Arlington Country Day School

What a mistake! The classrooms are in ruins, not even enough chairs/desks in some. Textbooks are outdated and falling apart. There are absolutely NO extracurricular activities outside of the football team, NO technology classes, the principal is impossible to reach - when she is on campus. There is an "after school tutoring" option but that is a joke. This school accepts special needs students but has no special needs staff to teach them; although to be fair - some of the teachers go over and above to try. Even the school website is outdated - from 2009/2010 - and there is no PTO / PTA!
--Submitted by a parent

This is the first year that my son has gone to ACD and we love it. He gets alot of one on one time with the teachers because of the small class size...wish I had done this when he was still in Jr High.
--Submitted by a parent

What a gem of a school! I volunteer every week in the middle school, and I am so impressed by what the children are learning. The teachers seem to work together and the children are very happy and engaged. It is a very happy and welcoming campus.
--Submitted by a parent

ACD is an excellent choice if you want your child to receive a great education in a small, hands on environment. I have an elementary child as well as a middle school child and I could not be happier with the school. Yes, we were there during the decline, but those days are long gone and this school should not be compared with the previous school. We have seen so many wonderful changes and we always feel welcome on campus. The teachers are highly qualified and extremely caring.
--Submitted by a parent

ACD is a great developing school. It has had problems in the past as most people know. They have been taken care of for the most part. The current owners saved the school from closing after the inept previous owner. They have taken care of past debts and corrected academic problems to the point of receiving a five year accreditation.They are building a strong school again based on education, behavior and values. The faculty is the best it has ever been. Especially the elementary dept. ACD is headed in the right direction and just needs time and support from the community and parents.

Mrs. Phillips is absolutely the best teacher a child can have. The school has improved tremendously in the past year and I am sure will continue to do so.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm going to ACDS now, and I think it's a good choice if your looking for something different. I went for 9th grade, then I transfered over to SW. I was sooo unhappy. The classrooms were huge, and it was way to stressful. So i quickly switched back after just maybe one quarter at SW. ACD is nothing like any school iv'e been at, or friends have gone. And I love it. Highschools the best years of your life supposivly, and Iv'e made more then i can count memories there. GO ACD! Nut get some uniforms, the dress code is a little old.
--Submitted by a student

I have a first grader that goes to acd and I am deifnatley pleased with the school and especially the teacher.Mrs.McFalls rocks(she is one of the best teachers i ever met she really cares about the kids and makes sure the learn.) The school went through some trouble but I know it's on the upswing. There more focused on making the learining aspect better before the astetic aspect. the school is in a not so great area of town but the security makes up for it. They employ security that does nothing but whatch the elemntry kids when they are on the playground.Also the teachers are on the playground during reacess and the are also very wathcful of the kids. My daughter went to a more exspensive and newer looking school last year and we were not nerarly as impressed with the reasults as we are this year. mrs mcfalls rocks.
--Submitted by a parent

Arlington Country Day School has absolutely hit rock bottom. It is so sad to see what has become of this once-great institution. I have been involved with ACDS since 2001. The administration and ownership made up of two coaches and a former teacher is a pathetic joke. They are laughed at by teachers, parents, students and every other respectable private school in Jacksonville. No reputable academic institution would allow these individuals to operate a school, yet sadly they have free rein at ACDS. The school has undeniably always had some wonderful caring teachers and parents but it is truly those at the top that are the school s greatest burden. Although it still needs a lot of modernization, the campus has noticeably improved over the past two years. I would love to be able to recommend this school to parents. The school has such potential. However, with its inept leadership, I simply cannot recommend it.
--Submitted by a parent

Still some work to go, BUT 1. Teacher quality has improved-all teachers are either certified or are obtainining their certification; 2. Classrooms have improved-fewer students/class, all wiring and plumbing updated; 3. Administration has improved-more delegation of authority with Deans of Boys and Girls and less of one person trying to do everything; 4. Academic quality has improved-no coaches in classrooms, except 1 who is renewing his certification; 5. Physical environment has improved-new exterior paint, addition of shrubs and other landscaping features, removal of unsightly gum and trees, new cafeteria, media center renovation and upgrades; 6. Computers and textbooks have been ordered; 7.Security has improved-front gates, gated parking lots with more planned; 8. Consistently high quality student-athletic programs; 9. SACS Accreditation for 5 years; 10. Dual Enrolment classes Sociology and Business; and 11. A new enthusiasm from administrators, teachers, parents and students which has translated to a new optimism in the future of ACD. WHAT A CHANGE FROM RECENT YEARS!!!
--Submitted by a teacher