Satori Charter School

Posted: June 21, 2022

Satori Charter School is perfect for my son and many other children. Class sizes tend to be smaller than most public school class sizes. Teachers always have help with the students (either additional pull-out services or an aid). All students are taught about kindness and respect for one another and the Satori community. The academic leadership is superb with the ability to show the dedication, care, health and safety of the students. Creativity is integrated into learning and providing the students different tools to approach problems. Activities and events are also fun. Any special needs for a student is carefully considered. Communication with parents and teachers is excellent.

Posted: June 21, 2022

Posted: June 21, 2022

Posted: June 21, 2022

Posted: June 21, 2022

Posted: June 21, 2022

Posted: June 21, 2022

Posted: June 21, 2022

Posted: May 20, 2020

The school uses generic teaching tools and approaches. 3rd grade math homework is done through ALEKS, which can be mindless and boring. In addition, the school uses EPIC for reading. We were not impressed with the books available on EPIC as these were too basic and mainstream.

Posted: May 20, 2020

I brought attention to a few issues I noticed on the part of a teacher (in a private email to the school director) to try to communicate them and resolve them. As a consequence, there was an overwhelming negative response by a number of teachers not involved in the matter. Unfortunately, too often, misogyny is normalized and promoted by women.

Posted: May 20, 2020

There is a lot of privilege at this school. Part of what makes an institution great is valuing diverse voices—irrespective of someone’s paycheck, status, gender or race. This school struggles immensely to ensure feedback is integrated equitably from a range of people with different backgrounds and worldviews. The school seems to have forgotten that having a base of support is not in itself a sign that all is good and well—as we’ve seen in politics.

Posted: May 20, 2020

Leadership is hampered. The 4th grade classroom struggled all year (2019-2020) to stay afloat and what has been accepted as normal behavior on the part of the staff is appalling.

Posted: May 20, 2020

I brought attention to an aid who looked the other way during a fight between two boys. I’ve also heard of bullying in the higher grades (from a teacher who said a student was being bullied through text) I do not know the extent to which these instances represent a pattern or isolated incidences, but I would not trust the school to deal with these challenges effectively.

Posted: May 20, 2020

We chose to leave Satori because we found a cultural mismatch between us and the school; I would like my child to attend a school that values diversity of people and diversity of opinions. This school has a huge blind spot for the social processes that contribute to inequality and misogyny; the extent of their “civic engagement” in the classroom involves superficial acts of charity and not real solidarity; and, the tools used for education in the classroom are generic.

Posted: January 23, 2020

I selected neutral because I am unsure.

Posted: February 6, 2019

We love Satori! The small class sizes allow the teachers to really get to know the students. The school focuses on the whole child, not just grades and test scores. The teachers instruct to the children's academic ability and personality. If the kids need to wiggle, they get up and wiggle. But they still learn. I feel so fortunate every day to be in this school.

Posted: February 6, 2019

The teachers have a balanced approach to homework. The younger grades have little or optional homework, which is age appropriate. The older students have to work at home, but not to the point that it is overwhelming to families.

Posted: February 6, 2019

We love Satori's teachers! The teachers are fortunate to have small class sizes, so they really get to know the kids. They also can alter the school work and approach based on the child's academic ability and personality.

Posted: February 6, 2019

This is a big focus at the school.

Posted: February 6, 2019

The director has an open door policy. You can pop in to see her at any time. She really knows the families and the kids. She loves finding the right fit for each child.

Posted: February 6, 2019

The school supports the kids who are struggling, but also advances those who are ahead. Children are placed in math based on their ability, not grade. My older son was progressing in math quickly, so they bumped him up a grade in the middle of the year. His teacher tutored him on the few areas that he had missed.

Posted: February 6, 2019

Posted: September 22, 2018

Homework is reasonable and directly related to what they do in class. They are flexible about time completion as well.

Posted: September 22, 2018

My daughter started this fall sating she was bad at math, hated it, couldn't do it. In just a few weeks she is doing multiplication and division, saying it's easy and she wants to move up to the next grade level! My daughter looks forward to going to school now.

Posted: September 22, 2018

Posted: September 22, 2018

Jo is very involved at every level at the school, from staff to students to parents.

Posted: September 22, 2018

Posted: September 22, 2018

Posted: September 22, 2018

Wonderful! My daughter used to "dread going to school" ( in her own words). She is feeling like she belongs at Satori, and she's learning a lot!

