American Renaissance Academy

I wish I could give this school a "5" star. They have the potential but lack in many areas. Many teachers there lack the skills educators should possess, including elementary or early childhood education degree's that focus on foundations of education and educational psychology. The administration is ran by 2-3 employee's the rest is parent volunteer's. Teacher turnover is extremely high, Student turnover the same. Your child will have homework no matter what they advertise. All school year long you will be required to pay more fee's so don't account for just the base 12K tuition. It really adds up. It seems your child's education is not the #1 priority there. The school does not have a base curriculum individual teachers do. I have noticed with the males in the school not many of them stay more than two years. There is no Principal they have a CEO who is a parent to 4 children there 3 students and 1 teacher. Until the school can operate more professionally I would have to recommend you do not enroll your child there. It seems convenient with the long hours but your child s education,well-being, and your money should be highly taken into consideration.
--Submitted by a parent

I not sure what school this person is going to but it sure is not the ARA my kids attend. My children are in the best shape ever from a well structured PE program ( they love the swimming pool). They love thier teachers which truly make us all feel like we are ohana. I have see the staff posting for lunch duty on the wall in the cafeteria daily so I not sure if this so called parent even truly has kids at the academy. As for the curriculum I did my research before my kids attended and it has all the required subjects and mapping you can expect from a top notch college prep school and more! As for leadership we at ARA have a CEO as the head of our school and if you are truly a parent with kids here you would know that is the case. Maybe you should attend ARA for real like my children because my kids do there homework in learning lab at school and don't forget to get it done! Sorry Charlie ARA is the best $$$$$ I have ever spent !!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

100% of the graduates are going to four year universities. Great job ARA! My daughters class mate is a senior and she got her acceptance letters this week from her top two picks. Her first pick gave her a academic scholarship for over ten thousand dollars! Her parents just found how ARA education pays dividends. Last years grads all got accepted to universities as well and all together received over a million dollars in grant and scholarships. I can only dream when my daughter gets her letters from the top universities. Keep up the good work ARA!!
--Submitted by a parent

Save your $$$ - The last two reviews are most likely wrtten by the ARA staff. Here are some truisms: The PE program is just silly - my kid runs around in circles; The school doesnt have a principal; The teacher turnover rate is extremely high - they dont want to stay; There is no teacher supervising my child during lunch - just parent volunteers (what if a student chokes); curriculum - not sure there is one; Teachers are all very nice, in hindsight, I should have done my homework.
--Submitted by a parent

One of the reasons why I chose to send my children to ARA was their small class size and their teaching philosophy. After years of homeschooling my children, my family decided we wanted to put them in a school setting and have been nothing but happy with that decision. We are so thankful to the Administration, teachers and all of the staff at ARA.
--Submitted by a parent

There are many positive things about this school, but there are a few things that could possibly be their downfall. The admin is a joke. For one, there seems to be a parent/volunteer that pretty much controls every aspect of the administration. I have spoken to many families who are wanting to leave because of this one person. Another thing is their Physical Ed. department is a joke. My child has done nothing but run around during pe. There is no structure. There is one sport they have to offer and that is swim. They seem to have no plans to enter into the ILH. The P.E teacher has yelled and degraded my child to the point that they have been in tears. My child is afraid to say anything because of getting yelled at by the P.E. teacher. But there are good things. The education has seemed to improve, majority of the teachers are great. As soon as you walk in the door the Auntie/Recep greats each person/child as if they are the most important person that has walked through. If it wasn't for her and some of the teachers quite a few families would have already left the school. If ARA gets their admin in order and get rid of a few people then it could be a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

From a students standpoint, I have to say it's the best school I've been to. Unlike the other schools I've been to, where there are so many students that you are 1 out of 300/400 students, the school is small enough that every teacher knows your name, and every student knows each other. Not only do the student know each others names, but the school prides itself on being like a family. I like being able to walk into any classroom and be able to hang out with a group of friends, regardless of grade. I've been there for 2 years and am starting my third tomorrow, I can't wait to go back.

I would think twice about sending your child to this school. The made promises to my family about the education my child was recieving and the opportunities they would have going here and there was no follow up. The only teachers that I did enjoy decided to leave because of the overall school atmosphere. I ended up paying for the computer teaching my child instead of a teacher and that was only if the teacher was even in the room. I would've been better off keeping my child in a public school.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of two children that attend ARA. We love the school! I agree that there were issues with few of the staffs, but there were also issues with few parents who were never satisfied. From my understanding, the staff members with issues will not be returning. I admit, I am looking forward to a new school year without the same parents whining about this or that. Good luck to the new school that have them. I feel that my children will grow at ARA with the new staff and new attitude the school has. As parents, we feel our children are learning and have positive attitudes about the school and curriculum. I understand sports is an issue, but ARA is still a new school and we are hopeful the sports program will be fully developed in time. ARA is a good fit for our kids. It is unfortunate that it wasn't for some. We love the teachers that are staying and look forward to the new changes.
--Submitted by a parent

To the best of my knowledge I have never heard anything bad about the Performing Arts side of ARA, but until the school gets its ducks in a line they will not receive my approval. The school does have some very strong teachers, but with the few good apples there is a few very nasty snakes. I have never heard of so many disgruntle teachers, parents and even students. Some parents have even removed their students from class mid year. The school is attempting to run like a business and it is struggling. Learning is not number one students are allowed to walk over teachers and when trouble hits watch out because fingers will be pointed to advert blame from ARA. The sports programs are limited. Many teachers have chosen to leave, along with many students. Directly from a parents mouth " If I'd known I would have saved my money." This school has potential, but needs a new approach at management to be beneficial for its students. Something must change or this school will fall apart, thats saying that it already hasn't? Good luck and tread lightly.