Bradley Academy of Excellence

I can't even rate this as a "school". It is more like an abusive, disorganized babysitting club run by a dysfunctional family. Children are expected to teach themselves the basics through online programs and are given next to no productive work.There is no library on the campus (or books for that fact).There is no shade outside for kids over K and they go outside EVERYDAY. Kids are constantly getting bullied by other students and TEACHERS!!The afterschool program has served my child expired juice and frozen milk as a "healthy" snack.The office doesn't notify you if your child misses school.The busses are undependable.Kids literally got low grades on an assignment (teacher's words) because "the other students didn't pay attention" and she "was too busy" to deal with each kid. Basketball(Paid for by parents) had to forfeit almost 100% of games due to the complete incompetence of the staff/school. Kids that don't complete assignments and are failing (half of my child's class) were told as long as they pass AIMS, they'll move them up a grade level.I've never even had a review of my daughter's progress and only kids that are failing go home with a "note", no parent calls/meetings.
—Submitted by a parent

Giving this school one star is waaaay to much! School is disorganized and a mess! Some of the teachers are great and put forth effort, however, most of the teachers look like they just can't stand the kids! I have literally had a teacher tell me that she " just can't control her class" REALLY!! That is insane... the teachers scream and have no respect for the children... how do we teach kids to respect others when they aren't given ANY respect. Ms. Bursten is not equiped to run any school. She doesn't take any feedback from parents. In fact, she acts more like we are an inconvenience. "Parents think they know everything and we should just let her do her job" Her words, when someone suggested have a PTA... this was after the most UNORGANIZED field trip I have ever seen... they literally lost a fourth grade class at the fair! They utilize half of the lunch room and the tables so students are crammed together shoulder to shoulder to eat. The ballet program, choir and gymnastic (as well as the other performing arts aspects) are great. I am pulling my kids when this year ends and most of the parents I have met here are doing the same. Wish I would have read the reviews before..
—Submitted by a parent

Please don't put your children in this school and if your children attend remove them. I just learned that there isn't even one single reading curriculum book in the school. There is no library. They take title I money in there is no title I program . Mrs. Burston, Charter holder, Thinks it's okay if teachers scream at children. Parents of current students should ask how many times a day they are screamed at. There are teachers at that school that are not qualified to be teachers. The school hurts children and should be shut down parents beware!! Is your job to investigate any school before putting your children there. Ask for the resume of the charter holder and every teacher in that school and you will see what I mean.

I have 2 children currently in the school 1 in pre-k and 1 in the fifth grade. The school has shown vast improvement over the last year. I have to agree with this statement regarding Mrs Berston not quite sure how she ended up carrying the charter. My children's education has grown to levels that far above what I expected them to be. My kids are involved in several activities that they would not be able to be involved with if not for the school. They have after school sports, student council, and new after school programs that help with math reading writing and tutoring for those in need. They keep me up to date on what's going on in the school whether it be after school programs teacher conferences or anything else I need information on. I am very involved in my children's education and I volunteer my time and effort at the school also. I have seen students that have a lot of disciplinary issues and those issues have been resolved within the school whether it be expulsion or helping that child overcome the issues. I understand some parents might have issues at the school but that's every school every school has issues it's up to you as a parent to help resolve them.
—Submitted by a parent

So many abused and neglected children. Countless children at this school would show up with bruises all over their faces, wounds, scratches, and limping. They wouldn't question it and if a child would tell them what was happening they wouldn't report it. There was a certain "teacher" there that would illegally tackle students. In this case you CALL THE POLICE. You DO NOT tackle them. The bars in the play ground for the k-4 graders where missing and one could easily slip out. But that was the old school. The new school- Horrible, horrible, horrible education. ALL the children learn on computers and when they go to high school the way of learning will be so much more different. The new school doesn't have any shade and the little it does it is not allowed for the students to use. Personal own the shade. So here your child is at 110 degree weather standing in the middle of the sun. I am not exaggerating. All of the old students that transferred to the new building where failing and a lot of them hacked the computer system in order to pass reading. OH BUT THE BEST PART- A number of the old teachers had to go back to college to get their degree. They higher anyone.

I don't want to waste anymore time on anything that has to do with this BIG DISSAPPOINMENT of a "school". Only reason I'm using my valuable time on talking about Bradley one last time is because I want to warn parents about this school. We took our children out of this school as soon as we realized what a nightmare they living as well as us. Burston is a terrible person. Uneducated,rude,unprofessional,Loves to yell and so much more. Their staff speak to children like they are a bunch of animals. after school programs are a big joke. PARENTS IF ANY OF U HAS YOUR CHILDREN INVOLVE IN ANY OF THESE PROGRAMS OR JUST IF THEY ARE STILL ENROLLED HERE PLS STOP BY AND CHECK ON THEM. U WILL KNOW WHAT I MEAN IF U JUST DROP BY AND SEE HOW CHILDREN HERE ARE TREATED. THIS SCHOOL IS STRAIGHT OUR SCARY. CHILDREN CAN NOT THRIVE IN AN ATMOSPHERE LIKE THIS. IF UR CHILD BRINGS HOME BAD GRADES PLS INVESTIGATE. I PUNISHED MY SON WHEN HE BROUGHT HOME BAD GRADES,ONLY FOR TEACHERS TO SAY: blank can u pls tell your parents u were really suppost to get a different grade than what we gave u,small mistake. I agree with all the recent reviews of parents. this school deserves 0 stars. BEWARE and be CAUTIOUS!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Please reconsider this school if your child is on an IEP. They are unable to provide proper special education. The company that provided special education to this and many of Arizona's charter schools always tried to cut corners financially and the ones that suffered were the children who are not properly served. The special education program did a disservice to my child with special needs. The only positive comment I could make is that my child felt welcomed and flourished socially. There is a heavy dependence on the online curriculum. I truly hope they hire their own special ed department or go with a new vendor for future school years.
—Submitted by a parent

