Valley Academy - Reid Traditional Schools

Love this school! A friend inquired about Valley for her daughter because she felt the public school was not doing its job at all. She asked if there was anything that I did not like about Valley. I'd have to say I love all of it. I love helping in the classroom. I love the way subjects are taught. I love how much my child has achieved in her first year of school. My child gets frustrated because it's not fun like preschool but on the other hand she is proud of how much she has learned. She is ADHD w/out meds and the teaching style & Structure are perfect. She is kept busy and the academics are hard enough to keep her from getting bored. We have all made many new friends since starting at Valley. My husband and I feel extremely lucky to have found Valley.
—Submitted by Jennifer, a parent

The quality of academics is superb. I know my child is receiving a top rate education. Yes, it is tough! The teachers expect the students to be resposible, even in the younger grades. (I find this a very good thing.)Students must keep track of their daily assignments and homework as well as the long term projects. Sometimes the requirements seem a little over the top, but my child has been able to rise to the challenges. If straight A's are a necessity for your family, you may want to look elsewhere. However, know this: When your child leaves Valley Academy after the eighth grade,he or she will have the tools to succeed in high school and beyond.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe that Valley Academy is one of the strongest schools in Phoenix. It uses traditional education styles and emphasizes the arts like we learned them when we were little. The PE program is thorough, and Spanish and Computers are taught from 3rd grade one. My only concern is the management by a self-appointed board of directors. The principal reports to this board of directors, and there doesn't seem to be any checks and balances in the system. Parents can sometimes feel frustrated with this. We go the Principal for help, but he/she has no real power in the school. If this aspect could be changed, it would make parents feel better. The board members should be elected by the parents. Also, parents as board members should be kept to a strict minimum to show transparency and allow outside people with an unbiased opinion to improve and support the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very concerned that the overall quality of education is being eroded.
—Submitted by a parent

Like many parents I am very concerned about the recent changes at Valley Academy. My child has attended for three years, and up until now I was fairly satisfied. Next year holds great concern for me and I am considering other schools. The Board of Directors seem to have no real understanding for parental concerns.
—Submitted by a parent

My child will be a first grader this fall and the new changes have me a little worried. I did attend the meeting on 6-22-06 and left the meeting with the same questions, which tells you that the questions weren't answered. I want to end by saying education wise I love the school, the teachers, and parent participation and I hope that doesn't change. Thank you.
—Submitted by a parent

Valley Academy is a great school, however recent events which have included the firing of Mrs. Malone the principal and the making of a non educator the 'CEO' of the school are very disappointing. A few things to think about. The pace of the school is very advanced as well as the content. This has been the hardest thing to which to adjust. I would not recommend the middle school at all. The staff at that level does not encourage parent review or participation. For the lower grades, you can't do better generally, but for the coming year, I would be very careful with a change in administration. This move has included no explanation to the parent body and no reasons were given. Mrs. Maone was principal for 8 years and made Valley what is has become.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is so advanced that when I switched my middle school child from a public school to this one, she struggled with the advanced academic schedule and structure. This year she's improved a lot. Even though she struggled she loves this school. Very disciplined, structured, and teachers keep you informed if the child is falling behind on her/his grades. I recommend it to everyone.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a 4th and 5th grader now at Valley and both have attendended since K. Valley is not for parents that are looking for a babysitter for their kids. Valley is a very structured school with exceptional teaching values and strategies that require a lot of parental involvement. Yes, homework is intense, but without homework, concepts do not 'stick' and must be relearned year to year which means lost teaching time due to review. Core values must be taught at home and high behavior standards are expected (which should be the case in every school, but it isn't), which gives Valley students what they need to have a good learning environment.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is finishing Kindergarden & has done great. Yes, I was very involved in the beginning while learning all the phonograms, reading... Once she learned how to read, she was able to read instructions on her own.. She has a great teacher, who has given her a great start for this school, was very involved in communicating if there were any behavior problems on a specific day, gave great positive feedback & acknowledgement to both students & parents. I would definitely recommend this school, If, you're willing to be part of your child's education & not just leave raising up your child to the school. As for extracuricular activities, yes the school needs improvement, but the City offers lots of programs to use after school/weekends for sports/activities, if desired. I feel kids need time at home to relax, wind down, use their imagination & just be kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been very pleased with my daughter's educational experience at Valley Academy. Her teachers have all been exceptional and knowledgeable about their subject areas. The leadership is very competent and deal with matters quickly. I would recommend this school to others.
—Submitted by a parent

