Citizens Academy Elementary

My child attended CA 2005-08, the staff and teachers were great in meeting with me and my child about our concerns. However, they did not value the fact that children are individuals and have different personalities. The staff called me at work almost daily for trivial things such as my child took someone else's pencil and used it. My child was challenged in reading but not so much in math.
--Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter's first year at CA and she's on her third homeroom teacher and her math and literacy teacher is going on maternity leave until May. The school has great potential but some of the challenges are disconcerting. Additionally, computer is listed as a class but most weeks they don't have it but we can give computer instruction at home but they shouldn't list it if they aren't eqipped to truly offer the instruction. These inconsistencies are troubling but we're 'hanging in' for now. Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray...
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter go's to C.A.E and so does everyone of my little cousins, that equals up to seven. C.A.E is a school you have to everyone you know about it, all the kids are so advanced, there's no fighting, you can see the respect with the teachers and the kids. I do agree with(Extracurricular Activities).
--Submitted by a parent

my daughter has went to Citizens Academy for three years now. I love the staff and teachers her grades have not dropped since her transfer and she is much happier in this environment. The school focuses on teaching them what they need to go to college and skills for the rest of their lives, not just to pass the state tests. I have a child in the Cleveland School Systen and others in another charter school, I wish that Citizens Academy went farther than the 5th grade.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a former CA student. My son attended the 2006-2007 shcool year there in grade K. We relocated away from the Cleveland area where he of course attended that areas local school. What a major difference between the things he learned at CA compared to what he wasn't learning at the new school. Things he'd done in his kindergarden class at CA were unheard of at the new school. They (the new school), were teaching the children as if they were in head start. I took it upon myself to take some of his class work I'd saved from CA to show the new teacher. Her comment was that 'their curriculm didn't call for advanced work. Advanced! hum. This was regular everyday work for CA. Quality, FREE, education, on the level of a tuition based curriculm! An exceptional example of what education should be. Barbb Davis
--Submitted by a parent

Last year, I was contracted to teach W. African Dance classes at Citizen's. I was so impressed with the discipline, respect, focus and exceptional commitment of both the students and the parents, that I enrolled my two children in the school this year- K and 5th. My son left a suburban school to enter this one with his little sister. They both love it, and so do I. The school is the epitome of what education in the US should be, I should know, as I am an educator as well. I am a proud CA parent!
--Submitted by Sista Jewel Jackson, a parent

I am a proud member of the Citizen's Academy family. My fourth grader has attended C.A. since kindergarten. She has had highly effective, caring teachers, who care for the individual child as well as the collective student body. The staff, which includes a full time psychologist & social workers, go to great lengths to ensure each child has a chance to reach his/her full potential. With changes in curriculum & a new commitment from everyone, proficiency scores have risen & can compare with some suburban schools. Yes, we have a uniform policy. Marva Collins, the great educator, subscribed to the idea that formality establishes a tone & decorum that encourages students to see a school, regardless of it's setting, as hallowed ground, a place for learning. My child proudly dons her uniform daily, and her creativity has not been stifled one bit. It's also more economical for me!
--Submitted by a parent

Having only attended an open house, I was pleased with the physical appearances of the classrooms and the curriculum. However, I was terribly disappointed that while they claim to promote character and citizenship, they force children to wear uniforms in a public school. As an American, freedom of expression does not warrant stifling my child's creativity by being required to look like everyone else in order to learn. Sadly, this school (and some other charters) believe and instill that it's really what's on the outside that counts.
--Submitted by Quelina Jordan, a parent

Citizens' Academy is a wonderful family-oriented school! Our school truly puts education first. We just implemented a new math and reading program. Next year, we will begin the new science program. Proficiency scores are on the rise. I'm excited and delighted to be a part of the teaching staff here at C.A. -Staci McDaniel, Math & Science Coordinator, K-5
--Submitted by Staci McDaniel, a administrator

Citizens Academy is a breath of fresh air compared to most other choices in Cleveland, OH. They are very organized, they allow parents to participate at every level. My child is proud of his school and I am proud of him.
--Submitted by a parent