T.R. Paul Academy of Arts & Knowledge

some of theser reviews are based off tours-not actual parents of students. my children currently attend T.R Paul an i can say things good and bad. Reasons i chose this school is because of the security. many schools have less teachers than they do students especially at recess. i like that the doors are locked to prevent kidnappings, assaults, etc. The incorrect part on another comment that they are 2 grade levels behind. ummm no. All their grade levels are learning at 1-2 grades ahead. my daughter is in kindergarten and is doing addition and subtraction, learning about mass and matter, studies a different culture/country every month and presents on it. The education values are excellent as well as the art inrichment they offer. i also enjoy how multicultural it truly is. BUT i am having issues with this school. the uniforms are not cheap and have very strict guidelines with accessories, hair, etc which is a bit ridiculous. they are always asking you to attend fundraisers to pay for this for the school and that for the school-seriously its EVERY WEEK. theres bullying as well as favoritism with higher class families. THE PARKING LOT IS ATROCIOUS/dangerous! theres maybe 20 spots.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a child that recently left TPAAK to attend middle school. In that school, he has been moved up a grade level in math, being advanced and passing the district year-end test before the year even started. In addition, he is accelerated in science and English. Finally, in geography, he was given the year end test at the beginning of the year, and received the highest possible score. Obviously, this school is doing something really well, and I am extremely glad that my children have received such an amazing education!
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of a child at TPAAK, I truly felt the need to respond to the previous post. The testing referred to is always requested by the parents not the school. The school also has a preschool for children that don't meet the cut-off. The books were most likely donated for the book sale, not for the students. They are moved out daily by our parent volunteers. Also, the library has no key. Each classroom is locked with a code for security. The teachers and administration here are amazing. I have been a teacher and a parent in many schools. TPAAK has some of the most creative, innovative, caring, dedicated staff who truly care about each and every child in the building. The principal is frequently IN classrooms, and not always available for tours during the school day. My child gets science and social studies EVERY DAY, not once or twice a week. The curriculum is amazing, and the arts focus is truly one-of-a-kind. What a wonderful school!!!!! Thanks TPAAK!
—Submitted by a parent

My kids attended TPAAK during its first two years. Fortunately we were able to get out and into a good school in the district. Now four years later, I am talking with a teacher who was not even aware that my children attended this school and she mentioned that she had a couple of students last year that needed much tutoring. We were visiting about them in respects to the extra time she was putting in and she said that they needed so much help with math, they were nearly two years behind district standards. I asked her what school they had been at previously and it was TPAAK. Could be the kind of math that is used or the way it is presented but it reaffirmed our experience and my instinct about this school. It was not then nor is it now what you wish for your child. All this tme later and Great Schools still sends me notices and I chuckle when I read a positive review about how " my child gets science and social studies EVERY DAY" because our core knowledge elementary school teaches the same stuff. Maybe every other day but it is the exact same material by the end of the year in total. There are much better schools for family than this one-in every way.
—Submitted by a parent

I can't help thinking that people who post such scathing reviews have an axe to grind. TPAAK is not for everyone. It is a charter school, and it has a focus. If that focus is not your thing, it's not your thing. The most negative things I see written here in no way represent my experience at the school. Every parent of TPAAK students *chose* that school for their kids. If you want a good idea of what the school offers, talk to these parents. Ask them why they chose it. Ask them what they like and don't like. Get the real story. I'm a few weeks into the second year of TPAAK with two kids and I am still extremely pleased. I have had one issue so far, one that I felt compelled to "complain" about, so to speak. The response from both the principal and the teacher in question was immediate, and helpful. That's all I can ask as a parent. The school is always focused on continuous improvement, and it shows.
—Submitted by a parent

School has just started again and my kids are so excited. They have come home every day chattering about what a great day they had and how happy they are to be back at school. I am loving the progression of the arts curriculum in the upper grades (3-8)- it is going to be a fun school year! Looking forward to seeing the performances and art work that comes out of this. If you've got a kid who loves the arts- this is the place to be. I too am a picky parent, and did a lot of research before choosing this curriculum for my kids, and it has been well worth it. We love it here!
—Submitted by a parent

My comment from this morning disappeared (surprise) so I wanted to be sure that visitors on this site know that I am a very proactive parent at TRPaul and I can tell you that all the negative comments on this site (I read through about half) ARE true. My children will not go back to this school another year. I've been waiting for a REAL change to happen at my children's expense. It gets worse every year. Ask about ALL the principals and staff changes. And yep, the lunches are from PSD, but are only partial items that my children cannot eat. There is no real kitchen facility so by the time the lunches arrive at TRPaul they are cold and gross and they cost more than PSD.This is just one of the MANY things that make this school undesirable.Organization IS a serious problem. Teachers are let go and shifted around due to failing budgets. One week there will be a middle school and the next week there won't. One week they will have yearbooks, the next they won't. Things change on a dime. If you can live like this, then you have found your school. INVESTIGATE, PLEASE.
—Submitted by a parent

TPAAK is a horrific school. I am shocked the are still open considering eveyone who has left speaks so strongly about their bad experiences. I know schools have growing pains, but how many principals have they had since they've started? (Be honest...at least 7 in 6 years.)
—Submitted by a parent

