American Preparatory Academy of Draper

The teachers are awesome. The education is 1st rate. The administration of the school is a mess. You will love every time your kids walk in the door and hate every time you have to walk in the door.
—Submitted by a parent

APA has amazing teachers who consistently go above and beyond. A lot is required of the teaching staff and they continually put forth a tremendous amount of energy and effort to educate their students. Yes, you will find nepotism at APA, but who can say that is a bad thing? The family connections found at the school is not to the demise of the student body, so who cares if relatives work at the school. The student body for the most part is well behaved and the amount of volunteer hours spent at the school is encouraging and admiral. You will not find a perfect school, each comes with pros and cons. I can say that my eight year association with APA has far more pros than cons.
—Submitted by a parent

APA is sooo amazing! They have high expectations for students and parents academically and behaviorally and it makes us all better in every way! They work sooo hard to help every single child be successful! All my children continually amaze me with what they know and how well disciplined they are becoming. Thank you, APA!
—Submitted by a parent

APA is a great school in many respects. I appreciate the direct instruction method and the teachers are almost in every instance better than what I've found in the public schools. The only problem with APA is the self serving philosophy of the school's directors and administrative staff. Nepotism is rampant. Learn an administrator's last name and you'll be sure to find others with the same name working at the school. While you have to beg your way into and through the school you can be sure those running the school give themselves and their kids every advantage they require you to grovel for. I am sure the reasons the school was started were noble but it seems clear they've lost their way. For your child APA is a much better school than your public school choice but be prepared to bow down. I've waited until my youngest is finishing at APA to post this because I truly feel if those at APA knew my opinion and identity they would find a way to dismiss my child to get back at me. If you can't handle being treated like a second class citizen look elsewhere.
—Submitted by a parent

To those that put 1 star reviews I would be careful. APA has had my comments removed before (that is why they have such good reviews here) I had 4 children that went to school there 3 years ago. They attended for approx 3 years. They were very difficult with my son and unwilling to work with him. They told me that APA was a rigorous school and that not everyone can keep up, and that he did not belong there. (It turns out my son has Aspergers, he is now in high school, has a 3.5 gpa and will be graduating a year early) Another teacher at APA told my daughter that she would never be able to get into college, let alone graduate from high school because of her spelling (That same daughter graduated at 16 and attends college on a full scholarship) Although this is a public school, paid for with public tax dollars if your child or children are not making the school's scores look good, they try to make you and your child feel uncomfortable. Stay away!
—Submitted by a parent

American Preparatory Academy-Draper is an outstanding public charter school. Our child, who is on an IEP, has been successful due to challenging curriculum, intelligent, dedicated teachers, and consistent policies. Successful students at this school MUST have a parent who embraces the school mission - academic achievement and good character. Successful students do NOT have to be high achievers if parents do their part by providing ample time each day for studying and homework. My own child is on an IEP and thrives. Can the parent who vengefully awarded APA a one-star rating defend his or her arguments? He or she already failed to mention that APA-Draper's CRT and DWA scores are public record and proudly among the best in the state. APA-Draper places a huge emphasis on research-verified academic programs, and every child has the opportunity to excel. This parent also claims that resources were denied to his/her child, which is puzzling because APA has services available for each student who qualifies. The school also offers free after-school tutoring for any student who needs extra help. Hopefully, the parent who complained will take a more active role in their child's success.
—Submitted by a parent

Unless you have an over achiever, I wouldn't recommend sending your child to APA. They have their own cookie-cutter way of doing things and if your child does not conform to it, they do everything they can to make the student not want to come back. They pride themselves on embarrassing the students in front of everyone else. My child would rather pee his pants in class then be embarrassed by everyone when he had to go. When I talked to APA about getting my son some resource help, they said that it's not their responsibility and that we'd have to do that on our own. When a parent has a comment or complaint, it's either ignored or followed with "That's the builder way!" When a teacher wants to help a student that is struggling with "the builder way", he/she is either threatened with being fired or the student is taken out of his/her class. When a student doesn't do exactly what the school expects, they are called "Destroyers" in front of all their classmates. My son felt bullied by the kids at APA because part of the APA way is to have the excelling students manage the struggling students. These are 1st grade students managing 1st grade students! Not what I want for my child.
—Submitted by a parent

i am a current 7th grade student at APA. I cannot begin to express how much it has helped me. I have always needed to be challenged because I have a sharp mind. APA provides that for me. In every class (except maybe Choir) :) I am pushed to the limit. APA provides activities and subjects that other schools just don't have. I am able to take 8th Grade Honors Algebra, where otherwise my friends in other schools are stuck in 7th grade algebra. Every teacher there cares about you and is willing to make the jump- if you can. I just won the school wide spelling bee, and I have never felt more accepted. At other schools i have been singled out as the 'smart kid', but here it is amazing to be that! Within the first few weeks of my first year, i already had a circle of friends. Everyone is respectful and it's cool to do your best. It's a hard school to get into- surprise!- but you can guess why. As the years goes on, the homework lengthens. One week I stayed up 'till twelve completing homework every day. it's challenging but it is so worth it. If you are considering putting your children in, do it! you'll only benefit from it. i only have this to say- APA rocks!

