Thomas Edison Charter Academy

My son is completing his kindergarten year in the TECA dual immersion program. He's had a really good experience at TECA. He has very bright and creative teachers and he seems to feel safe and confident. Some people have only heard that TECA was a charter school nightmare when it was owned by a corporation; but it's a nonprofit now and not corporate at all. On top of the spanish, this school has an incredible arts program. The kids have art almost all year long. They have a "Specials" class every day for about 45 minutes. They take PE, drama, art and music each for about 8 weeks at a time all year long for the whole time they are at TECA. I think the kids get to choose their own specials to some extent in middle school, but they're still there. So my son has three great teachers every day, how cool. TECA also has a good afterschool program with none of the restrictions that other schools seemed to have. Good price for it, too ($325 a month this year). All of the parents seem really engaged and involved.
—Submitted by a parent

TECA is great! We have a full-time arts program, caring teachers, a renovated building, on-site After School, better food than SFUSD & no-added-sugar-for-sale policy, a new computer lab, a thriving 3-year old Spanish-English dual-immersion option in the lower grades, rising parent participation & fundraising (but never enough). We have an invigorated Parent-Teacher Committee - I spent 1 hour yesterday sorting TECA t-shirts with other parents, and another 30 minutes writing thank-you notes on Teacher Appreciation gift certificates with yet another group of parents. Meanwhile, Spanish-speaking parents were helping out in the classrooms, testing kids on their Spanish so the teacher can provide individualized instruction to every student. Yes, our school has warts - I did mention not enough $, right? But our teachers are caring people who believe in our mission to nurture "the whole child" and help our kids prepare for top high schools (3 admitted to Lowell last year- huge for our size; & many scholarships to other top schools). Our administrators listen to good ideas, our arts program is unmatched, and our parent participation is way up. Good things are happening here!
—Submitted by a parent

Our son just started at TECA in the bi-lingual spanish program. We chose TECA over other excellent schools, private & public. The principal and administrative staff are true professionals with the best for the students being a top priority. In the dual language program my son spens about 2.5 hours in a spanish only classroom, then he has 2.5 hours in an english language classroom with a different teacher. He also does one hour a music a day (later in the year he will do drama, art and pe - always an hour a day). He is thriving and happy and full of energy at the end of the day. We had our first PTA meeting last week and we had 50 people sign up for the PTA and as volunteers on various fundraisers. I am enjoying the parent community a lot, although my spanish is lamentable. If you google the school you will find a lot of old sad news that isn't relevant anymore. The building is beautiful, the children are pushed academically, taught values and morals, and appear to be kind to each other. I have found all teachers/staff enthusiastic and communicative. The down side:very little sports and no green area for the children to play on. We also need to raise money to build a library.
—Submitted by a parent

Ms. Cook is the best teacher in the world! If you want your child to succeed and love going to school, put them in her class. My daughter was lucky to have her for 4th and 5th grade because she stays with her students for 2 years. My daughter talks about her all the time. Ms. Cook really cares about all her students and they all love her! I am thankful for everything she has done for my children. 100 stars for Ms Cook!
—Submitted by a parent

After almost a year, we are still very happy our son is at Edison. We have signed him up for 1st grade. Got an email from friends, wondering what to do for the upcoming furlough day. Ha! Edison is in session, we don't have to worry about missing work or day care.
—Submitted by a parent

The bottom line is that the school experience is what you (as parents) and your child make of it. In 2010/2011 our niece came to live with us and we needed a school for her 8th grade year. We heard about Edison Charter Academy from a friend and parent who had 2 children in the school. After meeting with the principal we decided ECA would be it. ECA went beyond our expectations and was a great match for our niece at a crucial time in her life. The teachers care deeply about the students and take time to be present with them. We also had an involved group of parents. All this made a difference! In her one year here, our niece grew confident, was challenged by and experienced academic success, and was guided and inspired to make positive choices in her life. Also, one of the perks is that the school is situated in between the Mission District and Noe Valley, which brings together a rich diversity of culture and class. Yes, ECA has gone though transitions and like all schools it has quirks, but our year at this school was amazing for us as a family and life changing for our niece. If you want a school with a whole lot of heart and soul, this is one of them... consider it!
—Submitted by a parent

The school raised from the ashes practically and it's become what it is today!. Disgruntled individuals will always have their funny little opinions. An opinionated individual will always want to come to make disruptive changes in the classroom If their will is not fulfilled, then they will post a nasty message on this site. So sad. Those who go around hating the school, those are the ones who never helped with their "little grain of sand." Teachers and staff are really committed a 110% to the wellbeing of the students. complain, complain, complain.

