New Designs Charter School

This school does not have strong leadership. The principal is not licensed. There are no strong challenging academic programs. The entire school is organized around standardized testing. I expected more from the leadership. Teachers are fired left and right and it provides no continuity for the students and the parents. There is no LAUSD bus service. The food is catered, which means there is a lag time between it being prepared and the time it is brought to the campus. The playground is dirt, yet a nearby charter school has an astro turf playground. The students are crammed into small hallways and classrooms. They and push and shove each other between classes. It amazes me how the image of the school is so different than the reality. As a parent I advise anyone considering this school to attend their local school and, if needed, to pay for tutoring yourself. New Designs is not what it appears to be.My children are very disappointed, and I will be removing them from the school next year.
—Submitted by a parent

As a former student I can attest to the fact that the school trains students to test rather than think. It has absolutely NO extracurriculars which have a HUGE negative impact on students college applications. The few that get into exemplary colleges do a lot outside of school without the help from the school. The SAT test scores are extrememly low and its IMPORTANT that they aren't. They have a few good teachers and a great college counselor that has been the one getting these kids into college. The school doesn't help the situation by hiring inept principals and hiring staff for the most ridiculous jobs. These people do absolutely nothing and get paid with money that should go to students books and lab resources. It is an outrage. WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?!? If it isn't for the kids. This place is a business,they get money for every kid and the "high" test scores are for extra funding from outside places. Take your kids somewhere they will get the resources and learning experience they deserve, they can go to much better places.

My Cousin graduated from the New Designs Charter School and is now at a 4 year college!! and all thanks to the great visionary and hardworking teachers and admnistrators at New Designs!! My Cousin who was an average student is now an "A' student. She attributes her success to the before and after School programs, the weekend programby the school and the opportunity to be mentored by students of neighboring USC students!! She also credits her success to he "A-G' graduated requirement by the school. Good job New Designs!!!

I am a recent graduate from NDCS, and though we can brag that the majority of the students graduated with acceptances to 4-year institutions, I can also say, firsthand that this school is not ideal, the students here are taught to test.The main focus of NDCS is to improve their API score, they can care less about the quality of learning. There are a few great teachers, but the school is very unorganized, even after seven years. Any teacher or staff member who goes against the CEO's opinion will most likely be fired, all true movers-and-shakers (as far as staff is concerned) do not return for a second year because of the CEO's unwillingness to compromise. The students at NDCS have a high API score because they are taught using the released California standardized test questions. They take these tests every month, resulting in kids who are taught to TEST and not to THINK. The obsession with testing at New Designs has ruined the potential for true high quality learning that this small school setting can provide. It is true that NDCS is a better alternative for other urban schools like Foshay, but if you want your kids to LEARN I suggest you also enlist an outside program.

Students at New Designs out-perform neighboring public schools on standardized tests. Most seniors graduate and can boast letters of acceptance to more than one four-year college. Great program! Great school!
—Submitted by a teacher

My daughter is currently attending New Designs and she loves it. The curriculum is rigorous and although she is in the 6th grade she is already taking college classes. Everyone who graduates from their high school has to complete the requirement to enter into a four year college. The school day is long but I love the teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

AWESOME PROGRAMS, AWESOME ACADEMIC CURRICULUM AND GREAT AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM GOOD JOB ALL YOU NDCS PEOPLE!!. I LIKE YOUR ACADENY SYTEM AND WHAT IT AIMS TO ACHIEVE AND THE EARLY MORNING MATH BREAKFAST!!

Where is the LAUSD? this school should be closed and the administration thrown in jail for providing such a terrible school. My child is meeting with the councilor at the school who has no idea what to do. He won't meet with my daughter he is afraid I guess maybe he has something in his bakground? I have to take her outside of school for counciling and it costing me money I dont have.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been inside this classrooms with 4 different teachers, and the kids were playing around, those teachers did not have control, I am a disappointed parent. The quality of the school is very very very poor. The teachers and staff are focused on the students that are already doing well. Therefore, those students that are struggling are still struggling. They have mandatory after school, and Saturday school that is not effective. There curriculum is below average and they can not keep teachers. I have visited the office and the school on several occasions. Classrooms are out of control, little to no authority in the classroom as well. There are no music, art or special extracurricular, and parents do not want to volunteer their time. The vision for New Design Charter School is good, however there is no one to execute it properly. What a waste of a
—Submitted by a parent

I am a Parent and although my daughter managed to mantain a 3.7 gpa...I was amazed..becasue daily she was bullied and forced to defend herself ... there were just to many kids there and not enoff supervison..and the Dean..Ms Rosias was terrible she just did not understand the kids or i feel how to dicipline them .
—Submitted by a parent

this is the best school ever.this school got the highest score on the cst.
—Submitted by a student

