Ashley Academy

Chaotic is the best way to describe the current environment at Ashley. Ashley Academy has a new director again. Half the Teaching staff has left willingly or unwillingly since her arrival. It is not a good learning environment for children. The board of directors is distant and unapproachable. There technology is antiquated. No Science labs, not even on the middle school level. The building is old and in need of major repairs. The tuition goes up every year but the quality of education does not. My advice do not waste your money.
—Submitted by a parent

DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILDREN HERE!!!! There is no curriculum. If you want highly qualified teachers, you wont find many. They get rid of those teachers because administration is in fear of ppl who may be more educated than they are. The facilities are unsafe. There was a continuous gas leak for years that the principal at the time refused to fix and only got angry when brought to her attention. In the last 5 years there have been 3 principals, 2 of which do not hold a state endorsement to do so. This is a very unprofessional environment. Public school is your best option.
—Submitted by a parent

Unsatisfactory is an understatement. I could go on and on about the many things that are wrong with this school from the board to the lack of guidance and proper administration. I can tell you that if I had school age children I would not send them there. In fact, when I first started another employee said that to me, and I couldn't understand until having experienced such a tragic excuse for an educational facility. In the last part of the 2013 school year new administration was brought in and all the teachers had hope for improvements. Sadly, things only got worse with the hiring of a director with NO experience for the role. I have one word if you are considering sending your children here: DON'T.
—Submitted by a teacher

Small teacher to student ratio is not everything...ask this school for their curriculum (don't have one), ask them about their technology (limited and usually not working), ask them about the teacher's credentials (okay but limited and substitutes are totally unqualified), look at the tiny, cluttered classrooms and siding falling off...you will find this school sorely lacking. The board is cold and distant and the teachers aren't as warm and fuzzy as you may expect in a small, private school. Exceptions may include the treatment of gifted students or students of wealthier families. The tuition increases yearly but the quality of education does not. This school claims "enrichment" but cannot support this with anything substantive. It may work out okay for some families since options are limited in this area or...you can work with a public school and get it to work better or...you can make the drive to the far superior private school in Bristol...The multiple change of leadership at this school and disconnect/lack of cohesion between faculty, board and principal make it feel unfriendly or fake friendly...

I have yet to find a school as wonderfully amazing as Ashley Academy! After living in this area for close to 40 years I Dan attest to the fact that you will not find an educational environment like this for your children in the TRI cities area or anywhere else. The leadership and faculty are amazing and create an incredibly loving and safe atmosphere for all children that attend. Diversity here is wonderful and all children are treated equally. Bullying, which happens very seldom ar Ashley, as far as I know is taken care of immediately and justly with care for everyone involved. The small student to teacher ratio gives children a thriving educational environment where specific attention to a students interests and skills can be addressing and sharpened individually. Parents are always welcome and family is a huge part of the Ashley A Academy family. Older students look out for he younger ones and the younger ones look up to the older ones. I have seen 8th graders help out and take care of students in K and 1st grade which builds great confidence in the younger children. I am incredibly pleased wih Ashley Academy and all it has to offer and hope to see it someday grow.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been at AA since Pre-K, and I can honestly attest that it is a great school. Now I am in 8th Grade, have been in the school for 11 years, and I am pleased with the curriculum. Being here for 11 years, the school has lost a little bit of its luster for me, but if you are planning on sending your kids here, DO IT :) ! The teachers are GREAT, the extra-curriculars (especially the spelling and geo bees) are fun and educational, and most of all, the school's atmosphere :good class size, but more one on one (like a 10:1 teacher/student ratio), small, "everybody knows every body" type of system, each grade has a classroom, large gym, plus my favorite part :), the food (we get food from different restaurants daily, including but not limited to: Chik-Fil-a, Jasons Deli, Cici's Pizza, Fazolis and Arby's. This school has been like a second home to me, 11 years of my young life spent in it's walls. I will never forget all the "stuff" :) I have been taught here. But like any teenager, I want to leave home :), move on, go on to bigger things in life. This is it, my last year at the best school (well, in my opinion at least). Parents and Grandparents, don't hesitate! Send your kids to AA!!

