Allen Academy

We have been an Allen family for 12 years. We have been through the ups and the downs. More downs. The leadership is still a struggling but, the teachers are excellent and the academics are now the best they have been in years. We are still considering other schools for our rising High Schooler, as I am not sure Allen offers enough for a well rounded student going into college. But our younger kids are happy, challenged and doing well. If you are looking for a great alternative to the sorely lacking public schools of the area, give Allen a look.
--Submitted by a parent

Our family tried public school but found that Allen was the right place for us. Our 2 children have attended for the past 5 years and we couldn't be happier. Yes, Allen had all of the growing pains mentioned in the other reviews. These are pains every school has but the board, staff and parents at Allen listen and make changes to correct the issues. The new headmaster has been in place for almost 3 years and the turnover has slowed to a minimum.Of course there is an occasional teacher that leaves and gets everyone in a tiff, again this happens everywhere. The facilities are A+ and getting better everyday. The cirriculum is pretty tough but the students seem to do well making the transition to college and Allen has a long trackrecord of 100% of seniors attending college. I couldn't imagine sending my kids any place else.
--Submitted by a parent

We sent our children to Allen this year after years of frustration with the public system. Both myself and my wife attended both public and private schools in our education, and feel we have a good handle on what we can expect, and what we can't, from a private school. Allen has been wonderful - our children have blossomed, and their teachers are top notch. I expect the new headmaster to only improve the school and help it's future. I have found the only people I have known in this town (lived here a long time) that have had problems with Allen are those who want either to run the school themselves, or who's children get in trouble and they think that paying tuition excuses that. Neither is what I want from a school.
--Submitted by a parent

We consider ourselves furtunate to have been an Allen family for the past 10 years. Our children have received an excellent education in a safe and nurturing environment. As a parent it has been such a comfort to me to know that when I drop off my children in the morning and head off to work, they are going to be well looked after by faculty and staff that I know and trust. Children who are treated with love and respect will grow up to become adults who love and respect others and who are an asset to the world around them. Add to this a strong academic program, EQ program, athletics, music, art, band and a host of after school activities and it is easy to understand why Allen Academy is well worth the cost for families like ours who are eager to raise up compassionate, well-rounded children.
--Submitted by a parent

Passion, best sums Allen in a single word. The teachers are what makes Allen great. Their passion has kept the school alive in spite of the afforementioned lack of leadership. You will not find a staff more dedicated to your children. Allen also has smaller classes(12-15 students per teacher), a competitve athletic program, a distinctive fine arts program, a safe attractive campus, and an overwhelmingly passionate parent base. If you want your child surrounded by quality peers who encourage and challenge one another, give Allen a try. Speaking as a parent, who was educated in Bryan, Allen offers a safer, more stimulating, education with less negative influences than I received over two decades ago in public school. Allen Academy is 123 years old. It will continue with the support of passionate parents who ask, how can I help it ?, rather than those who ask, how can it help me?
--Submitted by a parent

It is interesting to note that while many caring, qualified teachers were let go at the end of last year, it seems that the 'budgetary difficulties' have been solved, as all the positions seem to have been filled, albeit by less qualified 1st year teachers or coaches. As an ex-Allen Academy extented family member, I have say what a great school this was, and I'm sure to be saddened by what it may become.

We are very, very happy with Allen. The small class sizes and individual attention to the students is what you are paying for. The curriculum is good and my child is challenged.
--Submitted by a parent

If your child is gifted, send them to Allen. If your child is witty, smart, creative and above average, send them to Allen. If your child has the potential to attend the finest universities in the country, send them to Allen. The school is not about the administration, the students academic record speaks for itself. Anyone who has a probelm with the change in administration, really is simply hiding the fact that their child couldn't hack it. This school is for the exceptionally bright and the future leaders and CEOs of our country. You cannot help but be a success if you go here. To parents that focus more on who is head master, truly you are public school quality thinkers.
--Submitted by a parent

The volatility of the school is affecting the quality of education it attempts to deliver. A massive firing of teachers in an effort to 'control costs' only exacerbates a feeling of paranoia that trickles down to the students. How a school can become this far in debt demonstrates a blatant lack of leadership at the Board level. I would not recommend this school when there are other private schools in the area and better public schools.
--Submitted by a parent

Allen is a great school with some serious issues. While the teachers and staff are fantastic, Allen lacks clear and stable leadership. Once a good headmaster is put in place, the school will once again flourish. Foreign languages and math are also a problem. There are not enough languages offered at this time and there is a high number of international students in the Upper School who can aide in helping the younger students succeed in a foreign language. A new math curriculum is needed ASAP. My oldest is behind in math and has had to work very hard to catch up this year to the 5th grade level due to insufficiencies in the lower grades. The school is currently using Everyday Math and it is a terrible program. There are man good things about the school. Parent Association is very active and involved in making the children's experience at Allen a fun
--Submitted by a parent