Eagle Ridge Academy Charter School

My child has spent 3 years in middle school at Eagle Ridge. It used to be a smaller school from 6-12th grade only but has now grown to a much larger one starting from Kindergarten - 12th grade. The building has separation between the upper and lower school. It is nice to be able to send all your children to the same school. The positives of the school include young, enthusiastic and dedicated teachers who love their subjects. They really inculcated a passion for arts in my child. The classical curriculum integrates English, history, art and music which leads to better learning. The new House system in the school has potential and I like the uniforms and the discipline. There is a lot of homework assigned but overall it's good for my child. Extra curricular is dependent on student participation and parent involvement which has been little lacking due to school's smaller size. However, they still have some fun activities during the year. The negatives are the ever changing administration and constant staff turnover which does not allow for consistency in the school's goals and objectives and hence overall performance. However, I still recommend the school for arts focused students.
--Submitted by a parent

Previous parents listed the things that they did not like at Eagle Ridge , I would list the same things as poitive: amount of homework, curriculum that is very challenging, teachers that are young and enthusistic, children who are very nice and diverse. Problems that I raised were addressed promptly by the staff. I am so happy with the school, even though my child does not perform very well, but it is due to the fact he was going to regular public school in Wayzata, where grades were not given for hard work, but just for turning assignments on time. My daughter attends Edina schools, and I cannot wait for her to get into Eagle Ridge, because Edina standards do not meet my standards. Children do not learn basics in regular public schools, too much attention given to innovative teaching instead of learning multiplication table by heart. Noo real homework is assigned at regular schools, mainly because parents consider it to be too much. I think the more you solidify what you were taught in class by doing homework, the better you know the material. Overall, I think I had made the best choice: feels likea private school, but without the cost!
--Submitted by a parent

I attended a prep school as a teen. This is NOT a prep school. Standards are lower than honor's classes in local public high schools. High turnover of good teachers. We left due to the administration. Student population was nice. No special ed or diversity.
--Submitted by a parent

I have a long history with ERA, almost since the inception of the school. As the others reviewers have stated there are administrative and staff issues, high overturn of talented teachers, and internal politics. The administrative staff is rude with the exception of the secretary at the lower school, she is a very gracious and professional woman. The school has a focus on its own excellence, not on the individual needs of the students. It is the school reputation that is paramount with the needs of the students put in second place. There is a great deal of "testing" so ERA can statistically "prove" and uphold its reputation. It is a lot of pressure for the kids being continually tested. The school is focused on the wrong prinicipals, such as whether or not a shirt is fully tucked into a student's pants/skirt instead of on the success and expression of the student. Individual expression and talent of students is stiffled and detention is given for absurb reasons. The homework time is generally excessive, taking at least 1-4 hours per night. If your child is exceptionally geared toward academics this may not be the best school for your child.
--Submitted by a parent

(Continuation) The administration is a joke. Staff acted very immature. The former principal interfered in students' personal lives. He'd seperate couples from classes they had together, even if they never caused any problems and really had an interest in that class. He ignored parents complaints on this matter. He personally insulted seniors going to community colleges, even if they were going purely out of financial reasons. You'd hear students screaming at him or come out crying from his office. But they fired him, so the administration should get better. Overall, I am glad I went there. There are good and bad things to all schools. I am a senior and have been attending since freshman year.

Its a really bad school, yes it does challenge students, but teachers are rude, the staff doesnt act mature and the school needs to focus more on what goals the students want toward their future career. Detentions are given for the most absurd reasons, and homework isnt always just 1 to 2 hours. How do our children get the time to start out with a job to learn how to be more independent when school runs from 8 through 315 and plus the extra 4 hours of homework?
--Submitted by a parent

I am disappointed in the school. I hope as the year progresses, I will feel differently. I feel as if this school is average when compared to other classical education/college prep charter schools. I have yet to see anything that sets this school apart as "great". I really wanted to love this school, but it's just average, so far.
--Submitted by a parent

This is our third school and we're here to stay! We can't say enough great things about the staff. A school that holds kids to a higher standard and truly prepares them for college and beyond. We are grateful.
--Submitted by a parent

Eagle Ridge Academy has rigorous requirements for students and an extremely dedicated staff. The education received will provide students a firm foundation for life.
--Submitted by a parent