Research Arizona Conservatory for Arts and Academics charter Schools in Phoenix, Arizona

“My daughter is in her second year at ACAA (7th grade) and we have been VERY happy with this school. She is thriving. Students and teachers strive for excellence in the arts and it is a thrill to attend performances and see the results of their efforts. The academic teachers are dedicated and caring. I am also very happy with the friends my child has made at this school. They are wonderful, creative kids. No school is perfect, but my family is very grateful that ACAA is available for my daughter.”

“I really love the fact the school offers drama, percussion, voice, guitar, art, dance, and a number of other extra curricular classes that my child would not get by attending a middle grade school. The homework is good but the educational level could be higher. I am just not at all keen on all the lack of respect the children give to the teachers and for the teachers or school to allow it to continue to happen. I understand the teachers hands may be tied in this area but it needs to be addressed and controlled. There are way too many complaints and not enough action when it comes to disapline and lack of respect in this school. The school dress code has gotten better but uniform dress code limits any distractions altogether. This could be a great school if they could just get the”

“It appears that many students enjoy the small school size atmosphere. If the massive teacher turnover rate could be helped and administration with adequate public school standard credentials could be found, this could be a great school.”

“I loved this school! It has the most amazing arts and arts teachers!! The academics were lacking except when they were taught by Mrs. Crocker or online. The teachers bring out the best in the students and get them to reach beyond their comfort levels. Going to that school was the best thing that ever happened to me. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's true.”

“In the past this school did have a questionable academic program - Today - it's awesome. ACAA has raised the bar for all charter schools and public or private schools around the country. Where can you get a school that has great academics and a stellar performance arts program. If your child is interested in the performing arts. This is the school you should be taking them to. Proud parent of 2 ACAA students. Tammy Smith”

“My daughter has been part of this school for 2 years now. In that short amount of time, we have seen quite a bit of change. The hammer came down on the academics and needing to prove itself as a solid academic force as well as an incredible arts school where talented kids can showcase their stuff! Well, ACAA, you're definitely in the right direction now! Keep it up and keep it strong! You have very caring teachers and administration involved in this school that want to see your child get motivated and succeed in every aspect of their life. I am proud to say that I am a parent of a student at ACAA!”

“My daughter was here when ACAA began. We have seen struggles, as all charter schools go through, but the team now is superb. The arts department is second to none, and academics are improving daily. I am so grateful that my daughter was able to go to this school, to learn from these gifted educators, and to excel. She is graduating a year early, thanks to the staff, as well as online classes, with a 4.0 average, and, due to the fire lit within her from teachers like Mr. Berger and Ms. McNeil, she is going to college next year, working to become a music educator herself. Thank you ACAA!!”

“ACAA are very highest quality school including performance arts. I really appreciation that ACAA are working with Sequoia Schools for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing-North Phoenix Campus (on same campus) I want to look forward ACAA Students to more interact with SSDHH Students.”

“Great high school and arts program.”

“My daughter attended 7th grade at ACAA. She was challenged by the accademic teachers and she enjoyed the Arts programs. Her only complaint is that too many of the students do not care about school. The language arts teacher offered the most stability and challenge in her classroom. This was the first year that my child did not attend a public school and this was also the first year that my child was challenged by a teacher. Overall, the teachers did very well. My child scored above average in the AIMS test and she would like to attend ACAA in 2005/06.”

“My daughter truly enjoys attending this school. The class sizes are small and the students get more one-on-one attention than most public schools. The Arts programs are fantastic. There are times of disorganization, however this seems to be a result in the change in management and is coming together. The teachers and administration care about the students and their sucess.”

“Great emphasis on the individual student. Fantastic Arts Programs. Increasing focuson academics.”

“I think that it is a good school overall. However, there is a lack in academics. Some classes really are college prepatory. Others simply are not.”

“I agree with the many reviews of this school. However, a think the idea of a generalization that the academics are not good is wrong. There are some great teachers with strong curriculums. Unfortunately, they do teach at this school. And as is the case in many situations, people are more willing to say bad things, then to support the good things. The problem is that not all of the academics are challenging, so those teachers that are doing a great job are overlooked. I agree that the administration should do more to support those teachers that are challenging their students. Stop putting on plays, and start doing something to support the academics.”

“Overall, great fun and poor academics. We were fortunate enough to have our children with a couple real good teachers over the past year and a half, however. It boasts an advanced, college prep curriculum, but after over one year of attendance we've yet to see it materialize. The performing arts programs are lots of fun for the kids, but take a lot of time, and cash from parents. The younger the student, the lesser the oppurtunity to land any type of speaking parts/solos in plays, etc. For that reason the school is really not worth looking into for the arts until the child is in high school. And then-why pull them from a perfectly good school just to be in an occasional performance at ACAA? I'd rather see my children prepared for college.”

“For students who enjoy performing arts, ths is an excellent school. Unfortunately, their academic program leaves something to be desired. My children, grades Sophomore, 8th and 7th, found the academic curriculum to be below their skill levels, which is not particularly advanced. For students looking to incorporate performing arts into their future goals, this is the place. Wonderful staff as well.”

“This is the school's second year and seems all the bugs are being worked out and academics are greatly improving. Underperforming/problem students which had transferred to the school because they were underperforming at their previous schools, are either performing better at this school, or have failed to achieve the standards at this school as well, and have left. I have personally found school administrators and teachers to be very helpful and open. The school site council (parent-teacher-organization) is very effective in encouraging parent participation/involvement in the school's performance/academic success. This is where parent's need to voice concerns/ see action taken. Some parent's seem to ineffectively complain through the wrong channels, and feel it is a teacher's responsibility to educate their child. However, the most educational success happens for a child when the teacher AND PARENT both work with the child. Unfortunately, some parent's still don't understand this vital educational concept.”

“I had 2 High Schoolers at this school. The accademics were not important to the administrator.We were lied to about it being a college prep. school.The more I complained about the teachers lack of interest in teaching and the abusive behaviors of some teachers and administrators,the more I was ignored.One of the most abusive (verbally) teachers was rehired. Absolutley no relation building with parents, they seemed to want to keep parents out of the loop as much as possible. No displine to speek of, random at best.”

“This school is a great concept,however, last year they fell very short on their academics and overall lack of caring about the students. We attended a full year (03-04)and tried to help the school be better for this year (04-05) only to be told by members of the board that they do not want parental help and volunteers. The school does have some good aspects about it, however, as an overall well rounded school it has falled our child. We will not return for the 04 - 05 school year since they can insure the safety of our child and nor have they improve the academics. There were some security issues at the school last year that were never addressed.”

“The arts side was wonderful. The only problem was the school is run by artists. The first year my child has stuck it out. The academics are weaker than I prefer for my child. And there have been some problems with unprofessional teachers and staff. Meaning you can complain about a teachers behavior yet nothing gets accomplished.”