Academy of Waterford

We tried it this year (2010-2011) we will NEVER return to this joke of a facility. Poor communication, Hostile environment, and Poor Performance all around. I would not recommend this school to anyone. We pre-paid for many events, equipment, and activities and when they were not able to go through, they kept our money with a simple, No money back policy...???? What school does this??? My Son Was Miserable almost from day one. I learned they reward for not fighting, not talking back, and not being hostile...What is that? Reward children for just using common sense...I am appalled at the low expectations of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our 3rd year here. The first year was not quite as good as these last two have been. The Principal and Dean of Students have brought in soccer and cross country to add to our extra curricular sports. Our Principal is also responsible for getting our children Study Island, Brain Pop, Brain Pop Jr. (Spanish versions also) to help in their educational process. All classrooms have Smart Boards in their classrooms which provides interactive use. Homework is sent home daily to help hone their skills. So far, we are very happy with everything that is happening here. We plan on staying till our children are promoted to high school.
—Submitted by a parent

We have going to this school for 6 yrs now it has had its ups and downs but my son spent 4 yrs in pontiac schools and it was horrible. Every school has problems but they have to be delt with. Are school the past year and ahalf has great improvement and as long as we all work together instead of against eachother we can all make a big difference for our children to learn and grow. This is the only school my daughter has ever been to she is very bright. This school year we have new staff and they are doing great.As a parent the problem I see is that parents sign agreements to help sometimes,and that they know we are uniform based school and some dont want to follow the rules. But as parents we should start making a point to have our children start following the rules.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a terrible school to send your children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My daughter went and there was no home work given, the teacher stated she rather do hands on in class and that the home work method doesn't work. The communication is Terrible!! The orginal Kindergarten teacher quit before school started her teachers aid then took her place who also quit 5 weeks later, the parents were never notified I found out through needing to speak with the teacher but she wasn't avaliable, so I had to ask more questions which led to she quit. There curriculm isn't listed online, nor documented for your review the secretary said the principal would be happy to explain it to you if you come up to the school. I can go on and on but I think you get what I'm saying Please don't send your child here go to Public!!! My child is gone!
—Submitted by a parent

My child went to this school. The adminastration was great. My problem is with CSAS. My child was on the stage for 8 months even while gym was going on. It was noisy and they could not concentrate on there studies. The board members always told us from Sept thru Feb. that portables was coming every month but they never came. In Feb they were delivered but it took another 2 months before the kids were in them. CSAS only cares about the money part. They will tell you what you want to hear. The straw broke when they replaced the principal for no reason. I believe if it isn't broken don't fix it. I believe all they want is our money.
—Submitted by a parent

Those of you that have left are really missing out. The school building has had a lot of work done this year. You can walk through and see the floors shining like a new penny. The maintenance that started at the beginning is continuing to improve. You have to remember that the building is an old building and that the only way to get one that looks like Walton Academy is to tear down the old and build a new one. Don't think that will happen! The teachers and staff have continued to improve in so many ways! The Principal and the Dean of Students have been able to minimize the disruptions that have occurred in past years with behavior. There is always room for improvement but everyone is always looking for ways to make learning fun and creative for the kids at all levels of learning.
—Submitted by a parent

I don't want to sound like I'm piling on but the problems with this school are more than just one thing. The school management company is more interested in their fat wallet than in the kids. Profit, profit, profit. That's money that should be going to the classes. Many of the best teachers didn't even come back this year. I guess they gave up too. This year's administration isn't even trying or doesn't care. I'm gone and better off. Enrollment is way down and will probably continue to fall until they have to close and lock the doors.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the other parent posting July 7th, 2007. The school is very much out dated the staff is either unexperience or needs to retire. There is a new principal that seems to be rude, she does not introduce her self; I had to asume that she was the principal, you do not feel welcomed in the program. Yes it is all about $$$$ and no quality, I have withdrawl my kids from the school and place them in the Walton Academy and you really can see the difference, if they were to ask for money I am comfortable with giving because the quality of the school, materials, resources and a welcome attitude always make a difference. Good luck if you are enrolling your kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I worked at the Academy of Waterford. This school should be demolished. Structure wise the building is a health and fire hazard. Low test scores and awful principals. CSAS is for-profit school, so success to them means they take as much money out as possible to pay themselves. Walk around inside of this school yourself, it's a joke. Your kids are being put at a disadvange. If you truly love your children, never send them here. You are better off sending them to pontiac. Trust the public school system. God bless.
—Submitted by a teacher

Hello I am currently a parent of two honors, excellent behaved children. Unfortunately we just recently moved to this area, my children came from well recognized school known for there curriculum NHA academies. Now at this school my children are not challenged, there is chaos all the time.
—Submitted by Blessed One, a parent

It is not the parents responsbility to provide a library, computer lab, experiencne gym teacher, spanish teacher, peer mediator/couselor, adequate space to work in. This was my first and last year, my child is not excelling at all, never has homework, the teach said they do it in class, the teach never uses the board or illustrate anything to display procedures,techniques or just hands on. The teacher teaches from her desk. I am one of those active parent that is not satified with the school at all. The Basketball games are a hour away every game, not convinent at all. You have to be part of the teacher/parent click to get any cooperation. National and regional test scores are low at this school, no reading program
—Submitted by a parent

This school over-enrolled this year with no apparent thought to the problems it would create. There are not enough books to go around for the 7th graders and one of the 7th grade classes has been held on the stage since school started. It's hard to get definitive answers about these issues, even after contacting the board president and the management company. Look carefully before enrolling your child here.
—Submitted by a parent

I like the school. My boys have attended this school since it opened, in fact, one of them graduated from this chief executive school. Now!
—Submitted by a parent