St. Anthony Academy

St. Anthony Academy have a great curriculum. I find they're level of teaching impressive.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an update from my 2007 post. I am changing my 2007 post in which I gave my approval of this school. It is now 2010, and this school has really gone down hill. The leadership and curriculum are awful, and part of the problem is that the administration allows troubled/troublesome students to enroll in this school and allows them to stay even when they constantly disrupt classes, which is further bringing the school down. It seems the principal isn't making the students the priority as in years past, and there's a steady revolving door where teachers are concerned. Not sure why this principal has dropped the ball, but he has. This school has great potential, but a school is only as good as its leadership. This school isn't nearly as good as it could be.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has also attended St Anthony since kindergarten, which was 3 years ago. In the beginning I loved the school and all it stood for but last year and this year has not been very great. I see great potential in St Anthony but I don't think my son will be attending next year. The lunch is horrible, they are taks driven, the principal is tyrannical, and overall me and my child dread the school. Hopefully things will turn around and some organization and structure will arrive but we stay around to see it.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school. They develop academics as well as character.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a blessing. My children enjoying going to school daily. I appreciate the teachers and administration for their dedication.
—Submitted by a parent

In the beginning I was very excited about the school but after having spending some time their, I have become overall disappointed. The leadership lacks leadership, the school lacks organization, and the Teachers (many) lack professionalism. The curriculm is TAKS driven to increase funding that is not put back into the school. The meals provided lacks basic nutrition.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a sonn to be graduating student and I can't wait to get out of that hell-hole they call a school. Everyone is parioid and already two teachers have been fired. We've subsitutes in and out as if this was a diner. This is supposed to be an establishment of learning but all it has brought was stress.
—Submitted by a student

St. Anthony is a thriving school. There are as many problems there as with any other school. Leadership did change which brought about question in a complacement environment. Feathers were ruffled and clean up was hard, but the principal has put in place a team of teachers (K-2) that are very capable of teaching and caring for the children there. I was very leary in the beginning because of the continual inconsistencies shown through administartion, but after talking with the principal and curicculum director I was assured that my child would receive a great education. Flexibility, a positive, mind and prayer has allowed this school to reach new heights in education. I believe they have a long way to go in some areas, but overall, I am pleased with the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, I am very disappointed in St. Anthony. Initially, the principal hyped the school up to be more than it was. The school is just awful. It lacks many resources that are needed and the administration is inadequate to say the least.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my son's first year at the school and I am impressed with what my son has learned. He is in the pre k class and he is thriving. He is beginning to read and spell. His teacher is very caring and nurturing, I had a few problems early one with administration, but one email to the principal corrected that problem Overall I don't think St. Anthony's is the best, but for a charter school (Free) it is pretty good. You have to pay a pretty penny at most schools to get what St. Anthony's gives you for free.
—Submitted by Lakeisha Brewer, a parent

SAS has become a nightmare for me as a parent. This would be a perfect school for your child if you would like to send your child to a boarding school. The principal makes all rules, policies and decisions of concerning the school. Again, I'll say ALL rules. There is never a time where he solicits feedback from parents and if you attempt to provide feedback, you'll just be ignored.
—Submitted by a parent

Awful leadership, poor curriculum
—Submitted by a parent

St. Anthony is on the cutting edge of education. They are working towards becoming an IB (International Baccalaureate)school. Their test scores has improved tremendously since becoming a charter school. Students are focused and challenged daily by the staff and administration. My child has been a student there for three years, and he enjoys every minute of the day. I am particularly impressed with the curriculum, athletics, and teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

St. Anthony school has not been the best experience for our children. The teachers are creative and seem willing to help the students; however the school seems to lack overall structure and the necessary resources (classroom books, non-functional library). As far as the school's curriculum is concern, it appears to be Taks driven. One of our children, who is in a TAKs taking grade has taken at least 5 to 6 benchmarks this year. We question the number and validity of the benchmarks. As parents we are concerned with the gaps we are seeing develop in our children's foundational development. It has recently been brought to our attention, that the school has had a high teacher turn-over rate under the new administration. As professional, we acknowledge that this occurs sometimes with programs and staffing changes, however; the school needs continuity. This is our second year with this school (probably last).
—Submitted by a parent

St. Anthony's has really evolved into a wonderful, child-centered learning environment. The dean encourages student achievement and monitors academic success intensely. The theme/project based curriculum challenges the whole child and allows room for in depth study. The extracurricular activities are an added bonus to the students. Again, St. Anthony Academy caters to the whole child. Each time I have visited the school, I have had contact with a parent of a child that attends St. Anthony. There are clubs available for parents and students to participate (Real Fathers-Real Men, Mother-Daughter Reading Club). St. Anthony is moving towards excellence.
—Submitted by a parent

At first I did not know what to think of this school until I really got to know soem of the staff. My kinder has so much fun in music class and my first grader enjoys the field trips and other activites planned by the staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Great teachers and academic environment. The students appear to be really focused!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended St.Anthony since kindergarten. Which was 3 years ago. In the beginning the focus was on the children but now that it has become a charter school the focus is on money. The staff has changed so much that there are as many substitues as there are regular teachers. There were only 6 teachers with degrees at the begining of the year but that number is down to 2 or 3. If what you want is for your child to spend the day in school watching videos while the teachers study for their degrees during class then this is the place. Parents are not incouraged to be a part of the learning enviroment here. Parents are locked out of the building as soon as the tardie bell rings.
—Submitted by a parent