Wesley International Academy

We love WIA! My son has attended the school for 3 years now. I've noticed a dramatic increase in academic rigor this year. The teachers are quite simply, "awesome." Principal Bradley is approachable and is willing to go the extra mile for any student. This school has been through a lot in the past few years, and it has come out stronger than ever. The Phoenix will rise!
—Submitted by a parent

I have twin boys that attend Wesley this was our first year and I can honestly see a drastic improvement in them. The teachers are really great! The curriculum is really easy for the boys to learn and still challenging enough to keep them busy. I really like that they have single gender classes, they seem to have less distractions and REALLY be able to learn. Also boys and girls learn differently, it is very obvious in the way the teachers have been able to really help them to learn. They teach Mandarin Chinese. It is mandatory. The goal is to have all students proficient in Chinese by the time they are in 3rd grade. They have 1 hour every day of Chinese. I cannot speak enough praise for this school. My boys are even learning better manners. They are reading and doing math well above their level. Its just amazing. The school really wants you to come in and participate in your child's learning. This school requires a minimum of 5 hours volunteer time. And they give you plenty of opportunity if your schedule wont allow for it during the week! We had a great year and I will send my boys there as long as its open! Go Team Wesley! :D
—Submitted by a parent

This has been our first year at WIA, and we are very pleased! The new administration has been very responsive to our requests. The school work is rigorous, which is what students need. I am most pleased that his kindergarten teacher recognized early on, his talents and intellect and provided more individualized challenging work to keep him from getting bored. The after school program is wonderful with a lots of varied actitivites for the students to get involved in. We have a daughter starting WIA in the Fall and we are excited about what the future holds for both of our children.
—Submitted by a parent

When choosing students in the lottery they use a pick out of a hat method ("random"). Most charter schools use a number method to curb cheating. When they were choosing the students in the lottery names came out of the hat twice. When confronted, the administration said it must have been an error due to a online application and a mailed in application. This is ridiculous. In addition there were students who applied who were not called . Students who were miscatagorized. I have to say the administration seems to be very disorganized.
—Submitted by a parent

Wesley International Academy, under the leadership of Principal Bradley, the BOD and PTA is an excellent school for those seeking a rigorous curriculum, a world view through International Baccalaureate curriculum, daily Mandarin Chinese instruction and the opportunity to be involved as a parent. Our children have attended their entire elementary schooling at WIA and the school is meeting our expectations and needs. We look forward to even better days ahead now that the Charter has been renewed for five years, the parent led BOD has authority and a solid Principal is in place implementing best practices. We recommend this school
—Submitted by a parent

Incredibly unique and amazing school! You can t find any other free school in Atlanta that provides daily Chinese, International Baccalaureate curriculum, and a single gender setting. Our family has been a at Wesley since it s 1st year, 6 years total. Although the Chinese, parent involvement, and instruction has always been high quality for us, the leadership and facility have grown and changed for the better. We look forward to even more changes and improvements as we matriculate through 8th grade, especially in regards to expanding the facility. There is no other Atlanta school we would consider. My child thrives and excels at Wesley, learning so much every day and building skills to become a lifelong learner, researcher, inquirer, and innovator!
—Submitted by a parent

We have been a part of the Wesley International family for four years now. Our daughter is in the third grade and our son is in kindergarten. I love sending my kids to this school every day, knowing that they are receiving an excellent education in a warm community with an international perspective. I love that many of our parents are first or second generation in the US. For our four years at the school, the school has had wonderful teachers, the city's best public school foreign language program, and a lovely parent community. The school now also has become a truly independent local charter with great leadership in our new principal and AP.
—Submitted by a parent

I am pleased with WIA. The expectations are set high and that's what our children need. They are taught from an early age to be independent thinkers and problem solvers. My daughter has been enrolled at WIA since kindergarten and her teachers are all great. The work load is very demading but so is life! Great job WIA...
—Submitted by a parent

We were unsure of whether or not to send our daughter to Wesley. In the past, there was a lot of shake up with "management," upper level administrators, etc. I am pleased to say that so far, we are THRILLED with WIA. Parent/teacher communication is exceptional, parents, teachers, and students alike are engaged. The new principal seems excellent...so far. Work load is challenging, but rewarding. Overall, a great environment.
—Submitted by a parent

Very disappointed in the communications within the school to the parents. Teacher/parent communication can be improved tremendously. Hopefully, the expectations of the new principal will make a difference. My opinion is based on one year only.
—Submitted by a parent

