Creative Connections Arts Academy

Posted: May 2, 2025

My son is about to graduate, and I can’t say enough good things about this school. My son is autistic and very smart and has flourished here with the acceptance and academic stimulation he has needed to do so. At every step they have listened and worked with us to develop a plan for my son’s academic and social success, and he is excited to go to college and excited about learning, and I feel strongly that this environment was a critical part of nurturing that.

Posted: May 2, 2025

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Posted: March 19, 2025

Horrible school. Today our teacher took my son and all the representatives outside. Made them stand in silence during the coldest time. Then brought the children a poster and locked them in the classroom! He simply did not allow the children's parents after school until the administration broke down the door!! This is unacceptable! And all this in the first grade! The administration does not care who teaches the children!!!

Posted: March 19, 2025

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Posted: May 19, 2023

I had two kids go through the program at CCAA and it was a GREAT experience for them and our family. They made quality life-long friends at this school and developed great relationships with their teachers. The many things they were taught have carried them on into their budding adult lives.
This school is full of fun, family friendly activities throughout the year. Students have 15 hours of community service to provide each year and parents are asked to do 30 hours toward the school, and with all of the activities and events throughout the year, it's nothing to get them done. The students are not "picked" so you end up with normal, regular kids with normal, regular problems like you see at every school. The bigger difference is that the school is smaller so there is less nonsense.
If you're looking for a place where you can be involved in your kids' school, this place is GREAT!

Posted: May 19, 2023

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Posted: May 8, 2023

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Posted: May 8, 2023

I am deeply concerned about bullies being protected and the children that were beat up, blamed. There should be a zero tolerance policy ESPECIALLY in a School that claims to nurture the whole child. Confidence is shattered in the kids that are attacked! There is a huge issue when a Principal allows 4 kids to beat up 1 child and blames the victim stating racism when that is a blatent and absolute lie. A child becomes defeated and learns not to trust those in power when they tell the truth and are blamed in such a manner. Children aren't safe from being jumped while using the restroom either. This isn't just a boy situation, as girls are being jumped too. Girls are even jumping smaller, younger boys! There is such a thing as mob mentality. Your school seems to be suffering from it and everytime you allow a group of 2 or more to harm 1, it gets worse because they know they can con you!! Supposedly, mental health in Children is a huge priority... yet I ptsd, among others are occurring on your campus everyday! GET YOUR SCHOOL RIGHT!

Posted: November 14, 2021

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Posted: November 14, 2021

very well diverse school. the teachers are great and work well with the children and parents. my kids are excelling in this school compared to their last school.

Posted: November 10, 2021

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Posted: November 10, 2021

this school is terrible they sacrifice education for arts dancing and other garbage it should be closed down my kids are failing because they fail the kids they barely teach ABCs and 123s arithmetic everything that's needed to succeed in life all they care about is their pseudo Hollywood appeal.

Posted: May 10, 2018

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Posted: May 10, 2018

Needs allot of improvement. Lack of Art and music classes. Need PE teacher for the 7th grade. Dress code and phone is a problem in the school. They need to follow school policy but they don't. This is just a few issues.

Posted: May 10, 2018

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Posted: January 4, 2017

Horrible school. Poor cooperation with students. Teachers are lousy. I'm glad to have moved to a more intellectual school in Lafayette. CCAA, what a joke.

Posted: January 4, 2017

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Posted: March 26, 2015

I love this school. I have looked everywhere in our district to find a school with arts/music. I haven't found any. This school has dance, music, and lots of hands on arts and performances. My kids love their teachers, they love coming to school. They find school fun. I love having them in such a great environment.
The teachers have been so great about helping solve any problems we may have.
The parents are very involved, this really sets the mood for a family friendly atmosphere. I have been welcomed in to help in the classroom and I love the support they give you to be involved.

Great school!

Posted: October 6, 2014

I dont know why people are always hating on this school. Complaining about how a school a school that has been open for around 5 years lacks classes is just ridiculous. or when people complain about the school requiring a body count to stay open. You know what school shut down when they had a body count... Columbine.

