Eden Park Academy

We LOVE EPA! Highly recommened! We came from a school that the PTA fell apart and no one would take it over. We did not see the principal for the entire year until she had to sign our form to unenroll. Eden Park is opposite! Total parental involvement and my daughter has opened up and florished here. She is loving reading and doing math. Small school with small ratio's with promoting of the self individual child. Since they have to raise most of the money themselves it is counts on total parent involvement and fundraising. They truely love the kids and the teachers truely love to teach them in fun ways. Open door and not harsh feeling at all. Easy drop offs and pickups. No rushing, very laid back and a beautiful campus. It is an older campus with lush trees and shade. Parents kick in to keep the campus up since the school district does not fund in this way. We can't say enough good things about EPA. We just love them and it has a family environment that makes you feel welcome. Thank you parents and teachers of EPA you make a HUGE differnce in my child's education and self growth! LOVE YOU!
--Submitted by a parent

We love love Eden Park! I was very taken aback by the comment with the one star rating and decided I needed to add mine. I would LOVE you all to come look at the kids at the school...Everytime I am there they are all happy, and as far as I know there all very happy with the school (hints they would not be there if they weren't since it's a choice to go to this school.) I do admit that the building is not the best looking, but it works perfectly fine, and they are very proactive about fixing anything that does go wrong with it...it is just an old building, and there doing a great job with it. I do however agree about the principal not being warm and fuzzy...but I don't believe that is what makes for a good principal (being warm and fuzzy.) I believe she does her job beyond expected, she is ALWAYS there (which you can't say that about most schools) and ANY incidet I have ever broughten to her attention she was VERY proactive, and got me a solution right away. Over all I love this school. The only bad things I can think of aren't learning based...and as a school goes that is what I look for. How they teach, and what kind of personal attention my gets! But PLEASE fix the playscape
--Submitted by a parent

The first time I visited this school was years ago when they were still located in a strip mall, with the kids having P.E. in the parking lot. Coming as I did from a Waldorf background, this was far from my ideal image of young children dancing around a maypole with flowers in their hair. Today, Eden Park has a beautiful campus nestled in the trees, and although their programs for young children still fail to thrill me, I believe it is a hidden gem for young adolescents who march to the beat of a different drummer. There are shockingly few alternatives to large public or expensive private secondary schools in Austin. The ones that do exist seem to be mainly "drop-out prevention programs." Eden Park is the exception. Very athletically inclined kids may not be happy here with EP's limited offerings in that realm, but if your child is artsy/intellectual but prefers a more intimate setting, I highly recommend you check out this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Overall a swell effort, but some of the individual teachers make for a lackluster education. I'm sorry, but vocabulary such as "Whatever" is not really a stellar way to communicate with 8 year olds. If you cant handle a room full of 3rd graders without screaming, you should probably look for another job. The curriculum is fine, but the system imposed by the administration leaves you feeling like they are teaching to the lower/middle kids. Lot's of inane rules- instead of actually using your skills to communicate with kids and parents. The Principal is all business. She's focused on running the school, not really interested in specific incidents, nor shows much emotion. You don't get a warm fuzzy- especially when you need it- like bringing up an issue with your kid. The location also offers much to be desired. There's a certain dingyness under those 6' ceilings. And no- Sloppy Joe's are not what I consider a healthy lunch. Kind of a big downer from all the Hype of "charter school". Some of the teachers might be great, we just didn't get one. Go see for yourself, look at the kids faces and feel the vibe- your mileage may vary.
--Submitted by a parent

I have only been with the school for 1 yr, but have loved my experience with them so far. The school is very inviting and promotes strong parental involvement which is much needed in successful education. The setting is very family oriented and I can definitely see why this Charter school is excelling!
--Submitted by a parent

Love this school. My child struggled and they gave him the much needed attention. He has grown leaps and bounds in his first year. They have great communication, and give each child individual attention, and individualized learning plans. They have lots of PTO related activities, and ways of getting the parents involved. I don't have much time for these, but there is a great group of parents that donate lots of there time to make this a great school. Love they don't teach TAKS test, and they are still are exemplary. I could not ask for anything better, the teachers enjoy being here, and it shows. My son went from not being able to pay attention/not liking school, to loving to learn, and trying to do the best job possible. They just acquired the rest of the church building, which will make more room for new opportunities...and I can't wait to see what this school has in store!!
--Submitted by a parent

This feels like a private school that you don't have to pay for. Our son transferred here from an "exemplary" AISD school and we feel he's gotten so much more attention and instruction than he could at the public school. It doesn't feel like it's all about "crowd control." There's very much a family atmosphere and it's very easy to get to know other parents. The PTO could be more structured with meetings and such, but there's core group of very dedicated and involved parents that do an amazing job. The school is growing, but they are trying to keep the small atmosphere. For my son's sake, I hope they succeed!! By the way, they have art and music classes, and just created a soccer team.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school where parents are very involved. They don't teach to the TAKS, but they are still rated "Exemplary"... imagine that! I love that they believe in Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligence, and understand that everyone learns differently, and has different strengths and weaknesses. Your child will certainly not be a number here; every child is an individual. I couldn't be happier with the teachers and administration. It is a small school, with a real community feel. There are many events throughout the year that encourage children and their families to be involved in the school. This is turn, creates a real sense of pride and school spirit.
--Submitted by a parent

Progressive, inclusive, family-like setting where all learners are loved and nurtured.
--Submitted by a teacher

My oldest son attended 6th-8th grade...my 2 little ones are there currently. It's a great school and one million times better than the local public option near me. We are very lucky to be part of this school.
--Submitted by a parent