Nea Community Learning Center School

I think that choice is good and sometimes schools are not the right fit for everyone. Glad you are happy elsewhere...that is what is important. I love Nea for it innovation and what they are trying to do. I look to see how they will be in the next years, a they are still young, and some of the issues with the facilities are our of their control. By the way, the school provides spring water for every learner, and bringing a water bottle is a great idea.
--Submitted by a teacher

We were so excited to be a part of Nea at the beginning of the year. After seeing the new facilities for the K-5 campus I began to have some concerns. My concerns were quickly validated when my kindergartener began holding her bladder all day because the bathrooms are designed for middle school sized students and the school wouldn't allow a step stool in the stalls. Recess was a nightmare because Nea doesn't have a play structure and all the older kids get the few balls available. My daughter spent her playtime placidly walking around a sun-baked black top. Nea promised that the children would be taken to the adjoining park, but this happened only once in the two weeks we attended. There is no drinking fountain, so don't forget your water bottle - ever. The lead facilitator is impossible to approach, and be ready to be labeled a "problem-family" if you even think of making some suggestions for improvement. I think the teachers care very much, but they are intimidated by the administration. As soon as we moved our daughter to AUSD we were all so much happier.
--Submitted by a parent

It's all about the teachers. At other schools, the teacher-student relationship is now centering on worksheets. Not so at Nea. We are happy here, and there are challenges. Truly, it's a start-up. If your family isn't up for that type of environment, this isn't the school for you. Our experience is that academics are good; the previous reviewers experience of "not strong" academics doesn't jibe for me. Afterschool options are better this year than last, still some room to improve. Edgy administration. Doesn't really bother me, but I'm pretty busy myself. I understand.
--Submitted by a parent

The shared site with The Academy has its own set of problems that did not exist last year.The site was not intended for elementary school kids.My learner complains every day that she hates recess because there is nothing to do on the blacktop since there is no playground.The big kids always take what few balls there are away from the little kids.She forgot her water bottle a few times this year & since there is no drinking fountain, she was dehydrated.The water cooler is dirty.I doubt we will keep her here next year since she needs to play at recess(motor skills practice!)& they only gets to go to the park to play a couple times a week.There was a parent volunteer to help in the class but midyear she was told she could not help out anymore without any explanation except that it was due to the school's policy.What kind of school doesn't allow parents in the classroom?There seems to be a huge gap in the communication.Teachers don't know the policies or the policies change so suddenly that no one is aware of these changes & parental notification is lacking.Wish we had stayed on the wait list because we are not happy here.We had no idea it was going to be this bad.Hugely regret it here
--Submitted by a parent

Nea is like a start-up school: underfunded, greatly understaffed leading to burnt out,inexperienced teachers, under-resourced (there are no drinking fountains or playground structure on campus for the elementary kids to play on daily), underachieving (academics are not strong) and likely to go under with the lack of proper implementation of policies and procedures.The leadership is lacking and the communication is indescribably inadequate causing nightmares for many families.Parent volunteers are not allowed in the classroom to help with academics like reading, writing, math.They are allowed to volunteer for recess duty and free time supervision or special projects sometimes.School dance got rescheduled 3 times this year because of poor events management and double bookings.How hard is it not to double book a date for an event?Why do people announce they are going to attend and supervise and then pull out the day of the event and flake out?Where is the dedication to the students?The kids were devastated to have gotten dance dresses and then not being able to wear them until months later.Why do so many kids have two free periods back to back?Too much free time, not enough learning!
--Submitted by a parent

The wait list is used as a marketing tool to make people think Nea is in high demand and a great school.You'll buy into the hype because all the info is propaganda. The truth-in 2008 AUSD/Board of Education unanimously denied Nea's charter petition because of insufficient details about how they'd implement K-5 (they have no experience). 3 years later,Nea can't hide the fact that they don't know how to run a k-5 school &our kids are being left behind.Kids are not academically on pace w/ AUSD peers.Project based learning translates into unstructured, chaotic,loud classrooms.Kids babysat in the chaotic Nest so often instead of being taught academics. FYI,3rd grade kids to switch classes for different subjects not developmentally appropriate(6th graders have a hard time w/this).K-5 kids shouldn't be in a middle school environment with no playground or water fountain.Ironically, Nea moved k-5, from Longfellow that has a playground,h2o fountains &kept upper grades there instead.Principal yells at kids/parents & has a hostile if you don't like it leave approach.It's true, parents are 2nd class citizens here. Info is tightly controlled by principal so communication is beyond bad.
--Submitted by a parent

I do not recommend this school. AUSD schools have stronger academics and superior leadership. The jr. high and high school programs at Nea are really questionable. I am not convinced that my child will be ready for college after attending Nea.
--Submitted by a parent

I really love working at Nea. it's got the feel of a small start-up tech firm: we're a super-committed, high-energy staff with tons of ideas and a mission to grow the school into a smashing success. Our model is based on the idea that students can learn how to guide their own education and succeed in a world that requires people to think for themselves, be self-starters, and pursue their talents. Sure, we don't always get it right, but we're constantly asking ourselves how to do it better. My principal is happy as long as I'm figuring out creative new ways to tackle the content standards and engage all sorts of brains in the material. This year we conceived and executed a major end-of-semester school-wide exhibition of student projects that was pretty awesome. Next year will be even better.
--Submitted by a teacher

Nea is in its third year of operation. It currently has 465 learners in grades K-11 and will expand to grade 12 next year. Nea has received 341 applications for approximately 73 openings next year. Nea still has opening for grades 9-12. Apply online at neaclc.net

I am a first year Math/Science teacher at Nea and so far my experience has been excellent! I have received huge support from fellow instructors, and superb support from administration. The faculty works very hard to ensure the students are receiving the best educational experience we have to offer. Collaboration among faculty is consistently productive and positive. The student body is hugely diverse, containing some of the most dedicated, talented, friendly, and creative pupils I have ever had the joy of instructing. Being a new school there are a few kinks to work out (one of the major ones is finding adequate facilities to contain our entire K-12), yet the administration are dedicated to working out any issues to create a vibrant future for Nea Community Learning Center. The future is very bright for Nea. I am very proud to be a member of this community, and plan to be for many years to come!
--Submitted by a teacher