Arizona College Prep Erie Campus

I think my school is a great place and the teachers are helpful and care a lot about there students. Most of the students are nice as well. My only concern is the homework, especially for Junior High students. I was told at the beginning of the year that I would get used to having large amounts of homework every week, but I still haven't gotten used to it. I think it's stressful and teenagers shouldn't have to deal with this much stress. I, for example, start my homework around 4:00 and I still don't end up being done until late at night, like somewhere between 10:00 and midnight. The homework is my only problem and the block days, I don't really like those either. But the people are incredibly nice and I love learning new things every day. It's a great environment and I enjoy going to school. - Written by a student

Going to ACP was the best choice I ever could have made. I've been here for three years. At my previous school, I had had a horrible experience, particularly because for years I had suffered in the same classroom with really mean girls who cared about only themselves and not the other kids' feelings. At ACP, I found that even the popular kids were genuinely nice and tried to include everybody. Also, uniforms can really took off the pressure of being a teenager. Academically, because Spanish is required and all students are on the honors course even in math, these students are completely ready to compete against other kids. There may be a few teachers who aren't the best, but that's true in any school. The majority really care and can connect to kids, too. While there is homework, teachers and other students are always willing to help. If you know how to manage your time well it isn't a problem, even after factoring in outside sports, instruments, family time, lessons, etc. Finally, if sports is a big issue, it still is very possible to win games because ACP does not compete with the other big high schools (Hamilton, Chandler, Basha, Perry), but with schools of the same size.

I like some of the things about Erie, however there are some teachers are mediocre at best, and some new teachers who have been thrown into the fire so to speak. I find most of the homework is route memorization and there is little attention and direction encouraging students to think on their own. I am concerned that this elementary level of thinking will not create the type of learner who will ultimately be a problem solver and think outside the box...they are learning, but not applying anything. My daughter likes the environment, however I am less than impressed with the direction of the education. Why are we not challenging our students to think for themselves...and enjoy learning?
—Submitted by a parent

I am sad that this will be HP last year. Next year they will be known as ACP. If you want a challenging school with the same experiences you had when you went to HS, then this is it. Most of the negatives about this school is the sports my kid plays at school and also in the sports league she is one of the superstars. A few of her schoolmates play in the league too, so I don t see why sports should be an issue. We all have our priorities my kid has chosen academics over sports. No wonder this country is behind in school compared to the other countries - a lot of kids want to be like sportsters like Kobe, Shaq, Tiger Woods, Gossip Girls or in Jersey Shore Hamilton Prep is no place for slackers or wanabees.
—Submitted by a parent

Someone pinch me! I must be dreaming! This school is fabulous! I am thrilled that Chandler Unified School District allow us to have this as a choice school. It is an opportunity to allow my daughter to grow and expand her education past the easy, fluffy , socially driven environment of the local junior high. The courses are more difficult and challenging but MY daughter will be ready for REAL LIFE and college. I could care less about sports but the small environment of Hamilton Prep allows her to actually play on the sport teams as opposed to being one of 50 kids who tries out for a team with 12 spots (volleyball and then doesn't make it. School should be about EDUCATION and Hamilton Prep delivers. If you want your kid to be a slacker, this is not the place for you.
—Submitted by a parent

There is way too much homework for junior high students. Up to four hours a night make it stressful for students and their families and makes it nearly impossible to play sports or participate in extra curricular activities. The teachers assign homework like their class is the only class. There are not very good sports teams for the junior high level. The students can hardly compete with the other schools because there are not many athletes at this school. Some of the teachers are wonderful, and they care about the success of each and every student, but others have way too high expectations and fail to help the students enjoy learning. they assign too much busywork and do not give good lectures in class. (i.e. the student must learn from the text book on his/her own at home) Many of the students are automatically accepted into the school because they have older siblings that already attend Hamilton Prep. Many of these students can not handle the high expectations and fail to follow the school guidelines. in other words they would not have been accepted into the Hamilton Prep through application and placement test. There is a friendly and safe environment in and out of class.

I welcome alternative to the traditional Jr High. High expectations and standards for academics as well as personal conduct.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been attending Hamilton Prep for the past three years now, and have found it to be the best school I have ever had the pleasure of attending. The teachers are committed to my success as a student as well as my success as a growing human being. It is easy to participate in clubs and know other students because of our smaller sizes. As a high school student they make it possible for you to participate in sports and arts offered on the bigger Hamilton High campus. Hamilton Prep is a wonderful place to be.
—Submitted by a student

I have been attending this magnificent school for 3 years now and it has been the best three years of my life. The teachers are so understanding and caring, they really can help you with anything. All of the students know one another and we are all a close-knit family, we help each other through rigorous studying and homework and we always persevere. Enroll your son/dauhter into Hamilton Prep and I can guarentee you that you and your family will not be disappointed.
—Submitted by a student

Our daughter has been at Hamilton Prep for two full years. I have nothing but good to say about the academics at this school. She'll be starting high school next year on a track that is on par with most juniors which means she will be working on college credit in her last two years of high school. Prep is not the place for you kid if competitive athletics is a big deal for you.
—Submitted by a parent