GreatSchools Rating
Teacher quality
Principal leadership
Parent involvement
The way the Dec 31 post characterizes the afterschool options is entirely inconsistent with our experience. Note that the three campuses function quite differently, so this is one aspect in which they may vary. At the Upper Elementary Campus (grades 4-6), the afterschool program (OST = Out of School Time) is run by extremely nice and caring folks who work hard to make it both fun and enriching. My child often asks to be picked up LATER than normal so as not to miss out.
PHA is OK with academics but really lacking in anything extra like field trips, clubs, art, music, PE once a week, and limited sports. They only offer one language, Spanish, and even in high school only offer a couple electives. They spend a lot of energy practicing lining up and entering classrooms. Before 9th grade students have almost no opportunity to interact socially with anyone outside their homeroom other than at recess. Even lunch is eaten with their homeroom. The main after school activity is detention. They have five types. If you are interested be sure to ask a lot of questions. Teacher turnover is very high. The students seem really unhappy and the academics are really driven by standardized tests.
I would absolutely agree with the post from 9/4/12 as to the level of (dis)organization at the school with regard to things such as paperwork and scheduling at the whole-school level. My son is starting his second year at the PHA Upper Elementary, and I've been frustrated by this myself. That said, my frustration on that front is more than made up for by the warm, caring and consistent classroom environment we've experienced. The consistency of expectations across the school has worked extremely well for my son, and we've found the academic challenge comparable overall to our experience with the public schools.
Thoroughly disappointed...My husband and I enrolled not one but both our children here. One is in the Early Childhood Campus and the other in the Upper Elementary Campus. So far we've been given the same paperwork to fill out 4 separate times and rules have been given to students that aren't even enforced by the staff who have created them. But sadly and most devastating - my daughter who enthusiastically applied for a position in a role at school filled out an application as required and ahead of time only to go to an interview that was poorly organized, not on time, and felt ashamed for accomplishments anyone should be more than proud of. My daughter does nothing for recognition but for the innocent satisfaction in success from hard work and an honest desire to make a difference. I feel sorely disappointed in the events that have lead up to today and am already looking for another school for my children. Visit before enrolling and ask lots of questions...good luck to all of you.
As a parent of a student at the elementary school I have mixed feelings about my child's experience at Prospect. The Spanish curriculum is lacking, science equally poor, music was questionable, and the teachers hired for specialties are lacking the quality and education necessary to engage, instruct and propel the students forward both intellectually and creatively. Although the Massachusetts Department of Education does show that Prospect Hill Academy as a whole consists (or consisted of at the time) and over 90% highly qualified teacher rate, my experience with the lower school has proven otherwise. I suggest a necessary shift in lower school leadership, a discerning look at teacher quality, and a focus on improving the school to better serve the children. There are some great teachers at the lower school who go above and beyond their call of duty but it's not enough.
My son started at prospect Hill Academy in January 2011 his in k-2. I'm more than pleased with his progress academically. His doing math, reading, and more. Everyday this little man comes home with somthing new. I'm glad I enrolled him in that school, next year his going to first grade then my second son will entered k-2. Yeah!!!
This is my daugther's first year in this school. (1st grade) They give her class more than one homework per night, and that include weekends. I like it that way, because I know my child is not wasting time learning. I am very proud to see how advanced my daughter is. This school is the Best!!!
This school has all the means for a child to successed in school. They have extra help if needed, they don't waste time. Attention is there for every single member of that school.
I love Prospect Hill Academy Chatter school because is a very good school, very culturally oriented and the majority of students that graduate from this High School go to College.
My child started at PHA with an IEP for a learning disability. Within 2 years she was consistently achieving high honor roll status without any need for SPED support :) She's now in her 4th year, with high self esteem and good friendships with both adults and peers in the PHA community.
WOW! PHA Middle School is truly an excellent school. The quality of the work given to students exceeds what I have seen at the 'best' private schools. This school defies all stereotypes and disparaging statistic relating to 'urban' schools. PHA is top quality.
I have been very impressed with PHA. The leadership shown by Jed Lippard and the school principal is stellar. They are organized and focussed on their goals, as well as caring and supportive. My son has come so far academically and I feel he is being prepared for any challenge ahead. They are now working on improving parent involvement with the acknowledgement that it is one of their weaker aspects.
Pha is a great school for learning, but it is a very strict school.Though we have things like spirit week in april.It's a pretty good school so come join us i guess though i wouldnt be here if i had a choice but its a really great place for learning andfit prepares you for college.
My daughter graduated from PHA three years ago. She is in college right now and is doing pretty well. The quality of education is fantastic. Teachers are well invested in your child's education. School has great ways to engage parents in their child education. The multi-cultural environment allowed my child to understand her classmates's culture and the richness in it.
I went to PHA for all of elementary and middle school. I transfered out to BB&N, a cambridge public school, and felt that I was well prepared for the work load. The diverse environment and the close knit community helped to round out the more priveleged and expansive view of the private school. I feel I am a better prepared for the world having seen both ends of the economic and social spectrum. As long as one is willing to take advantage of the young and enthusiastic teachers and the programs available, PHA is a wonderful place to grow up.
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50 Essex St
Cambridge,
MA 02139
Website: Click here
Phone: (617) 284-7800
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