Karl G Maeser Preparatory Academy

My school is interested in my students success and continually seeks to engage them in application of knowledge. I am thrilled
—Submitted by a parent

I immensely enjoy teaching at this school! I feel valued by the administration and supported by parents. The students are, by and large, respectful, and well-spoken. Some reviews have mentioned the departure of staff members, teachers, and the old headmaster. Schools are organic and dynamic organizations, which will change over time. I've taught here for several years, and while there are a few teachers every year who do not come back (often of their own accord, and for whom we are very happy and supportive), there has been no mass exodus of talent. Yes, we are a challenging school. Yes, we can do a better job reaching out to those who are struggling with the academic rigor. Yes, we can work more closely with parents to ensure their students' success. But show me a school that doesn't need to do those things better. I love the students and their energy, and I love the involvement of their parents. I enjoy the autonomy I am given as a professional. I highly recommend talking to students and families who are successful here to find out how we're different and if Maeser would work well for your family. If we do, awesome. If not, that's okay too.
—Submitted by a teacher

This school has declined from what it used to be and no longer cares about students. The school formerly announced high-achieving students and encouraged students to become motivated, both of which is no longer true. The school now makes my high-achieving son feel as if he is learning in a harsh, condescending, and inconsiderate community of administrators that suspend and expell students left and right, for trivial reasons. The administrators now feel that the massive count of students leaving and their opinions about the school do not matter at all, as the school has already established its "reputation", which is not true. The school was previously "#1 HS in State - Newsweek", 2010. Now it is "#5 HS in State - Washington Post", 2013, with CRT State Test rankings much, much worse. Most parents would now agree with me that the school doesn't even deserve #5, the school should deserve much worse. Most of the teachers from the last few years have left, and the newly hired teachers are taught to be nothing more than "I believe none of my students deserve an A, but I won't help them become the A student". Teachers and admin (especially director/headmistress) lack concern for students.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this school was a very fun and exciting school to attend until 2013. I am a senior and I am finding it very difficult to stay on top of the school year due to the new requirements the board and headmistress created. Most of the new teachers and staff members are very inconsiderate and rude. I no longer feel the want or need to learn from those specific teachers, along with helping out the staff and my fellow students. I also no longer feel safe from being ridiculed by teachers and other students. One thing this school did teach me is to think independently and critically. To believe in myself and others. I hope next year might change in a more positive way instead of heading into the gutter. Good luck 2014!
—Submitted by a student

I need to express how impressed I've been with this school. My son is finishing up his seventh-grade year at Maeser and it has been a great experience. I am impressed with every one of his teachers. This has been such a nice alternative to the huge junior high down the street. His teachers clearly know him well and how to customize the curriculum for him. For example, the English teacher offers him extra readings since he excels in that area. I don't think that Maeser is a negative place at all, as one reviewer states. The teachers have been so positive and so easy to work with. The friendships he has made here have been so good. I feel like kids at this school are accepted for who they are. We are definitely returning next year! Thank you Maeser for a great year and for such a positive experience for my son in middle school no less.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an okay school. It has decent academics and extracurriculars. Fine experience here overall. Although it is a Charter School.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm very sad to give this low rating to Maeser, as we loved it the first 2 years there. Some changes started last year, and unfortunately, this year the school has really gone downhill. Rather than creating positive conditions to foster excellence, the school environment is very negative, and more and more restrictive. There are fewer and fewer options for electives, and several additional required courses that seem entirely unnecessary, such as a Senior service class. Although the claim to offer an afterschool math lab, the teachers are actually not willing to do any tutoring. Many of the excellent teachers were fired or left last year, so few remain. I do not feel my son is being challenged any longer--he rarely has homework this year. Also, when he missed several in the fall for a broken hand, the teachers gave him no mercy in making up his missing work. Many of my son's friends have left the school this year or are not planning to return next year. It is unfortunate that such a wonderful school has gone downhill so drastically.
—Submitted by a parent

