Capital Area Academy

Capital Area Academy, still in 2010, has a high turn over in staff. They have huge bullying issues that are completely out of control. Bullying should not be tolerated in any school, but here it is out of control. The curriculum is what is required by the State but it moves so quickly that students move around, on a weekly basis, from one subject to another before they've even comprehenended what the were taught the previous week. Stuffing kids brains full of information without giving the learning time needed to comprehend it, is a complete waste of educational instruction. They don't give enough breaks to their students. They get one break and that is about 30 minutes. 15 minutes for lunch and 15 minutes for recess. Students need breaks. 20 minutes in the morning, lunch recess, and then 20 minutes in the afternoon could make for better pupils.
—Submitted by a parent

2008 I had an intervention student at CAA. CAA has extremely serious issues with bullying and despite parent involvement in presenting possible solutions, the issues were not properly addressed. Teachers are not attentive to the needs of the students, allowing the students to take charge of the classroom. Students are totally out of control and staff allow it to continue. Some teachers demonstrate inefficient qualification to teach in the area of their assignment. Some classrooms were rooms to throw spit balls, horseplay, and bully others. No academic leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

I have sent two children to this school for 3 years while on military duty in Lansing. There has been a constant turnover of teachers at this school for many years. They try hard but are overwhelmed by a large number of unprepared students and parents who take no interest in their children's education. There are no extra curricular activities or for students who need remediation in their weak areas. The school is not as clean as it should be and bullying is a big problem. Falling test scores indicate that this school should be shut down as they seem to be hurting the students academically rather than helping them.
—Submitted by a parent

this school was not helpful at all because now that im in a new school most of the kids learned about some of the math that we are learning about in 7th they learned last year in sixth grade this school has bullying problems
—Submitted by a student

My child has excelled at CAA. The school has a family atmosphere, student achievement, and the students are known by everyone.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers at Capital are excellent! They are great at helping the children at whatever level they are at. The class sizes are small compared to other schools in the area. I feel a great sense of family in the entire school. I have been very happy with the school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has not met the needs of my children in their years there. My oldest child has attended since CAA's beginning, and the school's ability to educate them has steadily declined. This may be related to budget issues, and I believe they are under-staffed, as there are currently about 25 children to each teacher. It may also be contributed to lack of organization, as high staff turnover and changing roles is an issue too. Capital Area Academy has failed to meet my children's academic needs and it has been a very disappointing experience.
—Submitted by a parent