Collegium Charter School

I know that the transition for my daughter, once a 3rd grdr going into 4th, was a bit tough for her also. The teachers are all business starting in 4th grd, no more coddling. She was upset that the teacher wouldn't give out as much private info about her family & everyday goings on...it was about teaching the kids what they were there for, to learn.( in my eyes) this IS how life is. It's not always going to be the way you want or expect it to be, kids need to learn this. She is now a 5th grdr & loves her teacher as much as she loved her 2nd/3rd grd teacher. so she learned a life lesson, what's so bad about that!
--Submitted by a parent

I also have a 4th grader at CCS, but mine has been a very different experience than the "1 star" post from yesterday. My daughter loves school & is thriving this year. It's true that appropriate behavior is expected, but I don't see that as being a huge change from K-3. I also happen to view it as a positive thing. I'm glad that a parent who does not expect his or her child to behave in school is not comfortable there & is looking to move those children, although I think they'll have problems wherever they end up. The complaint about Spanish being required makes it clear that parent didn't do any homework when the kids were enrolled. Spanish in K-12 is part of Collegium's charte. That is well advertised in the information they provide on the website & other sources and is one of the reasons many of us chose CCS. That post sounds like a CASD parent who wants more from the school but doesn't want to put in any effort. 4th grade is not supposed to be daycare! My advice would be not to bother waiting to relocate; your kids will fit right in at a local CASD school. In any other local district, the expectations will be too high for them and for you.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been extremely disappointed in the curriculum and treatment of the children once the transistion into the Intermediate School. My child's self esteem has been directly affected. The teachers are overly harsh and forgetting they are still children. The write children up for the silliest things. Instead of the teachers asking themselves how they can manage their classroom more effectively the blame the children. They make Spanish class manadtory for children who are struggling to read, no wonder there are behavior problems. Their goal is to fill the school with Teacher's Pets, everyone else is treated harshly and made to feel unwelcome. As soon as we can relocate to a better school district we are pulling our child out of Collegium. I would not recommend this school if your child is in grade 4 or above.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter went to Collegium for kindergarten. We chose the school because it was a full day kindergarten that offered specials such as Spanish, art and music. On a positive note I will say that they taught my daughter to read. She finished kindergarten ahead of grade level. However, she hated the experience at Collegium and it really turned her off to school. The curriculum is very "worksheet driven." It is not in any way creative. At the time she attended the reading curriculum was also one size fits all (2009-2010). Meaning that in a classroom that was purposely differentiated to have kids at the top and the bottom of the spectrum, everyone had to progress at the same pace. This made my daughter think that reading was boring. I've heard that this changed but I cannot verify that. The other more significant problem we had was that classroom behavior was terrible. Students were very disruptive and always in trouble. The class didn't seem to learn anything in Spanish because the Sp. teacher couldn't control the class. My daughter's teacher confirmed that this was typical of all the classes she had taught at Collegium. The school also lacked community. Students come from all over.
--Submitted by a parent

First of this is a great school. I have three kids here and they have been here for 6 years. Secondly, the person who said they have the worst test scores in the state is lying and does not know their facts. This school is way ahead of the other schools in the area when it comes to academics,etc. The teachers are great! Young and eager to teach with tons of new ideas that the school allows them to try not like the public schools doing the same thing for 60 years. All the kids know each other in all the grades as well as the teachers so the children feel like they belong not like a # in those gigantic high schools where there are a 1,000 kids. Do not confuse this school with Graystone they are nothing alike. Collegium is how to do a Charter school right!
--Submitted by a parent

I am a seventh grade student. I have been here since k. I have older siblings and my family has seen the school grow and change so I can say that the school has changed for the better, but it has a bit to go. Since I've been here my whole academic career, I've grown used to the longer days and I've found learning Spanish to be very helpful. Having the extra time to the day is also helpful for more learning time. I love most of my teachers because they really care and with smaller class sizes, they can focus on you more. Pretty good school

entering the second year at collegium and the third grade. our son likes the school and the curriculum but the longer days and school year are a little tiring to him.
--Submitted by a parent

this school is HORRIBLE we have to get up at 4:00 in the morning and get home at 5:00 in the afternoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the students are SOOOOO tired and the long hours just kill us
--Submitted by a student

The curriculum is quite good compared to our local public schools, especially in the primary years. Its diverse student body reflects the real world! The longer school year/day is very convenient for working parents. Staff is great! Spanish is taught starting in K and the students reach a very good level of fluency by middle school. Students wear a uniform which eliminates unnecessary 'fashion' distractions! Excellent support for kids with learning disabilities. Fun extracurricular activities.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in K at Collegium and loves it and so do I. The teachers are great and are really invested in teaching the kids. They make learning fun and hands on! The longer day while some might say is too much...seems to be just perfect for my child. She is shy and has plenty of time to adjust in the morning and open up. The academics are a big harder and more extensive than my sons local K school was but it was the correct pace for my daughter. Anyway if your wondering if it is a warm and encouraging place it is! Good luck.
--Submitted by a parent