Clarksville Academy

Clarksville Academy is not really worth the money. The leadership is very poor and the children can get away with a lot, as long as money talks. I am very disappointed on how much the leaders at the school allow the kids to be bullies and get their way. The education is ok, but nothing better than the other schools in town. Clarksville academy is absolutely not worth the added expense.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a Military wife & My child goes to CA. I am most certainly not the richest person in the school. I work very hard @ 2 jobs to have my child attend CA. I can honestly say I have never felt or experienced any Class-ism at CA, There are some Local cliques but they do not exclude the "outsider family's", I would say they make as much effort to include my family as I do to join in school events. My child was not challenged in some areas of the Curriculum so I spoke with her teacher and she was given advance work. I do not feel it is CA's responsibility to prepare my child for life outside Clarksville. I believe it is mine, I do so by taking her on trips around the country & world, exposing her to as many different cultures as possible. When My husbands Block leave does not line up with the schools Calender vacations CA has been fantastic about letting us have time as a family, with the condition that my child grades stay consistently High. I am not sure what is said in teachers homes, but I am sure that kids repeat what is said at home in any school or environment. I like CA, I am not saying it is perfect, but it is way better then the school in our area.
—Submitted by a parent

My oldest son has attended CA since Kindergarten (now in 9th grade) and my youngest son is now in second grade. They love the teachers, atmosphere, and the environment. I have been teaching here for 2 years (previously taught in Montgomery Co. for 17 years) and love the student/teacher ratio and the family atmosphere. My wife tried to teach here for several years but a teaching position would never open. Teacher turnover here is very low. Probably less than 10%. CA is a college prep school that holds these students to very high standards. Top programs offered are: music, choir, key club, broadcasting,FCA, and a variety of sports for every student to excel(just to name a few). As a football coach here for the past two years, I have found that parent and administration support is second to none. This school is a great place for any student or student/athlete to reach their full potential.
—Submitted by a teacher

I taught at CA for several years and my children attended the school as well. We stayed because there are not many private school choices in Clarksville and in the beginning CA felt like a good choice. Unfortunately it was a huge mistake for our family. While the school has a caring group of teachers it lacks largely in administrative leadership. The most pronounced issue for us was The Head of School. Sadly she's a business woman first with the education of her lower school students taking a distant second. There is also a very high turnover rate for the teachers at Clarksville Academy which is a huge red flag, which again, is due to the LACK of leadership. Ask around before considering this school and be wary of who you consult. Many of the students have parents that graduated from CA so their loyalties run deep. There are much better schools available in the area with stronger staff development (ours was insufficient) and a more open minded administration.
—Submitted by a teacher

Family values, commitment to excellence, and a nurturing environment are what makes CA a quality institution. CA strives to achieve a great balance between academics, athletics and the arts. I admire the teachers at CA because they could all be making more money elsewhere, however their children's success and growth are more important to them than money. CA has made the commitment to not only meeting but exceeding national standards for test scores as proven by their year in and year out scores coming in 5-6 points higher than national average. The administration had made a commitment to hiring quality teachers and mentors to assure the growth of each student academically, emotionally and spiritually. No school is perfect, however, what makes CA special is the vision of the faculty and staff toward individualism and student centered education. Each child is given the opportunity to shine in unique ways and praised when they succeed. CA is a small school with big school opportunities for extras. I have taken my child from CA to public and we came back to CA because the public schools could not provide the challenging academics, small classes and opportunities for growth.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful school and the staff and administration are fabulous. The best way to discover this school for yourself is to tour and spend the day. Don't take the word of these reviews, as some obviously left on bad terms and felt the need to take it out on an online forum. This school is truly like a family and they will do anything they can to help each individual students.
—Submitted by a parent

Someone in Clarksville please open a decent private school!!! We tried this school and ended up back in public school. As a military family that has lived outside of the Clarksville area I am familiar with highly qualified private schools. Unfortunately, Clarksville Academy isn't one of those schools. Fayetteville Academy near Fort Bragg and Brookestone School near Fort Benning are all amazing places to educate your child and they don't use smoke and mirrors to try and convince one of that. Your money is best spent somewhere else.

