Vista del Sure Traditional School is Excelling Offering Ideal Alternative for Laveen Families
Story Provided by Christine Bailey, South Mountain District News

LAVEEN - October 20, 2009 - "It's a great school, but it's not for everyone."

That phrase is commonly used when Laveen teachers, parents and principals discuss Vista del Sur Traditional School (VTS). Even Laveen Elementary School District Superintendent, Dr. Ron Dickson, uses the phrase. Dickson was instrumental in introducing the traditional school model to Laveen during the 2007-2008 academic year.

Though it may not ideal for everyone, more than 600 students have found it's the perfect fit. The steadily increasing enrollment has shown it has been a welcome alternative for many families. Since it opened its doors as a K-8 traditional school, Vista del Sur has increased its enrollment from 360 students its first year to 622 for the 2009-2010 school year.

"It was nice of the district to make a school where we had a choice to send our children," said Liz Borneman, a parent of three children attending VTS.

In its third academic year, VTS is only 44 students away from capacity, and has already far-surpassed its sister schools academically. According to Dickson, Vista del Sur Traditional School is the top performing school in all of South Phoenix.

More structured, or as some may say, more rigid, than other elementary schools, the traditional school setting embraces uniforms, requires parental involvement, employs an accelerated curriculum and utilizes teacher-directed classroom techniques.

The arrangement is an ideal choice for self-motivated students thriving on clear-cut rules, high academic expectations and a classroom where learning is first and foremost.

In addition to high expectations for students, the school also requires parents put forth equal effort. Transportation to and from the school is limited; parents are expected to help with homework; and they're also required to volunteer at least seven hours a year.

While this may seem like quite an investment, VTS parents welcome the opportunity.

"I love the great parent involvement at Vista," said Borneman. "We have a great community here."

Vista Principal Jim Matthies said 95-percent of the families volunteer more than the required seven hours and together parents volunteer about 3,000 hours a year. Parents assist in and out of the classroom, helping out in the school office and library or volunteering with the school's parent teacher organization and they spend time with their children each night reviewing homework and studying for tests.

The level of dedication on the part of the parents, teachers, students and staff has paid off. In only three short years, VTS has risen to the top. Named an underperforming school its first year because it carried the legacy of its former title, Vista del Sur Middle School, VTS quickly moved to a high performing school in 2008-2009 and was named an excelling school in 2009.

A few years ago when the district decided to create a K-8 school system and build two new schools to keep up with the influx of new students, VTS was known as Vista del Sur Middle School. Located in the midst of Caesar Chavez Park off Baseline between 35th and 43rd Avenues, Vista, the smallest of the six Laveen elementary schools, didn't serve a particular neighborhood. Recognizing this as an opportunity for the district, Superintendent Dickson reached out to district parents to see if there was a need for a traditional alternative.

Dickson hired Principal Matthies to develop a traditional school model for the district. Combining several months of research with his years of experience in the education system, Matthies designed a school embodying the best of traditional school tenets, while keeping the whole student in mind.

Inspired by the success at VTS, the school district has introduced traditional elements such as uniforms and the same Spalding-based Phonics program at the district's five other schools.