Research Great Hearts Academies - Veritas Prep Charter Schools in Phoenix, Arizona

“I graduated from Veritas in 2008, and though only a short time has passed since then, it is easy for me to recognize just how valuable my years there were. You don't learn what to think at Veritas - you learn how to think and why you should think deeply and seriously about the world around you. At Veritas, my teachers were more like parents who were required by law to refrain from showing parental sentiment toward their children, yet still were as internally dedicated to their children's success as any other parent. In essence, I didn't have teachers - I had true mentors who wanted to make sure I loved what I was learning because, in reality, it is what allows us to truly love life. I doubt any other school could have given me this confidence of my own mind's ability.”

“I have two children attending this school. Both began in middle school and have continued on into the high school years. There are high expectations for students but there is also much support. Because class size is small, and the school itself is very small by comparison to it's typical public counterparts, teachers really know their students well enough to teach difficult material effectively to students with different strengths. I can't imagine a better middle school/high school experience for my children. They work very hard and have a significant amount of homework, but they have maintained their extracurricular activities (about 15 hours/week) and they see the benefit of what they've learned far beyond the letter grade and evaluation that comes home to mom and dad; they feel they are being prepared to live full and satisfying lives. Veritas has been a great place for my children.”

“This school is indeed a superior school--as far as academics goes. Unfortunately, all my son did was study. He never had time to practice a musical instrument or go to youth group meetings at church. And forget about playing any sports. The love of learning is so important, but I believe a 12 year old child should also make time for music or sports activities. This school didn't even make time to say The Pledge of Allegience in the morning. We're looking at other options for high school.”

“I am currently a student at Veritas, and I am so glad that I chose this school. I love all of our classroom discussions. It is always challenging and the teachers make you want to live up to their demands. The teachers really know the students and not just their names. Veritas is a demanding school, it demands all of its students to work hard. If you are willing to work hard and participate in the class discussions then this school is the right school for you. Hard work is not just about achieving a good grade but understanding the material and being able to make use of it.”

“We have a daughter who has attended Veritas for the past four years and we (and she) have been extremely satisfied with her experience. Veritas is characterized by dedicated teachers and administrators, by students who bring with them (or who have developed upon their arrival) an enthusiasm for learning, and by the active support of parents. Its academic curriculum is, admittedly, demanding, but it is not beyond the ability of the average student. While there is adequate opportunity for students to become involved in a variety of clubs, sports and social activities, these do not lie at the heart of the school's ethos. (And if that troubles you, look elsewhere -- there are plenty of socially and athletically-oriented schools, public and private, out there.) This is a school where learning -- and learning how to think -- are emphasized, alongside significant amounts of fun, laughter and accomplishment. Bravo Veritas!”

“This school is about learning and respect. Unfortunately, the public school system has abandoned both of those ideals. This school is bringing them back. I have seen more intellectual growth in my son in 1 year than in any other school over 6 years. Every public school in Arizona should be watching the Great Hearts Academies to learn what school is about.”

“In some ways, Veritas discipline is overly strict. When do these kids ever have fun? Not during the school day, that's for sure. Some of the teachers, although they appear to be highly qualified in their fields, do not 'teach.' Children are expected to read the chapter, answer the questions in the book, and take tests.”

“Honestly, this is a very good school academically, I had a son that went there. There are also many negative aspects however, the major one being that the children at this school miss out on the social aspects of highschool.”

“My yougest child achieved the highest test scores of her academic career after completing her second year at Veritas. Furthermore, her student generated work revealed real intellectual growth. At her previous school faculty and administration seemed to think that standardized testing 'said it all' and they saw my child as average because that's what her test scores indicated. At Veritas the students are encouraged to dig for deeper meaning below the easily accessed 'right answer'. This extraordinary commitment to learning over testing resulted in my average child moving into the upper percentiles of nationally normed testing. Veritas is education at its best.”

“Our child informed us that in spite of obtaining A's throughout her academic career in math, she didn't really 'get it.' At Veritas, the seventh grade math teacher made sure that she 'got it'. She had high expectations and, as she told the students, wanted them to know the 'why' of math, not just the 'how'. Excellent school.”

“My child earned the highest AIMS scores in seventh grade at Veritas that she has ever earned in her academic year. Hard work and caring teachers really paid off.”

“Parents are definitely involved, sometimes I think a bit too much. The academic programs are unrivaled. There are after-school sports year round. I would like to see more extracurricular activities in the middle school. Overall, our family is very happy at Veritas.”

“Our children are thriving in an environment where pursuit of academic excellence is shared by teachers and students. Plato's Republic, Shakespeare, The Iliad...there's no other school like it in town.”

“Veritas is the Latin word meaning truth. The truth about this school is that it has high ideals, an excellent curriculum, and many excellent teachers. If your child wants to receive a quality education, look at Veritas.”

“This school is not for the remedial student, but for students who are excited about learning and are willing to work hard, this school is incredible. The teachers have high expectations, academically and behaviorally. The textbooks for middle school students are probably written at the post-high school reading level. The pre-algebra contains a lot of math my older child did not see before high school. My child has been intellectually challenged for the first time in her life. Fantastic school!”

“The work at the high school level at Veritas is similar to that which my oldest child received in college. My son just finished presenting a senior project in which he read and compared various pieces of literature based on a thesis of his creation. He then defended his thesis in front of a board of teachers who questioned him for over an hour. He has learned more Calculus at Veritas than my oldest child learned in a Calculus class at ASU. The teachers care about the students and it shows.”

