Research Solon Junior Academy charter Schools in Phoenix, Arizona

“Solon has been a big disappointment, just when things were beginning to move in a positive direction the director who made it happen leaves. Mrs. Thorpe's vision for the school, was great, she accomplished tremendous things in a short time. A few people didn't like her leadership, but she brought in the computer lab and a new curriculum, she was wonderful with the students and as parents we have great respect for her leadership. Now that she is gone we have concerns about the change not only in leadership but in philosophy and do not feel comfortable keeping our children there any longer.”

“The problems with Solon started with the current administration. As a parent the director drags you in circles with no clear answers to any of your questions. The curriculum is substandard when compared with that of neighboring schools. Test scores are down. The small class sizes are now no more as they are getting rid of staff meaning class sizes are similar if not larger than those in a public school setting. Discipline is another issue with students getting chance after chance endangering the safety and learning of others.”

“Solon Jr. Academy is a wonderful school to work at. As a teacher, I find that I'm able to meet the educational needs of all my students. The small class size allows for individual attention. Students who have learning deficiences are not shoved into a corner and forgotten. This past summer the Reading & Math curriculum were addressed which had been neglected by previous administration. Solon Jr. offers a safe, loving and nurturing environment for all students.”

“My daughter attended Solon Junior Academy for Kindergarten, and will be returning for first grade. I have read the previous post on here, and I can tell anyone looking for a good quality school, that the search has ended. The school has come a long way, the teachers are wonderful, well qualified, and dedicated. Mrs Thorpe, is a blessing. She has an open door policy, you need to speak to her she is always available or will make dedicated time for you. The School now has a pto that is dedicated to enriching the lives of the students and familys of Solon. My daughter was able to ready by the end of kinder. Now, how many other public school parents can say that? Give this school a chance. You will be glad that you did.”

“Solon Junior Academy has been revitalized under Mrs. Thorpe's leadership. The curriculum has been updated, student behavior has improved greatly, the uniform policy is enforced, parental involvement has increased and everyone is welcomed, there is now a culture of excellence and accountability, the staff is certified and very professional. I highly recommend this school if you want peace of mind in the knowledge that you are providing your child with the best education and are willing invest your time and energy to be a part of it!”

“Horrible, horrible, horrible. This school has went from being one of the best to one of the worst in the valley. My son was at Solon during Mr. Sieling s reign and the academics were rigorous and after school activities plentiful. No more, we were told no extended care this year and dance a joke. My child did not get the math curriculum till October. And let s not get started on how impossible it is to talk to the principal, leave messages and emails good luck. You will have to corner Mrs. Thorpe in the school to get an answer. Do yourself and child a favor find a different school.”

“I have been very happy with this charter school. The teachers are phenominal. My daughter loves her kindergarten teacher so much that she hates summer and winter break! She learned to read 2 months after enrollment and had no preschool education. The educations is very advanced. The student to teacher rate is low and the principle is compassionate and very involved.”

“Solon Academy's principal just up and left last year with no prior notice, which was very unprofessional. Fortunately the new principal Mrs. Thorpe is wonderful. I have met with her a few times and she is always available and receptive to my ideas for my child's education. My child is very happy there. The emotional environment is wonderful and the academics are good, too. I like the new Saxon Math program, the PE program, the art teacher, and the science club. My daughter is also in scouts which meets after school. When she was out sick for 3 days, the teacher had the class write get well cards for her to send home with her homework. When she broke her arm, Miss Deb, the admin, called to find out how she was doing. I can't say enough good things about this special school.”

“We were a part of SJA for 2 years - RUN! Fast! Not a good learning environment for ANY child. I can't belive this school is still open. With so many options out there, I urge you to keep looking! Parent involvement? NOT! Parents are not involved and those that WERE are now at other schools.”

“My daughter is in Mrs. Thomas' kindergarten class. I was planning to homeschool but then I started back to school. I shopped around and on recommendation from another parent I chose Solon. My child is very, very happy there. I love that I pick her up and ask the teacher how her day when. My daughter gets ready for school quickly and returns home with a smile most days. The school has ability-based learning even with the K students. All of the children go to the appropriate classroom for math and reading. They each are able to learn at their own pace. My daughter's class has 18 kids. Love the uniform policy. I only wish they did more sports or PE, and had a music program with choir or band. We may move her to public school when she's older so she can take part in those programs.”

“My daughter has attended Solon Junior Academy since kindergarten. She is now in 2nd grade and we are at our wits end with this school. Every year she has at least 2 teachers, of low quality mind you. They cannot keep or even hire quality teachers to work here, every teacher quits mid-year it seems. And their after-school program is a joke. The only reason she has even remained as long as she has is that the before and after care program is more affordable. But we cannot put value above our childs education and are going to pull her out at Christmas break to attend a better public school. I advise all parents considering Solon Junior Academy to think twice before enrolling your student in this school.”

“Our first year at Solon was outstanding. The Kindergarten teacher was amazing. Our child had improved test scores by the end of the years. The principle and several favorite teachers have recently left the school. The amount of homework compared to what is done in the classroom seems disproportionate. We are watching to see if things improve.”

