Magnolia Science Academy San Diego

Coming from a different country it's always been hard, so if you are already been living here (u.s. ) this should be easy for you, my kids learned to be responsible, I'm a full time mom, but still struggling with my 3 kids, though I'm blessed, but dealing with homeworks and reports, and projects having 3 kids it's hard. But the school helped them a lot, who's school gives free extra time just to go over? This school have free tutor/guidance after school, even if it's not one on one like other paid tutor that u will just meet in the library and have 5 kids, it's the same, who school gives free after school program? This school does, they have prime time, which actually helps a lot if u are a working parent, but most especially they let parents get involve, parents just judge, but they didn't actually know what's going on, I've been helping them in different ways that I can, I still strongly suggest put a little bit of your time, and know what your kids up to, so we don't blame school or teachers, this is coming from my heart, because this school helps a lot. And this school is the reason why we can't just move. Because we don't want to sacrifice our kids future. Stay blessed !
--Submitted by a parent

Dean of Students and Dean of Academics are terrific! The small school has helped my sons to excel in their studies and growing as responsible young men. To be fair , if you want excellence, you must become involved in your child's education, communicate with the teachers and admin and follow up at home. This is not the place for everyone. If you don't believe in rules or following through with consequences, or you feel rules stifle the creativity of children, you should keep looking. My son has 14 people in his advanced geometry class, try finding that in a public school.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a daughter graduated from MSA and my younger daughter started 6th grade at MSA this year. I am so amazed with the kind of transition I've seen in my younger daughter. My 6th grader changed from an irresponsible little kid into a responsible and hardworking young lady in only 3 months thanks to the teacher's hardwork and discipline. There are many activities I can just go and participate as a parent at the school. For sure Magnolia is the best school my 2 daughters ever attended.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a pretty good school. The teachers are involved. However, the parents are the ones that need to step up do the right thing: be involved with the school and their children's education; follow the rules to include show respect when dropping of or picking up their kids....don't block traffic or don't be angry when you have to stop for other kids to cross the road; be courteous; get involved with assisting the school by volunteering to perform needed task; don't just demand...participate...see how you can help improve the school and education; if your kid gets in trouble...don't point the finger but instead admonish your kid and correct that bad behavior otherwise they learn not to be responsible. And so on.
--Submitted by a parent

This is our son's 2nd year at MSA and we are happy there. We chose MSA over the "local big middle school" and while we heard the usual "but all my friends are going there.." he was acclimated within a couple of days and sees the friends via outside sports or on weekends. MSA is all about academics; classes are small so the teachers actually know your child and seem to have good classroom control. And the email communication home, is excellent. We like the grass-roots approach: with the small school and the charter system, the admin. seems free to implement new ideas without having to fill out 42 forms and get multiple approvals. i.e. they added Spanish as a 7th grade elective based on parent requests, and this year there are new clubs and a band program (maybe due to cancelling 9th grade there is extra space?) I am hearing more focus on preparing for college (yes, even in 6th grade). Of course, middle schoolers figure out ways to get around some rules; but overall the rules seem well enforced. Yes the teaching staff is diverse; some have foreign accents. But we think it's a good thing to get used to other cultures' ways and accents. They are getting a good education at MSA.
--Submitted by a parent

Dream come true. After mediocre elementary schools with bullying out of control this school is a godsend. The policy on behavior is VERY strict and many parents complain because they get in trouble for saying a 4 letter, not tucking in their pants, horsing around, etc. But the kids learn quickly the consequences and the dean of students is REALLY on top of the behaviors of each student in class. I have two boys there (one transferred in from the Lewis seminar program) and they are both excelling! My oldest is in his third year there and has received an excellent education in English language arts as well as math. I couldn't be happier. But be forewarned, if you don't believe in strict behavior policy, this probably is not the school for you.
--Submitted by a parent

When my oldest started at Magnolia in th 6th grade,I loved it. Was impressed with the dedication of the teachers, how the school was interested in helping my son be the best student he could be. That was 5 years ago..now my youngest is in the 8th grade and I cannot recommend the school and do not think highly of it as I did before. The school is suppose to be a Math, Science and Tech. focused school and I have yet to see it! There is nothing special about this Charter School. The school was without a Principal for the first part of the school year and when one was brought in, the parents were not notified. I find it strange that the students watch movies all the time and the students seem to have a lot of free time in class. There are some great and dedicated teachers, Mr. Angood, Ms. Murphy and Mrs. Rawlings. And sadly for the students at the school I wonder how long they will stick around. If my son had more years left at Magnolia, I would have to transfer him to another school.
--Submitted by a parent

MSA is a great school the teachers are very diverse and willing to help my child. I love the after-school tutoring and clubs available throughout the week. The office staff is always pleasant and helpful. Only issue I have is with pick up and drop-off
--Submitted by a parent

I find Magnolia Science Academy to be an exceptional school! The school is very diverse. Hence, many students and teachers are orginally from varies countries around the world. Racism is not an issue. I find that the teachers come with high educational backgrounds and standards. My child was a straight A student in elementary school. Now at Magnolia, he continues to have a 4.0 grade point average. I give Magnolia Science Academy five stars. Thank you to all the teachers at MSA for being such an important part in my childs life!
--Submitted by a parent

This school is a Circus with a Capital C with the main clowns being the Principal, and Mr. Stevens. If you want a school where children will run the school and the administration will fold their arms and not address any issues, this is your school. Mr. Stevens is inexperienced and is not able to handle discipline with the students where over 50% of the students have behavioral issues. He is afraid to discipline the students even though that is his job. Discipline is a huge problem at this school and it was brought up at the district level and the District found them to be out of compliance on several safety and academic aspects at the school site that they were very close in not having their Charter renew (feel free to visit the SDUSD public records). Kids have been hurt and bullied and the administration have looked the other way and done nothing to protect the students. This past year over 17 students left MSA and most of their teachers. Ask the teachers how long they have been with the school. Their academics is also very questionable as they make students re-take tests to get a higher grades and watch movies.
--Submitted by a parent