Valley Academy

We have been sending our kid to this school for last 3 years and are very pleased with the curriculum, teachers and administration. The teachers work extremely hard, are very focused on delivering an excellent education for the kids. The admin staff is v friendly and helpful. We are looking forward to sending our other kid to this school in the coming year.
--Submitted by a parent

This is our 2nd year here. It seems ok. This is now almost December and the class hasn't yet finished reviewing last year's work. I'm wondering if the rating is high because the parents do so much with their kids. My daughter's cousins (in NY, MA and VA) are doing much more advanced work even though they are in the same grade. They are at regular public schools. Their schools also group kids into learning groups (average, advanced, extra help) so all of the kids get the instruction they need. It would be nice if Valley did that so that the older kids for the grade or more advanced kids didn't get so bored. It's not realistic to teach as if all of the students learn the same way and at the same pace. I like the uniforms, that makes life easy. We're hopeful that the academics will get better as the grade levels increase. We don't feel like we have a lot of alternatives since we do want to support public school education. The other schools around us have really low ratings. I guess this school is good by Arizona standards and sure seems better than a lot of others around here.
--Submitted by a parent

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Valley Academy!! My family has been there since the day the doors opened in 1995. I have been there through several administrations, and this one is the best yet, by FAR! Our Principal has a heart for all children and works tirelessly to ensure that everyone is treated with kindness and respect. Our school earned the title of Charter School of the Year this year. You don't do that without strong and excelling leadership! Bravo, Valley Academy!!
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been at Valley since 1st grade. He's in 5th grade now and thrives at this school! He gets all A s, is not afraid to speak in front of his class, does his homework well, and is learning to be responsible for his work and his actions. The teachers have been wonderful every year though some are more strict about the dress code. My daughter also went to Valley from 5th through 8th grade. She had a little trouble adjusting academically but persevered and even made honor roll after a few years. She is now in high school in an MYP program getting almost all A s! Valley Academy prepared her very well for high school! Even though we have been frustrated a time or two by administration, my son will continue with this excellent education and behavioral standards school.
--Submitted by a parent

Yes, this school has high academic standards but also has an administration that cares and attempts to do what is in the best interest of the students, parents and staff. It would only make sense that our school would not continue to be as successful if the administration was anything but respectful. We have been at this school for a very long time and have seen a lot of changes. The changes in the past several years have been positive. Every member of the school is aware of the standards and expectations and there needs to be consistency and enforcement . I have never experienced anyone "yelling" at a student or parent. If these standards and expectations are not enforced, Valey Academy would not continue to be the school it is today. It takes an administration with a heart to care enough about the school to ensure its future. Valley Academy has that and I would not send my children anywhere else.
--Submitted by a parent

I am very happy with Valley so far, my boys just started this year and have adjusted really well. They are in Kindergarten and Preschool and they are doing great. This school is very much geared for academic excellence and they expect the children to pay attention and be able to adjust their behavior for the learning environment. This might sound scary to parents, but don't be scared, the kids learn quickly to pay attention and respect the teacher. I was nervous that my boys wouldn't sit still in class because they came from a daycare setting, but I was surprised by how quickly they learned the rules and what's expected of them. There is homework, even in Kindergarten, but again don't be discouraged. My son loves doing his homework and I love helping him, it's a good time to just be with him and see what he's been learning. I've heard that the homework gets more intense as the grades progress, but maybe because he's learning all of these homework skills early he'll be more prepared as the years go on. Hope this review is helpful to any parents considering this school, I'm really glad I chose this school for my two boys. :)
--Submitted by a parent

I'm at student here at Valley. This is my first year at this school, it's very advanced and I'm disappointed about he schools musical involvement. I my advance band class the are about 15 people there. I think they should go back to beginner band Some of them. Everybody that goes to this school is very jumpy and not very mature, also I have problems with keeping myself together so when it gets very over-whelming I break down, almost everyday I've walked home crying because of all the stress and expectations. there is no room for mistakes. I don't have very much help, the teachers are very strict, and very controlling. It's a great learning environment but very difficult. I'm at a 9th grade reading level and I'm reading some of the books the 6th graders are reading and I have to have a dictionary by me to understand half the words in most of these books.I dislike this school, but if you are looking for a challenge this is a great school to go to. I am looking for a different school to go to because its very difficult for me and I was a stright A student before to this school.

This was my daughter first year at Valle academy and we are really happy and impressed with all the work the teachers have done. We are excited for this coming school year.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children at Valley Academy and could not be happier. The teachers are positive, dedicated to student learning and have high expectations. The principal has been on campus over 15 years and is commited to high academics and behavior standards. The school has met my expectations and more. i also love being involved on campus.
--Submitted by a parent

The grading practices here are scary. My son came home last night with 20 questions from a civil war test - he's in grade 2. He only got one wrong but she graded him 63%. Why? Because he wrote out the answer (a, b, c, test) instead of circling it. Give me a break! If you like that kind of perfection and constant drill type grading where there's no big picture thinking....go for this school. If not, consider otherwise. They will also take points off a math test for spelling or other non math reasons. I'll be moving my kids out of this school.
--Submitted by a parent