Very high academic progress this first year for our two Kindergartners. The are reading and completing math times tests up to 11. We are very happy with the academic progress made this year. The only negative we find is the lack of social interaction with kids after school. This is primarily due to the children being driven to the school from many different areas around the west valley. For academic progress well beyond most public schools, this is the school of choice.
—Submitted by a parent

The quality of educatin is good.I feel good about extracurricular activities too.There is a lot of paretns involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

Very structured school focus is only on academics there is no consideration for socioemotional health. If a child is struggling in one subject they would prefer to hold them back (retain) rather than Identify the problem inform the parents work out a tutoring strategy andintervention. They have music art choir and sports after 4th grade only. The average student will do at least 1-4 hours of homework every night. Without parental help this school would be impossible for even a gifted student. When a child is struggling and you ask for help the common response is 'Maybe Valley Academy is not for your child'. If your kid is not on cruze control and needs a little support good luck. Parents are required to provide minnimun of 2 hrs per month of school assistance most parents give much more some give a lot.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school appx. three years ago and I loved it. I am hopping to have my kids attend here again next year.
—Submitted by a parent

Speaking to the junior high program, I had two children who entered Valley in 4th and 5th grades. They were generally not accepted by peers due to the fact that they hadn't been there since Kindergarten. For my fairly quiet child, things went OK with teachers, but my active son was often ridiculed by the teachers in front of classmates. When I spoke to the principal about this, she merely attributed one of the teacher's behavior to her particular personality type. Only one of the teachers (Hayo) took the time to appreciate him. He was so beaten down with such low self esteem from his experience at Valley, that we homeschooled him for 9th grade. As long as your children (and you!) 'fit the mold' (studious, compliant), Valley will be fine for you. The minute you try to assert any indivuality, you will be an outcast.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended kindergarten at Valley and learned a great deal. However, Valley expects perfection, even from five year olds. When the class began writing sentences (yes, sentences) my daughter was penalized for not using a 'Spalding' capital 'y' at the beginning of a sentence. She used a capital, just not a Spalding one. The children do not have opportunities to practice creativity and individuality. There is blatant favoritism. One child was constantly disrupting the class and getting out of his seat without consequence while another was awarded detention for talking out in class. Families with more energetic children or children who struggle are treated poorly and feel they have to leave Valley. In all, if you don't mind expecting your child to perform perfectly, don't mind having homework that lasts three hours nightly and blatant favortism then Valley Academy is for you.
—Submitted by a parent

Great curriculum ideas but poorly trained teachers and too much inconsistency.
—Submitted by a parent

This will be my daughter 2nd year at Valley, and we are gratified the academic challenge the school offered to students. Parents involvement increase students interest in learning, as well as awareness of student class standing. It is like a large family. We fully understand that it is hard to be a teacher without assistance. Parents valued teachers by volunteering time, that would help her daily task, so she can concentrate on teaching. We feel like a part owner, for the school inform all parents of current update. Academic is rigorous, and you do need to be involve in your child daily schoolwork. Furthermore, you need to follow guidelines or else this is not the right school for you and your child. Arts and sports awareness are high, as well as physical fitness to being a well rounded personality. I am extremely proud that my daughter attends Valley Academy.
—Submitted by a parent

Valley Academy is an excellent charter school! I have never sent my child to a better school. He made genuine friends and learned priceless values. I would recommend this school to any parent. The only challenge is the is work is intense.
—Submitted by a parent