I now have two boys attending CA & it's been the greatest experience! The teachers & staff have incredible dedication & compassion for my childs best interest. I'm SO happy we chose to send our boys to this great school!
—Submitted by a parent

Clarksville Academy is a wonderful school. The teachers and staff are great! The atmosphere at CA is so welcoming and warm its like going home for Christmas everyday. I cherish that my child is in a safe environment where she gets individual attention and a challenging curriculum.
—Submitted by a parent

Over the last ten years, Kay Drew, the Head of School, has done a spectacular job of transforming Clarksville Academy into a true elite institution of learning. Having one child there now has only inspired me to have two children there in the coming year. There focus on curriculum and personal development has made a substantial positive impact on my child and our family. Family involvement is a huge focus of the school that is lacking in public school and the one on one attention and extra circular opportunities for school unity are so important to making a child love learning and take pride in their school. I could not ask for a better place to have my child be and I would even work a second job to afford to put both of my children there. Education is the most important tool we can give our children and it is top notch at Clarksville Academy!
—Submitted by a parent

CA is a wonderful place to work and have your children. It is the most supportive, caring environment and one I know my family will thrive in. They truly take care of their faculty, staff and students. The educational opportunities for students are truly the best.
—Submitted by a teacher

Though far what I have seen since I enrolled my daughter in this school is nothing but positive experience, hopefully the next year an a half left for her will be the same. She was bullying for almost three years in the previous school due to some juviniles picked on her for her athletic skills and her dinamic personality and tried to make her life miserable, thanks God there was a light at the end of the tunel and she is doing much better now at CA, can't wait to see her shining again.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended this school when I was younger. As a public high school student all of the kids who got kicked out of public school enrolled in CA. The drinking, smoking, etc all the same just contained in a smaller environment. Good school, but no better than others.

I have no doubt each day when I leave my child at school that his education and safety are the most important things to his teachers. He loves school and has an incredible thirst for learning. The school places a high priority on hiring the best teachers in the area. I cannot imagine him attending another school in the area.
—Submitted by a parent

I never thought I would send my children to a private school. Three years ago I pulled my high school junior out of the cesspool of a school she was in and enrolled her at CA in mid October. She was welcomed with open arms. This school literally turned her life around with their love and acceptance. She finally felt safe after years of bullying. Her sisters joined her in suceeding years and have loved the challenge, the people, the fun activities. I strongly disagree with the negative comments regarding cliques. The children are welcoming to new kids- it is ingrained in the school culture. I felt valued as a parent. We are certainly not rich. My paycheck went to pay for their education. It was worth every penny. It is with great regret that we are leaving the CA family due to a job transfer. Go Cougars!
—Submitted by a parent

Have been going here for 4 years now. During that time it has always been the same, this school is all about the money and that is it. Small town mentalilty, outsiders are not welcomed unless your pockets are deep, really deep. They are not, repeat are not about the well being or well roundedness of the children. It starts at the top and permeates throughout. The faculty ensures all know your business is known. My new goal in life is to see these snobbish, money driven individuals get thrown out and padlocks put on the doors, until someone decides to come along an create a true educational environment. My child will not return to this school and if you are weighing in on sending yours here I caution you. Ask around first and know who you are asking.
—Submitted by a parent

I love the school, the students, and the administration of CA! Proud to say my son attends Pre-K. Have another son and hope to have him enrolled ASAP. Thank you Mrs. Drew and staff.
—Submitted by a parent

We love Clarksville Academy! I feel like my children are getting a quality education and they also have the opportunity to play a variety of sports. It's a great fit for my family.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the worst school in Clarksville. The administration and parents think that because they pay to send their kids there that it is great. Some of the public schools in clarksville are a better option. This school has cliques among the students and the parents. When the parents talk about the other families at home (and they do here trust me) the kids overhear and come to school and act out toward the kids that belong to the parents that their own parents don't like. When that happens, they are not disciplined at all.Tthis school says it has a zero tolerance policy on bullying and violence, but that is not true. If one of the kids doing the bullying/violence belongs to a 'liked' parent, nothing is done to that student when they shove and call names, and the implication is that the bullied student must have done something wrong.
—Submitted by a parent

It is a good school, but the high school math department is horrible. The math teachers do not instruct, or help ..just give out homework and expect the child to get it.
—Submitted by a parent