Almond Acres Charter Academy

So far, my kids have enjoyed Almond Acres. I have had great experiences with their teachers and staff. Communication has been open in addressing concerns and goals. I also appreciate the attention given to heart, mind, body and soul. It has helped me grow as a parent and to connect with my kids in our struggles. I have seen both my kids gain confidence in speaking in front of their peers and in making friends. Over the past 3 years I have seen an effort made to reach out to parents to understand the concerns and areas needing improvements. With that information I have seen changes in discipline, academics, and curriculum. I appreciate that the focus is for all of us to improve.

I have two children, a 1st and 5th grader (2019/2020 school year). Both children, and all the children at AACA, are focused on uniquely. They are challenged and celebrated for their uniqueness. The faculty and staff go above and beyond to their motto of growing great kids. If you're looking for an alternative to traditional public school and still want a tuition free option, give AACA a look.

My children love it as far as school goes and I love that the staff there all have the same to similar standards for my children and that they have the same as I have. I am super excited to send my kindergartener there this year and in a few years, my baby, as well as my older children!

I work for Almond Acres Charter Academy as an Education Specialist. Every year, I enjoy getting to know all the new students. I feel privileged to be part of a school and a philosophy that promotes a mindset and service project based learning that will positively affect our students growth and readiness for their futures. Every day, I am thankful for the administration's ability to guide the teachers and staff in educating students to be the best version of themselves and teaching students 21st century skills. Collaborating with teachers and staff truly understand our students is a part of my job that I love. The teachers at Almond Acres Charter Academy are kind, dedicated, thoughtful, and understand their students' individual needs. I can't wait to see all the students next year from Kindergarten through Elementary and up to middle school!

We love Almond Acres Charter Academy (AACA) simply because providing an education for a child is just not sufficient - which is so very evident these days. AACA has a wonderful family of dedicated administrators, staff & teachers. We've personally seen tremendous advancement in our child from K-2. When we see her strengths & weakness affirmed, begin to notice an amazing little citizen being stretched & make personal growth achievements via Habits of the Week and daily programs like Shared Start, only then will you appreciate that educating the whole child (heart, mind, body, soul) is one of the unique & successful education approaches. It truly is about Growing Great Kids and even Growing Great Parents! Yes, Mr. B has even provided meetings to help us. If practiced beyond the classroom by supportive families, these values can only make a school, business or community stronger. That's what also makes AACA unique, so special.

As most parents would say, my daughter is my entire world. Being a single mom at the beginning of the year, kindergarten was an extra big scary step for my tiny family.Now that the school year has come to end, I can not express how wonderful, and resilient the AACA school and staff Truly is. My favorite thing about almond acres is they lay down a proper learning foundation by teaching the kids (and parents) personal learning styles and strengths. I truly wish I was taught this technique when I was young rather than being slammed with memorization. My daughter has thrived and at the end of her Kinder year she knows over a hundred site words, counts beyond a hundred, confidently reads and sounds out big words with excitement, knows basic Spanish and sign language (loves teaching others sign as well), understands the importance of eye contact when communicating. And knows what it means to be a good community member and citizen. It is well known that 2020 was strenuous in our schools. Owning a salon, I've heard every mom's grueling homeschool stories, and it saddens me to hear their kids were slammed with busy work and packets. Not us at AACA. Our kinder teachers, Mr (Jeffery) Smith and Mrs(Amy) Brabenec teamed up and went above and beyond bringing us together with a daily curriculum, personal interactive videos, zoom lessons, fun games, book readings, as well as help for us parents whenever needed. I wont deny there were many occasions I was brought to tears with the overwhelming pandemic changes, but Jeffery and Amy made sure our kids were not left behind in these times. They did it with compassion and love. I could not of done it without their positivity and guidance. With that being said, my heart is with AACA and I plan I'm enrolling my daughter again and again. Thank you Almond Acres Charter Academy. -Taryn Weems Mother of Layla

Have nothing but positive things to say about Almond Acres. My first-grader is flourishing there. Not just academically, but also socially. This is a school which treats every child as an individual and celebrates and encourages each one accordingly. I would recommend any parent who is interested in the school to take a tour, speak to the faculty, and meet some awesome Almond Acres kids! My youngest child is enrolled for the 20/21 school year, and I'm incredibly excited for her to begin her educational journey there.

AACA has been an incredible school for our two children. The teachers have all been wonderful, and the school has created a community the supports, nurtures and stretches our kids. They are both doing so well academically and socially. Being a small school we also feel like the staff and leadership listen and adapt really well to the needs of the kids and families.

