Research Philadelphia Academy Charter School charter Schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“i went to philadelphia academy from 5th to 8th they are very welcoming. The teachers are great every year i loved my teachers. They help there students as much as they can. It taught me more then what i would ever learn in a catholic school. The art and music classes are very good. We painted murals all around the school and music we learned a lot about how to read music, and learn a lot abouts its hisory. It was a wonderful experinence for me and most of the other kids i graduated with i hope one day i could send my kids to a school like this.”

“My best friend sends her son to this school. She can't say enough about the resources that are available to her this chool has small classrooms and a dedicated staff. My only concern is that everyone know this and the lottery list is so long my son next year will not have a chance. We need more schools that rank as high as this one for our children to go to.”

“This is a wonderful school. The environment is warm and friendly. Children that I worked with felt very happy there. The K teachers are great. They keep the children going for a full day. The art, dance, music and gym everyweek are wonderful for K age children.”

“Its an educational experiance. I myself am a student there, in sixth grade. Mrs. Brody, Ms. Atkins, Ms. Heinger, and Mrs. La Brasca are all very great teachers.”

“Great school, parent involvement is the most I have ever seen. There is a deep sense of committment from the entire school community.”

“Great school---what education should be!”

“Great school and loving teachers.”

“I attended this school for almost seven years straight. It is a great school, and the teachers are friendly. Its great to be part of a cool community like this one!”

“I can't say enough about the quality of this school. Academically it is truly outstanding. My son has attended the school for eight years and is soon graduating. He has had some of the best teachers this city has to offer. There is a bond within this school that will leave my son with some very happy memories for the rest of his life. To the PACS community we would like to say Thank You!”

“My son recently graduated from PACS and my daughter is still enrolled there. We have been with the school since its inception and have been extremly satisfied with all aspects of the school. We are also an anomaly from most people because we moved out to the suburbs yet still send our children to PACS; the school has great academic programs, caring and deducated teachers (such as Mr. Pagliore in 8th grade) and small class sizes which engages young learners and supports them in their academic pursuite. The principal is very involved and is also able to effective manage the business aspect of the school. School uniforms lets the students focus on their education and specialty classes provides them with an understanding of tolerance and respect for their peers. I feel that this school has prepared my son for high school and an academic future that includes a university.”

“My daughter left a Catholic Grade School because she was having a hard time. She now attends Philadelphia Academy Charter School and in just one year she made honor roll. I think the teachers are great!”

“I can not say enough about this School.My daughter has been attending since kindergarten and feel the staff and education are outstanding.I feel so lucky to have my daughter attend this school.”

“The quality of academics in this school is extremely low. The school enviorment is not one I want my child subjected to. I dont believe this school has the endurance to excell my child and prepare him for college. They are more concerned with nonsensical disipline than challeging my child acedemically.”

“This school is unsatifactorty. They focus too much on disapline rather than learning. My daughters grades have dropped dramatically since attending this school. The have very low academic standards and are more worried about hair and field trips than challegeing their students. They did not treat my daughter with an ounce of respect and I am currently looking for another more academically challenged and respectful school.”

“I am extremely unsatisfied with the school (PAC). My son has attended now for over a year, and I am currently looking for another school. I want my son to be academically challenged and prepared for college and that is not the case in the facility.”

“Ii liike thiis sch0ol m0or3 th3n any oth3r sch0ol iv3 been t0o the teachers uunderstand andhelp you out wiith just ab0ut everythiing =]”

“This school has a wonderful IEP program. Thanks to them and the caring teachers my daughter is doing 100% better. I thank god everyday that she is in PACS and not in a regular Public School where she would just slip through the cracks. PACS didn't let her slip-they helped her.”

“I've been going to P.A.C.S. since kindergarten and this is my last year.this school is the best and I'm going to miss it when I leave.”

“My son decided he wanted to leave Father Judge to attend PACHS, I allowed him to make his own decision and he lasted 2 days! I especially think that Mr.Sperling has what it takes to do great things in an educational environment and he was very helpful throughout the transfer process. I truly believe that allowing my son the choice between staying or leaving was an educational experience in itself. My son decided after spending a short time at PACHS that he wanted to go back to Judge, and he is thrilled with his decision, and without a doubt my heart is 'happy' he went back. His reason for leaving, the 'quality' of people. As far as the academic program they have, 'they' as a whole are behind the eightball. Challenging? Not compared to Fr. Judge, The Juniors @ Pachs were reading what my son had to read as new sophomore.”

“My son is in special needs class and they are fabulous! The whole school is great. Every kid I know who has had any disability problems have thrived. Outside activities ie dances,remedial classes and special ed wonderful. Even typical kids and tier parents love it. I love the no bully policies.Everyone gets involved.I can only hope they can expand thier autistic support rooms since their is great demand”

“This school is a great school!”

“This is my daughter's last year at this school. She has attended K-8. She has been given a wonderful education from caring, thoughtful and creative teachers. I am very pleased with Pacs and my daughter will miss it.”

