North Pointe Preparatory

My children attended North Pointe & Point schools for 5+ years and I have watched what were once good schools deteriorate as the current administration took over and made "changes". Wonderful tenured teachers were let go and replaced by inexperienced, academics and actually preparing students for college are seemingly not a priority, and parental involvement or input are not welcomed whatsoever. Even when "issues" arise the staff will not go one ounce out of their way to actually help you or resolve the issue but do their best to brush you off or get you to go away. Expect at best a curt email for a reply with nothing but "their way"/ policies. One of my 2 kids moved to a public school (not for disciplinary reasons) and it has been both an academic and extracurricular improvement.
—Submitted by a parent

As my son approaches the end of his senior year I find myself reflecting on the past and the memories he has made. We are a long time Pointe School family. He came to the Prep from one of their sister elementary schools. When we joined Pointe schools the then dean sold me on a vision of a school where students not only got a top quaility college prep education but were exposed to a large varity of experiances and give mulitipule oppertunities to excel. As I look back I have to agree that this is exactly what Pointe schools provided. My son has been accepted to every college he has applied too. Giving him his choice of educational oppertunities. He has been involved in so many afterschool activities that I could not list them all. The sheer number of activities has helped to keep him from falling into the unhealthy activities that so many teen struggle with. The prep simply keeps its students so busy having good clean fun that they don't have too look for other ways to have fun. No school is perfect and the prep has room to grow but overall the positive has far, far out weighed any negative.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student at NPP, and honestly the people who dislike it are the ones with the rude and disrespectful kids. If you yell at the principal, because your kid did not follow rules, than of course he's not gonna take it. That's life, and that's how it is at a job too, you don't just yell at your boss. The principal is not rude or "scary", he's just professional. All students here are treated with respect and are held high. We do not allow bullying what-so-ever, and we get very good grades. I have always struggled with courses, but ever since i came to NPP, i became an A student. Most students here have good grades also. The teachers are amazing. Staff is amazing. Who doesn't love rewards for having good grades? Activities give us school spirit and also a break from being in class...Rock Lobster is a reward for AIMS. There are a lot of people waiting to get in this school, and we have no room for uptight parents who complain about how awesome this school is.

After reading reviews carefully and going to the school to have a tour with the principal, we decided to give North Point a try. It seemed good and that the administration had the kids best interest at heart. Afterall just look at the test scores. It didn't take long to realize it was all a well orchestrated ruse. I have never met a more unreachable administration that is uninterested in parental concerns. Look at the reviews on this site, administrative avoidance and lack of compassion is a large part of the complaints. The principal can ONLY be reched via email and typically responds in a highly "Reactive not Proactive" manner. They take an extreme "Our way or the Highway" approach to parental concerns. I have even witnessed the police called on an upset but rational parent by the principal who not once asked "What is wrong or how can I help". If you are looking for a school that is, Good on the surface" this is the place. The school is ran like a business and children are treated like inventory. I would liken the administrations availability and indifferent approach to education to a foreign call center. If you truly care about eduction....this isn't the place for your child.
—Submitted by a parent

We chose this school because if its small environment. The teachers at the school were outstanding. The principle on the other hand is worthless! The teachers and students walk around scared when he's around. He has no set standards for punishment if a rule is broken. He dishes out suspensions when ever he feels like it reguardless of the rule broken. He is very harsh with the students and very disrespectful when dealing with parents. I removed my kids from the school because of the principles lack of ability to handle himself in a professional manner. There is also no accountability for him since he is also the Assitant Superintendant of the school board. The Superindendant being on an indefinite leave of absence refered me to the Assistant Superindendant when I tried to file a complaint. After unenrilling my kids the teachers were afraid to talk to me, one saying " hes just as harsh with the teachers as he is with the students and will fire me for talking to you". It's unfortunate that such a great school could have such a bad leader!
—Submitted by a parent

