Noah Webster Academy

This is our second year at Noah Webster and I have been nothing but pleased. My daughter is ahead of her public school friends in every subject, and she loves going to school. I believe that the teachers are very well trained and invested in education. I had high hopes at first, and so far they have been met in every way. The changes they implemented last year have really helped my daughter, so I have no complaints.
—Submitted by a parent

I was disappointed to see some negative reviews of the school's new methods this year. I am writing this review because I know how much I relied on reviews by parents when making the decision to switch my kids to a charter school. I absolutely love Noah Webster and know that as a mom I have made a wise choice to drive my kids 20 minutes each way to get them the best academic and social environment possible. This schools has an amazingly diverse student body that has strenthened my kids views of life beyond Utah County. Academically they are also progressing much faster than in regular public schools because they are grouped by ability rather than grade level. The school's rules and processes are there for a reason and help create a safe and nurturing environment for my kids. I love the energy the newer teachers bring and the wisdom and direction from the school administration.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the second year my children have been enrolled in Noah Webster Academy. Last year, for the most part, I was fairly pleased with the school. However, towards the end of the year it really began to slide, and in this new year it is ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE! They have implemented new "teaching strategies" that are not really teaching at all. They are scripted lessons. If you want your children to feel like they are being administered a standardized test at all times, this is where to get it. They have taken all of the fun out of learning! But worse than their new lessons, are the expectations they have of the children. I am pretty sure that inmates at the prison have more freedoms than the young children in this school. They are not allowed to sit by their friends at lunch, they have to sit in numerical order, and they cannot talk to the person sitting next to them, they can only use the restroom in the time they are walking from the lunchroom to the playground. Once out on the playground, or in the classroom, they are not allowed to go, unless the get a card flip (punishment)! My young son, once had a bloody nose and was not even allowed to stand up from his desk to get a tissue!
—Submitted by a parent

The other reviews are accurate descriptions of what my children have experienced at Noah Webster for the 2012 school year. It is very sad to see the lack of excitement my children have in going to school daily, based upon how they used to enjoy it. If you want your children to like school and enjoy learning, DO NOT SEND THEM HERE!
—Submitted by a parent

I was very pleased with the school in 2011, but they have changed their whole program this year (2012). Some of the changes are improvements, but the environment they have created this year is very hostile, frightening, and or stressful for the children. They have really increased the negative reinforcement this year (card flip extravaganza), Children are not allowed to sit with their friends at lunch time and they are not even allowed to talk to one another during some of their lunch time (they call it "chew time", during this time the little kids are expected to shut up and chew their food ). School is always somewhat stressful just because it is school, but they have added a lot of completely unnecessary stress to their program this year. The wait to pick up your kids at car pool has doubled as well (expect to spend 40-60 per day waiting in line to pick up your child). Half of their teachers left the school last year after the school announced their plans for this year. I am now starting to understand why. Many of the new teachers have never taught before. Principal doesn't seem open to feedback. If you are looking for a new school, my advice is to keep looking.
—Submitted by a parent

I can't say enough good things about this school. I have been driving my children 20 minutes to and from, in the morning and the afternoon, just to go to NWA, because it is by far the best choice for them. They are taught Covey's 7 Habits, they are expected to have good principles and morals, they are expected to be respectful and follow rules. I have been in other schools as a student teacher and it only reinforces my feelings that NWA is amazing. They have a wide variety of after school clubs; my first grader is in a service club, my fourth grader is in chess, mythology, and outdoor clubs. Both of my kids are reading and spelling 2+ grade levels ahead, and are one grade level ahead on math, with very little effort on my part. I love the Saxon math program that is used. One of the most impressive things to me about NWA is how serious they take safety. Bullying is not tolerated and their car pool process is highly organized. They also listen to all input from parents and make changes when they are needed, without having to deal with the political/governmental red tape nonsense that school districts and traditional public schools have to deal with.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been in this school since the first year and have loved it. I have 2 children who have had speech IEPs and have loved the special ed program. This year they added a great tech class. I love that they put the children where the children will be most challenged (i.e. my 4th grader is studying 6th grade math)
—Submitted by a parent

My child has trouble with reading and it has become such a hassle to get him enrolled in an IEP program. For the past two years i have been asking the teachers, the office staff and the princple for help regarding his reading and no one ever mentioned that they offer and IEP program, i had to find out from another parent who has their kids attend public schools.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is great, they may not have a music room, but that's so they can have another sixth grade class room. They have way more after school after activities than most schools. They have strong teachers and a good school, it may not be the best school, but it's good.

If your child has ANY type of learning disability do not send him/her to this school. Just getting my child tested was a huge fight with NWA, getting an IEP or a 504 plan is almost impossible. This school has a huge bullying problem and the teachers are so fresh from University that any problems they encounter they don't know how to handle.
—Submitted by a parent

Good curriculum for math and reading. The teachers were very involved, proactive and caring. However, the principal/school leadership is terrible. So bad it almost cancels out the other positives. They have unreasonable expectations for young children. Unless your child is a robot or can sit perfectly still and not make a peep at all times, send them to this school. If however, they're like the rest of us who can't do that then I would rethink sending them here. If you have a child with special needs you're out of luck here. They have no resources whatsoever, no one on staff. Also, they're really lacking in the arts. They don't even have a music room. If your child wants to be involved with any extracurricular involving the arts you have to be in at least 3rd grade to sign up and there is limited availability and they're after school programs.
—Submitted by a parent

Such a great school, that really cares about every scholar. Excellent curriculum and highly-trained teachers. After comparing this school to others in the area I would never attend a public school district.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a fairly new school in its third year of operation. Given time it may prove to be what it set out to be. Currently I find a lot to be desired when it comes to getting consistent and accurate information, adequate teacher training, and accessible administration. For a school that claims to be about classical education and individual student progress it seems to currently be about special education and is unusually top-heavy in administrative employees. I hope to see them improve considerably over the next few years.
—Submitted by a parent