Radiance Academy of Learning (West Lake Campus)

I was a student there from 4th grade up until my senior year. When I was younger the school wasnt that good,the teachers came and went.we never had the money to do anything but that was the students fault. We had a school bus when I was in 5th grade but the older students vandalized it. We also used the place next to us as a high school along time ago but again older students messed that up. The school got better for awhile they hired good teachers and paid the right attention to students. In 2011 they got a new principal who had previous experience working only with younger students not high schoolers like myself, he paid the school into a dictatorship. He let go all of our favorite teachers because he didnt like them. He practically abolished what little sports program we did have. Students I knew we're leaving because of him. All he carried about was finding so he let students in that would have never been let in the past. They ran the school in the ground I DON'T recommend this school to a parent.

I used to recommend this school to everyone I knew. However, over the last 2 or 3 years, there has been a large problem in staffing. As mentioned before, principals come and go with the wind. Recently, two of the best teachers that they had at the school were let go for mediocre reasons. The kindergarten teacher previously mentioned, gone and hands down was the backbone of that school. Sad to see that a school that had so much potential is being controlled by people without much common sense. Kids first, not yourselves people.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently have kids in this school and I am looking to move my children to another school. When my children first started I like the teacher involvement with my children and how all teachers new all students by name and how even the high school kids took care of the younger children. I see now that in recent years all that has changed. The school has gone through 5 principals and lord knows how many vice-principals, teacher are always coming and going and the children are left with a substitute teacher for months at a time. The children are the onces left to suffer. My overall opinion of the school is if any parent is concidering enrolling their children in this school, PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK before putting your children in this school.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is getting ready to graduate Pr-k from Radiance West Lake campus. I will be completely honest, When the school year started I was nervous that we made the wrong decision, I asked anyone and everyone. After the year went on I was completely fine. The teachers are great and know everyone. Her teacher stayed in touch and I had her cell number along with e-mail. Even the kinder teacher was talking to me about next year. My daughter is in Pre-k, she can read,write,count add and some what subtract small numbers. The principal I did not have too much interaction with so I cannot make a full opinion. I do wish the school would take over more of the area around and I wish they could purchase the land behind them for activites like sports but for the education I am fine without.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with some postings below. The school itself is in terrible shape, but the administration really tries to accommodate every parent and child's need. I can't say anything bad about the teachers. They actually do care about the children and try their best to work with every one of them. Unfortunately, the funding they receive is so limited, classroom space is very small and due to that student/teacher ratio is ridiculous. The list can really go on; nevertheless, they try their best to work with what they have. Perhaps instead of complaining, parents should try to be more involved in the school, donate items or funds, help out the staff. As parents, think of it more as doing it for our children. Complaining may not fix the problem in many cases, but if parents and staff work together maybe we all can be part of the solution.
—Submitted by a parent

Teacher do not know what is going on . Every one is lost . The school smells they never upgrade the school . No books the schools is a joke!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

This is not a school i recommend , I am a previous student of this school and have found that they not only lack in providing 'up to par' education they also lack in school authority over students and some staff. The teachers are basically given free reign over the student body to do or not do as they please. They have no disciplinary program put in place for distruptive students , no extra curriculur activities and the sanitation is barely being met! I myself have personally seen how the principals were and how they were always too 'busy' to deal with issues especially when the issue didnt specifically have to deal with them. Do not take your kid to this schoool unless your looking to put them in free day care where they can run loose.

Iam a high school senoir here at Radiance . I would say ,yes there is no gym, library and we dont have a nurse. But what counts is that teachers do care..if u get hurt or have an accident the front desk will help.. It does hurt us that we dont have a gym but, the reason why is because we didnt raise enough money. But we still were abel to buy are uniforms for the athletics dept.To us what really matter was winning the football championship,and we did. thanks to all the coaches,that cared about us ,and cared about giveing are school a good name.. I had a great year..
—Submitted by a student

I've had it with this school year aftern nothing changes no yearbooks, no fundings, limited books, no music, art, band or gym (playing in the parking lot doesn't count). Even the staff continues to leave year after year. My child is excited to attend a school with books, an d activities.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is in 3rd year in this school. I would not recommend it. Apparently, 'charter school' means they don't have as much funding as a public school and kids must make do with copies instead of books. Principal and teachers are hard to reach. When I asked about parent volunteering, they were not interested. No library, art, music, band, gym is in parking lot. My child makes good grades but states the work is very easy, so I wonder if he is really up to grade level with public school kids.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is one of the best I have sent my child to. The front desk woman Ms. Rose is amazing and all the staff there are nice and friendly. If you are planning to send your son or daughter to any of the radiance academies I would recommend this campus.
—Submitted by a parent

All three of my children attend this school. It has undergone many positive changes in the past few years and I am looking forward to improvements in many areas such as the academic content. I am happy with the small class sizes and the small campus size. Everyone at the school knows your child and looks out for their welfare. However, since it is a small school, there are few extracurricular programs.
—Submitted by a parent

School provides good learning atmosphere. Standards are posted and adhered to. A little shy on extracurricular activities. Good caring atmosphere.
—Submitted by George Barse, a parent

My child is a student at Radiance and my main problem is that I feel no need to have a principal if she can not address problems when a parent has a concern. On many occasions did I find it necessary to speak with [the principal]. The excuse I frequently recieve is that she manages another campus. I do not care my child is not a student at another campus he is a student at Radiance west.
—Submitted by a parent

Moved my 2 children, ages 10 & 8 after 4 months. Fouth graders on up have to drag their books around all day. No custodian to clean bathrooms. Trash everywhere. No I.S.S. in place for bad students. Some teachers 'too busy' to write up the disruptive students. Just overall bad management. Principal seems too busy to make time for parent questions. School has to share resources like books with the other Radiance schools. This has resulted in having to copy pages as there are not enough books to go around.
—Submitted by a parent