Somerset Academy

Too many changes have taken place and it is not the same mom and pop type of environment the kids first had. That's what kept Somerset apart from the rest. Now, things are robotic and impersonal. The best teachers have really gone, and the discipline problemed children from other schools have come in. Things need to be revamped before more parents withdraw their children.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is small but with high academic standards.
—Submitted by a parent

This school lacks a lot of organization and administrative skill. There is a lot to be desired. We hope fresh staff comes in to 'unharbor' this stressful environment.
—Submitted by a teacher

What a difference from last year! Somerset is reaching its full potential!
—Submitted by a staff

The school has a progresive attitude and their MIND program for making Math fun is great. Kids love it! The staff and faculty are very organized and proactive.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been part of Somerset for the past two years. The teachers at this school are amazing!. Great changes have ocurred at the administration level, the new Head Master/ Principal is leading in the right direction. The improvements can be observed at all levels. Somerset Academy is one of the BEST schools in the area, and yes there are always aspects that could be enhace, but for that to change, the Level of parent involvement needs to increase. The most important thing is that the quality of the academic programs are outstanding, that our children are in the hands of loving teachers, and that the new administration is doing its best to solve the growing pains of a young school.
—Submitted by Mari Mondelo, a parent

Somerset is continuing to grow. Unfortunately, learning by their mistakes is common. This year seems to be improving with much better communication. As with any non-public school, kids with special needs will not see much support. We had our child in a private school and there were no provisions for special needs children. Just the opportunity to pay hundreds more for private tutoring. There is a tendency by Somerset parents to treat this school as if it was a private school they were paying thousands of dollars for and that rules are not meant for them.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is good. Although young, it has reached its goals and more in six years it has existed. It has an excellent sports program, especially in volleyball and basketball.
—Submitted by a former student

There is ALWAYS room for improvement at Somerset. The owners have been trying to figure out how to run a real school for more than five years. One of these days they may get there. In the process, several advertised school innovations were eliminated. Always ask questions about changes for the next schoolyear. Yearly student and staff turnover can be huge. Teacher support and professional development have been very weak. If your child has ANY identified disability of any kind, or major cultural differences, make sure the teacher has had experience dealing with that. Support for teacher from school level may not be available. If you have any indications that your child may have a learning disability or be gifted, be proactive. Don't rely solely on school to assess.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent all the way around.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have taught at this school for awhile now and it is quite disturbing to see the amount of gossip and lies that curtail the campus on a daily basis. Administration conduct unfair teacher evaluations that are unannounced, fees collected for activities and fundraisers go straight to administration that keeps up to 50%, and command is given to too many undeserving staff members. Somerset fits too many horrendous cliches and the childish up and up that run the place are only assisting in its demise.
—Submitted by a staff

Very poor choice of administration, Academica!
—Submitted by a parent

The school is adequate. Teachers are a definite bonus. If they weren't here, we would most likely not return.
—Submitted by a parent

While the school is very 'cutesy' and offers a lot of holiday fan fare and great extra curricular events throughout the school day, which many schools do not offer, many parents continue to complain that administration is not improving. We need someone stern yet loving to set these children in the right direction.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been a student at this institution for four years and each year the school has had a new pricipal who has variant views and ideas from his predecessor. The teachers are also transient which tells a lot about how much they view the school. Good luck if you pick this place.
—Submitted by a parent

This year I am seeing lots of improvements in all the areas, security, traffic control, dissmisal, etc.
—Submitted by a parent

Somerset Academy has certainly changed over the past year. My wife and I were thrilled when we were able to get our children into the school back in 2002. The school was great and was a very pleasant experience. When we started the 2003-2004 school year I could tell a drastic change for the worse. The school has lost focus on the child and have pushed the business side of the school. The grounds are a mess. Security is a joke. Drop-off and pickup is a disaster. It has become a nightmare. Parental involvement was encouraged last year. This year it is harshly discouraged. The constant request for money is horrible. I wish this school would place their focus back on the student and qulaity of education. By the way, the problem is not with the teachers (they are great) but administration and ownership.
—Submitted by Shawn Maynard, a parent

Somerset Academy is a school with little organization. The work seems to be on level, however the learning enviroment is very poor. The physical apperance of the school is in great need for improvement. There is no playground for students, recess is held in the parking lot.
—Submitted by a parent

Somerset has offered my daughter an advance style of education I feel that every child in the US should be able to benefit from. The interactions amongst staff and parents are like no other. The non traditional small classroom setting helps teachers focus more on the idividuals in the classroom. The school setting allow the students to feel comfortable and relaxing. My child have improved in many ways including academically, socially, and the best is gaining confidence. I would highly recomment the structure of Somerset for every school in this country.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a teacher at Somerset Academy for a short time. In that time not only was I overworked, underpaid, but continuously underminded and disrespected. The only reason I stayed the length of time I did was due to the incredible parent support I recieved as well as faculty support. The administration beginning with the principal needs to be redirected and removed. A school is not a business; teachers are not pawns. We are what makes a school work. This school has chosen to run its quality teachers out and not even stop to question their dismissal. If I were a parent I would not bring my child anywhere near this facility. I would not want them around digruntled teachers, but no where near a principal that instead of showing love omits fear.
—Submitted by a teacher