I am very surprised at the negative review!! This parent must not have been very involved in in the day to day of their child's education at TR Paul???? The teachers and staff are always striving to give the kids the very best!! Changes that occur are for the better of the children and curriculum. All schools see a teacher leave, or a principal change her career goals, but there are MANY teachers and staff that have been at TR Paul since it opened. My children are excited to go to school everyday, wondering what they will learn about next. They love to show me all of their art, and the art of their friends hanging on the walls. The cafeteria was recently repainted and looks fabulous. Many murals are painted on the walls, by students and staff. The important factor is are the kids learning and enjoying their time at school.....ask a TR Paul student and I am sure you will get an answer you are happy to hear. The kids at TR Paul have amazing talent and knowledge thanks to the dedicated staff. If you have an issue, get involved and find someone to help fix or change it!! EVERYONE wants to see the kids succeed!!
—Submitted by a parent

If you have any other option whatsoever, Leavenworth, Alcatraz...you get the message, please don't subject your child to this school. Everything changes on a day to day basis, the principal, the teachers, the subjects, the lunches (which are awful, btw). The school has a morgue like atmosphere and look. Don't be fooled by their very misleading tours or false information. They are an accident waiting to happen and your children deserve better. Stability is NOT in their scope. Just because it is a "charter" school doesn't mean that it is a place your child should feel priveleged to attend. IT IS NOT! Pay attention to the reviews and heed the warnings. I've read through them and they are spot on! Just do your research for your child's sake. Charter + small school does NOT equal better.
—Submitted by a parent

I love the way TPAAK incorporates art and history into everyday learning. My son is able to understand more when he can relate it to something. I love the way they are teaching my child.
—Submitted by a parent

If you're looking for a "great school," don't stop here. Bungle after bungle of the administration, coupled with a HUGE budget shortfall and an overworked/underworked staff make this place an intolerable and even hostile learning environment. Mosaica, Inc. is a FOR-Profit company, that takes our tax-dollars and leaves our students scrambling for supplies. There is a reason why this is the only charter school in the town that was not approved by PSD.

As I read all these reviews I am reminded that the teaching staff can only do so much. As a parent it is my job to be as involved as necessary. We have had few issues with TPAAK....we love this school. I have to wonder if the parents that have had issues within the school used all the resources available....the chain of command goes much higher than the CAO. IT was my experience that bullying was taken very seriously last year and all efforts were made to eliminate it. My daughter has excelled at TPAAK because the teachers are able to use more abstract methods of teaching than public schools can.
—Submitted by a parent

We love this school, have two kids there. Kids wear uniforms, enter in an orderly fashion, taught to respect each other. Parents are invited in every 6-8 weeks (or so) to see the kids do a skit on what they have been learning and show parents their stuff on the wall. High degree of ethnic diversity of students across a lot of cultures, this was very important to us moving from East Coast. School year starts a few weeks early, ends a few late and school day is longer than public schools, which means about a month more class time and less work taken home (it gets done during school hours). Also have a good before and after school program if you have two parents working. They challenge kids a lot. GOOD SCHOOL if you are an engaged parent, want ethnicity, structure, are actively engaged in your kids education. NOT FOR YOU unless you are actively engaged in your kids educatioin and you want to be part of a school community.
—Submitted by a parent

I recommend you check this school out before sending your child to any other school in Fort Collins. TPAAK focuses on Arts, Science, Technology, and Math using a hands on curriculum. They also have more arts based classes than other schools that i have seen including Dance, Drama, PE and Art.

This school was one of the worst schools I've ever been too. Slower students that go there in hopes of improving actually get worse. Sure, the pe, art, drama and music are really good, but did anyone think about literature and math? Why are 5th graders still learning about one digit math? And reading books reserved for 2nd graders? After your kids come out of this school, they will have no idea what the other schools are talking about. So if you are relying on a football, music, art, or drama scholarship, you should come here and hope for the "best". But if you want your child to have a chance in life, send them somewhere else.

Thought my son had a great Pre-school experience at this school. I can't speak for the upper grades, but Kalee was a knowledgeable and personable teacher who encouraged and accepted my son for the gifts he had.
—Submitted by a parent

apparently a couple of the reviewers are the lucky ones whos children seem to be in ALL the leading roles, are tapped for all the solos and given art instruction without graffitti from the art teacher. If I focus on one of my children then that child does well but what of the others. I feel the 10 or so 'chosen' students do get the lions share of drama, music and art instruction. There were 15 spots in the talent show but only 10 performances. Our kids go longer everyday and longer every year. I my kids because it is an art school. I think the parents, the staff and the administration need to get back to these basics or ...
—Submitted by a parent

This school has always looked better from the outside than the inside. It should say something that every time a negative review is posted on Greatschools, multiple positive reviews follow denying whatever allegations were made. Parents and staff are actively encouraged to promote the school and deny any negative publicity. At this point, there are fewer than 300 students enrolled in K-7th grade for the 2011-12 school year. The idea behind the school was unique and exciting. The implementation has been poor and fraught with politics and bullying of families that don't agree with the administration.
—Submitted by a parent

I have nothing but wonderful things to say about T.R. Paul Academy. The staff is always encouraging and helpful. As for the principal, she is the kindest individual you will ever meet and always puts the children first. She is always there to talk to the students if they need her and she always treats them with the upmost of respect. As a teacher, Ms. Lind has supported me in too many ways to count. She is a wonderful mentor and is always there to help her staff with a smile on her face. The overall experience that I can take from this school at the end of every day is very positive. The teachers, the principal, the secretaries, and most importantly, the students all present a very positive demeanor each and every day. It is an enjoyable place to be and a more importantly than anything, it is an absolutely astonishing place for children to learn and grow. The students are always excited to learn, always excited to dive into the daily lessons and because of this, they are truly grasping a deeper understanding of the world around them. It is truly an amazing thing to watch as the students grow and bloom from their experiences here at T.R. Paul. Come and see for yourself!