The issues of the past are taking care of themselves and the school is looking for a bright new future. Now that Imagine is gone perhaps more money will be pumped into programs and education.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended WIA for two years now. He will be entering 2nd grade next year. We have been very pleased with Wesley. Academically and socially, it really has surpassed our expectations. The curriculum is challenging and my son is very engaged in a positive way. He tells me he loves his school always wants to attend Wesley! We've had very positive interactions with his teachers and administration, and have no problems communicating concerns with them. I look forward to watching my son's progress as well as watching Wesley grow.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of three children who attends IMW. This is our 3rd year here and it has been extremely hard and challenaging for me. I found the school to be very unstable with keeping teachers and principles. The expectations that IMW have for our kids, in my opinion is to pass certain state tests verses instilling college readiness, structure, discipline, along with education. There are some very good teachers at IMW which keeps me here. It would be an A+ if they could have more male teachers to help keep our 3rd grade boys under control. I just would like to see a more structured environment.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school with world experiences. I have been a parent of WIA from the beginning. There have been changes, ups and downs. But I think highly of the school. The fact is no matter the changes the school experienced, my son felt no effect and neither has his education. I am a military kid and I would not be able to give my son the experience of the world and other cultures and thought processes as I had without him being at this school. I see the relationship with this school very similar to a marriage. The first 5 years you are still working on a system, getting to know eachother and how to make the relationship work. In the end, it is all worth it. My son will continue and I plan on having my daughter attend as well. The principal WIA have now is just what WIA needs.
—Submitted by a parent

IWIA Board Member Comments: Part 1 of 2 Hello, I am a Board Member for IWIA, a parent with 2 children at IWIA (with a 3rd child in K next year), and a local business attorney. Charter Status: We are not in jeopardy of losing our charter. Our charter is for 5 years and 2011 will be our 5th year. I am very confident that our charter will be approved. We recently submitted an application for an amendment to our charter and APS approved it in November 2010. There has been no indications from APS or otherwise that suggests that IWIA will not have its charter renewed next year. Imagine Relationship: We recently amended our charter to have our school governed by an independent non-profit Board. As a result, the new board negotiated arms-length contracts with Imagine, who is a for-profit management company. Because we are a non-profit, we cannot have the name of a for-profit company in our school name - the IRS will not allow tax exempt status for promoting a for-profit company. Therefore, we will change our school name to Wesley International Academy (WIA), but we still have a contract with Imagine even if there name will no longer be a part of our school. (cont. in Part 2)

IWIA Board Member Comments: Part 2 of 2 Imagine's Image: As a board member, we are fully aware of the issues surrounding Imagine in our state as well as nationally. Despite their public relations, Imagine and our non-profit board have a good working relationship. At the end of the day, we feel secure that our school's relationship with Imagine will not serve as a detriment to our charter renewal or as a deterrent for attracting good students and parents. Teachers: My children have been at the school since the inaugural year, and I have all the confidence in the world in our teachers. Our school has culture of community where students, parents and teachers work together, often times in off hours, to volunteer and enhance the educational experience of IWIA children. The Board of Directors supports our teachers wholeheartedly and will continue to do so. In sum, our newly formed, independent Board of Directors is in a strong position to manage the school and the issues that arrive. Furthermore, I fully expect that the comments on this site going forward will reflect our commitment to excellence. Thank you for your attention. David M. Walker, Esq. IWIA Board of Director

I am a parent of two current Wesley students. The BOD has been clear with the direction of the school and has been very open to answering questions regarding the recent changes (i.e. establishing the board, changing the name etc.). Thus far we have been very pleased with the level of teaching our children have received, how the IB curriculum is implemented in every day teaching and the strong Chinese Department. Both of our children are happy there. We also feel secure our school will not close and will not be affected by the APS accreditation problems. Our classroom numbers will remain at 22 students/class unlike other school where there are no limits on the # of students allowed per class.
—Submitted by a parent

I am getting concerned that parents aren't being told the whole truth about the behind the scenes workings of this school. I have also heard from teachers and from a friend who works at the APS offices that the school is in danger of not being renewed next year because of Imagine Schools. Teachers say it too but if you ask anyone official they all say that isn't the case. I believed that it was just a rumor but in the last year there have been some really bad press for Imagine around the country and now I just saw that the Georgia Charter School Commission reviewed one Imagine school for renewal and one for a new school opening and both of them got a recommendation to deny the charters. On top of that, I saw tonight that the IWIA board is taking off the word Imagine in the school name. I may not have inside scoop but I do know that 2+2+2=6 and if teachers are saying the future of the school is in doubt because of Imagine, the Commission is rejecting 2 Imagine schools and the board is dropping Imagine from our name, the people with the scoop obviously know something they aren't telling. Didn't Dr. Hormes's old school get rid of Imagine? Is there a plan to do the same for WIA?
—Submitted by a parent

To the IWIA board member, as a parent I have been worried about the fate of the school given the rumors here and some of the national bad press for Imagine Schools. I can not attend board meetings because of my work schedule. It would be really helpful if they could be posted on the web site. There have been no updates on the minutes since March of last school year and I know there has been a lot of important things happening. It would help address rumors if those minutes would get posted on the web site. Communication is something I think needs to be improved across the board for the whole school. When I asked a teacher about the rumor she said she didn't think it was going to close at Christmas but she didn't think the charter would get renewed when it is back up for review either so she still thought the days were numbered. What is being done about that to keep it from happening?
—Submitted by a parent

Rumors about IWIA closing are NOT true. I'm a member of the IWIA school board, and I suspect I might have heard something about this outside an internet forum. I don't know where/how this rumor got started, but it is a complete fabrication.
—Submitted by a parent