Astec Charter Middle School

I just love this school. Like other schools it is not only about state testing it is about teaching kids practically about science math and reading. I wish all the schools were like this one. The kids are not misjudged and are welcome no mater where they come from. Each class has its own computer lab which is great as my kid gets access to everything under supervision. I wish there were more schools like this one around the city. My youngest one just started school wish there was an elementary school too...Love the school and the new concept of education they have.
—Submitted by a parent

Very important to note that ASTEC is considered an inner city school and all that implies is true. (Dr. Deskin confirmed that in a TV interview.) The middle school was much less out of control than the high school. If I were considering enrolling my child, I would take a very strong look at almost any other charter school. Most of the students are from low income families. That is not a problem unless you think you are enrolling a child in a school that emphasizes college prep.
—Submitted by a parent

If I could hodld of a class/school schedule I would hold this up as a 5 star.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a student at ASTEC. I honestly believe the education was VERY sub-par. When I moved to a public school, I received a much broader spectrum of subjects and a better learning experience. The experience for me was horrible. I was teased by students AND teachers, I did not always feel safe, and worst of all, I did not feel like 80% of my teachers had any idea what they were doing. I always felt like Dr. Deskin had HER ego in mind, not the student's best interests.

My daughter loves this school and I love the fact that their strict on the dress code, it shows them responsibility, and she has learned alot in this one school year attending Astec, so now she's going on her second year, and she says she wants to go till she graduates high school, I'm very proud of her, and thanks to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school was HORRIBLE my daughter got in trouble many times because she forgot her belt and they treated her unfairly PLEASE everyday she used to tell me the children attending were mean and talking about having sex...If you want your kid to be around that then this is the school for you.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended ASTEC for 2 years, I just signed the pre-enrollment for his 3rd year.I do not live near this school, I drive a very long way to take him to ASTEC everyday.We absolutely love this school! I do wish they had an elementary school, so that I could get my 2 younger children out of 'normal public schooling'.The teachers are great, the staff are wonderful and the kids treat the adults with respect. I don't mind paying for the afterschool programs, my son enjoys them.The uniform strictness is awesome.We plan to enroll our other 2 kids as soon as they are old enough and my son wants to stay in ASTEC even through high school...
—Submitted by a parent

i love astec the teachers rock go comet
—Submitted by a student

My Child has been attending this school going on his 3rd year. We love the Principal, Assistant Principal, Teachers and Staff, they really want the students to achieve, we plan to stay here through high school. GO COMENTS!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is excellent my child & i love it
—Submitted by a parent

Awesome school, great teachers and administrators! State of the art technology and eager students. You Rock!
—Submitted by a parent

I find the staff and leadership at this school to be extremely caring and hard working. I have had great success here with my child.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended ASTEC for 6th and 7th grade. 7th only because I couldnt get him into another charter school. Academically I feel its lacking because they dont have enough text books to assign every student. All the work is done in a classroom setting except for a few projects now and then. In my opinion this does nothing to prepare them for college where all of their work will be outside the classroom. Uniforms are good to a certain degree but this school carries it to rediculous. when a child is being suspended for not wearing a belt.. the message is 'Your appearance is more important to us than your education'. Would ISR and afterschool detention not be a better route for this problem? Lunch program leaves much to be desired as do the after school activities. Save this one as a last resort before public school.
—Submitted by a parent

If you are looking for 'safety' compared with other OKC schools in the vicinity you could do much worse than astec - but if you are looking for something in the way of advanced education, as the name implies (advanced science and technology education center) - you better keep looking. There are NO 0.advanced science courses at this school and there is one high school technology center and the courses are not advanced at all. The name implies one thing, the curriculum tells you another - at the best it is a lie to call itself 'advanced' at worst it is flat out fraud to call itself that. Also, as parents we should be asking why has there been so much turnover at this school??? Administration turns over almost yearly!

The school has not alot of student activities. The after school programs are not normal after school programs. The uniforms are hard to find. The principal I dont think fits the job as the one of the 05-06 school year did. The lunch consists of only pizza which looks reheated. If i had a choice i would not come to this school
—Submitted by a student

This is a bad school with no good after school activities. It is not challenging. It is also way to strict. Uniforms are no good and hard to find. This school doesn't have many free dress days. Lunch doesn't have many good options either, pizza everyday is just not good. Don't send your children here.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers challenge their students. It has been a challenge to gain parent cooperation in support of their students, for parents to provide study time, nutrition, sleep management and other resources at home for students to be fully prepared for classes. ASTEC Charter School strives to unite home and school environments to assist our students succeed in everything that they do.
—Submitted by Glenda Effinger, a teacher

This school is not challenging, many of the teachers don't explain and simply tell you to do something. There are also absolutely no good after school programs theres soccer and a few other things but its stupid. The people that are kind of struggling in classes are put in after school Click-and-Learn and it is the stupidest thing ever. You learn absolutely nothing and sit there and click stuff like addition and when were in 8th grade and it's so pointless.
—Submitted by a student

After attending Astec for 6th and 7th grade - I withdrew my daughter and enrolled her in another school. She read one book total in 6th grade English and the child I had in 5th grade which was in accelerated classes dropped to merely mediocre because she was not challenged. There were too many personal agendas and personal opinions being taught. What the administration promised me and what they gave me were two different things. I am only sorry that I wasted 2 years of my daughter's life in this school for what she could have received in daycare, a babysitter. Ms. Goats and Ms. Armstrong were incredible teachers -- and my daughter did gain a lot from them. But I was saddened by the lack of challenge in the classroom. The vision they presented was a great one, but what they delivered was lacking.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attended Astec Middle School from sixth to 8th grade. I have been especially impressed with her accomplishments in Technology. Ms. Armstrong has done a great job in preparing her for the next level.
—Submitted by a parent