Ventana Vista Elementary School

I moved into this district when my daughter started kindergarten to take advantage of the Spanish Immersion program. This was the first year the program was in place and it was a very rocky year, but understandable with a new program. We had great teachers for first and second grade and my daughter thrived, though there were problems at the school and on the bus with bullying. The next year things went downhill because there was great lack of effective communication from the teacher and the principal. The following year, my daughter experienced bullying from a school aide, which was witnessed and reported by other children, and the principal chose to take no action at all. I removed my daughter immediately and enrolled her in the Vail Schools. AMAZING school (Senita Valley). We had nothing to compare VV with before, now that I do, I see just how many problems exist at VV. Many good teachers at VV, but poor leadership.

Ventana Vista is a great school. My child was in the grade 1/2 multiage last year and I am very happy with his progress. He will continue in 2nd grade this year with the same teacher. His teachers are nurturing and have high expectations. He is not in Spanish immersion but he goes to Spanish class 4 times a week. There are a lot of extracurricular activities offered. The best thing about the school is that they offer extended math in grades 2-5, so students who are skilled in math can basically be one grade ahead every year. Even though I was told my son wouldn't get to have extended math until 2nd grade, the teachers put him and other first graders who were great at math in a second grade math class, and this made me very happy. There is no reason to go to any other school.

I have two children in different grades in the Spanish immersion program at Ventana Vista, and I LOVE it. The school is wonderful -- teachers, principal, other kids, other parents, special classes, events and activities, etc. I can't say enough good things about the education my children are getting and the wonderful community that we are part of. No, not everything is perfect, but when there is a problem, people really seem to care about fixing it. Exactly what a great elementary school should be.

My son is in Spanish immersion Kindergarten at Ventana Vista. We are so happy with the experience he has had all around and look forward to his continued success at the school!