Their curriculum is excellent and my grandchildren go there.
—Submitted by a parent

New Designs Charter School is an outstanding technologically advance school that enables students to apply themselves to things that other high schools can't offer. As the former Student Body President, I can proudly say that New Designs has opened many doors for their students and has shown them that anyone can attend college if they persevere themselves. When I 1st came to NDCS, I was below a 2.5. When I moved to Houston, I left with high honors and above a 3.2. At NDCS I was encouraged to be a leader and show other students how to take hold of their future. If NDCS was a college, it would be my first choice! Parents that dislike NDCS need to spend some time on campus and see for themselves how it is operated and how we work as a family to provide the best education possible for todays youth.
—Submitted by a student

I was a student at NDCS last year. When first coming to NDCS, I thought that it was going to be a good school. In some ways it is, and in some ways it is not. We didnt have working computers. And all we basically do is goof off in class, and the teacher let us. It is a good school overall, everyone is very respectful of each other and we're all one big family. I was also a cheerleader and it was fun but we we're so unorganized, we also never had practice on a regular basis. I dont attend NDCS this year, but I find that I am a little behind in one class because I didnt learn anything last year, even though I got good grades. I now have to repeat a class that I took last year due to the teacher not doing her job.
—Submitted by a student

My son has been attending NDCS since the 6th grade. He is now an eight grader. I agree that the vision and goal of NDCS are good, but the actual school needs help. There is a lack of quality teachers. My son is not doing or learning enough in my opinion and I will probably not send him back next year. As an alternative to the other schools in the area, it seemed much better. I understand that it is a growing school, so we need to be patient. Dr. Adutwun and Ms. Smith are always helpful and listen to all of my gripes. I really want the school to work out because it will help minority students qualify for colleges that they wouldn't ordinarily be able to. NDCS needs a lot of work. I'm pulling for it, but I'm going to have to pull my son out of it.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended NDCS since 2006. I rate the school average as it is still growing and trying to establish itself as a bona-fide, quality, educational contender. I like the after-school and Saturday school programs. You cannot find these 'extra' opportunities at most inner-city schools. The kids have to want to learn. I have dropped in and seen kids being unattentive and the teachers focusing on the kids who are. Why should a teacher waste his/her time on kids who are not giving 100%. All in all NDCS still has areas that need to be developed but if it stays the course it will be a major contender in the education arena.
—Submitted by a parent

Wow! So much negativity, from so many. People the thing to realize is that this is a growing project in inner city Los Angeles. It's not merely the responsiblity of the staff & Administrator to make this program work. Everyone has to step up to the plate. I have had some issues but have always brought them to the Principal's attention and he's always attended to it. He never stops trying to make it a better environment, He's an approachable visionary and very concerned for each student's growth academically & individually. There are no drugs or guns to worry about and in our community that is a positive. The teaching staff is also committed to the kids and with that I see a great opportunity for many kids who might not get the chance, hope to get to a UC or better college. I believe the effort here counts for much!
—Submitted by a parent

Parents don't seem to understand that New Designs covers all core classes, and those classes recommended for the California A-G requirements. The A-G requirement is a system in which each student must meet certain standards in order to graduate from high school. The staffing system is strong, and the disciplinary skills are outstanding. NDCS has just bought a $5 Million campus, in which they have more than enough space for all NDCS students to engage their learning ability. The school takes the time to distinguish those who have done excellent, as of those, who are in need. MAny students that came to Ned Designs came with low GPA's, and are ending the year with 3.0's and above.
—Submitted by a student

I am a disappointed parent. The quality of the school is very very very poor. The teachers and staff are focused on the students that are already doing well. Therefore, those students that are struggling are still struggling. They have mandatory after school, and Saturday school that is not effective. There curriculum is below average and they can not keep teachers. I have visited the office and the school on several occasions. Classrooms are out of control, little to no authority in the classroom as well. There are no music, art or special extracurricular, and parents do not want to volunteer their time. The vision for New Design Charter School is good, however there is no one to execute it properly. What a waste of a good vision.
—Submitted by a parent

i am a new student at new designs charter school.when i first got their it was sooo unorganized, but later on int got better, and we got more activies. we have saturday school, after school programs, sports, student council, and our school is even participating in a academic dacthalon.So far the academics at this school are great!!!The teachers really care about us.since there is only a little kids at our school, it makes it easier for our teachers to remember our names.We are like a family everyone has your back.you dont have to worry about failing a class, because our principal and Mr.A wont let it happen,they expect the best out of us and we wont fail! but if you come to our school make sure that you are time or you wil get written up,be sure to where the proper uniform as well!This is our school!
—Submitted by a student