal! They are welcoming and caring and have great relationships with students and parents alike. We are sad to go but will be popping in to say hi often! -the pino family
Submitted by other on May 29, 2021

My daughter exceprince in school awesome she like that's a lot really she is very missing this school staff and classmates.
Submitted by other on April 09, 2017

Scales is a good school with dedicated Teachers and staff. The Liason for the school is an amazing woman and I encourage all parents to stay involved with their children's education and go to the Parent Meetings and volunteer once or twice a year. Everyone is necessary in the success of the children! Support the Scales staff who support your children <3
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2017

My son started in kindergarten here and is finishing off in 5th grade. I have overall been very happy with this school. I have appreciated every teacher my son has had every year and I very much appreciate the Principle and Vice Principal here. My son has been an honors student since the start and they have a very good program for the advanced children to ready them for Middle school and High school. I see a lot of potential this school can continue to tap into and it will just take enough teachers and parents to keep a momentum to create a strong support system that stays alive and passed down each year instead of needing to start over every year. I have been involved with the school and volunteered with the school some years more than not but Parent participation is for certain appreciated. The more I feel a parent participates in their child's education and with the school the better. Overall behavior in this entire district is concerning as I have experienced first hand and it is my suggestion the Superintendent utilize resources the school receives to implement a no bully program and or a program that focuses on right relations that teaches the kids how important their words and relations with each other are. Many of these children's parents cannot participate with the school as it is a poor area and parents are all working long hours so everyone is doing their best but I think the children have a great capacity to be taught to hold themselves to way higher standards of self governing and perhaps the school can create a theme of caring for each other as a familia. Bottom line the staff of this school cares very much and they deserve as much support as possible to create the best environment possible. Somehow bringing the children to understand their participation in the schools overall success by caring for each other would be huge. Lastly, please paint a mural on the gym stage wall! The gym/auditorium needs life. Please have more ART showing off and bring spirit to the place where we all gather to celebrate the children. Thank you so much Scales!
Submitted by other on February 02, 2017

the school is great. Im so happy to be part of a great school
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2017

Me gusta mucho la escuela tiene muy buenos maestros
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2017

wow! This school is more like a family. My daughter is happy all the time! The staff is so beyond welcoming. they have helped my daughter become the best version of herself she can be. Thank you to all the wonderful teachers and staff!
Submitted by teacher on January 26, 2017

Excellent teachers, great school i am happy about my kid learning.
Submitted by other on January 24, 2017

Great School. Staff and teachers are well versed and communicate well together. Students are excited to be at school. I have had several of my children at Scales and love that many of the staff know them by name. Academically, they are doing well. I will definitely bring my 3 yr old to Scales when he is 5 yrs old.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2016

Im a parent of two children at this school. My oldest in 5th and youngest in K. My oldest has always went to Broadmor (which is a wonderful school!), the only reason we came here is I couldn't get my youngest in this year and Scales was in our district. I figured it was best to have them at same school and it was after all her last year in elementary. BIG MISTAKE! Let me say, the teachers my kids have are Great! Love them! However, the kids that go to this school are not the best and there is major lack of parent involvement. The kids are disrespectful, mean and there is so much bullying. Both in K and 5th grade. (Been worse for my 5th grader) This has NEVER been an issue at the other school, and had it been it would have been nipped in the butt instantly. I have approached the school and spoke with the assistant principle about issues. She was kind and said she would address, and I'm sure she did. However, there is only so much she can do without parent support. If you want your child to accelerate, keep their grades up, be happy and have enjoyable peers, please find an alternate education route! Do not put your children here.
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2013

My son really enjoys this school and his teacher last year was amazing! The school itself is beautiful, and the other teachers I have chatted with seemed nice and welcoming. I do believe the office staff needs to be a little friendlier. I know it can get overwhelming up front but being approachable is apart of the job. The only issue I really had last year was that in the summer the classroom seemed really warm, and my son would come home saying it was hot inside. Students can achieve more in a comfortable environment, so I hope to see an improvement this year.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2013

My daughter has attended this school since Kindergarten (Fall 2010), thus far I am very happy to say we will continue to drive her daily (6 miles away) as it has been wonderful. Scales has a great atmosphere, it is not too large and the turn over of teachers is low. A great asset to this school is the PACE program!
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2012

Exactly, I am with all the parents on our family being very dissapointed Dr. Diokno was no longer the principle at my child's fav. school. I noticed at first the energy you felt when walking in the office kids were smiling, and parents talking feeling comfortable there-durring meet the teacher days as well both years we noticed the new principle is very very unaproachable-she just passed right thru us like if we didn't exist We introduced ourselves to shake her hand, she never looked at us and she yelled at all the students and parents-with her hand outreached "everyone leave the office, you should not be in this area. That was my first encounter with her-my family tried to give her and the assistant principle a second chance-durring one of my visits, seemed like the same thing all over again. I noticed the receptionist very timid around them-she never used to be that way. When Mr. Diokno was there she would always say hello out loud and not feel so punished. Mr. Diokno would even come out and say hello , wave with a smile. Even if he was busy. Upon noticing this school dropped dramatically in grades we are moving our child out of there, we love the teachers very much.
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2012