Please read all the reviews of this school, as it shows the progression of change that has and continues to occur at Edison. The new (as of 2010) principal, Ms. Morrell, seems to be directing Edison toward a steady and stable path of focused academic performance.
—Submitted by a parent

i feel that this school is a great school so far, my son transferred to this school in the middle of the 2010-2011 school year from a private school and I feel he has learned more at eidison then the private school, he was able to fit in very well and improve his skills. I've olny dealt wth the kindergarten teacher and she is AMAZING!!!!! I was so impressed that i am hoping to transfer my oldest son and nephew to this school!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I have been working here for the past 7 years as a teacher, and have stayed because it's been an amazing place to work. The community of kids, parents, and teachers is outstanding, supportive, and overall has very positive attitude about education. Our biggest challenge has been high turnover in our leadership, but now that we have Ms. Morrell, I feel like we have a strict principal who knows what needs to be done to boost our test scores and create an environment that prepares kids for high school and college. I hope our leadership remains consistent because I think after a few years with the same direction people will start to see our true strength.
—Submitted by a teacher

Teachers at this school are great, they work with kids needs and are there anytime for a student. Afterschool program is great. On the other hand the principal is new to the school and has not once sent a letter or took time to intrudce herself. She is only about making her money and has no concern or care of kids needs. My kids has been going there since kinder and this will be there last year there. She treaten my son and interigated him in saying something he didnt do. She's really rude and maybe the reason she s there is just to be close to her boyfriend a teacher. The school is great other then her and the Teachers are Wonderfull!!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been in second garde this year. It's the first year and as a parent I'm satisfied with the way the staff responds to concerns of parents. They really try to work with my needs and take everything into consideration. I've had a great experience thus far. The curriculum is great too I'm happy with what my son is learning and he has interacted a lot with others. I see more confidence in him.
—Submitted by a parent

I LOVED this school when I went there. The classes were great and the teachers I had definitely tried to get to know me on a personal level in order to help me. My attendance there has shaped a lot of decisions i've made (where I went to school after wards/where I plan to go) and changed my life in general. I do not regret going there; it's helped me with my educational decisions and has given me great friends, both staff and students.

We had are child at Edison since Kindergarten and as she went up in grade the school kept deteriorating. The teachers and after school tutoring is what kept her there. After Mrs Sampson left we should of known it was time get out. If it wasn't for the teachers and Ramon up in the office we would of pulled our child out before she graduated.
—Submitted by a parent

Unfortunatley, this school has not lived up to the hype. The staff is sub par, the Administration is focused on clicks and groups of whos' friends with what teachers. Then those teachers and classrooms get special treatments. The teachers are young and untrained. They would rather have their boyfriend on the field trip instead of parents going so they can get their quality time in. And don't expect help from the admin regarding any teacher that is in there click of friends. You will be shunned and disappointed. This is not the environment I want for my child. I have pulled my child from this school after 6 yrs. That says alot to a parent who does not want to up and change there childs whole system after 6 yrs in the same place. But as a parent you must do what is best for your child first. School gets aF.
—Submitted by a parent

This school turned out to be a nightmare. My kids were here for 5 years. And when ms. sampson left i should have took them out immediately. The staff is biased, they always side with there teachers. Even when the teachers are clearly wrong. There is no leadership, the principal has changed at least 3x in 3 years. There are very few activities, or programs for the children to participate in. The staff is not diverese and is incapable of dealing with a diverse student population. The do not even practice their core values that they try to promote to the children. Compasion, integrity, etc. The staff is lacking in all of these things. I would think 2x no 3x befor putting my child in this school. To put them here would be detrimental to there mental and emotional health. I am happy my kids have been transfered to another school.
—Submitted by a parent

it is aswesome staff is strict but allsow kind and caring. children have fun even thought they complain but at the end they learn a good lesson.
—Submitted by a student

I was in Ms. Cooks class and it was great. She is the best teacher ever. She got me to succeed.
—Submitted by a student

i LOVE this school , just the staff needs to be WAYY WAYY WAYY more strict .
—Submitted by a student

This is a bad school which is in Program Improvement by the California Department of Education for failing to meet its Academic Performance for two years in a row! Back in '07, a new group of Board members were installed after the founding members resigned, but, unlike the previous Board, they don't seem to know what they are doing. The school hasn't had a good principal in years. The once pristine library is a shambles. Good administrative staff (Rhonda Sampson) have left the school. There isn't even an active parent organization. Don't need to be on board a sinking ship - my child is being transferring to another school. Do your research before looking into this school. It may not be around for very long.
—Submitted by a parent