Great School - Lots of Homework
This year has been very difficult with one of my children's teachers. 4th grade to narrow it down enough. She comes home with 2-3 hours of homework each night. When my daughter asks for help her teacher has said "FIGURE IT OUT" She has come to tears many times this year over her school work. Her teacher also gave her 7 units of math homework over Christmas break 700+ problems.
Also we have some issues with the grading, when we question the means and methods, she offers no explanation.
One other thing is the kids do not get nearly enough time to eat and recess. If children do not get time to burn off energy, their performance and behavior in the classroom suffers greatly. Both of our south arbor kids come home with much of their lunch box full because sometimes they only get 10 minutes or less to eat.
Other than this year and this particular teacher, we are extremely happy with South Arbor
Daniel
Great environment-poor follow through
I highly recommend the school, but be sure you are prepared to be VERY involved with academics and extra curricular activities for your child to be par. If not, they will blend in and more often than not be left behind.
Ksak
Unorganized, Short Cuts and Frustration
This year more than ever, we have experienced major frustration. We are feeling that our child is not getting adequate time for not only lunch and recess, but also for classroom time for all subjects. Our child partakes in 4th grade rotations and due to the timing of such activities, her social studies time is 15 minutes shorter than some of her peers. We discussed with the teacher and found that they are not given ample time to and from classes and extra time slotted for mishaps, that they are rushed to make deadlines and therefore have to cut class short. THis is not acceptable. We are also experiencing a significant influx in homework among various days of the week with tight deadlines. We found the reason for this is due to the fact that the rotation teachers do not discuss homework being assigned and therefore some days are very large amounts due the next day and some days there is none.... this needs to be evened out.
We also have had instances where we have questioned grading or test answers we felt were wrong, we even have researched online to find support for our opinions and have been denied any means to have it reviewed for consideration of changing a grade.
We have also had a handful of communication issues among the children and teacher which have caused frustrations among many children/parents. It is clear that communication is poor.
I would also like to see the security within the building tightened. Anyone can walk through the doors if they are a familiar face.... we need ensure each and every time that everyone is accounted for. We should have doors to the children locked and not open...and even consider a "buzzing me in" system. Too many unfortunate things happen these days and security of the children should be top priority and do not feel that it is.
Anonymous
Going downhill
Our family has several kids and many years of experience at South Arbor, and we think the school is going downhill in recent years. Most of the teachers are good, and some are extremely good. But teacher turnover has increased, and two bad teachers have had a disproportionate effect on our kids. Unfortunately the administration doesn't seem willing to fire or correct the bad teachers. Specifically, the 7th/8th grade ALP science teacher has not taught the 8th graders any new material this year! She and another teacher are disorganized, don't have a good grasp of the material they are teaching, don't communicate well with parents, and seem incapable of dealing with either gifted or "difficult" kids.
Concerned parent
Really great at traditional academics, but heavy emphasis on testing and competition
This school is very good at traditional academics and college prep. Parent involvement is really encouraged, especially in the younger grades. Many teachers are dynamic and nurturing, but not all. The administrators put forth a lot of effort and really care about the quality of the school. I can't give it a full 5stars because the academics are so rigorous that recess is cut back, projects are fewer, and the teachers seem to rush to complete the full curriculum. There are several standardized tests throughout the year which do not measure soft skills such as kindness and creativity. The school does seek to have a monthly moral focus, but rewards students for showing these qualities, despite studies showing that rewarding such behavior actually diminishes the natural reward of having done a good deed. Overall, though, it is one of the best schools in the area.
KM
Great School
This school is great! It is more than just a great education it is a community. The staff, students and parents are the best around.
Cynthia
Bad 7/8th grade science teacher
Our experience with the 7/8th grade science teacher has totally poisoned our experience with the school this year. She has failed to teach the eighth graders any new material. She has played favorites among the students, unfairly targeting some students for harsh treatment. She has fed answers to students on standardized tests in order to improve performance. Overall a disturbing, disappointing, performance.
