Tavan Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona

“Excellent school. My son is doing well and is very successful academically. The teachers are highly qualified and the administration very interested and hard working.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is a wonderful school. Under the leadership of Ms. Serna, Tavan has become an exemplary educationally centered school. Tavan has dedicated staff and students who continually achieve at high levels. I am impressed with the test scores and also the level of learning.”
This review was posted by a other.

“My daughter has attended Tavan since preschool. Margret Serna is a great leader. She is personable and listens to each parent who has something to say. My daughter is excelling in every subject. Mr. Bailey (3rd grade) and Ms. Burket (5th grade) are exceptional teachers.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We are now in our 5th year at this school. The administration and teacher staff are fantastic. The principal and assistant principal are very energetic and involved...they are always fighting to make Tavan better for our children and for the teachers. We have had the same incredible principal for all 5 years. We could not imagine a better school atmosphere.”
This review was posted by a .

“We are so happy to have our son attend such a great school. The teachers are fantastic and the principal and assistant principal really get involved with all the kids - I think they know all the kids by name!! Our son has learned so much this year and truly think Tavan is awesome!”
This review was posted by a .

“My kid had gone to this school for about 3 years now. I had transfered them to another school closer to home but that didn't last very long. Tavan had left such a great impression on us that we had to bring our kids back.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter just started her third year at Tavan, and my son started the on-site preschool. We have been very happy with the principal, teachers, and support staff, who all create a welcoming, nurturing community for the children. My daughter has had the opportunity to attend a wonderful free summer-school program at Tavan for the past two years. It saddens me to see the prejudice that keeps people from sending their kids to this school. It is unwarranted and unfair. Tavan has been an excellent experience for my children and I am very pleased that all the warnings I received have been off the mark.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We chose this school (after researching all the schools in the Scottsdale District) for our children in spite of warnings from other parents about the challenges of sending our children to school with a large percentage of non-English speakers. They couldn't have been more wrong. Our children are receiving a high quality education. They are adequately challenged and are very happy. The PTA is really strong and the atmosphere at the school makes it easy to be a part of the life of the school. If you want to prepare your children for the world, this is the school for them. Our children are receiving a well-rounded education and they are happy to go to school and don't want to miss out on even one day...which will ensure their continued success.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We have had a positive experience at Tavan. Our daughter has been adequetly challenged and the teachers and administration has been quick to address any arising issues/concerns. The teachers are amazing and truly 'make' the school. Tavan continues to grow in a positive direction.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son started out very slow and his 1st teacher immediatly noticed the struggled and envolved other teachers to help evaluate the situation. He worked with the Tavan reading group, who saw the need for a summer reading program (a free service w/ SUSD). His self esteem and reading shot up a great deal. The school picked up right where they left off when my son started 2nd grade and continued testing to see how things were going. He continues to need the service of special education, which I feel has helped him a great deal. He enjoys his core class and is involved in the weekly music, art computer & gym classes. Tavan also offers many social activities, allowing for families to meet. The PTA is strong and is trying to get more parents involved. The staff is great and the VP is very involved with the school. It's great!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Tavan has been a great experience for our family. The teachers are truly concerned with my child's progress and ensures that she is adequately challenged. The diversity has been a great experience for our family as it is teaching tolerance and acceptance of everyone! The greatest challenge that I see is parent involvement, however, I am begining to see this increase. I would recommend this school to anyone who is looking for a diverse, positive and enriching public education.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I find that Tavan has been very academic orientated. The especially focus on reading in the beginning grades. My children are very happy and enjoy the circulim offered. However, I do wish there were more school sponsored extra curricular activities available. I have found that Ms. Serna, the principal, to have an open door policy and is very easy to talk with about any concerns you may have.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Tavan is an excellent school. My son will be a 4th grader this year and is very successful academically and socially. Tavan teachers are all highly qualified and committed to meeting the educational needs of every student. Tavan's incredible diversity makes it a place for children to thrive and build life long friendships and learn about acceptance and equality. My son participated in the 'Kindergarten Spring Play', first grade 'Dr. Suess Celebration', second grade 'We Are The World Program' and the third grade 'Patriotic Concert'. Summer of '05, my son was provided an opportunity to participate in the dynamic free Tavan Summer Fine Arts and Writing Program. At Tavan learning is fun! My son continues to thrive academically and displays great confidence. I commend the teachers, staff and Tavan administrators for their high expectations and excellent learning experiences they provide for all students. Tavan is a true learning community for all.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My kindergardner loves this school, He has learned alot. The teachers are phenomenal and admin staff is very visable. I recommend this school, and parents should get more involved. I have one concern, one class seems to have more non english speakers than the other classes and seems to miss on some curricular activities due to the language barrier.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Okay, so Tavan is diverse. Well, hello, so is our society. I laugh at myself for struggling with this issue. Tavan is a place where all children are accepted, challenged and empowered. It is void of social pressures and allows children to be children, build self confidence and value systems important for life. We have found it to be accademically challenging for any level. It has wonderful teachers and administration that have a true love of children. The children are provided all of the art/music/computer type programs. Yes, we need more parent involvement, which means if you are interested enough to research this, we need you. Parent particiapation is needed and appreciated. I feel my children will be great assets to this school and be more prepared for life. Most importantly, my kids are happy. We feel we made the right decision choosing our neighborhood school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have had a wonderful expierence at Tavan so far. My daughter is in Kindergarten and she is involved in an accelerated reading program where she is pulled out in a small group to work on an elevated level of reading. Her teacher is a master teacher an is amazing! We have been involved in many fun and exciting programs this year such as a family Thanksgiving feast, 100th day celebration, a room-mother organization, and two great field trips. The staff is great and very helpful. The administration is very involved and visable and puts the children first.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“A very dedicated staff. This school has a great deal of student diversity.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I was a student teacher at tavan, it is a really troubled school but they are working hard to improve educational quality.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“A huge lack of control in some classrooms. The Principal promises and does not follow through. She does not manage her time well. She's irresponsible and does not speak the truth. She says one thing and does another. Just full of excuses! There seems to be no accountability of the staff. Very poorly run school. This one needs some major reorganization! They really need to implement the 'Character Counts' program, and fast! Starting with the adults...”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school - high expectations for students, diverse student population, dedicated and talented staff.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“Tavan has a very upbeat atmosphere, the children are happy both arriving at and leaving from school. My child has had a wonderful experience here for four years. The principal is dynamic and the assistant principal wonderful.”
This review was posted by a .