Christian Life School

I always felt out of place at CLS i did some sports there. When 1st semester was ending I wanted to leave CLS for a better school, beause I realized at CLS there were students cheating. One thing that really blew my mind was in math when i went up to ask for help, she was either on facebook, youtube, or itunes. I asked if i could check my facebook, but she said no because i was a student. Teachers at my public school would never go on the computer, unless it was for class reason. CLS does not have a computer web blocker like most if not all schools do. This allows students to go on any website without being watched. Students would go on facebook or youtube when we were supposed to be writing a paper for english. In Math and English class students would grade their own homework and quizzes, this made it easy for other students to cheat. Many CLS students and teachers think they are better than the public schools. They think they are advanced and that they will be prepared for college. When in reality I was really behind when I went back to my public school. I believe that the public school will get me ready for college better then CLS ever could.

I'm not sure why someone wrote PSEO is not an option. School started 3 days ago and we're glad to be able to take advantage of the part-time PSEO option offered by Christian Life. This way our student can play on the sports teams, participate in drama, and go on school trips while still taking some PSEO courses. Thank you CLS for making this option available.
--Submitted by a parent

Don't believe everything you read. The negative reviews here imply much but once you get to know the administration, teachers, and parents and ask them about the negative things written here, you'll learn the truth. You'll be glad you did because finances are in order, teachers are qualified, and your children will likely love this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Elementary school is good with nice teachers but the middle and high school has issues. They call it college prep but when we were there the students were not given a final exam week, I overheard one teacher say it was too much trouble. I was told teachers were licensed but some I could not find on Mn Dept of Education website. Needs of special kids are not properly addressed. Most teachers did not give out syllabi for their classes. Homework in some of the classes was never graded or looked at. My kids said students would grade each other s papers and yell out the grades to the teacher but some kids would yell out false grades or grades for homework never done. Longstanding history teacher gives quality education and new math teacher is good. But what is most disturbing is when I brought these concerns to the administration, I was met with hostility and an unwillingness to change. Lots of potential if they could get the right people in there, great parental support. I also did not like how large amounts of $ are raised and that fact is well advertised but what is not told to parents is the number of mortgages on the property or the large amount of debt on building.
--Submitted by a parent

Many nice parents and kids there. With administration it is their way or leave. Posititve changes with new high school math teacher.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a former teacher. The kids I taught were wonderful, I miss them very much. There is such great potential at CLS. A little more attention needs to be given to the special needs students there, a little more love and less discipline. I also wish that a group of businessmen/women would form a governing school board and oversee the finances and also be a place to mediate differences between parents and or faculty and administration.
--Submitted by a teacher

I am a former student a CLS school. I stayed for a short period because the level of education and kindness was unsatifactory. Certain teachers would not grade or look at homework, and cheating is a very common occurance in their classes. I remember teachers talking rudely and my fellow students did not except new ones. I felt like an outsider; only had one friend. CLS is not challeging academiclally. Some teachers were more interested in talking about football and cats all hour. Also they also have angst against caltholics that I don't understand. Growing up catholic that is very offensive, and i was not the only one offended. I found the honors progams at the school very easy. One thing i enjoyed was their fun gym class and the woship at chapel was very empowering.

We have been at Christian Life School for 8 years and have 2 children that go there. It has been an amazing experience. Not only do our children love to go there, but we can see what a quality, Christian education does for them on a daily basis. We see them doing fabulous academically and we also see them making some great choices in life, based on what Jesus wants them do. From the caring and well qualified teachers, to the Principal that leads by example, the school and staff far exceeds our expectations. Sending our children to CLS has been one of the best choices we have made and we thank the Lord that He led us there. We are not surprised that God continues to bless CLS with increased enrollment, financial support for expansion, and Godly leadership.
--Submitted by a parent

I thought my kids were getting a good education at CLS, but I was unhappy with how things were dealt with concerning kids who struggle. Their theory was in order to make kids be more responsible they make the child solely responsible for finding the help they need when struggling rather than teachers being more hands on and engaged with my childs progress. After 5 yrs with the same teacher in one particular subject and my child struggling to even pass, I brought the idea up to admin. to implement an outside source just for that subject in hopes it would help. Perhaps that teacher just wasnt the right fit for my child. Instead , of acknowledging that idea , I was sent a list of parenting tips. It appears to me that if your child struggles it is considered a discipline problem from their end. I dont agree. Needless to say, My child has now out of that school and has improved his grade in that one subject by leaps and bounds.
--Submitted by a parent

Before you give a dime ask to see the 3 page summary of financial performance given at the business meeting last summer. Look closely at the figures especially the total long term debt, increase in long term debt, life development fund, and construction in progress. Then ask where the long term debt comes from. Then compare the amount of the long term debt to the amount of the total of the mortgages recorded at the dakota county recorder and see how much principle is being paid on those mortgages. You can check with the city of Farmington to see the costs of building and repair projects by asking for a list of building permits on the property.
--Submitted by a parent