My chid attended Scales for the 2011-2012 schol year. We had a great experience there.I have heard great things about Dr. D,however, I have not had any issues or concerns with MaArtha Jacobo. The current principal there. There was a bullying isue that arose in the begining of the year and as expected it was dealt with right away and proffessionally. My child wants to attend Scales for the 2012-2013 school year, I know it's becuase he is happy there. Thank youMrs. Robinson( Kindergarden Teacher) for a great experience!!
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2012

The Principal at this school changed before the year began and we were not aware until we attended meet the teacher night. Dr. D seemed like a great Principal and was the reason we choose this school. Our kids, along with other kids attending this school have disliked this school. We came from Meyer Elementary and have felt that the new Principal is not good. She allows bullying and there are several fights weekly. Children actually physically fight! I am changing my children's school next year.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2012

We have been very involved parents since our daughter at Scales in kindergarten in 2008. Since the change in administration this year, I fear that this school is becoming like all other problematic schools in the area. Parent involvement has been discouraged, to the point of not feeling welcomed at all. The new admin personnel seem to thrive on their new titles & like another reviewer stated, are very dismissive. I have noticed an increase in bullying not being dealt with appropriately. The atmosephere is more tense and not family oriented anymore. I must say that I am glad we are moving out of state and if we weren't I'd probably be looking for a new school for our daughter's 4th grade year this fall. It's unfortunate, because when Dr. Diokno was there we loved this school and were willing to drive our daughter from wherever we lived to take her there.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2011

I am so disappointed in Scales this year. My children have always loved school- until this year. We have been here since it opened, kindergarten through now. Dr. Diokno and the staff made Scales such a warm and loving and family oriented place. The teachers really cared and Dr. Diokno ALWAYS made our children and us feel special and welcomed. The new principal, Mrs. Hohobo is mean to the kids and doesn't want to speak to us parents. When she does talk to parents, she is dismissive, and literally puts her nose up in the air like she is better than us. I have heard her on several occasions, when I've been in the office, tell the office staff that "they are her problem" referring to parents and deal with them. Mrs. Himenez is so wonderful and always so helpful, but I can see that it is hard for her to be mean to us like the Principal. I also know it is a problem when the teachers talk about the principal and are negative towards her. It is so different from last year. Dr. Diokno listened to us and really cared. He did not always do what we wanted, but at least he made us feel like what we said or thought was important. Bring Dr. Diokno back, get rid of Mrs. Hohobo!
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2011

My child has just finished his first full year at Scales Technology Academy, and I have found much to praise about the school. Dr. Diokno and Ms. Valadez were two of the first people I worked with there, and as noted in other reviews, they are exceptional educators. But there are many exceptional teachers and administrators on the Scales staff, including at least two retired staff members who continue to volunteer at Scales. A stellar staff is not the end of my praise for Scales Technology Academy. The administration does not sweep problems under the rug; I have found them always eager to discuss any problem that comes up. The way they address these problems is what I admire most about Scales. They do not diminish problems, or solve them by turffing problems to special schools or classes. Rather, they hold everyone (child, parent, or staff member) accountable for their actions or lack of action, set up realistic solutions, and then execute the solutions. In this way every child is not only allowed, but expected to succeed to the limits of his or her ability. My child and I both look forward to next year at Scales.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2011

My daughter loves Scales Technology Academy!! We have always lived in the Scales neighborhood but through first grade my daughter attended a private Montessori school. This past year, we made a transition and she began 2nd grade at Scales and we couldn't be happier. The school administration and teachers have been great to work with and really supportive. My daughter loved Mrs. Valadez and was always excited to go to school. There were also a lot of opportunities for her to participate in after school and extracurricular activities, like student council, design squad, the PACE program, the talent show and now she is attending summer school and camp invention... all which are no additional cost!! I highly recommend Scales for the great educational experience they have provided my daughter and the supportive environment for both the kids and the parents.
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2011

This school is most concerned with the goal of educating their kids. I was taken by surprise by the principal Mr. David D'okino. *(spell check) He is regularly seen meeting and greeting parents when we pick up our daughter. He knows pretty darn near every kid by first name!! This is the prime example of a passionate, dedicated, involved and consummate administrator. Its because of him that my youngest (who is now one) will also be attending when its time. Madison is now in her 2nd year at Scales.(1st grade) Her reading is terrific! Her comprehension has improved greatly, and looks forward to school everyday. She has been in Mrs. Jacks class since the year began. I just can't say enough great things about this educator. She is kind, involved, caring, and respected by her students. She is the reason Madi is always thrilled about how fun it is to go to school! We have attended several functions from reading with our kids in the library, to the Halloween party. Scales did everything possible to help us when times were tough and money was tight. From providing uniforms to reimbursing our fuel costs, to ensure Madison would get to keep coming to their wonderful school.