“As a parent of two students with IEP's I feel that this school has given both of my children an opportunity to succeed. My daughter has achieved well in MRS. UDA's class and can do Kindergarten math while in Pre-K, she was more than ready for this years Kindergarten. My son has shown great improvement in behavior and academics in the last three years that he has been at this school. I am looking forward to another wonderful year at the Junior Academy.”

“We are very unhappy with this school. There is no participation from the teachers at the PTA meetings, poor supervision for before & after care and the administration communicates poorly with the parents.”

“This is our first year at Solon Junior academy and I have a son in Pre-K and daugther in K. I have to say that I have been very impressed with the Pre-K teacher Mrs. Uda she is absolutely amazing with the kids. My son has learned so much in the last couple months that I am confident that he will be ahead when he starts kindergarten next year. My kids also love the music, art and Spanish programs offered as part of the curriculum. Parent involvement is also welcomed and the PTA tries to keep everyone involved. I would definitely recommend the Pre-k program to everyone and will see how my daughter does in K.”

“My oldest daughter went to this school for her Kindergarten year, but we had to move after that. We have not been as happy since leaving Solon. I am in the process of seeing how we can work it out so that both of my kids can go back to Solon. The only complaint I had when she went was that they needed more extracurricular activities.”

“This School Is great. My son has a I.E.P. Plan and the teachers went out of thier way to make sure he was getting all the help he needed.”

“Disappointed that there is no music program and the computers that are mentioned on greatnet are not used.”

“My Child attended Solon for one year. I was very impressed with the teaching and office staff. The teachers are committed to the children's educational success and the direct instruction is a good method for most students. Special Ed. Dept was extremly accomodating. If parent involvement is important to your family, known that you will not find it at Solon. A handful of wonderfully dedicated and overworked parents participate in supporting the school and it ends there. You can count the number of parent attendees at the PTA meetings on one hand. These meetings were held at night with babysitting offered. I would recommend the school for academics only, there are no music programs, no sports, and no clubs offered at the Junior Academy.”

“This school does direct instruction, and has a good reading program. However, I am looking at a different school for my child because I want a school that more strongly emphasizes the basic academics.”

“This school needs to have extracurricular activities, sports are important for kid growth. Also, more days in the school year or a summer school program.”

“My children love attending Solon Junior Academy! Mr. Sieling is wonderful with all of the children! My twin boys are very excited about attending kindergarten at the same school with their older brother in August and write notes to their teacher for next year all of the time. I love volunteering in the classroom because it lets me see the day to day workings of what goes on behind the scenes to make everything run smoothly in the classroom each day! I really must salute everyone there! All in all, my children love Solon and I will have all 5 of my children attending Solon in August! The staff really love the children as if they were their own. I feel very blessed knowing that my children are as well taken care of as they are on a day to day basis while at school! Sincerely, Kris Denfip”

“My children have attended SJA since the inception of the school and we love it. They have made great strides academically and socially. The class sizes are small and the teachers get to know each student individually. I would strongly recommend this school to anyone.”

“My son has been attending the Junior Academy for two years now, starting from kindergarten. Prior to him starting kindergarten, I was very stressed out with the fact that he would be disruptive, unwilling to learn and a handful in the classroom. Traditional preschools did not offer a defined schedule or curriculum and I feared for his educational well being. Well, for the first 6 weeks, he was out of control. His teacher, Mrs. Michelle Lulf, was amazing with him. She worked with him on a day to day basis, and together, he has really excelled. This school offers more one on one teaching, low student teacher ratio, and is academically enhanced. My son has become a totally different person and I owe this all to them. He has learned to appreciate school, and is so much more advanced compared to students his age attending public schools. I highly recommend this school, more importantly, I highly recommend the teachers. They sculpt these children into students worthy to attend such a fine academy.”

“I am very satisfied with the curriculum at this school. The academic standards are unprecedented! The only complaints I have are there are no extracurricular activities! And the school operations are a bit unorganized. But for the most part, it is a good school. The teachers are wonderful! My child has learned a great deal!”

“I have two children in the Solon Schools - 1 at the Jr Academy and 1 at the Sr. Academy. In the three years that the school has been in place, they have had three Directors (principals) at the Jr Academy and at the Senior Academy (which is only two years old) they have had two directors. The teachers also turn each year - mostly at the Jr level - With the current staffing at both schools, should the teachers return for another year, the schools may just have the winning formula - The curriculum is bar none one of the best that I have experienced - Direct Instruction - the mothodology of teaching is the way to go-each student can work and excel at their pace - I recommend this school - As a working family, we utilize the before and after school program. These schools are definately a check-out!”

“The teachers and staff are great. I think a liitle more one-on-one is needed for students who need it. Example: My child is shy, but is very smart when it comes to home work. Maybe a little one-on-one, or other activities is needed to help her., as well as others.”

“I love this school. We have been going here for three years. It's improved tremendously over that time. I definitely recommend checking out this school. The Sr. Academy is the best!!!!!”