Research Wakisha Charter School Charter Schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“'Horrible conditions' my children attended 6th grade there 1st and last yr there sept 2008* june 2009..As a result they are enrolled back into private school**which they have been attending since kindergarten'never compromise education especially @ wakisha although the directors are great people w/ a plan but hopefully it will kick in soon ..Because i was not happy/nor impressed to the point that dadand i made the decision not to send them back...And school bus service 'disgraceful'.......”

“I've worked under the leadership of Jan E. Gillespie-Walton, she is a fabulous leader and her outlook on the future of our children is above and beyond most.”

“My name is jerome bennett and this my 3rd and final year at Wakisha.I think Wakisha is a good school to send your child to for 6-8 grades because the teachers are great and really know their stuff.”

“I think its a great place for kids to learn my kids go their and they have been receiven a's in that school!”

“I am a former student and was there when it first opened. I will say, being the second graduating class, that during my time there i learned a lot. I don't know how it is now but when i was attending, we did go through a lot of hardships but most of the teachers there were great and very supportive. Especially Ms. Bland, i will say she is my favorite teacher and hopefully she is still there because everyone loved her. ok i'm out Class of 2002”

“I have attended wakisha since the 6 grade is was great the 6 and i am now in ther 8th grade. But now omg it is a messed up we don't have a spanish teacher and honestly i don't think that we should of taken spanish for 3 years!! we haven't had a spanish teacher going on for like a whole month. The teachers are nasty it's only one. The school is a mess. The new princple don't comtribute to anything.. The 8th grade haven't gone on a trip yet; some say it was only because it was only one that made honor roll. That's not fair; they gave us so many projects it don't add up to no type of since. They put so much pressure on us, 8th graders the expect us to be an example to the grades below, bump that.”

“Wakisha charter is a very bad school, I didnt learn anything there; the cafateria is disgusting and the faculty are very mean. I do not feel like I can get a great education at this school. Because of Wakishia, I do not believe college is in my future.”

“im john carr and its my second year here and i made honor roll for 6 and the first marking period of 7th grade and im going to keep on trying. i think wakisha's a great school with very challenging work. sometimes you feel like whoa what was that and if you're in 7th grade advanced class you'll even get 3 projects at the same time and sometimes it feels a little extreme, but we have to learn sometimes don't we”

“This school is pretty good so far they give kids a lot to think about.”

“I think this school is excellent i love it!”

“I go to Wakisha Charter School and it is a great school !!!”

“My name is Kiyhana Kinzer and I attend Wakisha Charter School. This going to be my last year at this school. This school has taught me things that i wouldn' t have learned in my neighborhood school. The staff in our school is very well. All the teachers take their personal time to help us students. i learned alot of great black history from my teachers Mr.Dunn and Mr.Johnson. Also the rest of my seventh grade staff did. I like the way our school went on histrorical trips and the teachers got up and actually taught us something meaningfull. Our reading and math teachers really helped us when it came down to pssa. I really love my school. So parents should send their child to this school.”

“The school gives good training and help with our work and the teachers care about everylast student that attendes the school”

“Wakisha Charter School has proven to take full control of teaching our children the Black History that is lacking in other schools. My son started Wakisha back in September 2006 as a 6th grader and sure we had some confusion with the bus system, but I soon realized it was not Wakisha's fault. The administrator and principle was very instrumental in improving the poor service they were receiving from the bus companies, and so far this year it's been improved. We as parents must not forget the 'important' role we play in our kids education. Just like you dislike something about the school, be just as adamant when you like something about the school --- speak your mind. So this brings me to, I love the school and it's mission;however, I would greatly appreciate more communication with the teachers re: homework and special projects due dates.”

“Wakisha Charter school is what I would explain as a afro-centric school. It teaches us about our history. I would have to say this school is not the best but it is excelling to success. I been at this school for three years now and is now attending 8th grade where there is failing grades but we will overcome these standards people think we are at. Wakisha is not the best but is not the worst either it is in the middle trying to accomplish goals within this school even no a lot of problems may follow. I love the staff because they are caring and want us to succeed. Example ms.Comerie and Ms. gill our excellent counselor.”

“I attended wakisha charter school and I like the school. This school helped me understand the importance of my black heritage. Although the buses were late most of the time. That wasn't the school's fault that was Johnson Bus Service's fault. But overall the school is great and I enjoyed my first year and I hope this enjoyable feeling will stay until 8th grade. The NTA's were always making sure that the students were safe and felt safe in Wakisha. The teachers always made sure the students understood what they were being taught. I am glad I tried this school. It really made a difference”

“I think Wakisha Charter School is an excellen school. Although it has had its problems the focus has always been on my child. I believe that the staff truly cares about the kids beyond the doors of the school. On numberous occasions teachers and staff members have taken the time out to ensure that my child has recieved a quality education, thay have kept me updated and my child motivated. Its is truly a family atmosphere there.”

“My son attends Wakisha Charter now and is in the 8th grade. I am not happy with anything reguard this school and his last year there. The website to help parents keep in contact with parents is never up to date nor does anyone respond to emails sent. I haven't received a progress report for my kid all year and he has attened since 6th grade. When I called to ask why haven't I received any they advised mailing list was incorrect for 2 semesters. My son doesn't like his classrooms at all. He seems to think the other students are not focused and the teachers aren't helping to keep his. If I had the change to do over I would not have ever sent my child to this school.”

“My son just finished at Wakisha Charter School after going there for three years. Even though it was a relatively new school, I was very pleased with the education that my son received. There were a lot of changes in the three years that my son was there, but I think that is to be expected from a new school. Considering that the school is around six years old, I think they are on the right track to sucess. I know for a fact that my son got a better education at Wakisha than he would have gotten at my neighborhood school and I must say again that I am very pleased with the education that he received.”

“I was very disappointed in the professionalism of the staff and teacher stabillity. There was a constant turn over of principals and teachers throughout the entire school year. The music program was omitted just after 2 months of school. I think the school has potential, but there needs to be some immediate improvement. I will not allow my son to return there next year.”

“My son has just started 6th grade at Wakisha. He is very excited about attending school. The first time that I can remember. Yes, the school bus is late picking the children up. So far we have not had any bad experiences with Wakisha. Looking forward to first report to see how he is really doing. The teachers seem to take a real interest in the students and the students want to learn. Will see how the year goes and submit an update.”

“This school is horrible. The teachers are not committed to the children at all. The administration did not stand by the parents at all. The bus drivers were always late getting the kids to school and home. The teachers sometime didn't show up to parent teachers night and the cirriculum, please. When I first came to Wakisha to enroll my daughter, I was lied to! This school is a disciplinary school. Not academic.”