I do not recommend this school. It's a great interesting concept for a school. The digital curriculum, performing arts, and language class made us interested in Bradley initially. Then the school year went on and we observed things were not right. The students are not being taught at their levels. Students are often unsupervised. The lunch room is disorderly and overly loud. There is no order at times. Students run through the hallways and completely ignore requests from adults unless they are yelled at. Administration is dismissive toward parents. When you voice a concern, you are not taken seriously. There is a lack of caring. Schools need to be run by those with a heart for the children, not business people who only see the bottom line. Please be careful if you send your child here. Pay attention to what is going on. Ask lots of questions. Visit often. Stay involved.
—Submitted by a parent

If I could give zero stars I would. Very disappointed in staff. Curriculum. Bus services and school activities, lack there of. I am in the process of forming a formal complaint against this school, along with 7 other moms that feel the same way. I have a kindergarten student due to graduate in cap and gown this months end. THE ONLY REASON I HAVEN'T RELOCATED MY CHILDREN! PLEASE DO NOT ENROLL YOUR CHILDREN UNLESS YOU ENJOY DISAPPOINTMENT. (623) 594-5257 Feel free to contact me personally for more information or to be included in the pending class action suit against bradleyacademy
—Submitted by a parent

new to the area....please give your reviews about this school. I am new to the area and have signed my daughter up for this school. She will be in second grade. For some reason I am feeling like this school is not up to standards. I have no reason to believe that it's jsut a feeling..... So if you have any reviews about this school please post. Thank you
—Submitted by a parent

If I could give this school zero stars I would! My son is a 8th grader and put him in this school in hopes of a stricter school with good leadership in witch I was sold on during my fist visit to this school. They have had a couple different "school leaders" in the few months I have had my sin there, they don't follow there own school guidelines nor do they force them. They do offer free buses but my son has to be at the bus stop by 6:50 am school starts at 8:30am and does not arrive home until 5:45pm or later and school is released at 3:30pm! My son likes the school but I think it's because he gets away with anything there no wonder kids are bullied there all the time no supervision! They are also way behind in there teachings. But don't take my word for it you'll find all this plus more wrong within 3 months of your kid attending here. Good luck, glad its our only and last year here!
—Submitted by a parent

First I'd like to point out that the school location has changed. It's no longer located in Avondale, but it's in a brand new building in Goodyear off of Lower Buckeye and Sarival. A very good move and a very nice neighborhood compared to the old location. Anyway, I LOVE this school! My son seems very happy and has learned a lot in his first year at Bradley Academy. His teachers and the administration in general do a good job of communicating. Updates are emailed at least once weekly, and anytime I have an issue to discuss with his teacher she gets back to me fairly quickly. The homework that he brings home seems challenging enough, and I really love the fact that if he "forgets" his homework at school I can check online to see what his homework is and print it out. The school is very much about technology and has some great programs at each grade level. The only thing I'm not too fond of is their transportation system. The buses aren't reliable and they seem to have trouble communicating issues. But other than that, I am completely satisfied with my and my son's experience with this school!
—Submitted by a parent

my kids went here and were always bullied and the school wouldn't do a thing. i pulled my four kids out and seen a major difference in grades and attitude!
—Submitted by a parent

This has some serious problems with it's management. They are unorganized and do not really seems to know how to run a school. They do not follow their own disciplinary policy. Teachers watch kids getting chiked and sit there and do nothing. We are pulling my kids as soon as the year is over. My son has been bullied for months and everytime I talk to someone about it they act like we are bothering them. They need steady leadership and someone with a back bone the teachers will actully listen too!!!
—Submitted by a parent

this school has really great teachers and some good staffs. if your child is inrolled to this school they are sure to leave 50 times more educated then before they came here. this education program is great. the only problem is there is a lady that helps run the school name tanya burston and she has no respect for parents and is very rude. she makes this school look very bad because she has no respect for others and for her to be someone that is in charge it makes you not want to deal with the school. if she leaves the school then this school would be 100% perfect.
—Submitted by a parent

At this time , I am thoroughly impressed with the school. I will come back and re rate this school later as it is still early. My sons who have always been home schooled now attend Bradley Academy and they love it! Its a very small school--.my 5th grade has 6 children in his class. The teachers seem really nice and very thorough . My children come home everyday with excitement and full of new things to that they learned. They are learning and they are happy .
—Submitted by a parent

This is overall a good school. Having said that, the schools should make efforts to organize more parent - teacher meets to communicate areas of improvements for the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Bradley Academy is an excellent school for your an aspiring student. I admit that like most schools it was a little rocky getting out of the gate but after 7 years of operations I feel the school has shown promise. A great school is one that progresses the community, families, and students. I feel Bradley is now accomplishing these goals seamlessly. If you have not considered Bradley Academy based upon some of the earlier reviews I would suggest considering them for your child needs using your own criteria and ultimately make your own decision. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Unless your child is African American expect them to be outcasted by Bradley Academy of Execellence. The Staff makes a point that the school was build for the immediate family of the Director and is firm in its belief and teachings that African Americans are a better people. If your wish as a parent is to teach your child to understand and accept all people no matter what their race Bradly is not the school for you.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this school is great. I do not think it's a school for rejects. That was an awful comment someone made. My 2 kids go to this school and have learned so much and are doing very good and I chose this school at first because it was smaller and I thought it would be better with smaller classes and I made an excellent decision. My kids are good kids and were never rejected from public schools, I just thought they could learn more from bradley, and they have.
—Submitted by a parent