After an extensive search for a decent Junior/High School High that is not filled with drugs and gang members. I picked NPP because of the ratings it received from independant websites for the amazing AIMS test scores and for the ratings parents and students gave it. I made serveral visits to the school with my son before making the decision to enroll him. He loves NPP and is a straight A student. He achieves "excellent" on his AIMS test scores, but most importantly, he is happy going to school there. I wish there was a school like NPP when I was attending Junior/High School. I couldn't be more thrilled with the teachers and I am happy that Mr. Gow is strict. The kids don't want to visit him and that is the way it should be. Zero tolerance for bullying and for drugs!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student of North Pointe Preparatory, and let me tell you this school is a compete joke. They put "fun" above learning, thus leaving the students completely unprepared for college. The staff is changed every year, and the principal seems very harsh and the teachers often come to work stressed. North Pointe, as I was told by a current student, has gotten "Lunch Entertainment", setting up a stage outside the breezeway to play music. What is this a rock concert plaza or a school? They have far too many activities going on that have absolutely nothing to do with academics. North Pointe does not prepare its students, and I would not recommend it to any prospective students or any parents looking for a school for their child or any teachers looking for a job.

I find it absolutely ridiculous that there are people out there only focusing on one week out of the entire school year to base their opinion of NPP. My kids have been in the Pointe Schools system since elementary school and we have watched numerous people leave, only to return a few years later. There is no perfect school out there, you need to find what works for you and your family. Even though we sometimes disagree with some things, as far as we are concerned, NPP has served our children well. This is a relatively small school environment where the administration and teachers know the kids if not by name, at least by face, and that is one of our biggest reasons for putting our kids here, next to the excellent education. Of course, our kids love it for the over-the-top events that the school puts on throughout the year too. Thanks NPP for making all of us happy!
—Submitted by a parent

Welcome to North Pointe (Fraternity/Sorority) Prep! What a joke! Regardless of how much fun it is, wet t-shirt contests and "stuff your speedo" contests are not appropriate at a school-sponsored event, much less during an extended lunch period! My daughter had some good teachers during her two years but the attitude and actions of the Administration far outweigh how good the teachers are. If you want to prepare your child for parties and the Greek Life in college, then North Pointe is the place for you. If you want your child to actually learn how to learn, then find someplace else.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been attending North Pointe for five years now, and so if you are a prospective student reading this review, I would take student reviews into more consideration than the parent ones. Not to say the parent reviews are not important, but many of the unfavorable parent reviews are directed towards the administration instead of the entire schooling experience. Now, our principal is, well, dictator-esque. He isn't warm, he isn't friendly, and he definitely is not personable. However, boy does he know how to run a school! My education has sky rocketed at North Pointe, and I am adequately prepared for college because of it. I have taken extremely rigorous courses and have still been able to participate in band, NHS, athletics, and activities outside of school as well. As for Rock Lobster-- yes, of course it's unprofessional! We are still kids, remember. Do I need to remind you of the partying that happens in college? This is good, clean fun, so let us have it! (Also, there is no "no homework policy" for AP courses. For other courses, the "no homework policy" means that students get a little time to finish their "homework" in class, deeming it "classwork" instead of "homework".)

What's wrong with "Rock Lobster"? Yes, they have a wet t-shirt contest. Classes soak each other and then wring out the t-shirts to fill buckets of water. It's a great way to blow off the stress of the previous testing week. Rock Lobster is after AIMS and the other required testing. Yes, they wear swim suits. Guess what these kids are not extremely self conscience about their bodies. They are smart, know how to study and have fun. If you want your child/teen to act "professional" then this is not the school for you. As for the parent who thinks this is "not appropriate", it's not appropriate for YOU. The whole point of charter schools is choice! I wonder how often the professional students ditch class. My kid is there every day and getting college credit for classes.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a Junior going to be a Senior. I have been in this district since 6th grade. Half of these Reviews that are bad are a joke. i personally LOVE this school. They give you a great curriculum, and truelly care about your opinion. They listen to your problems and try there best to help each student with them. Your class choices are taken into consideration, and you get a personal meeting to discuss your plans. The teachers are excellent and are picked out my the amazing Mr. Gow (principal) himself. If any problems, he takes the students and parents input on that teacher as well as grades and his personally known facts on how they maintain a classroom. I would recommend anyone go here for their excellence in balance of the 4 A's (Arts, athletics, academics, and activities). Not everyone will be satisfied with this school, simply because they do push you and they also include fun. However, you can always find a good friend here, for ANYONE, and you have a good opportunity to find new ones within every activity. Please choose North Pointe:) It is absolutely fantastic!!

