Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School

The teachers at this school are excellent and push your child to be the best that they can be. This school is not for everyone, but if your child needs to be challanged - it's a great choice.

I have been a student here for 8 years, soon to be 9.I don't know how the elementary or middle schools are, but I do know how horrible the high school is. First of all, we start a week earlier than most Bethlehem Area School district schools, we also get out of school at 3:15. But then we have to be bussed home, so I don't return home until 4:15. We have shorter vacations and we get out for summer a week later then the other schools. On top of that, the uniform is ridiculous. You have to wear solid black shoes and they cannot have a logo. We are not allowed to wear converse because of the white strip of rubber around the bottom. They asked to color in the logos on our shoes with sharpie.. Do you know how hard it is to find sneakers with out a logo? And I'm not going to pay $80 for shoes when I have to color on them with sharpie. When you come to the school they tell you that you're going to have a great education and learn with a good group of students. The high school also only has 1 hallway, which makes it very crowded. We are not allowed to carry our bookbags, which could be a pain because it's really hard to get to your locker after every single class because of the tight space

Very academically rigorous school. I think they ask a lot of the young students, perhaps a bit more than is developmentally appropriate. For example, my 5 year old left for the bus at 7:25, and didn't get home until 4:20. That is a LONG day of academics for that age! On the other hand, the teachers, dean of students, and principal were very willing to work with my child's special needs. She learned so much in the 2 years she was there, including extracurriculars that are not offered at most elementary schools (e.g. Spanish, drama). This school isn't for every student, but if it fits your children, they will get a superb academic foundation.
--Submitted by a parent

LVA...no it does not offer a 'gifted' program because it is an all honors curriculum so your child does not need a g.i.e.p. Do not enroll your child if they cannot handle more than the memorization for regurgitation for PSSA performance that the public school offers. If your child does have an i.e.p., closely examine whether or not your child would be able to handle this caliber of work. LVA is about an exceptional way of learning for life time of application in the real world. The school does offer some sports at this time. We have been w/ LVA since inception and yes, there were growing pains, but the school seems to have worked out most of them. I know many parents who would love to get in but more space is needed. Staff retention is based on yearly parent, peer & admin. eval.'s not on tenure. Safe school!
--Submitted by a parent

I am so happy with my decision to send my daughter to Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School. The academic program is challenging and the students and staff are wonderful. There is zero tolerance for bullying and the school really sticks to that policy. My daughter tells me there are no cliques, just groups of friends. Being smart is encouraged not ridiculed. It's OK, not to be an athlete. My daughter is prospering at the High School. She has developed more confidence than she has ever had. She is already beginning to focus on college and what she wants to acheive in the future.
--Submitted by a parent

I loved the elementary school. But love it even more now that we have moved to the local non-charter middle school in the district. My student got a more advanced education at LVA. I always found the teachers and staff to be Very caring. I find less politics here and more creative learning for the teachers. They are Very accountable for the teaching. For parents who question this go back to the public school and then find out. We are trying to get back in!
--Submitted by a parent

I feel that the principal and teachers don't care about all of the childrens needs, cars or wants. They do not try to find out why a child may have done what they did. There is no accountability for the teachers from the principal. They go solely on what is said by the teacher and I bet that is why so many parents take their child/children out of the school. I am sure for every 1 cild that stays there are 5 more that have left. The teachers are not consistent and absolutely not held accountable for what the children learn or the lack there of.
--Submitted by a parent

I have two children that attend LVA, one in elementary and one in middle school. My husband and I are very happy with the the direction that the school has been heading. The academics are challenging but not overwhelming I love the hands on interactive learning approach. We wouldn't think of sending our kids anywhere except LVA. As far as extracirricular activities you are able to enroll your kids in activities in your own school district. My kids participate in sports, dance and other activities outside of LVA and are very well rounded. The teachers make learning easy and are definitely excited about teaching. I love the fact that my kids are attending a school with children whose parents care enough to be involved in the education process. LVA is a choice. Right for some wrong for others.
--Submitted by a parent

I have gone to this school my whole life and I have seen it evolve over time. However, we still have a ways to go. The curriculum gets much harder in the middle school and some of the teachers are not at all helpful with what they are teaching. Our own building, less strict uniforms, more extracurriculars, and more field trips and fun days would make LVA so much better. That, and a new principal of the middle school. All the other ones are sweet and nice, but ours acts like we're in a dictatorship. She is very much against cliques, but she's the one who creates them! She tells us where to sit and who to sit with at lunch and its causing friction with friendships. Other than that, LVA is a very good school.
--Submitted by a student

Lehigh Valley Academy has provided an exceptional academic challenge to both of my grandchildren who attend there. The children are especially delighted with the Spanish language program that is helping them to relate to children in their neighborhood more effectively. I can't wait to see how they will do when they have had five or six years of exposure to the Academy curriculum.