Highland Lakes School in Phoenix, Arizona

“I really dislike my school. It's dirty, the halls are too cramped, there is lack of organization, and the classrooms are overflowing with us students. Our teachers are not the best. Our bathrooms are horrible, and, just today, they banned markers. Yes, markers... I am an eighth grader and I am glad I get to move schools soon.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Awesome school where my child is expected to be the best that they can be at all times. I am happy with the quality of the staff and administration, they are awesome. The school is place where you feel very at ease leaving your child for 6 hours a day. Great, Great, Great....”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The staff and teachers at this school are awesome. They care about the students being successful and are focused on developing the whole child. The atmosphere is positive and respectful and the students are well taken care of. Thank you Highland Lakes!!!!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Highland Lakes is the best school ever. I was there for 9 years and it was amazing. I loooove Highland Lakes. Middle school was rough though. The kids that transfered into HLS from Greenbriar and Arrowhead were so rude. I honestly don't know what they taught them over there. I didn't have too great of an experience throughout middle school there because of all the snobs. But the school and the teachers...great!!”
This review was posted by a student.

“Just withdrew my son from Highland Lakes and I am enrolling him in a private school. He has always been a good student, but his grades have gone downhill. I believe this is due to the huge class sizes and teachers who have too much paperwork and too many bureaucratic hoops to jump through. He never got the one-on-one time to actually understand the math, it seemed the teacher was in a hurry to finish the book, probably to meet some govm't regulation. Only 1 teacher, Mr. Shoop, took the time to contact me. There's too much emphasis on 'powerschools' and not enough personal communication. The kids who demand the teacher's attention seem to be the ones who get it, the other kids just seem left behind. I still have 2 in elem. school at Highland, and will hopefully be able to afford private school when they get to 7th grade.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a substitute in the Deer Valley District and have recently subbed for a 7th/8th grade class at Highland Lakes. I must say, I was not impressed at all. Whereas some of the students were serious about learning and were respectful, the majority acted like they were raised by animals. Very disrespectful and rude. The administration has their work cut out for them. If I had a student attending this school, I would be very upset.”
This review was posted by a other.

“I went to highland lakes 7th & 8th grade. I move alot and looking back on the 2 years i was there, that was the best school i have ever attended. When i was there, all the kids were friendly, and very accepting of all types of people. Over all this school has wonderful teachers and staff.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I feel that the intelligent and good students get forgotten. They are not challanged to reach their full potential. The class sizes are to big, 32 students for 4th grade. How can one teacher possibly give each student the attention they need.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My great niece transferred in last year at the third quarter. While she was proficient in the majority of her subjects, she was really behind in Math due to attending an out-of state charter school. I am pleased with the quality of teachers at Highland Lakes. Ms. Skolnik and Mrs. Gupton (7 & 8 grade math) are both excellent teachers and I for one feel that we need more teachers like them. A teacher's goal is to ensure that a student learns and understands the material. I feel that Highland Lakes teachers (all of them) perform above the standard level that is required, however, I am really impressed with the progress that my student had made in Math and know that the basic knowledge will take her through high school and life.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child has gone to Highland Lakes for four years now, and I have really liked each teacher he has had. The administration is great and I am very familiar with everyone in the front office. The aides are very supportive and make it a point to get to know the kids, and that makes me feel confident about him going to school. The assistant principle, Mary Ellington, is a wonderful support to the school, speaking to the children in a way that shows authority but doesn't belittle them. Mr. Anderson is young and witty, and the kids seem to respect him. Overall, I have to say, the neighborhood feel we were looking for in a school happens here at Highland Lakes. When I come in, they know me, say hi and make me feel that they are an extension of our family.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“To be honest I just wasn't satisfied I have 3 sons, they have all gone to highland lakes. No one cared. No one did anything. The teacher and staff attention has been at an all time low since they got a new vice principal. Good luck with this school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son attends HLS as a kindergartener, and I have been so impressed by the level of work that he is learning. Their reading program is phenominial, and their teachers are always friendly and attentive. Parents are very involved. I would recommend this school to anyone.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have a kindergartner and a third grader at Highland Lakes. This is our first year at this school and so far we have been VERY pleased with the quality of education our children are receiving! Their teachers are dedicated and attentive to our children's needs. We feel very lucky to be a part of this campus.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter went to Highland Lakes as a seventh grader late in the ongoing year. There were a lot of things which hurt her, including being excluded from the eighth grade trip (next year!) because she missed the deadline to register . . . not being able to try out for volleyball because she missed the deadline to register . . . all of these things were very important to her and she was excluded from them because of the time of year we relocated here. I think if you miss a deadline because you were lazy then you should be excluded, but a transfer student should be allowed to participate in everything still available. Love ya anyway!They did help my daughter through a difficult health crisis. Thanks to you for that!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school with teachers who care about children. Our son was in Mrs. Newman's fifth grade, not only was she a caring teacher, she also challenged our son to be the best student he could be. Administration is great, they back their teachers and show positive outcomes to problems.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Although this is our first year at Highland Lakes, I am so happy with our move. The campus is bright and open, however, I like that it is a locked closed campus. The Administration has been kind and supportive. You can frequently see the Principal and Vice-Principal out in front of the school at dismissal and/or visiting with the kids during lunch. The teaching team we have for our first grader is outstanding. It's obvious they care enough to do the best for our child. The curriculum is consistant in the first grade. However, it's powerful to see each teacher has their own personal and professional manner in teaching. One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is a positive self-esteem and the knowledge to reach success levels. I feel the staff at Highland Lakes has done a great job this year in doing just that for my child. Teachers, my greatest appreciation to you. In regards to the specials (pe, art, music)...they are wonderful! The people at Highland Lakes always have a smile to share. My only concern is to re-evaluate the dress code for 7th and 8th graders. I believe it requires a stronger hold. I know it is part of their age of style, but they also have an impact on my little one.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Newer school; large campus, good teacher/student ratio. High quality teaching staff.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is both overcrowded and poorly run. It is in fact, two separate campuses run by 1 principal and ass't principal. There is the K-6th campus, and the 7-8th campus. There are many behavioral problems on the middle school campus. Furthermore, the middle school does not adequately prepare the students for highschool.”
This review was posted by a parent.