Research Self Development Charter School charter Schools in Phoenix, Arizona

“We really do love this school. Both my daughters go there and have for 3 years. I had a very difficult child who was removed from 2 different schools due to behavioral problems and they have taken the extra time to work with and dicipline her. My other child came from a public school in Mesa and could not even read coming from Kindergarden and they turned it around in 3 months. I highly recommend giving them a try, yes they are focused on education but fun is never overlooked.”

“My daughter enjoys going to school- and loves being challenged. It is lacking a music education program that the public schools offer.”

“My children have attended Self Development for the past four years and I find the teachers to be very patient and helpful. The class sizes are small and if a child needs additional help they are pulled out in a small group or by themselves and receive the help. When my son was at a regular Mesa elementary if a child didn't understand the attitute was Oh well we will hold them back and they will get it next year. I also had to hound them about getting extra help and tutoring even though they offered it weekly...it was like a secret. At Self Development I never have to ask they see that the child needs help and they provide it. The teachers remain in contact with the parents and provide weekly report cards, nothing is a surprise at the end of the quarter.”

“My son attended for a number of years and did well. My son was advanced when we started at Self Development and remains so in the public school system. The environment at Self Development is extremely restrictive, with the focus on being quiet, which doesn't work well with the younger kids. Recess is their only outlet, and was often times restricted - balls were not allowed. When we transferred, my son was amazed at how much fun school could be. He continues to excel and is a role model and leader in the public school system. My only regret is not pulling him from Self Development School earlier.”

“Literally one of the best schools in the state in terms of how much they teach students each year - especially in math.”

“My daughter has been going to this school for 2 years now and we have been having problems the whole time. They don't seem to care when a student is having difficulties. They just give them a bad grade and keep moving on. Teachers should be there to help thier students but that hasn't been the case with my daughter. The principal is no help at all but I do love the assistant principal. I am currently looking at removing my daughter from this school. Don't let the high test scores at this school fool you unless your child is great at everything and doesn't require any help from thier teacher.”

“We have had our daughter here since last year and I have nothing but good things to say about it. The staff is wonderful and very open with communication. My daughter had the choice of going back this year or going to public school and she wanted to continue here.”

“I have several children who attend the charter school. I think there is a huge focus on academics. I am not confident that the learning environment is fun. I don't think the children enjoy going. There seem to be some excellent teachers, and some not so great ones. But bottom line my children learn and learn much more then the average public school student. I do not recommend this school for children who are behind, or not excelling for their level.”

“I think this school is overrated. My son has been in preschool here for 3 years. I send him because it is convenient. I hope to have better feelings once he's in first grade.”

“Love this school! We drive 18 miles each way to take our son to this school. The staff is great, the atmosphere is safe, and the learning model is individualized to each student's needs.”

“This school has an excellent academic program. The atmosphere at the school is very child centered, and the staff are warm and welcoming. The school has many extracurricular activities such as a sports clinic,orchestra program, poetry club,and geography club. My children have been attending for 4 years and their individual needs are being met. I have a special needs child and couldn't be happier with the progress we have made. The schools should be concerned about test scores when our students are being measured in that way all over Arizona. These test scores determine whether our students and teachers are mastering the Arizona standards, which ultimately decides which type of diploma they receive in high school. If the state is worried about our test scores, then the schools should be concerned also.”

“This school was an extreme disappointment. My child has gone to Self Development preschool and looked forward to attending the charter school. What a let down. I talked with the principal but got lethargic replies. The principal at Self Development seemed more concerned with test scores, and less concerned for my child education.”

“Had a child here from 2nd to 6th grade. School very focused on the test scores and how to keep them to keep them high. Although there are claims that the school is a grade level above public schools it has yet to be seen on any subjects other than math.”

“Self Development Charter is a great school! Their academic program is amazing! My son has excelled tremendously. I like the style of learning Self Development has to offer. They have made learning fun for my son. I am glad they push the children to a higher standard and prepare them for the future. If your child is willing to work hard, then I highly recommend this school.”

“School is 'Excelling', however, push the students too much. Students are given an inappropriate amount of homework for their age group. Staff are more concerned about 'grades' and 'test scores' than about the children actually learning and developing the love of learning. Not an environment for any student that has any special needs whether academically, physically, or mentally. I would not recommend this school.”