“At Veritas, my daughter is challenged intellectually on a daily basis. She is motivated to do her best and works hard to perform in a school where academics are prized as highly as athletics. Moving to Veritas in seventh grade from the Madison School district, she was at first apprehensive. The encouragement by the Veritas staff put her at ease. She as especially benefitted from her English and Math teachers, who, unfortunately, will not be returning to Veritas next year. Great school!”

“This school is good, the education is better than most but is not comparable to that of brophy college preparatory. I myself have met some students at this school and they seemed to lack some social skills that would be gained through social interaction at a better school...”

“Veritas has proven an excellent choice for our daughter. The unique curriculum, the excellent teachers and the administrative leadership, and the uncompromising academic standards all combine to provide a remarkable learning environment. (And Veritas is not just for gifted students!) Why can't all schools be like this?”

“I honestly think that children that attend this school miss out on a lot socially. The school's actuall ciriculum is descent however, it is not as challenging as it is made out to be. I would rather have a child attend brophy college preparatory.”

“There is very little not to like about this school. Our children receive the absolute best education available in the state and we don't even have to pay tuition! The kids are involved in all kinds of sport and extracurricular activites - I couldn't expect any more from a school.”

“My oldest child is attending Veritas this year. Although adjusting to the rigorous course work took a while, he now loves the school. He has made friends and is involved in the sports teams. He especially likes the challenge he encounters in his math club. Our family is looking forward to having our younger students join Veritas and receive the fine liberal arts education offered by the school.”

“The seventh grade education at Veritas is exceptional. My son speaks Latin at the dinner table and discusses music theory with a depth of knowledge that's amazing. He loves his math class and has enjoyed playing football and running track on the school team. We're very glad we chose Veritas.”

“This school offers the best middle school education I've seen in the Valley, and I've had children in parochial, private and charter schools. Veritas combines high academic standards with teachers who love their subject matter. Discipline is strict and respect of self and others is expected. Tutoring in every subject is offered to help those students who need it. Overall, I could not ask for a better school for my daughter.”

“Veritas is living proof of the fact that you get what you expect. If you seek and demand academic excellence, you are much more likely to get it.”

“Our daughter has finished her first year at Veritas. She was overwhelmed by the increased expectations of the teachers at first, but settled in during the second quarter. She told me yesterday that she learned more in her seventh grade year than she learned in all of elementary school combined. She feels that her opinions are respected, and in fact, sought after, by the teachers. She has found the extracurricular activities to be plenty, and has made many new friends.”

“Excellent program that includes an honors academic program with several clubs (robotics, debate team) and sports. The sports programs are held at a church close to the Biltmore area. School is small and personal with lots of one on one contact with the students.”

“As a student, I love Veritas. I'm learning to think critically and defend my opinions. How many 11th graders have read Crime and Punishment, The Illiad, John Locke, Plato's Dialogs, or Utopia? How many are in their 2nd year of Physics and their 3rd year of Latin? And this is the standard course of study for all students, not AP classes for just a few. The teachers are highly involved and dedicated. I highly recommend Veritas!”

“My child is in her second year at Veritas and has never been happier in a school setting. She is challenged on a daily basis. The quality of instruction is higher than either of her two previous public schools or her earlier charter school. The curriculum is classical liberal arts and the students read original source materials. Classroom instruction is in the Socratic tradition and is similar to graduate seminars. Extracurriculars, while not as extensive as at some large schools, are inclusive and encourage all who are interested to participate. This builds community in a way that more competitive programs do not. Parents are encouraged to participate in the school in whatever way best suits them, from volunteering as coaches and on campus assistants to fund-raising or serving on the board. All help is welcomed by the faculty, staff and board.”

“Our child is in his third year at Veritas. We are very please and our child loves the school. Unlike other schools are child has never expressed that he is bored in class. The teachers are truly excellent, they are extremely personable, caring and intelligent. The standards are high, no easy A's or even B's. But these grades are also not unattainable by doing the homework and studying. If your child wants do be involved in sports but is not a great athlete this school is great because everyone can play and there is wonderful comraderie among the players. Many students are actually very fine athletes. Compared to public middle schools and high schools (even the best ones) this school provides is as close to an expensive private education as is available in Maricopa County.”

“It seems the person who made the first comment about sports and extracurricular activities completely missed the point of the school. This is a very academically oriented school, and is a huge improvement over the supposed 'best' the public schools had to offer. It has a strong learning atmosphere, doesn't have all the distractions of gangs and violence and trashy clothes, the curriculum is demanding and not watered down like the public schools, and doesn't cater to mediocrity like the public schools do. It has some bugs to work out, but it's doing great for being in existence for such a short time. I very highly recommend it.”

“Poor sports programs. Poor extra curricular programs. Overall horrible School.”

“This school is very academic.the students here have a lot of homework. If your child wants the basics and not a lot of extracurricular activities this school is great.”

“Our son is attending his second year at Veritas and we could not be happier about the experience. This school has an incredible philosophy towards learning not found elsewhere and a strong classical curriculum. Very academic, providing a strong foundation for college. The honor and dress codes are wonderful. There are small class sizes and very supportive teachers and administration available before and after school to students and parents. Our headmaster has great vision and has been capable of motivating students, teachers and parents to form an academic yet warm and supportive community. Very involved parent base.”

“We are very happy with this school. They have a demanding curriculum and work ethic, but are genuinely interested in the success of all students. For a start-up year, we were surprised by how smoothly it ran. Parental Involvement is high. There are always areas for improvement and it seems that the Board is very interested in soliciting parent ideas to help the school improve.”