Flagstaff Junior Academy

FJA is a wonderful, family oriented school community! I absolutely love hearing each day how wonderful my 3rd graders day was. The teachers clearly care for their students and go well out of their way to help each child feel successful. The focus is not just on academics but on having a respectful, peaceful and fun learning environment that incorporates hands-on materials, art, poetry, literature, peace education and responsibility.
—Submitted by a parent

FJA fails as a Montessori with the exception of the Children's house (pre-school). My son is in 4th grade, and with a young, inexperienced teacher. He has a lot of workbooks, worksheets, there are assigned seats, teacher lecturing, a lot of discipline and rules.. it is not Montessori at all. If you have a child that struggles, they will have a hard time here. Great, smaller class sizes. Getting a good teacher is hit or miss. Overall, the school is very unorganized. Teachers don't email or communicate except with traditional hand outs, lots of paper (also not very Montessori), etc. I am overall disappointed with FJA as a whole. They recently removed the principal and now the staff has no one to supervise. How are the teachers reviewed at this school? I don't know if they are... it's so unorganized that I imagine they slip through the cracks and are left to do whatever they see fit. Very disappointed. Been here for three years and I am thinking this is our last!
—Submitted by a parent

I went to this school for only one year, my eighth grade year back in 2001-02 and it was probably the best year I've ever had in school. The teachers were awesome, the classroom environment was great, and the student-teacher relationships were outstanding. I went there as a below average student, who just didn't care, but FJA helped me to become the person i am today. I write this review from half way around the world, and if you have a child who you know has potential, and can benefit, send him/her here. One day i will never forget was 9/11... We all crammed into one classroom, and watched the footage as it was going down. All day we gave insight and discussed the event. I am now a great public speaker, and though i chose to join the navy, FJA helped me into becoming a well disciplined man.

The teachers at FJA really strive to make learning fun and applicable to life while instilling the self-discipline and values needed for kids to succeed beyond the classroom. My kids have all loved school from pre-school all the way up. The chance to work at their own pace and pursue their interests as they relate to classwork has made my children happy students! Where else would a middle school boy who dislikes reading novels love his English class? Where else are the kids guaranteed art, foreign language, physical, health, music education every week-even when they're little?
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been at FJA from preschool thru the 8th grade. I have been so happy at FJA. The principal is a very carrying person, the teachers are awesome and invested individuals and the ciriculum interesting and challenging. The only downfall to FJA is they don't have ahigh school!
—Submitted by a parent

I have been doing my Master's degree Practicum at FJA and am absolutely blown away by the genuine focus the teachers give each and every student. I also did some practicum work at two public schools here and FJA is eons beyond comparison. Their classroom libraries are phenomenal and the school is in great shape!
—Submitted by a parent

Creative and challenges kids
—Submitted by a parent

I had two students who went thru FJA from 2nd thru 8th grade. They never complained about getting up in the morning and going to school! Their teachers really cared about not only their education but about how their day was going. I would highly recommend this school to anyone searching out a quality caring school. My kids are very prepared for high school thanks to FJA.
—Submitted by a parent

Great School. Nice and caring teachers. Wish we would not have moved. My daughter misses this school so much.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are uniformly spectacular and deeply devoted to the welfare and learning of their students. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the principal. She has driven many wonderful teachers from the school in recent years. Regardless, my son has recieved an excellent education.
—Submitted by a parent

the quality of education at this school is variable. there are a few very good teachers and a couple of others who probably couldn't get a job elsewhere. cramped spaces, overcrowding and sometimes very difficult kids. often disorganized and the kids can easily fall behind, especially in math. consider the middle school cautiously, although the elementary school is great.
—Submitted by a parent

FJA is an excellent choice for junior high! My son has done marvelous there FJA is a small and intimate school. The teachers are dedicated and hard working and while nothing or no school is perfect any minor issue we had were resolved through open communication with the staff. I can honestly say that my son has flourished. We feel fortunate to have spent our Junior High years with Mr. Clark, Mr. McQuaide, Mr. Gomez, Mr. Ruch, Mr. T, Mr. Wilson, Ms. Hart, Mrs. Rhinne, Tony, and our principal Mrs. Ambrose! Thank you for helping my son through those awkward junior high years. We think FJA is a 10 + school.
—Submitted by a parent

FJA has some of the finest teachers who have a passion for educating their students. Unfortunately, the principal lacks in leadership and can be very unprofessional in handling her job. Teachers hands are tied when it comes to working to make the school better since their voices are seldom heard. The school would be absolutely amazing if everyone (parents, teachers, students, and administration) could all cooperate to maximize FJA 's potential as the best school in Flagstaff. That said, if it were not for the amazing teachers, I don't think this school would be as successful as it is without them.

I'v only had esperience with the middle school, but I have nothing good to say about the principal. FJA is supposed to be a communtiy. I would not reccommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a former student

The elementary program here at FJA makes a great environment. Our son is very happy here, learning and being positively supported through his education!
—Submitted by a parent

FJA has the best preschool/kindergarten in Northern AZ. Barbara Dornan, the master Montessori teacher of The Children's House program gives each of her students the opportunity to become individuals that learn to love 'learning.' My son is a second year kindergartner with special needs and was unable to read/write/or count as of October '04 when I moved here. I am amazed to see my son reading, writing, and now conquering multiplication all due to the Montessori Philosophy. His confidence/progress is sky rocketing under the direction of Ms. Dornan and the Children's House Staff. Although it is a tuition based program for preschool, I would recommend you observe the class and see how magical it really is. These educators at FJA give more than just teaching, but more importantly of themselves to all the children. I am thankful&honored to have my child be part of such a wonderful community.
—Submitted by Alison White, a parent

FJA has given my child the freedom he needs to learn at his own pace while not feeling compared to other students. He is a hands-on learner and enjoys working with the montessori tools. I am very pleased with the education he is recieving.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel very fortunate to have my children enrolled in FJA. They have been there 6 years and every year gets better. The staff really cares about the students.