Adams Traditional Academy

If your child is academic oriented and not interested in sports or any literary activities, this school is for you. They do have good curriculum but lot depends on the teachers. Singapore math they teach book reports they make kids write are wonderful experience. However, both student and teacher attrition rate is too high. Though not against disciplining the children, I think the amount of detentions kids serve for some unbelievable silly reasons should reduce. On the other extreme, my son had to serve detention as the teacher assumed he had stolen a toy from another kid s bag. Luckily that small toy was from a set of 12 I had at home carried the remaining eleven to show that it belonged to him. Unfortunately my son already had served the detention by then. That left a very bad taste with us and will never forget that day. Teacher was not careful enough to enter correct marks obtained into their system. After 2 quarters, carried all corrected papers to show the inconsistency. Again, I stick to what I said earlier. No doubt It s a good school with good curriculum standards in case you get good teacher but with limited extra-curricular activities and adverse discipline policies.
—Submitted by a parent

The good news about this school is it's a school of choice! I choose to send my kids here. If teachers are not performing there is no district guideline that needs to be followed to terminate employment. I have found this school for my children to be both challenging and rewarding. I appreciate that I have to be involved in my child's education. If you don't believe in being involved and discipline this is not the place for you. I appreciate the curriculum and after school activities that are made available to my child. I look forward to learning Latin next year with my children as well. I am excited for the school and it's future. To have a school be be able to provide a preschool through 12th grade education is a great accomplishment. Keep it up ATA!! You are doing great things!! Remember, we are here because we choose to be here, not because it's the school down the street or within our district.
—Submitted by a parent

I have nothing but praise for ATA and would recommend the school for every parent. Comparisons to DVUSD, the home district my son would be attending, all favor Adams. 1. My DVUSD school has been experiencing a decline in student population. The struggling DVUSD schools need to be consolidated with other schools to save money and cut losses. ATA has a waitlist and is expanding. 2. ATA's curriculum is challenging and, I believe, rewarding long term. I'd be hesitant to recommend ATA to DVUSD students beyond 3rd grade as many will struggle adjusting to the curriculum (kids who have left ATA found district schools to have a much easier curriculum). Parental involvement will help with adjustment to ATA. 3. DVUSD continues to ask for money via override and hasn't made any needed cuts in places like school consolidation or reductions in Sr. Administration (if the district is shrinking, leadership is to blame, not the teachers). If ATA had the same money issues, the school would have to close. ATA has to execute well and has. Every school has its issues and every school is not for everyone. ATA is 4 years old so and is still evolving but I choose and recommend ATA over DVUSD.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a little skeptical about the authenticity of the test scores. It seems the lower grades score in the 70's for math (5th grade) and then all of a sudden perfect scores for all students in 6, 7, and 8th grade math and reading (not 1 question missed in either section by even 1 child) Hum...Curious about how that happens..seems very unlikely.

I am the mother of two children that attend ATA, with another attending in the fall. We LOVE this school and are extremely pleased by the education our children are receiving here. Previously our children attended a private school and they have grown so much academically since they moved here, the growth rates on their test scores are amazing! I The administration and teachers are very hardworking and we are so impressed by the quality of the teachers who challenge students in the classroom. The teachers are also wonderful at giving extra time to tutor students before or after school, which is not something we experienced at a previous school. Parents are also highly involved and encouraged to participate in their child s education. I highly recommend the school!
—Submitted by a parent

I have children that attend this school. My experience is inconsistent teacher to teacher. The question you need to ask when you tour Adams is what is the attrition rate? I've seen an attrition rate of approx 40% in some grades. In my opinion, parents that are pleased with a school and the job the teachers and administrators are doing do not choose to leave and enroll someplace else. My overall impression of the school has been that if you drink the Kool-Aid and think that the school has "rigorous standards" (what the administration tells you) you'll be happy here. When (or if) things don't go well for your child if you only look at your child as the sole problem, then you will be happy here. However, if you question the teacher(s) or the administration and how they run their classroom(s) or the school you will quickly be ignored and encouraged to seek the door (the reason for the high attrition). I found that this school tends to think they have high standards for their students, but in my opinion, they have low standards for their teachers. Charter schools like to "sell" that they are giving you a private school education for free. Don't believe the sales pitch.
—Submitted by a parent

I love the school, it's really pushed my kids to work harder and strive to do their best. The parent university classes will help parents understand what their child is learning and I'm always amazed at the expectations of the teachers, the curriculum is very difficult. It's impressive what your kids can learn and comprehend if they are just given the opportunity and right leadership
—Submitted by a parent

Adams Traditional Academy is one of the best schools out there. Very involved staff, parents, and administration. I am amazed by all the work my children bring home. The teachers are definitely challenging the students in a good way. I highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

