ACA was an amazing success but now I see rapid decline. Academically outstanding curriculum remains the biggest strong point; although more work should be done in class reducing the extremely heavy homework load in all grades. My family used to be one of the biggest and loudest fans of ACA, unfortunately that has changed over the past 3 years (so we've removed all but 1 child and quit donating $$ to ACA as a result). Rules, policies and discipline seem militaristic and dictatorial. Administrators and Board's theory appears to be carry a big stick, use it often and don't bother asking questions or gathering facts prior to passing judgement. Board members vote among themselves to fill vacant seats!!! Result is the same group of single minded members has been in place way too long. Ridiculous election practice, ALL parents should vote on Board members- no cronyism. Primary lunch lady monitor is infamous to kids and parents for acting like a drill sergeant. The poor kids aren't even allowed their lunchtime to talk with friends--attendants are way too strict and mean. Literally the kids get yelled at everyday at lunch to be MORE quiet-terrible atmosphere. Would you want to spend your lunch this way everyday???Then the teachers often pull the entire class’s playground time due to the behavior issue of one or two. How do you expect these CHILDREN to sit still all day when they have no time to talk or release energy?? ACA recently changed the tardy consequences in the middle of the semester; parents had received zero prior communication as to whether their child had previously been tardy or not but the new consequences remained! No process for parent to receive any notification day of/day after alleged tardy and no appeal process. The school newsletter notes character traits (like respect, compassion and manners) but some administrators and teachers with long tenure don't seem to practice them toward the children or parents. There are many truly outstanding teachers there--too many to name. Newer teachers still have compassion, empathy and focus on really teaching the children. 6th grade teachers have been rude to both children and parents, will pull my student prior to attending 6th grade at ACA due to 2 teachers. One teacher doesn't even bother to participate in the parent teacher conferences--she just sits there while parents look through papers and gives zero information. 6th grade teachers have disciplined in public- made children cry in class. Director of Ed should not allow this to continue. Stop focusing on who didn't park correctly or who's tardy at 8:01 and get back to what's going on in the classrooms and lunchroom.

• Reply
• Add to your collection