Cottonwood Classical Prep

CCPS offers a very good liberal arts curriculum. If you want anything more than that (computer applications, technology, well-equipped labs, etc.), this is not the place. If your child is an over-achiever or your family can afford to donate mega $, she ll be treated like royalty. If not, she ll still have access to a good education but as a second-class citizen. Teachers are well-qualified. Most are wonderful, but some are clueless when it comes to relating to adolescents. The school seems to be losing sight of its mission and becoming extremely institutionalized. Instead of encouraging children to be individuals, they are forcing them to fit into a very restrictive mold. Students are encouraged (and even threatened) to snitch on their peers, over the smallest infraction. While this may aid the administration in keeping the upper hand, it fosters deep resentments among the students. The administration consists of bullies who have no respect for the students as people (unless they fit the mold). The teacher turnover rate has been alarming. As I said, most are wonderful, but I think they get fed up with the small-minded, elitist, control freaks in the administration.
—Submitted by a parent

My girls are finishing their second year. Classes are small, teachers care and are engaged. Unlike other schools my children have been in, class time is not wasted on disciplining other children. The girls seem to be challenged but not stressed or overwhelmed.
—Submitted by a parent

Our family homeschooled our children before sending our children to Cottonwood. their commitment to academic rigor is top notch! The popularity and name recognition of the school grows daily and I am proud to tell my friends and neighbors my children are educated at CCPS!
—Submitted by a parent

The people running Cottonwood are elitest, uncompromising and rigid who do not want anybody at their school who might not be the ubiquitious shiny pennie. News for Cottonwood Staff: people like Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Winston Churchhill and Thomas Edison would all have been rejected by this school if they had been judged by their early endeavors. But, if you think education should be oppressive, grueling, boring and ordinary, this is the school for you and your kids.
—Submitted by a parent

It is an amazing school where everyone gets a great education. The school has a wonderful IB program, although it is rigorous, it will truly be of help. The school is close and in the beginning I knew everyone in the whole school but since the school is quickly growing in students you only get to know your own grade. If your child is problematic and drama occurs much you might what to stay away due to the fact everyone is too close-knit to ignore each other. Classes are good and small but sometimes the schedules have problems at the beginning of the year but soon they will fix it. Throughout the years the school has been growing and the IB begins in 11th grade (All other grades are in preparation for IB). This year has been our first Homecoming and we're looking forward to the school's new campus and newest additions. Though many people have complained about our school- the school is continuously growing and learning how to be a great charter school. Our school is one of the top schools SAT's etc etc etc.
—Submitted by a student

This is our first year at CCPS. We are wonderfully pleased with most everything. A sum-what minor thing we have some difficulty with is that they are not very welcoming & although they try to be a community they don't quite pull it off. Somewhat cliquish amongst the adults. If they do not know you they are not very out going & treat you very hmm stern I guess. Want to immediately see your ID & will not allow any body beyond the desk. I understand safety for children but come on there is a happy & safe balance. Maybe we were spoiled at our old school where there were almost 200 students but yet the staff knew who you were, often by name, & families knew each other. This also made volunteering so much easier. Other than that we are very happy.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is very unethical. I won't be enrolling my daugher again next year. Most teachers are great! PE teacher is cruel. We are happy with the friends she has made this year but we will be seeking a school without nepotism.
—Submitted by a parent

I really couldn't be happier. My kids have GREAT friends, the classrooms are small, academics great and the bar goes up every year. I really feel confident my children will be ready for college after CCPS. That is what it is really all about.
—Submitted by a parent

This has to be my favorite school of all time: The classes are small, at about 14 to 20 students in each, so that after one month, you know almost everyone in the school, teachers and students. The classes can be quite difficult, but that's what makes them fun for us, and of course, anyone is willing to help you with as much as much as they can. I love that there is no cafeteria, because we get to sit outside and eat on the unique and beautiful campus, which is right next to the bosque (we go inside during bad weather though). Our classes are just awesome, with great teachers that can teach according to everyone's needs and accommodate anyone that may have fallen behind, or challenge the most advanced students in a way that keeps them learning, no matter their level. The students are respectable and kind, and you would never see someone discriminating against another person for any reason. If someone is being inappropriate or discriminate to another, a warning is given, and with another offence, depending on the severity, they are usually taken from the school and asked not to return. Our principal situation has been shaky over the years, but we are currently at a great one.
—Submitted by a student

Our family is very, very happy with CCPS! Our son is in his third year there, and is learning and growing in his analytical thinking skills, writing abilities, and knowledge base by leaps and bounds. We are so pleased, too, with the fact that the school is a welcoming place for students who might be a bit different from the 'norm,' or who have differences in behavior or learning abilities. Diversity is appreciated and celebrated, and that is something we value tremendously. The school's new director is outstanding, and we couldn't be happier with the job he's doing thus far! Excellent hiring decision!! Overall, a wonderful school, and a wonderful experience for our family.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in his fourth year at Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School and we couldn't be more happy on all levels. Our son always struggled with focus, being still, and being respectful of the teacher's efforts. In the last three years at the school, he has found his voice, confidence, and now respects the role of the teachers and adults at the school. He went from being sent to the principal's office every year of elementary school to being 8th grade class president and getting good grades. We thank those who dedicate so much to the students of CCPS and look forward to our future with them.
—Submitted by a parent