Posted: October 23, 2013

We put our child here because he was so advanced the teachers nor the principle wanted to deal with himin his regular public school. It is the same school district. They continued to push us for 2 years to put him on ADHD medication and even wrote letters for us to give to his doctor. Our Doctor said they needed to learn how to teach. Our child was in 2nd grade and reading at 7th grade level. I made them change his teacher and I was warned by the principle it could make it worse and it did. He no longer wanted to go to school. He would fake sick. This is a child that even when sick would not stay home, he loved school that much. In 3rd grade he got 100 percent on the California State Exam. Teachers still pushed for us to put him on medication. We finally got him in CCAA this is his first year 4th grade. He is an A student, loves his school, his teacher, Drama, Music and can't wait to go to school. We love the Staff and Teachers, there is so much family involvement. I can't say enough good about this school. They saved our Child and gave him back the love of learning again.

Posted: September 16, 2013

Don't understand all the negativity about the high school - I graduated from here last year and am now attending my dream university. This is the ONLY high school you'll ever attend where the teachers actually care about you and care that you succeed. Any high school is what you make it, so if your child missed out on the events offered by the high school, that's on them. Saying that this isn't a real high school because our prom isn't paid for by the school, what?!?!? Do you not realize that any other high school prom would cost about $150 per student - plus dinner, plus pictures, plus transportation, plus dress or tux? CCAA is sooooooo fortunate to have such supportive staff and families willing to help with fundraisers to reduce the cost of these events - the junior prom was only $50 and that included dinner, the dance, a cruise on the river, and pictures. Please tell me where you would find that anywhere else. Anyways, students at CCAA are the most friendly and helpful, I made my lifelong friends here. And the school counselor Ms. Hanson, gotta give her a shout out! She's honestly the BEST. And about the AP classes, I didn't have any and it didn't set me back AT ALL. Love CCAA!

Posted: September 9, 2013

My school is very family oriented and a place where students feel cared for because of a wonderful administration and teachers who believe that each child can be successful and are valuable to the success of the school. Even though it is a small school, there are so many activities going on each month that help promote the family atmosphere at the school and help staff, students and parents feel more connected. It is a joy to be part of this unique environment.

Posted: August 7, 2013

This is our 4th yr & thankfully it will be our last.I feel that my hs student has lost out on a great education & on a lot of hs activities.Nothing was planned last yr for the 1st grad class except for a senior brkft I struggle with most events & field trips are planned for the K-8th grade. 6-8th grade got a grad field trip.Check all the hs they get a grad night or an option for a classs trip.My child loves the small feel of the school but they don t offer AP classes & no longer go outside the school to get these classes unless you get accepted at the college level. I m waiting to see if the principal makes any changes being that this is her 2nd year (she was not involved last yr). I'm not actively involved as I would normally be & I rarely make donations because everything is geared for K-8. Someone mentioned that CCAA is 2 schools, you might want to recheck that info because the school says we are all one but money raised doesn t go towards the hs or events they go towards the K-8th.The school did not even help pay for the jr/sr prom, that $ was all raised by the students and the balance was paid for by parents. So some kids couldn t afford to attend, again this is not a true hs.

Posted: August 6, 2013

My daughters has gone to Creative Connections for two years and not only do we love it but she loves it too. Twin Rivers doesn't have very many good schools in its districts so when I found this school I was ecstatic. I did allot of research from test scores to California standards and the whole nine yards and Creative Connections showed me that there is always a diamond in the rough. Our family is very happy with this school and would recommend it to anyone who actually cares what type of school their child goes to.

Posted: June 25, 2013

i went to this school for one year, that's all it took. it was a poor environment for learning, for artistic advancement, and for the growth of a child. during my year here i got bullied, beat up, tried committing suicide, got depression (that is still with me today), got poor grades, and started to get obese. i want to just warn anybody that wants to bring your child here that it's your choice but i wouldn't advise it.

