Arcadia Neighborhood Learning Center

I have 2 children at Arcadia Neighborhood Learning Center with a combined 12 years of educational experience there. We have been thrilled with the passion and dedication of the teachers and the wonderful classroom environment. The best qualities of Arcadia Neighborhood Learning Center are not reflected in any standardized test (the weakest measure of any school). ANLC's greatest asset is its ability to instill a lifelong love of education in children through experiential learning. The teaching model of ANLC is very similar to the gifted learning model; kids are encouraged to think critically and creatively, and to ask appropriate questions. For example, the students in the 5th-6th grades have been asked to solve a real world problem by developing a unique invention that they must build and display in a science fair format. Technology is well integrated in the curriculum, preparing these children for the 21st century. All this in an environment which is warm and supportive of the children and their families. As for test scores, it is entirely possible for your child to test well at ANLC; my kids have consistently scored in the 90th-100th percentiles.
—Submitted by a parent

Absolutely love ANLC. Both of my boys have attended this school since K. The K-8 experience is so important because it allows the students to interact with each other outside their grade level. The teaching staff is very supportive of each other, and recognize the responsibility they have to all students. Teachers also look at the whole child. Parent involvement is evident throughout the school, and the Principal, Vice Principal and office staff are very approachable.
—Submitted by a parent

2 kids at this school, first year, attracted to mixed-age classes, some Montessori influence in teaching, and afterschool activities. We LOVE ANLC. Principal is very involved/engaged; teachers are positive, professional, accessible and communicative; parents are all over the place volunteering; very active/organized PTO. The happiness seen on kids faces at school speaks volumes and when they don't want to go home at the end of the day, you know they love school! Each child is assessed for abilities, and cirriculum is customized to provide interventions or academic challenges for remedial and advanced needs. Every level appears to be served. Diverse activities, balanced homework with fun, tons of activities and opportunities for families. Sense of community is tremendous. Hoping academics are rigerous enough; but the love of learning is certainly fostered. Only complaint is there aren't enough hours in the day to participate in all the wonderful things going on there! One must see and experience the school to truly appreciate the unique environment ANLC offers.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student at ANLC. Now I am 21 years old working on getting my Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education. I went to ANLC from kindergarten through sixth grade, went to a middle school in 7th grade and hated it, and I convinced my mom to send me back to ANLC for 8th grade. ANLC is a fantastic school - I can say with confidence it prepared me for high school, college, and beyond very well. I know some parents may be uncomfortable with the idea of multi-grade classrooms, but this is what I loved most about this school. I got to stay with a teacher for more than one year, and I formed deep friendships with my classmates due to the fact I got to stay with the students in my exact grade for more than a year. It is a beautiful campus with wonderful, caring teachers. I can honestly say I did not want the school year to ever end as a student.

I have had 3 kids go to ANLC. 2 are currently in High School ...one in all Honors and AP classes. They both made a very successful transition to Arcadia High. I have one child still at ANLC. This school provides challenging academic opportunities and a community of learning that can't be beat. Feel lucky if your child gets in. Some of our kids also went to Hopi for K-5...we liked Hopi but we LOVE ANLC. Love not having to switch to Ingleside.
—Submitted by a parent

This has been a great experience for our K student. She has excelled with the multi-age communities by being pushed to do more by her peers as well as supporting others. There is a great sense of pride, community and respect among the students. This school promotes positive social skills and involvement with others of all ages. The teachers have been amazing and the principal is very involved and enthusiastic about the school. The parent volunteers have provided incredible experiences for the children and are able to be involved in day to day activities. There is NOT a cliquish attitude with the parents, they are diverse, and passionate about caring for the school and ALL of the students. Coming from a Montessori program, we are thrilled with the communication and involvement for the parents which was seriously lacking in the Montessori school. We are very pleased and excited to spend the next 8 years here AND in a brand new facility!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is the best kept secret. The multi-grade classroom approach requires cream-of-the-crop teachers so most teachers at ANLC are more highly skilled than your traditional classroom teacher at Hopi or Kiva. Kids are really stretched and inspired and allowed to go way beyond the "standard" curriculum for their grade level. (A lot of ANLC's teaching philosophies are based on gifted students learn) My daughter's teacher has a PH.d and is PASSIONATE about instilling a lifelong love of learning into young minds. Strong community of (mostly) caring parents and high quality of kids.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attends kindergarten at ANLC and absolutely LOVES it there. My 4 year old already loves it there and has met MANY friendly kids on the school grounds before and afterschool. We have had numerous positive experiences at the school from the groundskeepers to the principal, We also are blessed to have an experienced teacher who is PASSIONATE about teaching, It is contagious!. I feel the culture at ANLC is very positive. There are 'bad seeds' everywhere... The 'PTA' has spend a lot of effiort fixing up the grounds. It is looking nicer all the time...I think sometimes people/parents expect everything without pulling their own weight in helping teach and inspire their kids, volunteering their time, experience, $ to help fix the problem. We are so grateful for ANLC and all the staff and families that have embraced us there!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in kindergarden, school yr is almost over thank god, I haven't been very satisfied however I think it definitely depends on the teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