We came from an excellent public school on the East coast, Adams is a close second. We toured several schools, public, charter, private in Phoenix and I was very impressed with the curriculum. My kids have been there for three weeks and I am extremely happy. The school is small, but not too small.... The teachers are quick to respond to emails, the homework is appropriate for the grade level.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is amazing! Next best thing to a private school. I'm really enjoying our time at this school. I have a kindergartner and he absolutely loves it. The teachers are very caring & supportive. They take the time to tell you EVERYTHING. My child had an asthma attack & school and I brought the nebulizer up to the school, his teacher sat in the nurse's office the entire time (while it was recess for her class). Pretty scary experience for a 5 yr old. The principal calls you back in a timely fashion should you have any issues you need to bring to her attention. They have movie night's on some Friday evenings & math workshops to help you understand their math program (Singapore Math). I love the traditional approach to education. I really like how they say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. And they use the Spalding Program to teach reading. It's simply the best. It's fun & easy! I would rate this school 5 stars but it's too early in the school year. This is my opinion thus far.
—Submitted by a parent

I used to teach at this school. The curriculum is challenging, but overall ok. They need to adopt a science curriculum instead of teachers having to find/provide most of the resources. The principal does not back teachers, but is rather pro-parent. As a parent I'm sure this makes you happy. Please understand that parent run classrooms is not a state standard...leave the teaching to the teachers and the parenting to you. As a teacher, this makes for a tough teaching, as the teachers are usually undermined. The principal is very unorganized and does not stick to a routine. While on paper the school is great; however, once you get in there, not so much. I feel for the new teachers and have some advice for them...get ready to give up your life, because you will not have one until the school year is over. Best of luck to the teachers and students for the upcoming school year.

Don't ever go to this school! The teachers are bad and the math is so hard! Don't go here! If you want a really good school to go to try BASIS.

Fantastic school! We have been at Adams Traditional since the day it opened. We have watched the school deal with the challenges of being a new school. The growing pains have been handled well by the principal and faculty. Mrs. Malone is a phenomenal principal who is both firm and loving. She is respected by the teachers, faculty, and the parents. The teachers at Adams are taught to expect the best from their students. The students are challenged at a reasonable, but not unrealistic pace. The environment is organized and orderly which is particularly helpful for students that need extra help focusing. There is a focus on the family at Adams. Homework is not offered on the weekends which allows families to have relaxing time together. The teaching faculty has gotten better each year. Teachers are constantly being educated and further trained. The after school programs are excellent and the before and after care is good for those who need it. The specials teachers in P. E., art, and computers are fun and inspire their students to learn. This school is quickly becoming an excellent asset for the North Phoenix community.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended here for one year, in first grade. The curriculum is very challenging, I liked that part, but however didn't like the fact that his teacher graded every single paper that they did. I just don't believe in giving letter grades in first grade, the kids are just too young for it. Also, my son really struggled with handwriting, I tried to get him some extra help, but really there was nothing available. I have since taken him to Scribble 2 Script to get some help and they have been great with him. The discipline is very strict, at least it was in his class, if your child isn't an angel and tends to talk in class, look out, they will be in trouble daily. The principal tried to take away the end of the year party from my son, who by the way is a talker, but in no way a severe disruption in the classroom. I now have him at his home school of Norterra Canyon, although the curriculum isn't as challenging and he is ahead, I appreciate the understanding they have that not all children are going to sit perfectly and be quiet for 7 hours.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall a very good school. Very challenging curriculum. Lots of homework. Plenty of tutoring and help if you need it. Lots of extracurricular activities. Lots of social events. My kids love going to school here and we feel that they are becoming well prepped for bigger and better things in the future. The one downfall for us, as well, is the lack of awareness as to dietetics. The regular lunch program is has a variety to choose from, but at events and walking through the lunchroom to see what kids are eating, you see a lot of junk food. It's the one thing the kids don't learn. Other than that, we are are very satisfied.
—Submitted by a parent

If I could give ATA more that five stars I would. We are finishing our second year at this school and I could not be more pleased. I have three children enrolled. I like the accelerated curriculum and the knowledgeable teachers. I like the traditional values and that they enforce the rules. As a parent I have always felt welcome in any of my children's classrooms. A parent that is looking for a new school wants to know what to expect. Here you go. We use the Spalding Method for reading and Singapore for math. Expect homework four nights a week, accelerated academics, and parent involvement. You are suggested to volunteer 3 hours a month either in the classroom or at home. YOU MUST BE INVOLVED!! Homework gets more difficult as the child progresses in the school. To help with that the school offers classes for parents in both Spalding and Singapore Math. This school is all about success for the student and parents. They have summer school to prep the new transfers and tutoring during the year. I highly recommend this school to anyone that has high standards for education and service. You will not find a better school out there. I have done the research.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful school that views the child's needs first and respects the parents and their opinions. They have high academic standards and goals the students are achieving these goals. The school has an A rating and is an excelling school after only 2 years in operation!
—Submitted by a parent