Classical Academy

My son scored off the charts on the IQ tests, but wasn't doing anything in the public school. He would bring all his worksheets home marked "please finish". The teachers have to spend all their time with the kids who have the learning disabilities, and the kids who don't speak english. I couldn't be happier with TCA. The atmosphere is so different - the students are relatively calm and respectful, the teachers show respect for the students, there aren't the discipline problems I have seen at other schools. I have so much flexibility in his curriculum, as well as the freedom to substitute lessons or activities that are more suitable to my son's strengths. The parents of these students have made a major commitment of time to their children's education, and it shows. The school makes the best use of parent volunteers to offer an impressive range of extra curricular workshops on everything from cooking to fencing, to golf, to needle crafts, to dog training, to chess club, to Shakespeare, and the list goes on. This school is a major asset to the community, as well as a model for other charter schools nationwide.
--Submitted by a parent

We just started at Classical this year and I can't imagine life without them. The parents and staff are fantastic. They offer amazing programs and their curriculum is so advanced and you can personalize it for every child. I am so glad we are a part of such a great community. I look forward to growing with them for years to come.
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school. It has been the answer to all my prayers. My daughter is dyslexic and was struggling in Poway schools. At Classical she has found a place where she is finally understood. They give her all the help she needs, and with all the extra activities they truly give her a chance to shine. Her self esteem has dramaticly increased. I couldn't ask for more.
--Submitted by a parent

love this school. after many problems with Calvin Christian we decided to put our daughter in a new school and when I started with Classical Academy it was wonderful from the start. The staff is great and so helpful and all the parents I have met are so nice and willing to offer there help to new parents in the school.
--Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school. This is my 3rd year attending Classical and I love it. Staff is so helpful and friendly and the teachers are the best.
--Submitted by a parent

I find the opposite of the review from 5/15/04 to be true. The staff is professional, competent, courteous, caring, and well-organized. Calls have been returned in a timely manner. Grade levels of subjects will be adjusted to meet the individual needs of my children so they are challenged and not left to suffer from No Child Left Behind. TCA offers more with Friday labs and C'lectives. Excellent theater! Wonderful field trips! Overall, also, generally a higher level of courteousness and respectfulness in its students ...not many discipline problems here! This most likely results from the HIGH level of parental involvement, dedication, and like-mindedness in wanting to raise well-educated children with a healthy respect for authority. One of a kind! (well, two, with sister, Coastal Academy) Nice API scores, too.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school...my children are striving and impressing me every day! I love the parent involvement TCA offers! Great school of CHOICE!
--Submitted by a parent

Love the school! I am starting my 6th year here and have been very impressed with the teachers, parents, and staff. It takes a huge commitment from the parents to be involved with this program. Having parents involved with their children's education shows in their test scores. I love the relationship I have built with my children having them home part time while still getting a wonderful classroom experience two days a week. The labs on Fridays are super impressive. They are fun for the kids and the staff that teaches these are beyond qualified. A perfect school does not exist, but this one is close!
--Submitted by a parent

TCA is a state charter school catering to homeschoolers. They do offer a convenient two day a week in school program. Do keep in mind most of the teachers, and some staff, are also homeschooling parents so replies to requests etc are frequently slow to et answered. Another proviso, the school administration, teaching staff, and many student families are evangelical or fundamentalist Christians. This heavily effects the curriculum choices made by the school. The science and history curriculum are particularly spotty and influenced by neo-con religious ideas. The school's lessons and activities frequently skate very dangerously close to violating state and federal laws on the separation of church and state. There are lots of extracurricular classes, but the volunteers teaching don't always have adequate training/expertise to do a good job. The staff and parents are also somewhat clique-ish, non-fundamentalist/evangelical Christians may feel isolated and a bit unwelcome.
--Submitted by a parent

Especially after seeing that Escondido has about the lowest API scores in San Diego county I am even more confident in my decision to send my daughter to Classical Academy. The teachers are awesome, the parents are so caring and involved and it definitely reflects in the attitudes of the children who attend. There couldn't possibly more variety of extracurricular activities offered at Classical too. It is definitely the best school! In fact we considered leaving San Diego due to the rising costs of everything, but Classical was one of the big reasons why we chose to stay! Thank you to all the staff and parents who make this school so wonderful!
--Submitted by a parent