Sam Hughes Elementary School

700 North Wilson Avenue

School District

Tucson Unified District
Grade

PK, K-5
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 September 20, 2023

“Our family had high hopes for Sam Hughes Elementary, expecting it to provide a nurturing and quality educational environment for our daughter. However, our experience at the school was deeply disappointing. Our child, who is on a spectrum, faced persistent challenges due to what we perceived as a lack of understanding and support from the principal and educators.Throughout the year, our daughter encountered what we believe was bullying from staff members who seemed to be intolerant of her unique needs. It was disheartening to witness her being referred to as ‘it’ and unfairly labeled as a ‘bad kid.’ This kind of treatment left her feeling isolated and misunderstood.Thankfully, after a difficult journey at Sam Hughes, we found a more inclusive and supportive educational home for our daughter at Vail Unified School District. Here, she has been accepted and understood, receiving the proper diagnosis and assistance she needed.In conclusion, for parents of children on a spectrum, it’s essential to consider the potential challenges your child may face at Sam Hughes Elementary, as our experience there was distressing and disheartening.”
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2023

It was a lovely community that was focus on the success of our children.
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2018

Great school for my boy and girl. Even my grandpa was graduated from this school!
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2018

This is an excellent school. I feel as though my child has become a better person since being at Sam hughes. It truly is a gem within TUSD. Test scores are high, students are valued, and it has a welcoming environment. The students are safe and happy. The students are kind to each other which is a plus for me.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2018

A+ My kids are excelling both academically and socially. Sam Hughes not only offers a great education, as evidenced by the high testing scores, but you are invited into a caring community with supportive teachers and parents.
Submitted by parent on November 23, 2017

The WORST school ever. I don't know where the high rating came from. ABSULTLY misleading 8/10 score dose not apply to this school. We based are home purchase on the reviews. Glad we found out within the first a couple of months sold the house and moved to vail.Avoid avoid avoid for any cost not worth it.Teachers spent most of there time talking about there personal life issues instead of focusing on teaching!!!!
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2014

My daughter attended kindergarten at Sam Hughes Elementary and loved it! I have had great communication with her teacher and principal throughout the year. We had a bullying incident early in the year, where a boy from another K class threatened my daughter and another boy by saying that he had "a knife in his pocket and would stab them". My daughter told the playground volunteer and the process started. By the end of the day, Principal Jordan had spoken with all children involved, explained to the boy the severity of his actions (without shaming), what actions will be taken now and later if needed, and made my daughter feel brave about standing up and helping herself and her friends. She also spoke to the parents of the involved kids and spoke to all classes about bullying. This principal kept herself available to my calls and emails over the next couple weeks , as needed. I am VERY pleased with her handling of the bullying issues that I have seen.
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2014

My two boys have attended Sam Hughes for just over a year. I am very pleased with the school so far. They are challenged academically and get to participate in enrichment classes such as chess, OMA and PE during the school day. Parent involvement is welcomed and the school has great class sizes with the addition of new teachers. My boys love going to school every day!
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2013

It's true that the class size has been out of control in the last year to two years. Bullying is somewhat common place even though TUSD supposedly has strict policies about this. The principal does not always address this immediately and some of the teachers are fairly bad about this. I heard that Mrs. Esparsa has been the BEST teacher there and it does kinda go downhill from there. I think the staff does their best and the PTA is pretty good about keeping the staff accountable. TUSD is strained for money and so the class sizes are going to be bigger. The principal could do a better job in addressing bullying. The OMA program in this school is excellent.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2012

The class size is out of control. One teacher cannot properly teach 25+ Kinder or 1st grade children. The lack of money in TUSD is very evident. A great community and sweet old school that unfortunately needs A LOT of help to be up to par. Your kid will most likely be one of the masses here!
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2012

Over 30 kids in my daughter's first grade class and never any help with bullying by a larger boy in her class.The teacher told my daughter to toughen up when asked to help, the boy was twice her size and picked on her daily. Teacher seemed resentful and petty in her discipline methods. Lots of kids using addresses of grandparents to enroll and open enrollment kids so the neighborhood school feeling is not there, most neighborhood kids go to private schools. First grade play had 5 kid star in it and the rest were the chorus, in the words of my daughter "if I didn't show up, I wouldn't be missed"