Posted: March 31, 2015

Our son has been a student at Satori since he was in pre-school. We love it and cannot say enough good things about Satori. There are two things that make Satori work very well: 1) small class sizes and the fact that most teachers have an assistant with them at all times, 2) they are very adaptable to the different needs of each student. This simple formula, plus a culture of excellence and compassion, trump most other approaches to primary education in my opinion.

Posted: April 11, 2014

Coming from out of state we were not really impressed with the school options in Tucson. We were homeschooling until we could find the right fit. We are thrilled to have found Satori. Our daughter is thriving there after only a year and loves going to school. The teachers are warm, nurturing, and wonderful. They are also honest, fair, supportive, and hold the students accountable for their actions. Satori staff is fantastic at continuing those important lessons of early childhood learning and weaving them through the environment and curiculum to keep the children active and involved with creative, hands on learning geared for many different ways of experiencing information. Her teachers have been key in helping my daughter adapt, progress, and in some areas even catch up to where she'd fallen behind, without ever making her feel badly about herself or her abilities as a student. Our other daughter will be attending the charter school as soon as she is in the second grade. I have found the parent community nothing but warm and welcoming. I meet new people at every event. After only a year, we are part of this school community and we are a Satori family.

Posted: January 15, 2014

This is our 7th year as a Satori family, with two kids who started in preschool and continued on to the charter school. The rigorous academics and the fact that our kids have excelled well beyond their grade level is not even the main reason why we love Satori. The strong, tight-knit community, a dedicated attention to the kids' well being, and the individualized approach to every student is truly remarkable. The approach of the school to education fosters creativity. We love the teachers and have developed many personal trusting relationships over the years, to the point that I seek their advice for my kids on issues unrelated to school. The director does an excellent job of maintaining the sense of community while bringing energy and direction to the school. We feel privileged to be part of the Satori family.

Posted: January 13, 2014

I brought my son to Satori after he was bullied at another school and was starting to change as a person, and not for the better. After hearing about Satori, I brought him to Jo, the Executive Director, who was still teaching 1st grade at the time. She help him become a part of the Satori family and helped him recover from the bullying and grow into the loving, kind, thoughtful boy he is now. She is gifted in working with children: able to love them at their level, is a talented teacher (my son jumped up several years in reading and math in one year with Jo), and most importantly to me, she is a moral person who takes the time to cultivate community, kindness, friendship, family, honest, self-control, joy, and a love of learning in those she is around. When anyone in the Satori family has a hard time she is the first to jump in to help and I know that she truly cares about my family and myself. She is the heart of Satori and I am very thankful for her being in my son's life.

Posted: January 13, 2014

We have had two kids at Satori's charter and private schools for the past 5 years. We are continually impressed with the way in which the school accommodates kids at every level of academic ability and addresses each child's emotional and learning needs individually. Having tried a number of other schools first, I know that these qualities are only consistent in schools when they come from the leadership. The director, principal, and staff at Satori are wonderful and compassionate. They have been responsive when we have needed academic adjustments or other kinds of flexibility.

Posted: January 12, 2014

Satori is amazing! My child has been going to school here for five years and I cannot say enough good things about it. Jo, the Director, is phenomenal. Before being promoted to her current position, she taught at Satori. She has this amazing gift to read children (and parents), and has always gone out of her way to tend to each families individual needs with a calm and professional demeanor, all the while making sure that the children (and sometimes the parents) understand their responsibility in achieving success. Every child at Satori is treated as an individual with individual needs and personalities. The teachers are amazing and the curriculum is challenging and thought provoking. This is a fantastic school with an unbelievable staff. If you are looking for a school put Satori on your short list.

Posted: January 12, 2014

Satori is not just a school for our family, it is our second family. Recently we fell on hard times and after talking to the Director, we were able to work out a payment plan so that the holidays would still happen for us. Jo is very understanding and has been through a lot as a parent and teacher at Satori so she can relate to almost any situation! When I approached Jo with my news of being unable to pay, she was concerned and expressed that I had to make some sort of payment to show good faith, but she was flexible and very understanding. I do not feel embarrassed or afraid to walk in with my held high because the level of professionalism and privacy is very high with the staff at Satori. I am very thankful to have my children learning in such a nurturing environment.

