Knox Gifted Academy

Love the Gifted Academy! It far exceeds with excellent teachers, involved parents, and project based learning! So glad two of my children are attending KGA!
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been in the CUSD gifted program for 3 years. This being the inaugural year of Knox Gifted Academy on campus at Knox Elementary I was worried about the transition she would make. It has been a very successful year. Her teacher really worked with them on Problem Based Learning units as well as Engineering is Elementary. Pulling in members of the engineering and educational community to enhance the kids learning experience was a great idea. We're looking forward to another year.
—Submitted by a parent

KGA is simply outstanding! I am giddy about the opportunity for my gifted child and the inaugural year was a success, due to teacher commitment and parent involvement. Our STEAM innovators can flourish here through collaboration, PBL, EiE and so much more to come in our second year. Assemblies will be in place for next year so that sense of community shall come. Full STEAM ahead! Love it.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children attending the "school within a school" Knox Gifted Academy that is housed on the Knox Elementary campus. The teachers, administrators, and parents involved with this school have consistently exceeded my expectations. It is truly a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

When KGA started last year and being a pilot program for CATS, I had my concerns and doubts about KGA. At the end of it's first year, I am so amazed how well the program went, the teacher's dedication in finding their way thru the new structure and courage in implementing new processes, the parent's involvement in introducing after school programs is overwhelming! I am sure sending my other kid to KGA next year.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is just finishing up his first year at Knox in the Gifted Academy and it was wonderful! It could not have been a better year. They focus on STEAM which is Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. It really has been great. His teacher was Wondeful and I would highly recomend this program for any gifted student. My son has learned so much and had fun doing it. The only problem I saw was that right now it's a school within a school and so I'm not sure the overall school experience has been great due to lack of school assemblies and the like. But that will change I think over time as the school continues to grow. It's been a really great experience!
—Submitted by a parent

The new gifted program here is amazing. The kids have access to amazing technology. They are learning Mandarin and how to play the violin. The learning is project based and is not rote learning with worksheets. If you think your child may be gifted, it is definitely worth testing them to get them into this program.
—Submitted by a parent

Chandler Gifted Academy is a new STEAM empasis "concept" school. So far all indications are very positive, but it is a work in progress. It has the potential to offer a very hight quality, public education, to highly creative and gifted students of all ages. This is the type of school and program that has been sorely missing from most public school environments and from the needs of academically talented and creative students.
—Submitted by a parent

I am really impressed with this new school. The CATS program has been in place since the 1970's, but has always been at multiple schools within the district. This is the first time in this district that students, teachers and parents can all come together at one school. The positive attitude and experience of the teachers and the principal, combined with the parent support is a winning combination.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a current (2011) Knox student and we couldn't be happier. Every teacher we have had the pleasure to meet has been wonderful, supportive and guenuinely caring about my daughters education. I do believe Knox is struggling due to the fact that the neighborhood is and older neighborhood and there just aren't as many kids there anymore. Not to mention the choke hold that charter schools on every corner put on a small public school. We actually chose Knox when my daughter started Kindergarten and she is now finishing up 3rd grade.
—Submitted by a parent

Knox is a great school, with great teachers. Unfortunately the area around it is declining. My child has attended Knox since Kindergarten, and it has been a great experience for her. She is sad to leave Knox, but is ready for Jr. High! Thank you to all of the teachers and staff for making her elementary years so wonderful. You will be missed!
—Submitted by a parent

I feel that Knox does have some concerns but every teacher my child has had has been supporting and wonderful,I think Knox is a great school struggling in a poor environment.Also I think that the city needs to pay more attention to it so it can soar just as much those schools in 'richer' areas!
—Submitted by a parent

I, too, am very displeased with Knox. The office staff scold parents in front of their kids if they bring them late; the principal cannot 'hear' direct compaints from parents; the students are not happy with the severe limitations of Knox in arts and music; and teachers seem as if their hands are tied by the principal's directives. Knox also moves to uniforms in 2008 yr. They are ugly, awful irritating fabric, and the 'vote' parents took on whether to move to uniformed dress code never was explained. Most, though, the kids dont get the help they need in class. 'F'
—Submitted by a parent

I am a social worker; my husband is a High School teacher. My daughter entered Knox, 4th grade, two months late due to our late arrival to Chandler. Knox was the only school that had openings for 'out of bounds' students. My daughter has been in Montessori Private schools since age 2.5. I was assured at Knox they would help her transition from Montessori 'non-structured structure' to the public school system. My daughter struggled; but not because she couldn't adapt. Severe problems there! Beware.
—Submitted by a parent

Knox seemed to be a wonderful place...in the beginning. As my children continued, I realized there was too much movie watching and a very large range of student abilities, which translated into difficulty in challenging students at the higher end of the spectrum as well as leaving those at the bottom further behind. As far as safety, well I just didn't consider them 'safe'.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a parent at this school for 10 years. I am taking my daughter out Mrs. Rook and most of the teachers are amazing, but the test scores are just not there.
—Submitted by a parent

I do not so much like the area of the school but the teacher is wonderful and my daughter likes her.
—Submitted by a parent

For parents who wish to be involved there is ample opportunity. The teachers have direct phone lines and are great about returning phone calls. There is a great effort made to give kids achievable goals and to reward them for making them.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is academically behind others. There are a variety of extracurricular activities available.
—Submitted by a parent