My daughter has been attending North Pointe Prep since the 7th grade. She is currently a Sophmore and has grown exponentially over the last 4 years thanks to Mr. Gow (the Principal) and his team of talented staff and faculty. I give props to a Charter School that delivers on the same level as a private school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school it the single most stupidest place i have ever been to. this is my second year here as a freshman. i have made tons of friends, but the teachers are either to strict or don't care enough. the principal "Mr.Gow" needs to learn how rude, and disrespectful he is. he is highly unqualified he is for this job. DON'T SEND YOUR KID HERE, they will become depressed and begin feeling unwanted.

I personally like that this administration doesn t take bullying from anybody . My ex-wife tried to talk the principal out of suspending my son, but it didnt work and I am glad. He needed to learn a lesson (good kid did something dumb doubt it will happen again.) When the principal called me he was to the point and professional. Solid academics. No game playing or favorites. Basketball team just made the playoffs. They aren t always asking for money and dont make my son sell stuff for fundraisers. Good School.
—Submitted by a parent

As long as you do not have an issue that needs attention from the office staff and/or principle, this is a good school. Teachers really care about getting the best out of their students and, for the most part, there is very little bullying that goes on. But do not be fooled, there is bullying that goes on from both the girls and boys. The principle rules the school as a dictator, not as an administrator; It is his way or the highway. And if you try to talk to him about an issue he will get annoyed and passive/aggressive. If you try to continue the issue he will just threaten to have you barred from school grounds and hang up. Then, when you try to go to his boss, the school superintendent, you will find out that she is just a figurehead and the principle will respond to you in his capacity as assistant superintendent and tell you to go away. The school's high grade standards are because they are very selective as to which kids get to attend. And if your child's grades starts to slip, they will attempt to make them leave. Just be aware of the principle's dictatorial tendencies and any lack of district over-site.
—Submitted by a parent

Really research and preview this school before deciding to send your child here. My daughter wanted to stay with her friends, so since she has also been an excellent student and junior high is tough, I agreed. I have been shocked and dismayed since day one. The no homework policy is a joke- how can students be prepared for HS with no homework. The classes are all full and sometimes overwhelming for the teachers. The principal wavers between being the kids' best friend to being incredibly disrespectful. What put me over the edge was "Rock Lobster Days." Kids swimming in bikinis and playing sorority/fraternity games at lunch is just not appropriate- I don't care how much the kids like it! Academically my straight A student is still straight A's, the arts programs are great, and she has made friends, but... she can't wait to start highschool at a "real" school.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended this school for the last two years and the teachers are great but the administration is horrible as well as the athletic coaching. They talk to the kids in a manner that is not appropriate and getting anything resolved is almost impossible. The education is good but the administration is no good.
—Submitted by a parent

Recent reports show that NPP has a very successful advanced placement program. Students not only test well, they also do very well in the advanced placement classes. NPP is concerned with the whole student (academics, athletics and the arts). My child has been with Pointe Education since 6th grade at Canyon Pointe and is now a freshman at NPP. Many of her friends have transferred to this school and their parents are thrilled with the result. Yes- the administration can get petty, but that happens at all schools. North Pointe is the best education for my daughter, with or without tuition.
—Submitted by a parent

I think it is important that this school has less than 1% free/reduced lunch and a population of more than 75% white students. And, few special education students. Traditional, public schools in the area have a higher number of minority students, English Language Learners, students of lower income, and a special education population. I withdrew my niece when I finally realized the lack of diversity at this school and the fact that their competition in the public schools is rated the same or one point lower. With the lack of all of the extra challenges traditional public schools face, North Pointe's rating should be much higher than its competitors. As long as people keep pulling their kids out of traditional public schools when things don't go their way, kids aren't going to learn all of their lessons in the real world. And, our neighborhood public schools (the hearts of our neighborhoods) will not get better. If you don't like something, don't run away from it. Exercise your democratic right and duty to help fix it and protect it.