Aurora Charter School

Aurora Charter School has a very good reputation within the community it serves. The school enrollment continues to grow each year. The students feel safe and nutured. The parents are very satisfied with the school. The parent committee plays a big part in getting other parents involved. The school board is made up of parents, teachers and community experts. It is an excellent learning and working environment.

The review "part of Aurora school for many years" says it all. The strategy of the administration is to divide and conquer. Each parent is told that they are all treated the same, and they are the only ones who complain. No parent groups are allowed, no directory of students is given, all to make sure that parents don't try to stand up to the autocratic regime. Parents are told that there are many schools they can choose from for their children if they don't like it. "...it does not give anyone permission to speak badly about it..." This is also the position of the principal. You can speak only to her, she is dismissive and abusive, and forbids you to speak with other parents or organize a meeting with them. You are told that it's all you, and that nobody else agrees with you. Sadly, it is hard for most of the students to leave, because they have a difficult time with schools that teach in English. After 4th grade, though, most students are gone.
—Submitted by a parent

I would not recommend working at this school. The director abuses her power and intimidates staff. She punishes unfairly; one time the alarm went off because I had not properly taped students' work to the wall. She canceled my class's field trip because of MY mistake, even after I offered to pay the fine for it. She said it was a better consequence for me. Poor kids.
—Submitted by a teacher

I would recommend this school to everyone. The vision of the school is first rate to all children. When the school exspanded to a middle school I was elated knowing my son could grow with the program. The hard work in keeping my son engaged to learn is amazing. I hope more schools could be like this one.
—Submitted by a parent

I woul not recommend this school. The principal abuses of her power, when parents come to see the school and know about the system, she treats them in a very kind way, but as soon the kid is enrolled she starts changing rules, giving more homework and pushing too much students who are in lower level, she doe not really know how to be close to latino culture. This is not a school it is just a family bussinessess, almost all the prncipals family receives a salary, some of them for doing nothing.
—Submitted by a parent

I would not recommend this school. The principal is too strict. My son was enrolled in preschool at age 4. I personally had to drive across town to get my son to school at 7:50 am, when the program listed says school starts at 8:00am. They have a zero tolerance for any tardiness, and god forbid you forget your cell phone one day when they happen to want to get a hold of you. She talks over you, not allowing you to explain.
—Submitted by a parent

The school provides students with a well structured learning environment to develop knowledge, values, and attitudes. This school really cares about the students and parents to support learning processes according to the community needs.

Very unorganized. Extremely rude staff. Poor quality of education. High turn over rate of instructors. I would not recommend this school to anyone.

This is a wonderful growing school full of staff and teachers who really care about their kids. They are focused on academic performance. Although their staff is some of the best i've seen, it is the overall attitude of the students that is most impressive. The students are uniformly kind, sweet and very serious about school. The lack of extracurricular activities is only a function of the size and age of the school. Next year the school opens another building to accommodate the new junior high grades. I only have experience with the younger grades and although English is only formally taught a couple times a week, by the end of first grade the students already have a good grasp of spoken English.
—Submitted by a parent

The inclusive bilingual approach practiced at aurora charter school is successful at achieving academic bilingualism in all of its students. I have had the pleasure of volunteering with a class of fifth graders, and have been continually impressed by the student s abilities to speak, read, and write in both Spanish and English. There is no reason why this same method should not be used more widely throughout the Latino community, and any other community dominated by language minority students. It is ignorant to attack this approach in regard to its ability for cultivating English proficiency. For children who are not native English speakers, it is absolutely necessary to acquire basic linguistic skills such as reading and writing in their first language in order to develop essential cognitive abilities that will allow them to become proficient in a second language.
—Submitted by a staff

I had the chance to visit Aurora Charter school when I was in Minnesota. Aurora has a great institution with a great staff. Aurora's students learn spanish and english at the same time. I have nothing but good things to say about Aurora.
—Submitted by a parent

This school does not have the best interest of students as the main goal. While attempting to maintain a fluency in Spanish, the administration has limited the English instruction making it virtually impossible for all but gifted students to become academically fluent in the English Language. Students are not allowed to be taught to read in English until Third Grade and do not have a native English speaking teacher until Fourth Grade. Children are often placed in lower grades if their Spanish language skills are not deemed at grade level. Staff turnover is extremely high due to an administration that refuses to positively support and listen to their teachers. Parents looking for bilingual education should look elsewhere as this school does not prepare students to be academically successful in the English speaking world.
—Submitted by a parent

Emphasis on academics. Pre-K through Grade 4 in new facility, will add 2 more grades 2004-2005. All classes but English taught in Spanish. Class size small. FT teacher aide for each class. Children wear uniforms. Strict behavior standards - children expected to be respectful to each other and adults, punctual and responsible. All homework must be completed on time. Free weekend tutoring available. Very supportive environment for families. School actively networks parents with community resources. Instructors and staff are dedicated and friendly.
—Submitted by a parent