Alpha Academy

I pulled my kids out of this school (and not in it's infant stages). I understand that kids need rigorous education, but they also need time to just be kids! Being in school from 7:45 to 3:45 then coming home to 3-4+ hours of homework is ridiculous esp in 3rd grade! The teachers are excellent and I know are only following administrative orders but it's way too much. The first step in any child succeeding in their educational career is that they believe they can, and when nothing they do is adequate in the eyes of administration a child feels defeated. They need to find a happy medium... And STOP COMPARING EVERYTHING HERE TO CHINA!!!
--Submitted by a parent

There is so much that goes on that this school. I am surprised nobody else has come on here and said it! Kids curse at teachers. Teachers quit all the time. The students are rude. I had my kids there for a short time and took them right out because it was not the environment I thought it would be! That was NOT when the school was in the infant stages. They need to kick the kids out who don't listen like they said they would do.
--Submitted by a parent

Most of the negative reviews here are from when the academy was still in its infant stages. It's come a long way since then. I have three children attending the academy, and they absolutely love it. The small teacher-to-student ratio allows their individualized attention, and the assistant principal is so involved with all the staff, parents, and kids. Currently, the school is in the process of moving to a bigger location. Also, the curriculum places a lot of emphasis on reading, math, and science.
--Submitted by a parent

My two children attended Alpha Academy during the 2007/08 and 2008/09 school year. I was blown away by the pre-k teacher Miss Rose! She is awsome. I wanted her to teach my daughter through the rest of her school years but unfortunately that was not possible. My second grader struggled a bit with reading, but was encouraged to read as well as keep daily journals. The journaling is something I was not exposed to until I was in Jr. High School. Due to our pcs move my children no longer attend Alpha. I wish I could find a school like Alpha where we live now. We enjoyed this school very much and miss all our friends we made there. Yolanda Moore, Noel, & Joy
--Submitted by a parent

I currently have 4 children attending Alpha Academy. When I first arrived in Fayetteville 3 out of 4 children were attending a local school in our neighborhood. The work was to easy for the children and their minds was not being challenged. I will never forget the day when my son came home and said mommy the work is to easy. At that point I had to figure something out. The doors were open so that they could attend Alpha Academy. Last year was their first year at Alpha Academy and they excelled like never before. Being a part of Alpha takes parents involvement also. Yes the teachers are their but without us as parents ensuring that every need is met the students will lose out. I love the principal discipline. School is a place to learn not a place to have fun and hang out. Education!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Alpha is a small school, and it may not have a fancy football field but it does have a dream that all children can learn together. Gifted kids sit next to children with downs syndrome. Generic test scores in this enviroment are obviously not accurate - what is accurate is that all children learn, improve, and grow. Most of the schools in cumberland county are in need of improvement and they have twice the financial resources this small school does. Many of the students come from other counties as well to be part of the Alpha family. This is a very parent involved school. If you believe your child has potential otherwise unseen, perhaps it can be seen at Alpha.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has been to several different schools in Cumberland County, and with the exception of a few teachers, no one was willing to look beyond my child's disability and see a bright future until Alpha Academy. Other schools used my child's disability as an excuse to not educate him. The staff at Alpha Academy sees my child as a child who can learn if given the right environment. This school provides a positive and encouraging atmosphere where a child can learn and grow. The small classrooms allow for individual attention and decreased distractions. The staff has high expectations for their students and wants them to succeed. Where else could you walk in on a class and find the PRINCIPAL personally tutoring your child? My only complaint is the high teacher turnover. My child has had three math teachers this year. I recommend this school whole-heartedly.
--Submitted by a parent

I am in love with the teachers and staff at the Alpha Academy. True, I wish it had a bigger budget and more modern facilities (specially the middle school) like most of the other public schools have. But for a school with such a small budget, they offer all I can wish for, and then some. The principal is firm but caring. He won t hesitate to discipline the kids if they break the rules, but he ll also reward them when they do good, and is always there if they need him. The teachers are always available to the kids, and will take the time to work with them, and help them learn. My child has blossom there.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is by far one of the worst I have come across. I attended this school because my parents fell for the small classes and 'individual attention'. My teachers kept quitting and I was not introduced science or reading for quite a while. There is no school nurse and there is also no real cafeteria. Students have to bring microwavable lunches or they just don't eat. Also, because of the long wait and limited time to eat, I sometimes did not get to eat as much as I should have and had to go outside and 'play'. This is what went on for most of the day.
--Submitted by a former student

People complain about schools not being supportive of their child's education. I have to say Alpha Academy is a school which cares about the students academics and character. This school has communicated with me concerning what my child is doing. I do not have a perfect child, but I do have a better child since my child has attended this school.
--Submitted by a parent