| Date | Who | Comments |
| 2/22/2012 | parent | My child has gone to Mendoza for 2 years now and we are taking switching him out for the next school year. Overall, Mendoza is just an average school. However, their bully problem has gotten completely out of hand. My child has been disciplined on several occasions for sticking up for himself while the bully, who started the issues, gets no punishment at all. The homework is completely pointless an non-challenging. So pointless, the teachers dont even review it. They just have the students bring in signed sheets from the parents, saying the homework was done. My phone calls to the teacher this year, are rarely returned and my requests for some kind of assistance with my child being bullied have been completely ignored by Dr Ashton and the teachers. Hopefully, as Dr Ashton continues to grow as a principal he gets a better handle on this stuff. |
| 9/25/2011 | parent | I am SO happy to have my child out of Mendoza. There has been a mass exodus from the school. It has changed from a decent school to one of bullies, incompetent teachers and a rude principal who is anything but a "pal." The only people thrilled with Mendoza are those who don't live in the neighborhood. There is a large number of Apache Junction kids there now. Many of the those kids bring their prejudices and hardened attitudes to the school. The new principal is so busy trying to stamp out any recognition of what the school used to be, he couldn't be bothered administrating properly. We are RELIEVED to be gone from there. Over the past month, we've run into two other families that left Mendoza AFTER the 2011 school year began. Both families had the same complaint--bullying and no repercussions from admin. Mendoza's test scores have fallen and I believe it has to do with the kids who's parents view school as a daycare. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Mendoza USED to be a great school. It's just not anymore. Don't enroll your kids there unless you need a babysitter and you don't care about education. |
| 9/25/2011 | parent | I believe this to a great school for my First Grader. The teacher and faculty take her needs to heart and are working with her skill level and enhancing her daily work with additional challenging work. I would like to see more involvement in the Arizona Ready program for AIMS testing. I will be discussing this with her teacher at her upcoming parent teacher conference. I wish I could be more involved her activities. |
| 5/6/2011 | teacher | From the first day I set foot on this campus, I knew this place was my new home as an educator. Was it the fact that both the students and staff seemed so happy and engaged in what they were doing inside and outside the classrooms? Was it the fact that on my way to the teacher work room I passed by tortoises, rabbits, birds, and a fish pond? Or is it the fact that my fellow teachers, the principal, and the rest of the staff seem to all work together as one solid cohesive unit to help our students grow mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally? Who knows? All I know is that I am so very proud to be a teacher here at Mendoza! |
| 5/1/2011 | parent | Mendoza is a wonderful school, the new principal Dr. Ashton is an amazing person, They are some great teachers at mendoza, and some not so great, but Dr Asthon is making sure that every teacher is giving 100 percent. I do understand the importance of a great teacher, but this is a two way street, we, as parents, need to give 100 percent for our child to be succesful too, otherwise, it will not work. Parent involvement guarantees child success. Thanks Dr. Ashton for all the new improvements and for keeping our children safe. |
| 3/8/2011 | parent | My oldest child has been in 9 different schools in many states. My two younger children have been in a couple of different ones. There are good and bad teachers in all schools. The thing that makes the difference is the Principal and his staff. The principal of Mendoza although new really had a read on what is important for a school no matter where it is located. He was reasonable and listened to my concerns and addressed each one. Another thing that is good about this school is that it is enclosed. I could not believe how open exposed and unsafe the schools were here in Arizona. Anyone has access to any part of the school. Although we can't live our lives afraid of what may happen we certainly shouldn't live our lives in ignorance of the changed climate that we live in. Thank you for caring for the safety of our children. |
| 12/23/2010 | parent | This school has been one of the worst experiences for my children. Both of my sons that have gone through Mendoza have been very intelligent and bright, always brining home good grades. But, it seems that when there is always a problem with the kids in the class, no deals with them. My children hate Mendoza. They have been bullied and no one does anything about it! If anything, Mendoza should be shut down!! And the teachers dont even teach the kids right! The grades brought home by students are only Ds and Fs!!! My children are very blessed for being able to figure the work out on their own, for if they couldnt they would be failing like the rest!!!!!! THIS IS THE WORST SCHOOL EVER!!!!!! |