Posted: September 25, 2013

Satori school is a great school for parents who want teachers to understand the whole child. They work hard on social/emotional intelligence and community using language of responsibility so the child that moves on can function well and make good decisions in the future. The program is individualized . They cove r the common core standards and go beyond. There is higher order thinking and out of the box thinking encouraged. They try very hard to use the multiple intelligences. My children did very well. The school has prepared them for the future. One good thing is they work closely with parents and solve problems so the child can be successful. Their Preschool program is excellent, it includes academics as well as play based learning with the multiple intelligences.

Posted: August 4, 2013

My children have attended Satori for 5 years. They have prospered with the student focused curriculum. I like that they change classes each day for math so that the children are not held to grade level math butch can work at their ability instead. Coordination for 504 issues could be mproved but overall accommodations help the children succeed and play to their strengths. I give four stars because there is always room for improvement. my particular area of concern is parent communication. It is hit or miss at times, depending on the individual teacher.

Posted: August 1, 2013

The teaching staff at Satori is dedicated to children. They create intellectually challenging curriculum for gifted students. Both of my kids love it there.

Posted: August 1, 2013

I went here for elementary school and it was the best school I've ever been to! My only regret was that I was only able to attend 2 years. I'm glad to see they have expanded their grade school. They are very accommodating to children with learning disabilities. I have ADHD and I thrived there. I wish I could go back!

Posted: August 1, 2013

After spending two years int he public school system, we were thrilled to find Satori. The class sizes are small. Classroom time is customized for each child. Every child matters and their needs are met. Parents are an invaluable part of the learning experience. Now that we've found Satori, we'll be there for the long haul.

Posted: July 16, 2013

This school is wonderful, a great nurturing environment and a wonderful family feel about it. My children love Satori! After trying many dreadful schools in the area, we are so glad we found Satori. Great staff and environment and excellent education. We just wish it offered a high school education too!

Posted: January 9, 2013

Satori school embodies everything a school should in its approach to a child's learning experience. My child is currently in eighth grade.he has been at satori since he was three years old.he has gone from a child that could hardly sit still to an excellent student. He was recently informed that he passed the entrance exam for university high school.i believe this is a direct result of satori's nurturing and excellent educational program. I can't say enough in praise for this school!!!!!!!

Posted: September 29, 2012

I have one child at Satori now, and have had two others who went there. The academic standards are very high, with a focus on creativity and critical thinking. They include art and music into the curriculum and focus on building a community among students, teachers and parents. I love Satori. The middle school program is especially great.

Posted: August 30, 2012

Love the school, love the staff, love how happy my kids are to go here. Could not be happier than I am with this school, my kids are embraced for who they are and taught according to their learning styles. When I have concerns I feel they are addressed at once and resolved. The after school programs are varied and interesting, my kids BEG to go to after care and play more with their friends. The other parents are friendly and supportive. An awesome place to educate and enrich kids.

Posted: December 20, 2011

Transfering my daughter to Satori is the best choice I've ever made. She is excelling academically and socially!

Posted: May 28, 2011

How refreshing that the students at Satori get to write and produce their own plays. This is so much better than the "boxed" productions we have been forced to do elsewhere. I heard from my kids that the process of creating the plays was not always easy and sometimes there was pretty serious group discussion about which way the story should go. As far as I am concerned, working out problems and overcoming obstacles is part of the learning process. I am sure this is a lot riskier for the teaching staff, but I enjoyed knowing the scripts came from the students. Thanks Satori!

Posted: February 7, 2011

It has been so wonderful to see a school like Satori work through problems they have had in the past. There math program was not working so they spent the time and money to make sure the students were getting what they needed. My daughter now not only loves math but has improved in all areas.

Posted: February 2, 2011

Agreed with other postings. Satori is sub-standard in all areas. The focus on creative arts is just silly given the unimaginative and mediocre assignments, instruction and exposure to art forms. They do arts and crafts, have one broken down piano and stage "plays" that consist of the kids waiving their arms around and rolling on the floor. An arts based curriculm would be far better supported with infrastructure, real artists as instructors and truly creative assignments. The "gifted" notion is just a notion. The kids are no more gifted as a group then any other set of middle class kids. The general tolerance for spoiled unruly behavior, bullying and intolerance is shocking. I also find too many of the parents to be snobs, which is sort of odd given the demographics. We are leaving the school.