Madison Traditional Academy

I would like to speak to the "racism" and "materialistic" comments: My husband and I have tattoos. We live in an apartment. My son has second hand uniforms. My car is 10 years old. Yes, nearly everyone there has nice vehicles. Instead of feeling out of place and looked down on, I feel that if I want a nice car like theirs I will have to work harder for it. And that's what MTA is teaching our children. To work HARDER. To be Better. To be their BEST. I'm sorry you feel that you had a problem there, and I hope you use this opportunity to teach your children well on it. Just remember, racism and classism are 2 way streets and they always start at home.
—Submitted by a parent

We couldn't be happier at MTA! The academics, the community, and the teachers are all incredible. This is a school of choice. Those living in the District and paying taxes have the option of attending their neighborhood school. It seems that those who are unhappy are the families who don't want to invest the time to fulfill the family volunteer commitment or the time at home to help their children keep up with the accelerated curriculum. The population is very diverse (despite what a few have said). I too pay taxes in this district and I am thrilled with the return on my investment. My daughter could not be happier as she completes her third year at MTA. We are absolutely thrilled with her progress and the entire MTA community!
—Submitted by a parent

I am in love with this school. My son came from a private school and I believe he is more challenged here than his previous school. I also like the small campus atmoshpere; however, I would like to see a playground added. Are there plans to expand the school?
—Submitted by a parent

I am in love with this school. My son came from a private school and I believe he is more challenged that ever before. Although, I like the smaller campus I would like to see a larger play area. Are there plans to expand?
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent academics....both of my children are honors students, and this is with an accelerated curriculum. Love the uniforms, the teachers and the office staff. This is where things end, though. I feel 'The Guild', as the PTO is called, is very much a clique, and discipline needs a lot of work. The principal, while he is a nice man, has a lot to learn. The supposed 'anti bullying policy' is also ridiculous. Can't do much about The Guild (mostly Simis moms) but work on the discipline policies, and you will have a great school. A new site is desparately needed, though.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school. My son really shines. He's in the third grade but reads on 4- 6.2 grade level. Awesome
—Submitted by a parent

I am new to MTA and have felt very welcomed. This is a great school. I appreciate the academic focus.
—Submitted by a parent

I also do not understand the below poster's comments. I do not have designer clothes. Never have, jeans and sneakers. I have never felt like this is an issue. And yes the children all wear school uniforms. My boy's classes are very diverse. Excellent school, I cannot say enough good things about the teachers, parents and students. The aims scores tell a wonderful tale as well.
—Submitted by a parent

I don't know what that poster is talking about either. This is our second year with the school and there are all different ethnic and racial kids in my child's class. And 'designer' things? The kids wear uniforms so this is not an issue.
—Submitted by a parent

MTA is a great school academically. My son has learned a great deal since we transferred into this school. We believe that our son is getting the best academic education he can get. It's great that there are required parent involvement. One of the major flaws at this school is how materialistic it is. There have been many parents who have been insulted because they didn't 'look the part'. Meaning, that the parents did not have designer things or because they have tattoos. There is even a growing concern that race is an issue, which even the children are also discriminating against each other. The only reason I give it 3 stars is because of the racism that is permitted to run rampant in the school
—Submitted by a parent

I have two students at this school,and have been very impressed. While it is a smaller school, I feel that the quality of the education is much higher than my oldest child recieved in the same district. It is like getting a private school education without the pricetag. The teachers have all been excellent, and there is a ton of parental involvement. My children average about an hour of homework a night, but I know in the long run that a good work ethic will benefit them.
—Submitted by a parent

Love this School!!! First Year here my son is in Kindergarden and i dive a good distance so he can go to this school! His teacher is the best and goes above and beyond for her kids! Love the fact that there is volunteer hours that have to be put in ita alot of fun and i det to see what goes on in the classroom. Plus my son thinks its cool when i come! MTA doing a awsome job!!!
—Submitted by a parent

All I can say is that this school rocks! My daughter is in the same grade as my neighbors kid who attends a catholic school and my daughter's work is much more on target and challenging. MTA is preparing our kids at a young age and I could not be happier. Smaller community and mandatory volunteer hours and you will be asked not to come back if you cannot complete. SO....don't sign up if you don't want to be a part of the school. keep up the good work MTA. Principal needs a little molding but he will get there....we hope.
—Submitted by a parent

I cannot say enough about the faculty and staff and the education my child is receiving! This is the one of the two best known free secrets in central Phoenix (Veritas Prep is the other). An undercover 'Private' school with public funding. Parent involvement is a must as volunteer hours are mandatory. Homework is daily except weekends. Discipline is enforced and consequences are black and white. We came from a parochial school and I have been extremely satisfied. Teachers are well-rounded and can teach to all types of learning in our kids. Love it! MTA is the best!
—Submitted by a parent

Our son has been attending Kindergarten this year at MTA, and we can't say enough wonderful things about the school. We travel 13 miles to MTA every day and it is worth it! His teacher, Ms. Gullette, is amazing with the students and goes above and beyond the call of duty to make sure each and every one of her students receives the right attention and care. The staff and administration are amazing, and there are many parents that are truly vested in making sure MTA continues to exceed expectations. We have been amazed!
—Submitted by a parent

MTA has been great so far. My daughter is in Kindergarten this year and has made a nice transition into school. The staff and teachers at MTA have been wonderful. Ms. Grass in the office is great and Ms. Ball my daughter's teacher has been wonderful. All the parents I have come in contact with have been friendly and helpful. My daughter is happy at school and I am very happy with everything. I love the uniforms! I would highly recommend Madison Traditional Academy to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

As MTA's inaugural year comes to a close, our family has been very impressed with all school has accomplished in its first year. Our son has flourished under the Saxon math program and his reading and comprehension has skyrocketed to nearly four grade levels above his actual grade. Our second grader has consistantly showed superior performance on all of his benchmark assessments. The leadership under Kristen Venberg has been outstanding and she was able to provide a smooth transition for the children and parents who left behind their familiar teachers and friends from Simis. The school is welcoming and the parent participation is very high. I have found that the 'direct instruction' approach used in my son's classroom actually saved him time from doing his homework because much of what he needed to learn was already covered in the classroom by the teacher. MTA has been a good choice.
—Submitted by a parent

We love MTA. Our kindergartner is reading, has increased confidence, and has made kind, caring friends. MTA has a strong focus on character and it shows. I respect and enjoy every parent and school administrator I have encountered. Allowing the staff do their jobs and a certain level of parent invovement can be a tricky line to walk, but MTA and its families seem to be doing this VERY well. I also like that they go ahead and celebrate a birthday or Halloween here and there!
—Submitted by a parent

MTA was established by a large group of parents whose children formerly attended Madison Simis, who were concerned with the lack of a consistent and challenging cirriculum and the shortcomings of the constructivist approach as a learning model. Our fourth grader had received straight A's at Simis since Kindergarten, but didn't have to work terribly hard to do it. His achievement test scores, while respectable, didn't reflect the mastery of academic work that his grades would have suggested. He is now challenged by his course work at MTA (including grade-ahead math and a heavy dose of reading), and is thriving. MTA appears to have attracted a more academically oriented cross-section of students and a more involved cross-section of parents than his old school. Though we will always have fond memories of Simis, it is clear to us that MTA is providing a more solid tuition-free educational foundation for our son.
—Submitted by a parent