| 10/9/2010 | other | Mendoza has excpetional teachers that go the extra mile for EVERY student. |
| 6/11/2010 | parent | Our time at Mendoza is now done, and I am sad to say that we are, for the most part, glad. There is a great deal of inconsistency from classroom to classroom within a grade level. Our experience with the teachers has been so varied as well. We have had a great teacher and we have had the worst experience, so it is hard to know what you can count on at Mendoza. With new leadership in sight, maybe the school will get a stronger sense of direction. |
| 9/14/2008 | other | My granddaughter is a third grader and she loves to go to school. I am impressed with the level of curriculum presented to her in her grade level. Mendoza embraces all children and their needs, whether they are physical, learning or emotional disabilities. More parent's participation in PTO activities is needed and critical to a well-rounded educational experience for their child(ren). |
| 9/12/2008 | other | So the submition on January 17,2008 is false in all ways. The teachers are hardworking and slave their 'behinds' off all day to focus and pay attention to each and every kid, as a former student, who is almost 17 i can say that my best years were spent at mendoza. The school taught me a variety of learning methods that i use to this day. Songs teachers taught to teach about prep. phrases, and american history are still stuck in my head. I dont know what that lady is talking about but obviously she has gone off the deep end. if im ever a single mother I will be sure to send my kids to this school because the teachers and faculty are dependable, safe, honest and hardworking. This lady is obviously just trying to get her name big so she doesnt have to live the low life she does. |
| 8/17/2008 | parent | Parents need to get involved! School relies on parents and teachers working together to make the school a better place. You'd be burned out also if you had to take care of everything day in and day out. Mendoza is a great school. It would be even better if parents were more involved. |
| 8/4/2008 | parent | Love this school they are always there to help my child when she needs it. |
| 1/17/2008 | parent | As a single working mother I cannot reccomend this school. The teachers are tired and spend most of the class time with the trouble kids. Only the few PTO kids get attention, with nearly 60 elementary schools in the district, one working parents' voice will not be heard. There arent many after school activities offered and you seem to have to know someone to get registered before the classes fill. We moved to another district entirely and are very happy so far, my son's new school has a better gifted program and doesn't get pulled out all day, so he doesn't miss out on what homeroom might be doing. I can say that my son liked the lunches in mesa though. |
| 9/25/2007 | parent | Great school, great teachers. Wonderful principal. Mrs. Buffmire is the most amazing principal. Mrs. Moreno & my son's aides are spectacular. I couldn't ask for a better school - the staff cares. You don't find that a lot in schools. I couldn't have chosen a better school. My son wants to stay there forever. Anyone who doesn't think this school is amazing should simply walk around during the playground hour in the morning. You can see the entire staff with smiling faces and offering a smile and a kind word. It's just amazing. |
| 7/23/2007 | parent | Mrs Nelson and Mrs Tripoli are 2 of the very best teachers. My kids loved every day of school. |
| 7/18/2007 | parent | My son has attended Mendoza for 6 years and when he first attended, I thought the school was wonderful. His teachers were innovative, cheerful, enthusiastic and intelligent. But, within the last couple of years, the school has steadily gone downhill. Many of the teachers appear to be burned out and the morale of the school as a whole is horrible. It has been sad to see how things have evolved. Generally speaking, a school can't run well without a respectful, supportive, innovative and open minded leader. |
| 8/30/2006 | parent | Community Ed at Mendoza is great! All day K is a joke! they are doing pre pre k work and teachers do not communicate daily activities. I have a grandchild in Gilbert Ashland and they do mor in a 1/2 day K then Mendoza has scheduled for 4 months! very dissappointed! |
| 6/29/2006 | parent | I have been involved with Mendoza, through my children, for ten years now. It is a great school. Mendoza has great teachers. Some teacher's make learning more interesting with their unique ways of teaching. It's hard to get parents involved, maybe they're too busy. Your child's education is much better with your involvement. I speak from experience. Mrs. Buffmire is a great principal, strict but personable. She is always seen around campus. Mendoza offers a variety of teaching styles so kids remain interested. I am proud to be a Mendoza 'parent'. |