Almond Acres is a unique school. Like other reviews say, they do focus on developing the whole child--heart, mind, body, soul. The principal/director, Mr. B, is passionate about building into each child AND each parent. Through the time we have been distance learning, Mr. B has hosted many parent webinars to Grow Great Parents where we don't just passively listen, but are able to actively participate. I haven't heard of any other local school that is that dedicated to investing into their families. Academically, our two school-age kids are thriving. They are each very different and have grown through some challenges--one social and one academically. Between the care and attention of their teachers/staff and the school's extra-curricular activities, each of my children has overcome those challenges. We also love the recreation teacher, Mr. Sommerville. He is so fun and makes a huge effort each year to improve and expand his program and the availability of after-school sports.

I recommend Almond Acres Charter Academy to anyone who is looking for something new and refreshing in the way our children are taught in school. I love how this school uses the child's whole body to learn (heart, mind, body, and soul), not just their mind and body. I also really appreciate that the character that we are trying to build in our children at home is echoed in the school. Our children are more successful when we are all on the same page. My kids are excelling academically and look forward to going to school each day. The biggest difference I see in this school from traditional schooling is how all the teachers and staff work together to create the best learning environment for everyone. It is such a synergistic environment! You really feel like you are part of the team when you walk on campus, and you are! That is the best! And my children deserve the best.

The principal/exec director claims that his school spends a lot of time helping each child understand how they're smart. After many years at AACA and listening to the exec director's indoctrination, that was not the case whatsoever for our kids. Teacher turnover is incredibly high and families come and go because they realize that this school is very far behind academically behind other public and private schools. The fundamentals of math, writing and reading are neglected, especially in the upper grades. Another parent once said don't believe the hype and that pretty much sums it up.

This school focuses on character building-heart, body, mind, and soul. Unfortunately, it's at the expense of learning ELA, science, math, and history. Students who transfer out are very behind and not on track with other schools despite getting decent marks at AACA. The standard is very low. There is no real curriculum. Teacher and staff turnaround is off the chart. Many teachers have left mid year and when that happens they just combine classes or have a random staff member teach. They didn't have enough kids attending this year to have an 8th grade so now the school is K-7. Poor behavior is rarely dealt with in an effective way and there are a lot of issues. A lot of exceptions and accommodations are made at the expense of regularly functioning students. This school has some good ideas, but poor execution and lack of transparency. They seem to really be focused on appearances rather than education. Admin does not reply to or follow through about concerns parents have. I wouldn't believe anything that admin says as they have proven to be dishonest, even towards their staff-hence the vast turnaround.

This school focuses on character building-heart, body, mind, and soul. Unfortunately, it's at the expense of learning ELA, science, math, and history. Students who transfer out or move on to 9th grade are very behind and not on track with other schools despite getting decent marks at AACA. The standard is very low. There is no real curriculum. Teacher and staff turnaround is off the chart. If a teacher quits mid year, they just combine classes or have a random staff member teach. They didn't even have enough kids attending this year to have an 8th grade. Poor behavior is rarely dealt with and there are a lot of issues as many students with severe behavior issues end up here after not thriving at a traditional school. This school has some good ideas, but poor execution and lack of transparency. Admin does not reply to or follow through about concerns parents have. The school seems to only care about appearance and enrollment, making promises it can't keep. I wouldn't believe anything that admin says as they have proven to be dishonest, even towards their staff-hence the vast turnaround.

We love this school and we are now in our fifth year there. It is a place where there is more being taught than just academics. The teachers are great and all work together for a common goal...to teach to the student. Every child learns differently and the teachers acknowledge that and help each student according to their strengths and helps them stretch where they are weak. We had a problem with bullying at the school (don`t fool yourself and think it isn`t everywhere), but I really appreciate the care and concern that the teachers all the way to the administration helped and handled it. The drive isn`t really too bad for the great care my children are receiving. I would recommend this school to anyone looking! You can get a good feel for the school by going on a tour.

Had to pull my kids out. Bullying is ignored. My kids were behind in academics when I enrolled them back in public schools. Turn over rate is far too excessive.

We have been attending Almond Acres Charter Academy since it opened--this is our sixth year! All three of my children love the staff and school and are doing well academically. They offer after school sports in conjunction with Lillian Larsen Elementary which include Cross Country, Girls' Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field, and Ultimate Fridbee. They offer STEAM education, Destination Imagination, a MakerSpace, and they have teamed up with local artists for fine arts. They have an annual theatre production as well as an art show and Maker Faire!It's been a great fit for our family. I love the focus on character development (it matches what we're trying to do at home. I also love the attention given to Service and Project Based Learning---the kids learn so much and are making a difference in our community and world. We're so thankful we found this school!