Creative Connections Arts Academy

My daughter is currently in the Kindergarten class and has been flourishing under the direction of the teachers and staff at the elementary site. This school has a lot of need for parent participation in order for all the activities and programs to run smoothly, but I believe that parent participation is a cornerstone of my child's education, so we see eye to eye there. There are many creative outlets available to the children and performing arts are strongly stressed hence the school name. We drive from the Natomas area to bring my daughter to this school and it is worth the commute. She is happy and learning at a pace that reflects her abilities.
—Submitted by a parent

Im in 7th grade here and have been here since 4th grade. I want to go back to my old school because i dont like this school and the kids are rude and the rules are loose but tight too :(

i'm a parent of a high school student i feel that high school students tend to be left off. Events are geared at the K-8th. There is a major lack of communciation to the parents. Being the 2nd yr for H.S i would have execpted to see some improvements but instead its the same as last year. I can not comment on the teachers as all of them but 1 is new and i have not had a chance to meet and gather my opionion. the prinicipal needs to understand that there are WORKING PARENTS and needs to paln things accordingly. Principal great idea but if there is no answers to the questions are parents to know what is happening. E-mails are sent out the last second, the website is not upate with current teacher info, buit the elem website is update and current. My child enjoys the school and wants to continue attending but there really needs to be some attention paid to the High School so it can continue to grow. Maybe listening to the kids and stopping meetings during they day and events, Us working parents would like to voice our opionions and enjoy the shows as well.//
—Submitted by a parent

I don't understand why so many of the negative reviews for the CCAA jr/sr high school are on the CCAA elementary site. Last time I checked they were 2 different schools. This is their 1st year as a jr/sr high school so I'd expect growing pains & there is plenty of time to look into other schools before then. As for CCAA as an elementary.... they are the best!!! My son loves his school and will continue to attend next year. We love that he is exposed to art, music & dance!
—Submitted by a parent

CCAA is going through growing pains. They have an amazing award winning drama program. They have some fabulous teachers. They do have new teacher who don t fit the criteria of the school who don t seem to have an art form. I believe this was a problem with the district. However I will agree with several of the post in other ways, the principal has not been on his A game this year. Yes, we have tried to talk to him, sent emails, called and have received no replies Maybe a new leader is needed to get the school back in line. We are not notified of changes, when I ask my daughter s teacher she often seems surprised.At 1st I thought her teacher was not prepared. When I ask my son s teacher who is very together and she doesn't know either then that means there is a problem with communication. Shouldn t leadership come from the principal?He is a nice man but the school is suffering.People say they are leaving this saddens me since we had such a wonderful school and program there; it seems ashamed that the district just couldn t leave it alone. Over all I would give the teachers high marks but the principal and the cleanliness a failing grade.
—Submitted by a parent

I find this school is far from Utopia when more than half of the jr high and high school students are failing, yikes! with facts like that any parent would find it offensive for the staff to cover up the truth like the last post, knowing they are in desparation for a body count to stay open for next year. As a parent I am very concern that this school has wasted my time and my childrens time and the damage to their education with the lack of commitment and the lack of communication from the teachers and principal. It looked very promising with all the reviews that I read and with talking to parents, we all are seeing the light fade into darkness for my childrens educational future.
—Submitted by a parent

Oh my! I'm very sorry to hear that some people aren't happy at CCAA. Though not perfect, it is the closest to Utopia that our family has found. I love the creativity and exploration of subjects and even more, I love that my kids are treated as individuals by caring staff. CCAA has had a lot of growing pains this year and have been met with commitment to the program. There are still further obstacles and will be met by staff and parents alike to be sure that the vision continues to come to life. If this school isn't for you, and it isn't for everyone, I wish you luck finding what you are looking for. I would also hope that your concerns have been directed to the administration and not just posted online.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm so sad about this since the school was so great for my oldest. But the school has gone down hill. I have several children at the school and this year the fairytale museum is not being performed at night. I work and so does my husband we were notified about this just yesterday and when I asked the teachers they said the principal decided to cancil it. It seems to me that he has become very anti-working-parent. He allows the stay at home parents to gossip out in front of the office making it uncomfortable for other parents who have questions. He has tea's only at times working parents can't come. Now he is cutting out our opportunity to see our children perform or even ask for the day off of work do to the short notice. Also the sixth grade teachers leave there students alone in the classroom alot. This didn't happen when my oldest was in sixth there. My oldest in in jr. high and I can tell you the quality of education has gone down. There are a few great teachers there who give up lots of there time for the students but I don't see the same commitment this year from the principal.
—Submitted by a parent

In response to the previous comment - we shouldn't be commenting on a principal's vacation and where he goes, what he does, what he eats, etc. That's so irrelevant. What I do find relevant and neat is that he even cared to update the school children about his adventure. Very cool since it makes it more real to the kids, assuming many haven't been that far before. And, if you see a classroom is filthy - well, aren't you technically responsible too, being a parent volunteer?? I went to the new parent conference yesterday, and have to say that I am impressed to say the least. It is run by parents. How great is that? And the simple fact that both sides of the brain are utilized and stimulated! I'm excited. I am looking forward to both my children attending this school. Oh - also - to comment on the previous statement regarding the constant replacement of kindergarten teachers...who's to say that's a BAD thing? What if they're just picky about who they keep on? There could be many other reasons also. Don't always assume it's the schools fault.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very impressed with CCAA. Working in the classrooms, I see the kids just thriving. Not only do they get a sound education, but also a warm nurturing environment to learn in. The programs are always fantastic! The children and teachers work hard, yet have a blast creating the programs! How lucky to have the visual and performing arts incorperated into their schooling. With the way the world is today.. forcing kids to grow up too fast, CCAA lets kids just be kids. As parents and volunteers, we could always have a field study day school clean up in the classrooms if it's possible. Thank you to all the teachers and staff members at CCAA for guiding our children through their educational journey. Every one of you brings a new, fresh prospective to the table and I appreciate that. I hope my grandchildren can attend this school when the time comes.

I am very disappointed in this school. I attended the orientation and it was mandatory that the students meet certain social and academic standards in order to attend. My child did but there are several that need extra assistance and now my child is not getting the education that was promised. She is told that it isn't important if she spells a word correctly and that because she is smart, the teacher expects excellence from her which has caused emotional and physical stress. This is also the 4th teacher that her AM kinder class has had this year. I am actively looking for another school. The principal is too distracted with the new junior high/high school to care about the elementary school which is very very sad for the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

My grandchildren are experiencing a quality education with all the perks of drama, dance, music and creative arts! Great School, superior program and awesome teachers! Every child should be so lucky!
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school for arts education as well as parent involvement. Dedicated staff and families make the difference at this school. I highly recommend this school.

It offers an outstanding and challenging curriculum and the extra curricula activities are excellent; Music, Art, Drama classes and Debate Club to name a few.
—Submitted by a parent

The staff and teachers are top notch and the curriculum is designed so that our children can achieve academic excellence and have fun doing it.
—Submitted by a parent

I love that my children still have the arts at school!
—Submitted by a parent

CCAA has a staff that is caring and willing to go any distance to help our children learn at their fullest potential. They provide music, art, drama, dance and so much more in the special interest classes and exploratory classes. It is a high achieving academic school. My child loves going to school everyday because it is at CCAA.
—Submitted by a parent

Simply it is a wonderful schhol.It gives my children wonderful oppurtunities.
—Submitted by a parent

I love creative connections arts academy because they offer children a way to learn that incorporates the childrens' interests and talents.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are excelent and good with the kids.
—Submitted by a parent