| 2/23/2006 | parent | Enrolled my gifted [child] in the Montessori program. It's OK, but he spends too much time with younger children and isn't academically challenged. I will be moving him to a private or charter school next year. |
| 2/12/2006 | parent | My grandson attends Mendoza and he is having reading difficulties. They do not offer the proper training to bring him up to speed. I am currently looking for ways to help and see if the NCLB Act can help. |
| 10/10/2005 | parent | This school has a variety of extracurricular activities: chorus, volleyball, chess club, and a garden club(4H). It also has a PreK and afterschool program. The Parent Teacher Organization is small but growing and is active. It sponsers several fund raisers throughout the year. The PTO is very generous in providing back to school supplies, classroom materials, assistance in teacher training and library books |
| 8/16/2005 | parent | Some very good teachers, but I do not recommend Mendoza. |
| 8/7/2005 | parent | Ms. Buffmire is a principal that gives almost all of her attention to the worst students in the school. She has brought in special kind of classes for students who have behavior problems. Their are many great teachers on campus. |
| 7/27/2005 | parent | Mendoza is a very nice school. My son went to it for two years, teacher Ruth Umlauf is a great teacher. |
| 7/14/2005 | parent | My soon to be fifth grader has attended no other school. For four of the six years in attendance I've found the quality of teachers to be excellent. They offered him their personal attention and worked very hard to tap into what was his learning style. They involved, encouraged, and utilized parents offering their time and were just great in all areas- not afraid to work at what they did.The music department is great but understaffed to accomodate the number of children who wish to participate. The principal is a delightful, well educated, aware, and informed person who does well fulfilling the requirements of her position. |
| 5/11/2005 | parent | Mendoza has a very interesting campus, with bird aviaries, tortoise habitats, and even a goat, last year. |
| 4/1/2005 | parent | I must say that this year at Mendoza has been very disappointing. After expressing our concerns in a meeting with the principal, we left feeling that there was a good plan with action items that would help in the areas of concern. Unfortunately, the ball was completely dropped. No follow up by Ms. Buffmire or from the teacher. In our opinion this year has been little more than a maintenance year. Regrettably, we will be looking at other options for our child s education. |
| 1/11/2005 | parent | This school is horrid. The education could be so much better if they would not have to 'baby sit' and the kids who don't care about their education. It brings it down for the rest of the students. |
| 8/16/2004 | parent | My son has been at Mendoza for 2 years now. I am so impressed with the teachers he has had and their time they take to help him learn. I am also very impressed with the numerous PTO activities and the opportunities provided for the parents to get involved. I am also impressed that the PTO raises enough money each year to pay for the school supplies for each student, therefore, cutting costs for me as a disabled full-time student myself. I am also very impressed with the love and concern the principal provides for each student. Keep up the great work and together we will make a difference in each child's life. |
| 2/15/2004 | parent | Mendoza Elementary benefits from the extremely strong leadership of its principal who has a diverse background. The school community benefits extensively from her open door policy. Seasoned teachers go above and beyond with students and families. |
| 11/18/2003 | parent | Both of my kids have been here at Mendoza and the whole family thinks it is the best school. Thanks for helping my kids. |
| 6/16/2003 | | As a parent of two children that attend this school it seems to me that there is more of an emphasis on literature than any other topic. Math and science seem to go by the wayside. However, there are efforts being made by the principal to make sure that these subjects become more important to our teachers. The parents at this school are more apt to 'write a check' than get involved with any school community activities. We have a large turnout at some activities but no one to run those said activities. This includes the teachers. Overall, the teachers do not seem interested in anything but doing their '9 to 5' job and going home. Their are the occassional exceptions to the rule but for the most part the teachers are not active participants in extracurricular activities. Our principal is very involved. She is aware of the issues that parents have with education and attends all school functions. I enjoy having her at our school. Overall, the school does what it can given the circumstances that our state is in with education. I would just like to see less apathetic parents/teachers because we could see larger improvements year over year if there was more people doing what needs to be done. |