“This school is purely academic school and probably one of the best in Arizona.”

“Academics are the main focus here. The children are challenged, but they keep learning fun. I'm impressed. I know friends that say the after school program could be improved; they get enough play time but could have a few more activities for the kids. They do give them time to do homework though.”

“Very good school. My son is already reading and is only 5 months into Kindergarden”

“This school is amazing! The teachers are awesome. The principal is caring. They are very in tuned top the childrens needs!”

“I have one child in kindergarten and one in 2nd grade and the experience has been good so far. I do get concerened about the limited extracurricular activities.”

“Academically, I couldn't be happier with the school and the teachers. I do feel they are too stringent regarding lunch time and free time in regards to noise level, etc. The kids are pushed hard in a very controlled environment, but these are childen, and thus have lots of energy and they need to be allowed to be KIDS. I would also like to see more information on after school sports programs and the principal to be less concerned with her rating in the state.”

“I couldn't ask for a better education for our daughter. She has attended SDCS for two years. I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone and everyone though. If families are committed to a high level of focus and desire a high level of education for their child--this is the place. Homework and reading is required nightly (they give you weekly homework packets). The school is almost a 'back to basics' school, however, they have a strong emphasis on math and give the students more science than one would expect in elementary school (we like). They have PE twice a week, have Spanish I believe once a week, and music once a week. For clubs, they offer spelling, math, chess club, walking/running club and have strings. We've been happy with our school discovery, but the classes are getting full. I expect to see waiting list soon.”

“I have 2 children enrolled at Self Development Charter School. The thrive in the accelerated environment and continually achieve high results on state testing. I wouldn't think of having them attend another school. The teachers and principal are very involved with the students and it shows!”

“My child is starting her second year at SDCS with amazing results. We did not work with her prior to starting kindergarden, as we should have. However, she caught up very quickly thanks to the special attention each child receives. They kept us as parents very involved too. By year end, our child was able to test in the 99th percentile and we give all the credit to the teaching provided during the year. She will definitely be there through 5th grade.”

“I love this school. They are finally beginning the much anticipated building to add on more classrooms and a multi-purpose room. Your child will be challenged in this school- they can handle more than we give them credit for. My only complaint is that the classes have gotten larger; but with more rooms, hopefully this will fix the problem. One teacher should not have as many kids to teach as my daughters did this year. They also need to work on the quality of the after-school care. They need more activities for the older kids. They find it boring.”

“My child has been a student at Self Development Charter School for three years. I find this school to be a wonderful environment for her to learn in. This school is an accelerated program. The students are working a full grade level above and the classes move at a fast pace. My child has flourished in this environment. The teachers and Principal work together to create a curriculum that challenges the students to better prepare them for the future. It is a huge importance that parents also be involved in their child's academic progress. Without this support, students will fall behind in this environment and any other, public or private. The teachers and principal are dedicated to the children at this school. I would recommend this Charter School to anyone.”

“I love this School. Although at times it is an inconvenience to work around my work schedule I've not only kept my 9 yr old there since Kindergarten but, my 5 yr old starts school at SDCS in August 2005. I'm extremely excited. I couldn't ask for a better school Thank you”

“This is academically a very good school, and would be very appropriate for students that may be bored in a public school. This school however, is not appropriate for average ability, or low ability kids. Students are pushed to keep up and move forward with the rest of the class. If they are behind or struggling, they are typically left on their own to solve the problem. I also have huge concerns with the principal and her leadership as well as some of the teachers.”

“Academic programs at Self-Development Preschool are excellent. Children of all ages surprise you daily with what they've learn at the preschool and are always academically ahead of the norm. This preschool is fastidious about cleanliness, lead teachers are well educated in early chilhood development, and teacher retention if high for a preschool. Small children thrive at this preschool because teachers have control, the noise level is low, and teachers manage to teach the small children about respect, following directions, etc. The school-age after-school care program needs much improvement however. School-age children 10-12 are always bored, complain about rigidity of care-takers, limited physical activity, and lack free time.”

“I would recommend this school, for its strong leadership in academics. I know a few other friends who have their kids there and are very happy with the school.”

“Great focus on academics. Curriculum is one year ahead of actual grade level. Small school and class size. Poor communication from principal.”

“We like the small classrooms and the attention our child receives from the staff at SDCS. The class work is challenging and the children enjoys excelling in their class work.”