Spring Creek Academy

Not for the college bound. I am a former SPA student and I have almost completed my first year of college. I was mostly an A and sometimes B student at SCA. After graduating from SCA I was not prepared for college at all. At SCA I rarely wrote papers and never read a novel. We only practiced vocabulary once, which affected my SAT score. The teachers put no pressure on us and were satisfied with below average work. I realize now that I should have attended a more competitive high school. My parents sent me to SCA so I would have time for my sport and because it is accredited. After comparing my education to other college kids I don't know how they got accredited. I got into a decent college but it was because of my athletic ability. If you are serious about school go somewhere else.

Our daughter has attended Spring Creek Academy for 9 years. The school has excellent teachers, a strong principal/school leadership and challenging academic programs. They are terrific at working with students and parents through difficult educational situations . We would recommend SCA to any family, but especially those with children in the arts and/or athletic programs wanting a high level of high schoold education.
—Submitted by a parent

I am happy that my child attended SCA. He was able to get the education he needed to prepare for college. The staff and curriculum is getting better each year with a continuous improvement program.
—Submitted by a parent

SCA is an interesting school - we've experienced all levels of the school - elementary, MS and HS. The most important thing to understand about SCA is that it is very much like life - you will (as a family) get out of it what you put in. I think that's why there are such diverse reviews. It's not for every kid, and doesn't pretend to be. It's absolutely true that many of the kids there are enormously involved in an outside activity - some of the world's best young athletes, musicians, etc. attend SCA. Those kids are extraordinarily motivated, mature kids - they need a compressed schedule, and they want an accelerated curriculum. They get both at SCA. The school will accomodate, support and facilitate almost any advancement a student needs - we've experienced some wonderful examples of that. What it won't do is tolerate disruptive, destructive behavior, which I completely support.
—Submitted by a parent

We just finished our first year at Spring Creek and were very happy with our experience. I believe both our children received quality education and have re-enrolled for next year. We had positive experiences with the staff and administration when we had questions and I feel like they truly care about the children.
—Submitted by a parent

This school progressively gets worse as your child approaches the higher grades. In middle school and high school some of the teachers do not know the subjects they are teaching. The Director does not have an education background or a college degree and still makes academic decisions. There are bright kids at this school, unfortunately with the unqualified staff these children are not reaching their full potential. Many of the people that work at this school are family members so change is unlikely.
—Submitted by a parent

Had a negative strange experience with this school. Recieved curt, one word replies to the "director of operations and admissions" I got a very cold, uncaring attitude , and thats As a parent. I then realized that the director and one teacher, counselor are married. It's one of those insular family owned places. The husband couldn't find a job so his mother in law, the owner, gave him one. Zero interest in education or communication.
—Submitted by a parent

Terrible school. The previous owner at least had some qualifications to run a school and had some concern about the children that were there. Now her daughter and primarily her daughters husband run the school. He clearly does not have a background nor an interest in education or students. Make sure you ask plenty of questions before considering this school and be sure to meet with him directly. It is true the students do not read nor write papers. When several parents addressed this nothing was done by administration. This school is for athletes and their families who want all of their time spent on sports and no time spent in school or on school assignments. If you or your child want an education do not come here. If you want a high school diploma without learning or doing any work, this is the place for you. Fortunately these students get accepted to major colleges based on their athletic ability.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended this school between 9-11th grade(graduated early). This school is incredibly easy to take advantage of, as I saw many of my peers doing so frequently. Even when there were some teachers wanting to maintain strict policies on when things were turned in, upper faculty would constantly go behind them and force them to allow students to turn things in whenever they chose. English classes were unfortunately a joke. In all my time at SCA, I wrote exactly 1 paper that was a simple narrative about something in my life. We never read any novels, and discussion on the stories in the textbook were surface level at most. Being in college, I have come to realize that my current peers were given a much better level of education than I was. They have read all the classics, and are able to easily analyze them to their fullest. The only way I see this school being worth your time/money is for them to actually begin hiring fully qualified teachers, and for the upper faculty to begin supporting a high level of education.

I went to SPCA and I did not like it. There were girls who would bug me, or even ask for my homework answers! They would make noise while the good students were trying to work. The teachers did not care about anything! The principal is a noboby! She won't even help with your problems! This School is a daycare! I would think twice about sending your child there.

I've been going here since fifth grade, and I intend to graduate from this school, as well. It's far better than the public schools in the area. Also, it only offers core courses (math, science, English, foreign language, etc.), and allows you to take everything else outside of school hours (which is 2 and a half hours, four days a week).
—Submitted by a student

Our family is very pleased with the education that our daughter has recieved here. The staff is very caring and attentive. If there is any drawback to this school, it would be uninvolved parents who expect the school to work miracles with no help on their part. My daughter is about to enter her fifth year at SCA and we expect her to stay until graduation. This is a unique learning experience for students that can be found no where else in this area.
—Submitted by a parent

Spring Creek Academy is a unique and exceptional school. Students are offered the best opportunity academically and socially in an aesthetically beautiful setting. It is the perfect place for bright students to flourish.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has attended this school for 6 years and has enjoyed a customized education the entire time. Class time is focused and intense, with no time dedicated to 'state testing' such as the TAKs test.
—Submitted by a parent

Spring Creek Academy is the most awesome school with which we have ever come into contact. It's exceedingly user friendly. The staff expects your child to miss school for her activities. They told my child that they know she needs her calories, so food in the classroom is totally okay. It's not expensive, and the staff is so totally responsive to any concerns. We love it!
—Submitted by a parent

We HIGHLY recommend Spring Creek Academy to families looking for a school for their Academically gifted and motivated student(s). There is an amazing level of respect at this school at all levels and as others have stated, the staff is dedicated and supportive. This fall will be our third year at SCA. Our student is challenged but not stressed by the work and his IOWA test scores are consistent and in the top 1-2% nationally. If you want a reference, contact the school and I will be happy to share more! ~An involved parent
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent choice for a student athlete or muscian or actor. The students receive small classroom 6:1 ratio, the acedmic rigor structure is similiar to Texas schools without the penalty of school missed for sport, concert or other activity. The students take the IOWA tests at the beginning and end of each year to insure academic achievement.
—Submitted by a parent

Spring Creek Acaademy has been a fantastic school for our family. My daughter attended a gifted academy public school (not program, but a school for gifted kids) prior to enrolling at Spring Creek. We have maintained close friendships with families from that school and I am satisfied that she is getting just as good an education at Spring Creek. In addition, my daughter is an athlete and I have talked to several recruiters from different colleges. When they find out that my daughter attends Spring Creek they are all relieved and they all say that the kids they have gotten that attended Spring Creek have all been successful and had no trouble making the transition to college. Education is extremely important in our family and we are thrilled to have a school to send our daughter to that is as good as Spring Creek.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter currently attends Spring Creek Academy. She has never been happier & her results have never been better. Her excellent SAT scores are confirmation. I live in South Africa, my daughter is far away from home & the director, Mrs. Morrell has literally taken her into her home on occasion & cared for her like one of her own! I have great respect for the principal, Mr. Nelson & know for a fact that when converting my daughter's school marks to US grades, he stuck strictly to IOWA scores & gave nothing away. The staff are dedicated & supportive. Full marks to SCA!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is just a daycare!! You won't learn anything, and when you return to the real world, you will be behind everyone.
—Submitted by a student