The faculty of Ashley Academy are committed to & concerned with the development of every individual child in the school. If strong educational foundation & emphasis on civic responsibility are what you value, this may be a great place for your child through 8th grade. Due to the small size, they do not have a wide range of extracurriculars but what they do undertake, they do well. I have had children in elementary & middle school & worked with many different teachers & the principal, finding them all very open to parent suggestions & participation. They are a small school (maximal class size of 12) but deliver in quality what they lack in quantity.
—Submitted by a parent

Next year I will be starting my 9th year at Ashley, and I can honestly say that it is one of the best places to go to school. It has smaller classes so you get much more attention than at most schools, and you do alot of hands on learning. They care about you and what you will become later on in your life.
—Submitted by a student

My son is nearing the end of his third year at AA. We have been extremely pleased, overall. The education he receives is exceptional and the environment is nurturing and caring. At AA, the teachers focus on individualized attention for each child, insuring that the kids reach their full potential. They also focus on manners, respect, and responsibility. I'm thankful to have this alternative to public schools available in this town. AA is well worth the tuition.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a teacher at Ashley Academy for eight years and I could not be happier. My overall job satisfaction is near 100%. I enjoy the children the families, and my colleagues. The strong feeling of family and a commitment to a common purpose--doing what is best for the child--is clearly evident. I've taught in a few other schools and I can truly say that Ashley Academy provides an exceptional learning atmosphere and firm foundation for children who are bright and willing to explore learning in a variety of ways.
—Submitted by a teacher

I have been very disappointed with this school. The principle is stuck in her old ways and not open to new ideas. Have not been happy with the lack of structure in the lower levels.
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers are very concerned about the children that they teach. My Son went to another private school and Ashley Academy is by far more concerned with teaching my child and making my child feel accepted by his peers. So far I have been very impressed with the teachers, staff and principal of Ashley Academy. I would highly recommend this school to anyone who is interested in raising a well rounded child.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been 100% satisfied with Ashley Academy since enrolling my daughter here in pre-school. The communication with parents is superb and the staff works very hard to make each child feel special and important. The principal and teachers sent cards to my daughter during the summer to say hi and that they were happy that she was attending. The principal- Mrs. Maggard makes continual efforts to ensure that the parents are happy with the school. My daughter, Katie, has come home everyday and told me something new and exciting she has learned. She will be very advanced by the time she reaches kindergarten. She gets the opportunity to take a foreign language, weekly music, gym, and art. The teachers have a themed curriculum and take frequent field trips to correlate with what they are learning in the classroom.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter is in the 6th grade and we could not be happier with the education she is receiving at Ashley Academy. The faculty is terrific and truly cares about the children. Our daughter loves the extra-curricular activities - guitar, drama, and scrabble.
—Submitted by a parent

I am in my third year as a parent at Ashley Academy, and my first year as a teacher. I was so impressed by this school that, upon completion of my teaching certificate, I came here to work. This school has the most dedicated and capable teachers and staff of any school I have been in, and I am honored to teach here.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my son's second year at Ashley and putting him there was the best thing we've ever done. He began kindergarten reading at the third grade level and entered first grade reading above the sixth grade level. These teachers are truly educators. But, perhaps more important, is that school is more than a building, the students, teachers, and parents become a family. We wouldn't dream of putting our son anywhere else. I just wish that Ashley had 9th through 12th grades!
—Submitted by a parent

I was a parent of 2 children who attended the school- the smartest thing I ever did was to pull them out. Ashley Academy does not fullfill their school 'mission and philosophy' If you are looking for a school where they actually use communication to foster a relationship between teacher/parent/child then this is not the school for you.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has gone to Ashley Academy since Kindergarten. I like the small class size and the family-like atmosphere.
—Submitted by a parent

this is the best value in the Tri City area. Outstanding teachers; great facilities and wonderful students and parents. I sent my two older sons to Brentwood in Los Angeles, which is one of the 10 best schools in America and Ashley for a third the cost is just as good, especially at the younger levels...you won't be unhappy here.
—Submitted by Patrick Cronin, a parent