I joined the school my freshman Year (9th grade) and was welcomed with open arms to teachers that enjoy teaching and working with their students. Class sizes averaged at about 20 students and student-teacher interaction was commonplace. Beginning my sophomore year the school added 7th and 8th grade classes and as consequence the class sizes grew larger. The school building is small and crowded because of the size of the new student-body. Class sizes now average around 30 students because of one main issue. Classes are not offered at times students can take them. A recent change in graduation were understandable but they increase the burden of the senior class this year (2013) exponentially. In order to graduate i have found myself taking online classes to meet the new requirements to graduate. Homework levels are understandable and tolerable for most classes, not all classes. Many teachers are novices and do not know how to create assignments for students and communicate to students effectively. Overall i have felt that the school offers nothing more than a base education and often students cannot take electives because very few to none are offered.
—Submitted by a student

There have arose several problems in the recent school year. The board that currently resided is heartless and rude. Recently they fired Maesers beloved headmaster because of health reasons even though he only requested two classes for the following year. The board feels that they have limitless power and they have used it this year to fire several teachers due to ridiculous reasons. They actually use surveys filled out by students and angry parents to determine if they can stay. Lastly, one of the office staff members who will remain nameless is extremely rude and impossible to work with... this school use to have high standards, but is slowly going downhill
—Submitted by a parent

Headmaster and office administrators are rude, inconsiderate, inattentive, dismissive, and lack manners and regards for parents and students. Their attitude to parents is usually: You are bothering me, what do you want, I m busy! The sports program is a disaster. Coaches and students don t know when they need to meet for practice or what games are on or off. There is no organized logistics so the gymnasium gets often double booked. Communication with parents is almost no existent. The website is not updated regularly, phone calls and messages are not passed on to teachers or counselors, e-mail are not returned by administration or headmaster. Teachers and curriculum are incredible. The Socratic Method really works and our children have learned how to think and form opinions of their own. Change the headmaster and office clerks and this school will be perfect.
—Submitted by a parent

Cheap... And the curriculum is very Advanced which is good so an A- For the Academics. However there Arts program is terrible F for Fracaso it needs improving. Also the school has to much students which takes away from the family friendly part and it becomes a full on public school that wears uniforms. Last is that MOST the students that are expelled or found skipping classes from public schools they all end up at this school making it a environment of skipping class is cool, swearing, vandalism, lies, and a lot of kids that fail. My recommendation is that you should send your kid that wants to exceed to a different academy. There are a lot of other choices than coming to this Sad Excuse.
—Submitted by a parent

Maeser is a college prep school. The curriculum is set up to gear students to think and analyze, not memorize and test. Amazing teachers and students. Think outside the box curriculum. Small classes and student body, limited cliques of students.
—Submitted by a parent

I have moved states 9 times in my life and have always been to public schools. When I moved to utah, well, public school just wasn't for me in UT. I found Maeser prep and it has been such a safe haven for me. From the caring teachers to the intellectual students. I strongly recommend Maeser. The socratic seminars have really helped me form my personality, opinions and has opened my eyes to so many new things. I love Maeser!!Oh, and the Head Master and assistant Head Master are the best I have ever come by!
—Submitted by a student

Outstanding in every way. The new facility is incredible and the teachers are dedicated and fantastic. The curriculum is much more rigorous than a regular public school and some students who don't want to do the hard work struggle but if you have a student who wants a great education, this is the place for them.
—Submitted by a parent

I absolutely love Maeser. I've been in charter schools since fifth grade, but attended public school for a year. The education can't even compare. I was falling asleep in public school. Maeser has changed everything, from my attitude to my intellect. The teachers are incredible, and the headmaster is top quality.
—Submitted by a student

Unbelievably committed educators who know and work individually with each student.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a school that really teaches it's students to think. With Winterim and Socratic Seminars, Maeser Prep is truly unique. It's faculty and teachers are some of the best and will work with students to help them succeed. Maeser Prep's small environment allows each student opportunities they wouldn't have had anywhere else.
—Submitted by a student

The teachers take time to work with the kids. Small environment, everyone knows each other. A little longer day than public schools. Winterim was great fun for my son, he got to go to El Paso and do service for the poor there. He has had a great experience at Karl Maeser
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful! My students enjoy every minute of school. Great teachers, great classes, great programs, great kids.
—Submitted by a parent