My child will be in 7th grade after completing 6th grade at CCPS. He has never struggled until this year. He realized he had to focus on his work, pay attention to detail and spend the time to complete projects to the best of his ability. This school does not accept mediocre attempts which I love! Yes, there are bumps, but the potential of this school is there and I'm willing to put the work into the school to make it the very best school for my son.
—Submitted by a parent

This has been our first year at the school. Very challenging for our children but they have risen to the occasion. The vision of the school is amazing and they way the students learn is even more amazing; padeia, IB, Socratic discussion. Really making the children think and use their verbal skills. The school is very new and predictably has had some changes and growing pains but my children are happy and I am happy and we plan on continuing at the school. Worth looking into.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at the school since the beginning. First year my student struggled (having been APS trained), second year was a turning point, and now this year he is rising to the top. I am so incredibly proud of him, and honestly feel we made the best decision. I am undoubtedly certain he will be ready for college, and will be very successful. The school has been through some bumps, is currently going through some bumps. However there is a very strong group of amazing teachers, students, and parents that are the backbone of this school and will pull through.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at the school since the beginning. Despite the chaos, we've stayed because of the other children and parents. The academics are good and in the third year, better than they have been. Teachers are better than ever. But we must face the reality of leaving the school because the math and science in the HS will not be what we need to get our child into a top college of choice. The IB program isn't yet up to par. I wish we could stay, but like many other families, we will have to leave and finish the HS years somewhere else. We aren't leaving because of the academic "rigor." It isn't an incredibly challenging school at all. We just wish there was more attention paid to really challenging math and science classes. We also wish the school were more welcoming to parents in ways other than having them come and do work at the school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is wonderful and first rate. The new Executive Director is fantastic and in really improving the school and getting rid of any chaos that remained from our old Executive Director. The academic schedule is rigorous and difficult, and is a real challenge. I highly encourage anyone thinking about entering the lottery next year, or any teachers thinking about working for CCPS to do so.
—Submitted by a student

We have been here since the beginning. We have been very happy with the school, with the rigor of the curriculum, the dedication of the faculty, and the current leadership. It has been through its growing pain, and things have not always been easy, with changes, chaos, and a divided faculty... Leadership change has not been smooth, but I truly believe that we are moving into a more stable, better phase of growth, and look forward to this school finally making the map! The fact that several faculty members left this year was a necessary step toward a more positive and unified front. Many wonderful, dedicated and experienced faculty members remain, and they are to be applauded for being there for their students, not leaving for their own selfishness. I agree that this school is selective in its student population, and is catering to the subgroup of students who have a curious mind and love to learn. Not every school fits every child, and this is not any different. This has been an amazing learning environment for my kids, as well as a nurturing place for them.
—Submitted by a parent

Response to 2/8 parent review. 3 different leaders: Only 3rd year, so personnel flux inevitable. Students from 120 to 240 to 380. Faculty from 8 to19 to >30. CCPS evolving and many LOVE being part of the evolution. Paideia, IB, college prep school turning out real thinkers. 3 teachers resigned: School of choice=faculty take stock of charter and decide whether good fit for long haul. Instructors leave: 5 of first 8 instructors still at CCPS. Great teachers predictably come and go. Academic focus changed: Stylistic differences among faculty account for shifts between didactic, project-based and Socratic instruction. Paideia system allows for this. Teachers ARE using project-based instruction. Greek, Latin & art: 2 Greek teachers, 1 left. 4 sections of Latin; IB Latin new next year. All 6, 7, 8 grades have art; also a thriving IB art class. No upper classes: 30 6th graders needed higher math, so 2 new sections of 7th grade math on 6th grade campus. Watered down: 15-to-1 teacher/student ratio assures each student is known and served. Program is for students who are college bound and want rigor. Overflowing wait list. CCPS a gift to public ed. My kid mid-range and THRIVING.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school and am looking forward to joining the IB program. I like that the students at CCPS get individual attention from the teachers, something that would never be experienced in a public school. Also, we are very close to many teachers. It's great that we know that the teachers actually care about our succeeding in school, and later on, in life. I have to say that some of the teachers are really, REALLY awesome, and others are just average, but I like all of them. I get annoyed, as well as, sad, though, like the majority of my fellow classmates, that teachers leave in the middle of the quarter, semester, etc. We are not given a chance to say good bye or at least get a reason for their departure. The students here come back to school Monday and are told that the teacher will no longer be here. I hope this will change, but overall, I believe that I am receiving the best quality of education that a public school here can offer.
—Submitted by a student

I am very happy that my children have gotten into this wonderful school. The project based curriculum really works great. My kids don't notice how much they are learning. The administration focuses on maintaining an excellent education for our children.
—Submitted by a parent