Sequoia Charter School

The review below, that posted on August 31, 2011, is actually a review about Sequoia Academics and Arts school, not Sequoia Secondary School. Though no school is perfect I would not want to see another school take a negative review because their name is similar. Sequoia Secondary School is a NCA accredited institution and has done great things for my children.
--Submitted by a parent

Pulled my daughter out of the school after only one day. Students ran the school, came into and out of classes as they pleased, cursed at teachers, the English teacher spoke with a heave accent and had a poor grasp of the language, a student in trouble visiting the principal was allowed to put his feet on her desk, but when confronted it is us who just don't understand the folksy family style education. Do yourself a favor and do not enroll your student here. It is a complete and utter joke. They're not even accredited, the reason the principal Ms. Graham is cost, I'm just glad we realized it before too long.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter graduated top in her class from Sequoia and EXCEEDED on 2 of the AIMS tests her Junior year and the third her Senior year. She was awarded an in-state scholarship and attends ASU now. She was actively involved in the sports programs all six years she attended Sequoia. My son graduated top of his class from Sequoia and EXCEEDED on his AIMS tests also. He was actively involved with the wonderful Student Council program and some of the sports programs during his six years at Sequoia. He played football, ran track and cross country. My kids teachers were very pleased to see I was actively involved with their education. They would love to see ALL parents actively involved. They welcomed any questions and worked with me on any concerns. All the teachers and the principal, Dean of Students, etc., have an open door policy and are very helpful. I give Sequoia 4 out of 5 stars because to me 5 stars is Perfect and no school is Perfect.
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent who has had 3 kids graduate from this school. I am very proud to say they went to Sequoia charter school. The teachers here are great and have worked with my kids and have prepared them for college. All three of my kids are attending college and are doing great. The Athletic program at that school is superb, and the programs are growing every year. They are well known by every charter and public school around as being very athletic school, and preforms well in all sports. I have asked the coaches to help my son get better, and they have taken the extra time after practices to spend one on one time with him, and helped him get better. Colleges have contacted us about my son playing for them. If you want your kid to get looked at by colleges, this is the school. This school was a great asset to my kids, and helped them grow to be great leaders. I can't say enough about this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I am pulling my son out of this school. He is upset because he has friends here but he is in the 9th and getting great grades WITHOUT turning in his homework, without being able to spell or write properly. I had a meeting with teachers regarding his spelling and the response I got was "we don't grade on spelling." Oh heck no...how will my boy be able to function in the real world without spelling correctly? Out he comes!
--Submitted by a parent

If you have a child who plays sports please be very careful when considering this school. Please review all AIA and Charter schools rules before allowing your child to play for the Athletic Director at this school. The A.D. has only one real goal and that is to win games, he will ask teachers to hold pink slips until after the season, magically all his players were eligible last season even though a few managed to barely pass by the end of the year, if they passed at all. There are fights during games, favoritism towards A.D. s son. Most important this A.D. will turn on anyone who isn t giving him what he wants. He has no regard for the students or their futures, he only cares about what they can do for his teams. I am surprised he is still employed. My Son will NEVER play football at Sequoia again, I am only sorry I didn t see the type of person and organization this A.D. was running before this school year.
--Submitted by a parent

this school is awesome my kids enjoy every day. I swear it. The peace and tranquility is something you feel once you get there the food could be better.
--Submitted by a parent

Amazing lack of true education focus. HS junior classes where teachers allow homework to be turned in 3-5 weeks late for full credit. NO assignments/grades for entire qtr. No teacher in ASL class so students all get 100%. HS English class where students get 200 free 'attendance' points per semester. Tests and quizzes routinely worth 20-25 pnts.
--Submitted by a parent

Minimal academic focus. Lessons in areas of responsbility and accountability as a young adult are nt taught in this school. This will prove disastrous if a student wants to continue beyond HS. Students are not held accountable to turn in work in a timely manner and can do so 4-6 weeks after the original due date and still get full credit for the work.
--Submitted by a parent

Limited Academic Focus. Students not given much in the way of assignments and far fewer tests are given to provide a baseline for true academic achievement and mastery/memory of learning. Certification is not required for teachers. The kids seem to like their teachers and the teachers are more interested in being friends and buddies with the students than in really preparing them for the rigors of a College education.
--Submitted by a parent