Anon
Great education, teachers need better discipline methods.
I love the education my child receives at this school. It also has great academic extracurricular activities that focus not only on learning but in developing teamwork skills. However, I do not agree with some of their discipline methods. I do not understand why taking recess away from kids is used for discipline when most doctors and psychologists say it is counterproductive; it reduces attention and test scores, and increases behavioral problems. I was present during lunch one time when one of the deans, using a microphone, told a child that if he didn't sit down, he was going to miss recess for the entire week. Middle school kids have very little opportunity for physical activity throughout the day.
Some of the teachers are excellent. They inspire, encourage, and support kids in their emotional and academic growth. On the flip side, there are some teachers who should not be teaching kids because they do not have the patience, organization skills, and/or knowledge necessary for dealing with children, especially those who are very smart and will challenge them.
Parent
Kids and education comes first at South Arbor.
Great results!
Yulia
Great school
Great schools don't pop up over night, they are developed.
Paul
South Arbor is a great school.
We are happy with the education our children are receiving. The staff is very dedicated.
Joseph
South Arbor is our school of choice
I am proud to say my kids go to South Arbor Academy. We made the switch to South Arbor almost 4 years ago and are very happy with the decision. The teachers are great. Two of our son's teachers have been nominated as teacher's of the year.
Michael
Great Things!
I really appreciate all of the staff at South Arbor Charter Academy. I recognize the level of excellence they demonstrate when planning events and instructing students. Most importantly, I appreciate the moral focus that guides their practice. It is obvious that the staff members not only demonstrate good professional practice, they are good parents and good people. This is why great things are always happening at South Arbor.
Christina
South Arbor review
South Arbor is a wonderful school. Great, caring teachers and staff, rigorous academics, and friendly atmosphere.
Alessandra
I will miss the teachers!
This is our last year at S. Arbor. When I think about many of the S. Arbor teachers that my children have had through the years, I get a little panicked, fearing that my children will never again have the benefit of such professionalism and dedication. I would recommend this school to anyone!
Jerlee
Great school with caring staff.
South Arbor provides a fantastic learning environment. The staff are highly skilled and effective.
A123
Best School in the neighborhood
I have been a parent here for about 16 years will all of my children, and I know that this is the best school in the neighborhood for our children. My husband and I have made the sacrifice to bring our children here all these years in spite of the public schools of which whose bus stop is right in front of our house. We could have taken the easy route, but chose to take the best route for the education of our kids.
Lisa
excellent
wonderful school.
Denise
Solid academics
I am generally happy with the the academics at this school- although the mandatory testing requirements have diluted the curriculum to be more test focused over the last two years. I am extremely disappointed in that. It also used to be a very parent-friendly environment with the ability to participate in the direction of the school (not curriculum, but activities). There is also a very high turnover rate of teachers. It seems to increase yearly- with no real explanation. I surmise that the employee satisfaction is low.
LMA
Great with Exceptions
I love South Arbor in so many ways. It's a family and most importantly, the kids are getting a solid education. I do have some concerns that directly correlate to future educational experiences. The school seems highly focused more on "test results" than working with each child to achieve their fullest potential. The basics have been forgotten, a large concern being how to take notes in class. This achievement is the foundation for all students to succeed, not only at South Arbor, but impacting their future education and job experiences as well. This is sorely lacking and is a much needed skill to achieve! Moreover, the extra assistance needed for some kids who "ride the fence" with their grades is also quite a challenge. Unless the students score poorly on testing (again, see the focus on the testing?), the students aren't eligible for extra tutoring within the school. This is devastating for students who want to do well, are working extra hard to succeed, but need a little extra help and aren't able to obtain it so they can succeed. Overall this is a solid school, it's the one-on-one focus, remedial assistance, and teaching basic skill sets to students which is sorely lacking.
YpsiMom1970
