Language Academy

This school is still making so much progress and growth! I have a student in middle school and another in elementary. They are both learning so much! Especially the younger one, who has benefitted from the great new leadership since 2008 and more and more stable staff. We can't wait until we get back from winter break and they get to use the brand new joint-use field! It also helps loads that the coaches have begun all-new sports programs after school and there are also many after-school activities to choose from on minimum days. It is amazing to see what hard workers the teachers are and how many of them work together. I'd say about 92% of the teachers there ROCK! Just ask around and you'll know who to avoid.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a third grader and seventh grader, both in the French program. I love this school. The french program is excellent--both my children are fluent in the language. I love that the school is K-8 and mimics a private school environment. The teachers and staff are wonderful--especially the principal. I highly recommend sending your children there.
--Submitted by a parent

Teachers and staff are amazing. Very involved parent community. The kids are not ONLY learning to speak in another language but they are learning to do so in a diverse and multicutural environment. That is something that will serve them well in their futures in the "real world". I took my kids to France last year (3rd and 5th grade) and the locals constantly complimented them on their accent as well as their fluency. They were thrilled that their French was far better than their mother's who only learned hers in college. The school is a tight knit community, with students, staff and parents supportive of one another. I have been really happy with my experience.
--Submitted by a parent

My boy is in the second grade and he's French is tr s magnifique. The reviews posted here are old. We got a solid principal in 2007 and she's been great at caring for our school, students and teachers. Look at the ATI Rating and remember that these kids are learning in a foreign language when they take that test. TAKE A TOUR, decide for yourself. Consider how awful the transition to middle school is, then think about your child going to MS with the same friends and teachers he's known since kindergarten. Enrich your child's future with a language or two!
--Submitted by a parent

Our child is beginning his second year at the Language Academy. The curriculum reflects the second language in meaningful ways and has brought many opportunities for our child to be exposed to another culture. We have been very pleased with the quality of teachers and the attention given to both language acquisition and literacy. This is a great school for self-motivated students who are ready to challenge themselves. We are very pleased that San Diego Unifies offers the option to learn a second language at such a young age. We appreciate the forward thinking parents and educators who established the Language Academy so that our child has this opportunity to gain this skill.
--Submitted by a parent

Not impressed! After one year in kindergarten my child (very bright) can hardly identify or read a few Spanish words. I didn't expect miracles, but I anticipated more than this. Communication with teacher has been awful. Nice lady, but I suspect she gravitates toward the primary Spanish speakers in the class. Teacher reported my child did great on test. My child admitted she was lost and the other students helped her with test! Beware of Bus!! The bus has all ages and many are of questionable character and cause trouble. There is no proper supervision - any number of things can happen between there and home. District allows 5 year old to be dropped off ALONE on street if bus is early or you are late!!!!! My child's day (including bus ride is 8 am - 5pm - too long for a kindergartener and too long on bus.)
--Submitted by a parent

I love that my child is learning a different language then what we speak at home. His teacher is phenomenal. My concern is with the way the school is run. The parent pick up is a mess and an acident waiting to happen. I even had an experience where my child, a kindergartener, was waiting for me by himself, by the road, after I called the office staff letting them know of an emergency that didn't allow me to be at school right on time to pick my child up. I was very upset by this! They didn't even know who pick him up or when he was picked up. I never see the principal and don't think she mingles with the children.
--Submitted by a parent

As a Kindergarten parent I am in awe of this amazing program and the teacher commitment to all of the students and their passion to make every student bilingual and bi-cultural in every grade. You only need to step onto the campus of this great school to experience the family atmosphere here. I am proud to be a Language Academy Parent and supporter.
--Submitted by a parent

After much controversy & debate about the significance of Language Immersion, the efficacy of immersion-education producing English language competent students, the quality of education received at the Language Academy itself, among many, many other potentially program-ending battles against the San Diego Unified School District's School Board, I am only more decisively convinced that the not only is the program worthwhile, but the quality of education there is absolutely top notch. And I say that from the experience of having to enroll one of my daughters elsewhere for a while, and having her return to the school, and seeing the huge difference in her standardized test scores from both schools.
--Submitted by a parent

This school was one of the worst schools that prepare you for high school and some what of college