As parents with children at this school, we think ANLC is best described as unrealized potential. One of our children has done quite well here; an experienced teacher and the right Gleam makes all the difference. The other child has not been so lucky. Two duds as teachers--if you're connected and teachers like your child, you have the potential to soar. For those on the outside, you're at the mercy of placement and inexperience... with teachers who lack the ability to engage, communicate, control bullying (we've seen it too), or motivate your child to do his/her best work. The motto 'do your personal best' works better in theory than practice. We wish our experience matched the school's reputation, but have been disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

I am in our 2nd year as a parent of a 1st grade boy. We LOVE it. I have volunteered in our classroom, but not in other school activities. I feel communication with our teacher (ms. gramer) is great. Email - newsletters - phone, she is easily accessible. I would definitely recommend her! My son definitely ISN'T a bully, and hasn't complained at all about being bullied. When I walk through the halls to pick him up after school I'm impressed by the middle schoolers. I personally went to Cocopah in the early 90's and think these kids are definitely on the GOOD side of the MS spectrum. I hear the occasional cuss word, and boy/girl interest, but nothing horrible. The school size is small, so you recognize everyone (kids, adults) if you walk on campus, too. The combined ages are what I absolutely LOVE. I think it's a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent, I would strongly caution other parents not to send their children to this school. Our children attended ANLC for 3 years. We were looking for a multi-age environment where our children could thrive at their own pace. We were expecting differentiation, creativity and high standards. While ANLC promised these features, they never delivered. While the school has some talented and well intended teachers, the crisis in leadership is overwhelming. Bullying is rampant, student behavior is deplorable and this makes teaching and learning difficult if not impossible. Thankfully, our children are doing beautifully in their new school. Finally, I would encourage parents to note the dates on the reviews. I understand the school has experienced a significant downturn in the last 4 years.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in kindergarten and I am a single parent with no other children. I have found the lack of communication by my child's teacher frustraing. I tried on several occasions to contact her about parent teacher conferences and never heard back from her. Not having any specific feedback regarding her progress towards the end of the year and no follow through on a behavior plan mutually agreed on has left me less than satisfied about her current school and teacher
—Submitted by a parent

ANLC has great potential. Very talented children, parents, and teachers here. Creativity is not tapped into here at the level of potential of the students. Terrible attitudes here of elitism. campus not maintained very well. pto has always been a country club where you're not wanted, so the result has been parents have no input into the school. in the past, terrible bullying problems and no accountability for the students behavior. some things are changing, more accountability and pto changing maybe.
—Submitted by a parent

My children are now in the 5th and 3rd grades at ANLC; both kids have been there since kindgergarten and have thrived in this caring environment. I especially appreciate the multi-age classrooms which have allowed my children to establish a strong relationship with adults. At the same time, it allowed us, as parents, to create a relationship with their teachers. Because of our kids ages we were lucky enough to be with Mr. Welch for 5 years. I would recommend ANLC to any parent who wants a school that expects and wants parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school for 9 years. He is going on to high school and will be in all honors classes. I attribute this partly to the education he received at ANLC. I am looking forward to my daughter attending next year.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of 3 students at ANLC. Through our years of schooling I have realized that each child learns differently and succeeds in different ways. It works for us and I am continuing to learn stratagies to help with home learning and parenting strategies as well. ANLC has helped my children become successful learners as well as successful humans! It is all encompassing. If you have an open mind to a new style of learning almost Montessori then this school is for you. Leave all that you remember from school behind you. My children have thrived here!!
—Submitted by a parent

After observing the different classrooms at ANLC, I could sense the caring, trust, and respect that the teachers have for their students. I was impressed with their ability to turn over their classrooms to the students, facilitating them, as they took responsibility for their learning. It was evident that the teachers are experienced in creating an intrinsic environment where their classroom runs itself. Therefore, allowing them more time to work 1-on-1 with students and focus on each childs individual needs. It was also visible that they have taken the time to teach and facilitate social learning and accountability. ANLC's positive atmosphere and great sense of community is what every child needs to instill a strong foundation for a love of learning. It's a family school with a child-centered philosophy that is creating successful and competent learners. This school is truly a blessing for all children.
—Submitted by a parent

ANLC is a great progressive learning environment for kids that do well without too much structure. They learn at their own pace and are encouraged to stretch their boundaries. My child has a reading disability and the school has been fantastic in helping him overcome it and reach his potential. Can't recommend highly enough. My only concern is that the long time principal retired and they have not been successful in finding the right fit for the school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in kindergarden at ANLC and he loves it. Everybody is friendly and just enjoys going to school and will miss it during breaks and summer.
—Submitted by a parent