Southgate Academy

I'll keep it simple: this school is awful. I truly feel sorry for the kids who go here. They are not getting any sort of decent education. There is no communication, no follow-through, and the school is basically run by the kids. There are unqualified staff/faculty, and kids barely older than high schoolers make up the support staff.

As a staff member, I feel it is important to address a few responses to the February 6, 2012 comment for clarification. On September 9, 2011 the school was hit with a micro-burst that destroyed 90% of their building, which lead to temporary facilities including modulars which are fenced in and alarmed. They have a wonderful full time intervention specialist who served TPD for 20+ years for safety and student challenges. Two nice playgrounds were constructed over the past year because those were also destroyed by the flood and projection will begin soon to rebuild the awesome gymnasium they had. SGA's motto is "Gator Tough" (The mascot is an alligator) and from personal experience, I can verify, both as a parent and as a staff member, this school is unique and has survived one of the worst devastations of mother nature with grace and dignity. We have wonderful parents, the best staff and students whom deserve the biggest "high-five." Education is more than academics, though of utmost importance. Character building is also high priority and students are encourage to volunteer when they can - otherwise how do they learn? SGA is a good school. No Southgate is a GREAT school!
—Submitted by a teacher

I will start with the positives. I like the school schedule as well as the opportunity to have the kids go to the after school program. This works out well for working parents. When it comes to the staff as others said it is run by a bunch of young kids. The new portables for the elementary kids has no security. Anyone can walk right in there. I volunteered in my sons class and the other students there are awful. There is no discipline at all. The poor kids for recess play in a gated area on asphalt. It is hot and dangerous in my opinion. When school is released kids are all over the place. There is no organization and kids can get easily lost or hurt. I also am concerned with what kids are allowed to bring in for snacks. At one of the kids parties they received plates filled and even piled with junk food. A few snack is ok but this was ridiculous. This school is in need of quite a bit of improvement. I hope there is changes because the South side really needs a good school.
—Submitted by a parent

I did a lot of research to find a school for my son, being in the education system myself. I understand how having a quality education is important. I was very VERY pleased with my son going to Southgate. My son received a thorough and solid education while being in a caring and supportive environment. The teachers were collaborative, the open door policy was enforced with both openness and security, all needs were met and kept my child enthusiastic to learn. It was fun how they always had events going on for every occasion throughout the year. It is a perfect school for parents who are actually involved in their children's education. The teachers, counselor, principal, and support staff was amazing! So much so that we kept him in that school even after we moved across town in the middle of the year. Thank you Southgate Academy!
—Submitted by a parent

My son hasbeen at this school for almost there entire school year. I absolutely love his third grade teacher, but it's absolutely amazing to me how terrible the after school program Gator Care is. I pay sixty dollars a month for one child and the after school teacher is on the computer playing internet games the majoruty of the time. Not to mention that the room the children reside in has no air conditioning in it. My child and other children feel that they can't even go to their person of authority because all they are doing is bothering them. I am truely saddened that my child as well as other children have had to endure this nonsense. My son has been to many after school programs and this one by far takes the cake as far as lack of professionalism and supervision.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe Southgate Academy has some very good teachers and I like the fact that there is an open door policy. We as parents can walk in any time of the day and see what our children are being taught. Unfortunately, there are alot of things I don't like about Southgate like having students run the front office, many times I have walked in the office only to find several high school students just standin around chit chatting with their classmates who should be answering the phones. I don't like the fact that my backyard is probably larger than the playground. They don't offer students the opportunity to learn to play real instruments, they don't offer to teach them different languages.....the list is too long. Sadly for my child, I will have to move to another school, a 'real' school.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is a great place to work. The students are great and I am really happy to be part of the school. It is wonderful to see students who care about their education.
—Submitted by a teacher

