Belle Chasse Academy

We recently moved to Louisiana and had great fears of what type of education our children would receive. We found that Belle Chasse Academy academic standards and extracurricular activities surpass those of other schools my kids have attended in VA. The staff is open to parent's concerns and if a problem arises they act on it.
—Submitted by a parent

I love BCA my son has done nothing but excel from 1st-2nd grade, unfortunately we are being relocated to another state, but If I could I would love to stay in Louisiana just because of the school. I love that they wear uniforms, and that homework is assigned every night. I would recommend this school to any parent.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two girls, and we have Been at BCA from K-3rd. I Love this school. The administration is wonderful, they reach out, very receptive, and they encourage parent involvment, the communication is great. Any concern or issue has been addressed quickly and resolved up to my satisfaction. No school is perfect, but if you have concerns, they are resolved quickly, the faculty really cares about the kids. It's a very warm, loving environment with rigourous academics. Definetly fair share of homework. But the quality of education is excellant. Your student will cross over to another state or school without missing a beat. I have really enjoyed our time here and would happily recommmend it.
—Submitted by a parent

Nice environment, entheuatic teachers, good amount of homework and parent's involvement. Even kindergarteners learn Spanish by a bilingual teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended BCA since the doors opened. He is now in the 8th grade and about to graduate. BCA's educational program is no better than any of the other public schools in and around Belle Chasse. The only benifit to BCA is the security and smaller class sizes.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent School. My children attended BCA for 4 years before I became a faculty member, and we have always loved all that BCA has had to offer, GREAT asset to the base! It's a private school feel in a charter school setting.
—Submitted by a teacher

My daughter attended Pre-k here and now she is in Kindergarten. I absolutely love this school. Having the security of base. The education of the teachers, friendly staff and the amazing education. there are no other schools to compare to unless you are talking a 4000 dollar private school. My daughter loves the school and teachers. She is always asking on weekends can I go to school today? They are strict which being in todays world I feel that is what our children need. To be held accountable for their actions. If there is ever a problem I feel I have one on one attention. What other school can you have coffee with the principal on a regular bases. The student ratio is actually low so I feel they get more attention. All in all if you are looking for a great school look here first!!!
—Submitted by Michelle Naegeli, a parent

I've read some pos & neg posts on here and all have some merrit. My kids did great for two years in this school and still ask to go back. Some parents complain about the leap, but then forget that they just transfered in and the teachers aren't miracle workers. If your child is behind already when they get there they can't fix every child. My experience is that the children who don't pass are the parents who do the most complaining. As for the Math yes they be a little behind. When my child finished 3rd grade they hadn't done times table and so now in 4th grade at a new school he did struggle a little. But over all this is a awsome school for that area....especially now.
—Submitted by Dawn, a parent

My children have never been to a school that has held them accountable for thier learning and actions. Everyone is there to help... From the office staff to administration and they actually follow through...Kudos to jane dye and her faculty
—Submitted by a parent

I recently moved to Louisiana and had great fears of what type of education my children would receive. I have found Belle Chasse Academy SUPERIOR to other schools my children attended in Texas. The administration is always open to parent's thoughts and ideas and actually acts upon them. The office staff is always helpful, and the teachers are the best. Any military member interested in enrolling thier children somewhere else should definilty make BCA their school of choice.
—Submitted by a parent

I would like to address comments that were posted in the past. First of all, the school is not academically backwards. The entire curriculum is not only academically challenging, but also researched based. I am impressed with the Direct Instruction Reading program, which has been in effect for 30 years and is currently in use in thousands of schools across the nation. The math program is also researched based and students are taught in increments so they understand the process. I was appalled by the complaint that the school has structured PE & not recess. Recess is often a nightmare because without structured play students are more likely to become injured. If you are thinking about enrolling your child at BCA, I challenge you to shop around & spend a day in each school you have in mind. You ll see for yourself that BCA shines above the rest!!
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school! I am sorry that others don't feel the same. There have been many times that I have gone to Mrs. Dye, Mr. Smith, as well as the Board of Directors with concerns regarding my children's education and discipline and I have always felt like I was being heard. My children have all grown academically as well as socially since they have been at BCA. Also, regarding the previous posts about the PTO. The PTO is very interested in our children's education. The volunteers who make up the PTO are very interested in and concerned about the quality of education their children receive. They are NOT a forum for discipline or staff issues. That is a correct statement. Please check out the website for information about BCA's curriculum and other programs the school offers. www.bellechasseacademy.com My children love BCA as much as I do.
—Submitted by a teacher

The school is great. We evacuated during Hurricane Katrina to Texas, and our children were way ahead. Curriculum choice is excellent, extracurricular activities are superior, and administration is great.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. Academics/extracurricular activities are all a plus.
—Submitted by a parent

My family and I recently moved to the N. Virginia area. My children attended BCA for three years, and despite my initial fear of my children being behind on the academic curve, I have found it to be the very opposite. All my children all flourishing in the VA ed. system and at the beginning of the 2005-2006 year were ahead academically. The teachers and staff at BCA did a great job teaching my children. And even despite the hurricane disruptions, they still ask to go back to BCA. Academics, spirit and a sense of community is what BCA is all about.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has so many of these families snowed that have written reviews below. I guess BCA really does have a great PR dept. BCA is so far backward academically that I'm afraid that some of these parents have been at BCA far too long and don't know what else is available for their children. The administration will tolerate you if you are in agreement with them concerning the present functioning of the school. It is when one attempts to elicit change that the trouble starts. I was also told that the PTO was not a forum in which to complain, so I guess those parents heavily involved with the PTO are more concerned with the fundraising, not improving the academic and/or discipline problems at the school. If you are looking for a babysitting service, I guess you will find BCA marginally acceptable--but not when it comes to educating our future.
—Submitted by a former student

I think that this school is still a work in progress. The office staff can be a bit nosey. The teachers my son has had grades k-2 have been great. I always have my questions answered and all of them have welcomed me into the classroom at any time. (I have been in several times)
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at BCA for a year, and looking forward to the second. It's a great school, that may have had growing pains earlier, but we like what we see now. Teachers, administration, and office staff are freindly and open. Curriculum and extra curricular activities are very good.
—Submitted by a parent

I can't believe the arrogance and ignorance of some of the previous posts. My child has been at BCA for two years now. My wife and I are active in the PTO. This is a three years young school, but it's very good and only getting better. Administration is not jaded and willing to listen, teachers care, curriculum is good and improving, and extracrricular activites abound.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with other parents that involvement in any school is the key to your children's success. We transferred from an elementary school that had very high expectations from it's students, as do we. (military transfer) My children were bored at this school. Upon asking the teachers for more challenging work, nothing became of this. I didn't want my children to be behind when we leave Louisiana, so we transferred them to BCP. This was a great decision. The academic level is significantly higher & we felt very welcomed by all the staff. The class size is much smaller as well. This school has recess, too. Children need that time everyday to be kids & have fun. If you are living at NSA and can't afford private school or can't home school, this may be the best school for you. The Algiers area is dangerous & the schools are substandard.
—Submitted by a parent