“I am not at all satisfied with this school. They seem to be way behind other schools in the area. Their curriculum is way behind the times and want my son to be preppared for college and this just isnt happening in at this facilty. they are average at best. The public schools in the area are rated much higher.”

“I finially decided to pull my daughter out of this school. I am very unsatified with the academic quality in Pacs. They need to catch up with other schools, and stop worrying about ridiciculous disipline issues and focus on academics. I would not advise waiting on a waiting list for this school as it is not worth the wait. The public schools in the area are a much better alternative to this facilty.”

“I was a student @ PACS since it first opened. I can honestly say it was worth it. I made new friends, and the teachers are very determined to make school fun but, a good learning community too.”

“I have attended PACS since its opening, and then continued at its newly opened high school. The fact of the matter is that it is not for everyone. Both PACS and PACHS have great special education programs and aid for struggling students. I truly admire the faculty's dedication to help those in need. However, the school does not track, leaving clear honors students left in slow paced classes. I have seen this result in poor grades and even worse attitudes. It is ashame to say, but it is my opinion that proficient students will not find this school to be as fostering and helpful as many claim. I don't buy that PACHS will not prepare students for college. Still, neither school provides many of the great experiences that bigger schools can offer, such as AP classes, beneficial clubs, or scouted sports, which help in the college application process.”

“extremely happy with our children's education, such a happy and safe enviroment”

“I have worked at PACS for the past 6 years and I currently teach 5th grade. I really enjoy the students I work with and hope that I am challenging them enough while still meeting the needs of students with IEP's. I look forward to positive things to come with our new principal and CEO. I am also glad to see that we will be instituting a Positive Behavior Plan that will reward students who always do the right thing. It should have been done years ago. I recommend this school over Philadelphia Public Schools any day!”

“My son attends this school. My personal experience is , it is horrible!! it has very little after school activities such a sports teams and such. The teachers are not allowed to fail any student, therefore no matter what grades your child is given even failing every subject they are still promoted and they do not offer any summer school program, with the exception of attendance. The teacher are much less qualified than required by the philadelphia school district. My son is a junior and is learning things he learned in middle school. They are way behind the times with their education. This is an average school at best. As you tell by their score they received. (5)?? Not good. I am pulling my son out if his grades from his 1st report are not up 2 his potential. He went from the 95% on pssa testing a 65% at pacs..”

“Both of my children attend PACS and I am more than pleased. The teachers are wonderful. My son is in the 5th grade and is being taught the same things as my niece who is in the 6th grade at a Catholic School.”

“The quality of academics in this school is extremely low. The school enviorment is not one I want my child subjected to anymore.”

“After receiveing letters from the school stating that are just now making progress, and are not on target or making adequate progess. I decided to take my daughter out of the school. She will go back too the Philadelphia Public School, so she can be in a school making adequate progress, and a school that will prepare her for college not highschool. This is definitly not the school. The school even offers to help with the transition to a better qualified school. PAHS is on academic probation for the next 2 years, as stated by them personally. A Very Concerned Parent”

“My son has attended this school for six years now. We could not be happier with the education he is getting and the great atmosphere throughout the school. They have a good music and art dept, but the sports dept is lacking. I would like to see the school offer more in the area of extracurricular activities. I can't say enough about the quality of teachers I have had the pleasure of working with and meeting in the last six years. They genuinely care about their students. The principal is hands on and a model to his staff and students. I definitely rate PACS as a superb school, a definite A plus.”

“My son was fortunate enough to be able to attend Philadelphia Academy Charter School. He is eager to go to school everyday and returns home with a smile on his face. The teachers are hardworking caring individuals that take time to know and understand each student. I am so thankful that we found this school, it revised my hope in the Philadelphia School System. The curriculum is fast paced and challenging. This school gives new meaning to *No child left behind*. They recognize weakness and strengths and develop each child so that they can succeed. I wish every child in Philadelphia could have the educational experience that the children of PACS receive.”

“This school is what every child needs and deserves. It is everything that is right about education. The curriculum is excellent and well taught by some of the hardest working teachers I've ever had contact with. There is a strong emphasis in developing good moral citizens, they are not afraid of teaching difficult life lessons. Children are treated fairly and given many opportunities from acting in a play to being in the reading olympics. The resource room teachers are excellent, what they accomplished with my son who didn't make it easy on anyone speaks volumes to their dedication and ability. The children who pass through these halls and make contact with any one of these exceptional educators are truly blessed. Their is significant parental involvement, that is welcomed and encouraged. The children know that their future is now and they actively participate in making the most of it.”

“I took my son out of a catholic school and fortunatly got him in this school. He was becoming emotionally damaged by the catholic school he was in. The kids were mean and the teachers were even worse. I am so thankful every day that he got in this school. The children and teachers are so kind to, I can volunteer when ever I want and best of all this school has really changed my son's life. He is happy when he comes home from school everyday and he was on the honor roll. He has also won every award you can get. Thank you Philadelphia Academy for being such a wonderful school.”