After much research and concideration and footwork *whew* I discovered Southgate Academy. They have been a dream come true from after school care to bus schedule to teachers and staff. They have been supportive and understanding every step of the way and I am truly impressed with the results. I have watched my son grow academically and emotionally in just a few months. Any student should be so lucky to have people that care and are reaching out to people who need a better education. Thank you Southgate!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is ridiculous. my daughter went there for seven years. She had learned almost the things she shouldve learned in 3rd grade she had moved to billy lane lauffer middle school what a difference she told me she hardly knew what the teachers were talking about. One day she went up to the teacher and asked them 'are we suppose to be learning this stuff' the teacher looked at her suprised and said 'well this is your grade level'
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are here for the students. They treat them as kids of their own. It is amazing to see such a bond and the turn around these children make from day one of walking through that door.

Hi I am a student at Southgate Academy. In this school I have found my best friends which I consider my sisters. The teachers here are very respectful and are so caring about their students.When I fist came to this school I honestly thought this school was crap! but then I got to meet the students and staff. When this happened my thoughts on this school changed completly! This school is an eye opener to students that plan on droping out. Iam 17 yrs. old,this year I will have the chance to graduate with all my friends.Before I came to this school I was planning on droping out!!I started to get the papers ready to 'withdrawal' the teachers noticed that this wasn't the case, so they started to talk to me every day untill they finally opened my eyes. Ever since that day I found a new me.I LOVE this school!
—Submitted by a parent

I love southgate academy is the best school !!! it makes you feel like home!!
—Submitted by a student

This place is a sad and riculous excuse for a school. Teachers and staff are constantly disrespected and they get away with it. The kids run the school! This school is dangerous and to say that any learning takes place here would be a blatant lie. If your child goes to this school or are thinking of enrolling your child, please reconsider. There are no resources for the children to learn and they get away with doing absolutely nothing all day and they still get promoted to the next grade level. Do not be fooled by the seemingly 'hard on discipline' administration, it is just an act. This is specifically referring to the middle and high schools. Your child is better off in a public school. This school should be shut down!
—Submitted by a parent

i have been going to southgate for seven years now and its very good with first aid and the teachers are great there they are very good with us!
—Submitted by a student

My son attented this school, and had nothing but bad experience. The staff and teachers have no handle on the racial problems there. They always loose paperwork, never get you things you need for your child to complete work after absence and it's just a free for all there. I believe the staff hides from the parents as they'll call once in awhile when they have a problem, but are not there to answer your concerns. Unprofessinal is to say the least about this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Southgate Academy is trying very hard to give the south side of Tucson 'HOPE'. The south side has been ignored for so long that we felt compelled to bring the same education, without the same finances, as the schools in the richer parts of Tucson. We are on the south side for a reason, we want to give something the the deserving children that they do not get from the government, a good education.
—Submitted by an administrator

No offense, but what do you expect. Look at the location of this school, the lack of facilities and my personal experience with the school, included teachers and staff that would actually 'hide' from the parents when they had concerns. My child now attends a classic High School (public) and can't believe he ever attended this very poor school.
—Submitted by a parent

Not knowing anything about charter schools I decided to let my child give it a try (going on 4 years now). I have compared her performance with 2 of her cousins going to one of the top public elementary schools here in Tucson, it's very obvious that my daughter is getting a much better education than her cousins (one of her cousins being in the 'Gate' program)her ability to read, her math skills, and spelling skills exceed her cousins who are all equal in their learning abilities. I find my daughter is much more excited about school than other children and I truly believe it has to do with her overall school experience. Southgate Academy does need improvement in some areas, just as all schools do. Southgate's staff truly wants to be its best, as they have said 'not just another southside school'.
—Submitted by J Ayala, a parent

Southgate Academy has an excellent curriculum program, as well as good services for students, such as Special Education and their Fine Arts department. I would highly recommend Southgate if you live on Tucson's south side.
—Submitted by Philip Cain

I would not recommend Southgate on the basis of the curriculum and the quality of discipline. The classrooms are not a good learning environment and I would say this was a very bad experience on mine and my child s behalf.
—Submitted by a parent