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Does anyone here have direct, personal experience with Chamiza Elementary? I've had two separate experiences while speaking with their office staff on the phone, one excellent and one scarily uninformed. We are supposed to take a look at the school on Thursday, and I want to prepare myself. Is the staff on top of things? Are they invested in the students or are they just collecting a paycheck? My initial impressions were that is a great school with a dedicated staff, but after my conversation this morning with someone in the front office it seems to be run very loosely. Any input is greatly appreciated.
Here is our update with our experience with Chamiza Elementary this morning: After touring several other elementary schools where the staff or principal was happy to give us details on the school and "show off" all the little things that make the school personal and a great place for students, the staff at Chamiza shut us down. We were told that we could not look at the school because classes were in session (we didn't want to go into the classrooms, but just get an idea of the facilities, etc.). Then, one of the assistant principals came out to tell us that they do not allow tours of Chamiza unless you are already registered to attend. My husband explained that we were trying to narrow down our housing options/where to buy a house, and that the school was a huge factor in the decision making process. She basically said "Oh" and shrugged her shoulders. So, we left.
I am very disappointed because everything I have seen online points to this being an excellent school and had been my number one pick. However, the attitude of the staff was a huge red flag for us. I just wanted to follow up on this thread so that if other families moving into the area are looking for schools, they should be prepared to hit a brick wall if they want any information about this particular school.
We've now been parents of an APS student for almost three weeks. Although our child ( we have two, one is at a fantastic charter school ) is in what is considered a good public elementary school, I have reason to assume that all schools operate similarly.
What I have discovered is that the classes are so large that the main focus of the teachers is on crowd control.
Much instruction is done at home, with excessive amounts of homework that come home in our child's backpack.
The PTA exists to have fundraisers to raise money for more fundraisers.
The principal is an administrator first and an instructor never. The principal is not there to help you the parent, that is the job of the office staff, who don't have the information you want/need. If the principal overhears you asking for information, that is the cue to start screaming at the office staff for not being able to give you the information you need. The principal is not able to give you the information either so you will spend much time perusing APS and school websites in vain.
The school welcomes parent involvement ( but only through volunteering or participating in the PTA fundraisers )
Look at private and/or charter if you can get in/afford them.
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