APA is a really great school---academically, but a lot of the rave reviews on here are how the school USED to be. The past 2 years APA has been more focused on expansion and management of their 3 new schools than on APA. They pulled many of their amazing teachers into the other schools. What they ARE doing with this school seems to be fixing what isn't broken. They have added more rules to an already extremely strict school (my kids have pulled cards for talking *during lunch* and going to the bathroom). I sometimes feel like my kids are suffocating there, like they have no choices or creative expression. There is a LOT of homework. APA loves parental involvement but not input. They do surveys once a year but nothing changes. Their student turnover has been really high this last year. Many people left. If you are interested in this school (especially Jr. high) you may want to ask for those numbers. Still, it offers an above average education with great teachers, which is why my kids are still enrolled. I love the groups and class sizes. It is a good school with AMAZING academic programs...I just wanted to write this review so people know what they are getting into.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. Because the teachers are really awesome and know a lot of things. I have attending for five years now, and I have learned a lot.
—Submitted by a parent

I have thought about what school to put my kids in since they were 2 years old. I tried homeschooling, tried to afford private school, and I put their names in all of the charter schools I could find. When they got picked to attend APA, I was thrilled! The more we are there, the more I love everything about it. It is a commitment, with homework, parent involvement, etc, but that is one of my favorite things. I have such a feeling of pride knowing the get the privilege to attend such an amazing school! What an amazing blessing! Thank you APA!!!
—Submitted by a parent

We have been at APA for 5 years, after two miserable years in our neighborhood elementary. I cannot find the words to say how much we love this school! It is hard work, the students must meet high expectations and behave responsibly and respectfully. There is homework. Every single night. Yet, given the choice each Spring, all of my children choose APA. I have one who struggles with reading and spelling, one who excels in everything, two who do well but need to be challenged, and one who is far behind her classmates. ALL of them thrive at APA. The small groups do wonders for students at all levels, and they are constantly encouraged and expected to give their best. The staff is 100% supportive and helpful, and we have been given every accomodation possible for our children who needed help. We are moving, and I know that we will never find another school like APA. If we find our way back to UT, we WILL return to this school! American Preparatory Academy is a rare gem.
—Submitted by a parent

This school will meet your child exactly where they are academically, even if they're three grades ahead in one subject and two grades behind in another, they will place them in groups that are fluid between grade levels. The groups move at various speeds, depending on what your child needs. I don't know why all schools don't follow this model. These small groups (some meet in tiny little classrooms) are small enough that the teachers really know exactly what each student knows or doesn't know. They use direct instruction, which means that the students use choral responses, to whatever the teacher is teaching. The kids' minds can't wander. They stay focused and testing becomes no big deal because they have been verbally assessed, daily, in a positive, fun environment. I also love the ambassador program at this school. They have activities to teach the students social etiquette and manners. I have never seen a more polite, respectful, kind group of students than the ones at this school. We'll never move because I refuse to take my kids out of this school. It's incredible! I hope that they build American Preparatory High School soon!
—Submitted by a parent

I wanted the best school I could get for my Kindergarten age child. I am so happy that we got her into APA. I am amazed at the quality of education she is getting. I love the main principles of the school, I love to curriculum, I love the 2 teachers, I love the uniforms. Every child is expected to give their best, and as a result, the children succeed. There is a level of respect that is part of the environment that seems to be lost in the rest of the world. I love that the small groups for math and reading allow all children to succeed and learn at their level. APA is one of the best schools in the valley.
—Submitted by a parent

APA has far surpassed our expectations. Not only are the teachers great, and the curriculum amazing, the student body consists of respectful, kind, and hard working students. Every time I enter the school I hear kids offering their classmates words of encouragement. The student body is expected to be respectful and they rise to the occasion. I am very grateful that my children are able to attend such an amazing school. Thank you APA staff for all you do.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended K and half of 1st grade here. We absolutely loved it. Yes, there is homework most every night. But it is worth it. Academically, he has excelled beyond our wildest hopes. We love the small class sizes, and the uniforms. They are committed to academics, but also to values, and caring for each child. I think the small reading and math groups work very well. I would highly recommend this school. I'm so sad that we had to move and leave it.
—Submitted by a parent

I love everything about APA. I love the uniforms, the small class sizes, the teachers, the curriculum, and the break out groups.
—Submitted by a parent

We can not tell you how impressed we are with this school. The teachers that all 3 of our kids have had all love what they do. Our kids have also made huge strides in their education sence switching from another school. In their prior school there were a couple of great teachers as well but only 2. At APA all of the teachers are great. We also love the learning program. It is not easy but well worth it. We could not be more pleased with the school. APA A+!
—Submitted by a parent

Our family has been attending American Prep since it opened. My students started school in 6th, 4th, and 2nd grade and my 4th grader and 2nd grader were far below grade level in Reading and in Math. My 2nd grader wasn't even reading! The programs at APA are outstanding and the individualized instruction for each student makes such a difference! My students are now going into 9th grade and 7th grade and they are both above grade level in Reading and Math. The leadership and teacher's desire to help every student succeed is constant. It doesn't matter if a student is far below grade level and struggling, they do everything they can to make every student feel smart and successful. This school isn't for families who don't want to study at night - but it is well worth the commitment!
—Submitted by a parent

Apa is the best school I have ever attended. I attended for three years and it was truely one of the best expriences I have ever had. The director and the teachers are fantastic. It has helped me to succeed many of my academic goals. Apa has taught me many lessons and vaules you cannot learn in a public school. Thanks Apa! Your Amazing.
—Submitted by a student