Brandon Academy Llc

The teaching staff in many areas is wonderful. There are classes that have no order and heaven help you if you try to switch or complain. You are targeted by the admin and labeled a problem parent. I have watched this happen to new and old families. If you enhance the reputation of the school or have enough money you are the favorites of the Head of school. This school used to be great and now it is becoming pathetic and no longer holds the same high academic standards of years past. They have run off several great teachers and families because they cannot look at what is best for the school. They look for the no confrontation most money way out.
—Submitted by a parent

GREAT SCHOOL!! Well after extensive looking, we finally found what we were looking for. This is the school I always needed for my children. Top notch academics, extensive extra-curriculars, a staff that actually cares about students - what are all schools like this?
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two older children, one who graduated from high school and one in high school now. I wish they would have had the experience that my third is having now at Brandon Academy. While my older two always did well, my youngest LOVES school (rare these days!) The places they take the kids alone is unbelieveable. I am looking forward to when my youngest is in middle school so I can go to Europe with him and his class. I think they also take the kids to Keys.
—Submitted by a parent

We relocated to the Tampa Bay Area in a hurry and found this school to have everything we wanted for our son. We appreciate the love and caring of the teachers there. The school has high academic standards, a great curriculum, and numerous extra curricular activities. However, if your child has an IEP, ADHD, or any other special need in which they might need more individualized attention, you might want to keep looking. After 2 meltdowns during his 2nd year there, our 7 year old was asked to be removed from the school. Since this happened, he still cries himself to sleep sometimes because he misses his school and his friends so much. He is an A student, friendly, loving and never agressive, yet because they did not know how to redirect him, he is temporarily at another school until we can find something better in the area, or relocate to another part of town. 3 months later, and they have yet to provide a valid reasonnor an apology.
—Submitted by a parent

We are ending our first year in Brandon Academy and we couldn't be happier. The teachers are just amazing, the academics are excellent, and the kids get to be involved in many different activities throughout the day/year. Both my kids LOVE to go to school. This is really a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

I am not happy with this school. If your child has a Mckay scholarship and requires speech then don't bother going to this school as they do not offer speech therapy at the school. The thing I am most bothered with is that I was told by the Principal that some thing was wrong with my child because he was misbehaving and showing behavior that I did not see at home. When I took my child to a specialist because I was concerned it turned out there was nothing really wrong. We just needed to work on his behavior some. Interestingly he is behaving quite well at summer camp so it makes me think that the school was the problem. They couldn't handle the situation properly and wanted to drop my son from the school. I found a better school that appears to have some wonderful, compassionate and understanding staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, wish it went through high school. Tough to find any this good my day. Great value too.
—Submitted by a parent

I LOVE THIS SCHOOL! I attended BA for nine years and made many great friend whom I still stay in touch with. These are friendships that will never be forgotten. My teachers were excellent and very helpful. I miss my years at BA and try to visit often.

I was so happy to see Brandon Academy listed on the Great Schools website. My son graduated from BA and today is a successful architect in New York City with a degree from Columbia University. He fondly remembers his years at the school and still communicates with a few classmates with whom he has formed lasting friendships. I selfishly wish he was still in Florida so my grandson could attend Brandon Academy and receive the exceptional education his father did!
—Submitted by a parent

I seem to have finally found the right school for my daughter. She is very bright and makes good grades but also loves signing and performing, which is not offered in many other schools. Here, the classes are great, but she also gets to take part in a chorus group and perform in plays and productions. You just don't see enough emphasis on the arts anymore. It took three schools, but at least we found the right place eventually!
—Submitted by a parent

Can not believe the time for my kids at Brandon Academy isin its last year. My son has been here since kindergarten and will graduate this spring and I am fearful no other school will match what he has had here. The academics, top notch, but we all knew that. What we did not know was all the rest. The friendships, the feeling of community, the memories and opportunities we have all had while he was here. I hope this year goes slowly becuase I know he, as well as us, don;t want ti to end.
—Submitted by a parent

Not pleased with this school. I feel that perhaps the higher education teachers are good, however, when it comes to the pre k teachers I am disappointed. Prior to my child starting this school she was in a daycare/school environment. Her teachers praised how smart and advanced she was and recommended a private school. So we came to BA. Progress reports were recently issued and my child received Ns throughout the progress report. I am very disturbed that my child's teacher failed to inform me of this over the last couple of months especially since she sees me everyday. I've even asked how my child is doing and get this response, 'xx is doing fine'. Areas my child received Ns on I know were not warranted so I will be meeting with Dean. My rating is based off of my personal experience with my child's specific teacher not BA as a whole.
—Submitted by a parent

I found this school while searching the internet and I am so thankful I did. It is an award winning school and has all these accolades but what I found exceeded my expectations. I have a child in kindergarten and the whole place just feels right. Everyone is so welcoming, the children are well behaved and the teacher is excellent. I highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

WONDERFUL SCHOOL! Just discovered it last year, but it was fantastic for my kids. Lots of personal attention. The kids all seem to actuall like going to school. Can't wait for school to start this year. The travel that the students get is worth it alone - Keys, Washington, Europe - they didn't have all this when I was in school!
—Submitted by a parent

This school was not up to my standard. The school dropped my son who suffers from speech delay without notice. They promised to give speech and other resources which they never provided. Please if you are thinking of this school who has a child with special needs of any kind do not consider this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son just graduated from Brandon Academy and, as a parent, I am going to miss this school so much. In the three years he was there, besides the education he got (advanced math, advanced science, social studies and english) he also got to take Spanish for Honors credit and travel the world. In 7th grade he went to Spain, Italy and Greece with the school and then this year, they took the kids to Washington D.C. and Gettysburg. I do not know what his high school years will hold, but if it is half as good as his time at this schol, I'll be happy.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved our children to Brandon Academy several years ago. I can not begin to tel you the difference in how my children feel about school. Even though the classes and academics are high end, my children love going to school. My oldest was actually sad he had an appointment on day when "presentations" were being done in his class. The relief of stress I feel each day is incredible. Can't wait until school starts again!
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to Brandon last year and were shocked at what we saw in the public schools Public schools in North Carolina are just not like that. We tried one other private school before finding Brandon Academy. Good thing we did. Now my kids like going to school and I don't have to worry about their safety. Good bargain too. Private schools in NC are twice this much.
—Submitted by a parent

What a difference!! My child is finishing her first year at Brandon Academy and she loves school for the first time ever! The field trips, the students, everything. We are a military family and have been to quite a few, but none have compared. We looked at some of the other private schools, but for the price, this is a bargain. Only wish it went through high school.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm not very happy with this school. My son is in middle school and he is new and he doesn't feel very welcomed. The work he did at my old public school was more advanced and had more supportive teachers. The electives program is terrible. My child disliked an elective and wanted to change it but they wouldn't let him, what's up with that? Last but what upset me the most was that he came home cursing and talking about drugs. He said that all of the students were talking about this. I'm am very dissapointted with this school and I will send my son back to his previous school towards the end of the year.
—Submitted by a parent