Posted: October 22, 2011

Im in 7th grade here and have been here since 4th grade. I want to go back to my old school because i dont like this school and the kids are rude and the rules are loose but tight too :(

Posted: August 22, 2011

i'm a parent of a high school student i feel that high school students tend to be left off. Events are geared at the K-8th. There is a major lack of communciation to the parents. Being the 2nd yr for H.S i would have execpted to see some improvements but instead its the same as last year. I can not comment on the teachers as all of them but 1 is new and i have not had a chance to meet and gather my opionion. the prinicipal needs to understand that there are WORKING PARENTS and needs to paln things accordingly. Principal great idea but if there is no answers to the questions are parents to know what is happening. E-mails are sent out the last second, the website is not upate with current teacher info, buit the elem website is update and current. My child enjoys the school and wants to continue attending but there really needs to be some attention paid to the High School so it can continue to grow. Maybe listening to the kids and stopping meetings during they day and events, Us working parents would like to voice our opionions and enjoy the shows as well.//

Posted: March 5, 2011

CCAA is going through growing pains. They have an amazing award winning drama program. They have some fabulous teachers. They do have new teacher who don t fit the criteria of the school who don t seem to have an art form. I believe this was a problem with the district. However I will agree with several of the post in other ways, the principal has not been on his A game this year. Yes, we have tried to talk to him, sent emails, called and have received no replies Maybe a new leader is needed to get the school back in line. We are not notified of changes, when I ask my daughter s teacher she often seems surprised.At 1st I thought her teacher was not prepared. When I ask my son s teacher who is very together and she doesn't know either then that means there is a problem with communication. Shouldn t leadership come from the principal?He is a nice man but the school is suffering.People say they are leaving this saddens me since we had such a wonderful school and program there; it seems ashamed that the district just couldn t leave it alone. Over all I would give the teachers high marks but the principal and the cleanliness a failing grade.

Posted: March 4, 2011

I find this school is far from Utopia when more than half of the jr high and high school students are failing, yikes! with facts like that any parent would find it offensive for the staff to cover up the truth like the last post, knowing they are in desparation for a body count to stay open for next year. As a parent I am very concern that this school has wasted my time and my childrens time and the damage to their education with the lack of commitment and the lack of communication from the teachers and principal. It looked very promising with all the reviews that I read and with talking to parents, we all are seeing the light fade into darkness for my childrens educational future.

Posted: February 28, 2011

Oh my! I'm very sorry to hear that some people aren't happy at CCAA. Though not perfect, it is the closest to Utopia that our family has found. I love the creativity and exploration of subjects and even more, I love that my kids are treated as individuals by caring staff. CCAA has had a lot of growing pains this year and have been met with commitment to the program. There are still further obstacles and will be met by staff and parents alike to be sure that the vision continues to come to life. If this school isn't for you, and it isn't for everyone, I wish you luck finding what you are looking for. I would also hope that your concerns have been directed to the administration and not just posted online.

Posted: February 28, 2011

I'm so sad about this since the school was so great for my oldest. But the school has gone down hill. I have several children at the school and this year the fairytale museum is not being performed at night. I work and so does my husband we were notified about this just yesterday and when I asked the teachers they said the principal decided to cancil it. It seems to me that he has become very anti-working-parent. He allows the stay at home parents to gossip out in front of the office making it uncomfortable for other parents who have questions. He has tea's only at times working parents can't come. Now he is cutting out our opportunity to see our children perform or even ask for the day off of work do to the short notice. Also the sixth grade teachers leave there students alone in the classroom alot. This didn't happen when my oldest was in sixth there. My oldest in in jr. high and I can tell you the quality of education has gone down. There are a few great teachers there who give up lots of there time for the students but I don't see the same commitment this year from the principal.

Posted: February 8, 2011

In response to the previous comment - we shouldn't be commenting on a principal's vacation and where he goes, what he does, what he eats, etc. That's so irrelevant. What I do find relevant and neat is that he even cared to update the school children about his adventure. Very cool since it makes it more real to the kids, assuming many haven't been that far before. And, if you see a classroom is filthy - well, aren't you technically responsible too, being a parent volunteer?? I went to the new parent conference yesterday, and have to say that I am impressed to say the least. It is run by parents. How great is that? And the simple fact that both sides of the brain are utilized and stimulated! I'm excited. I am looking forward to both my children attending this school. Oh - also - to comment on the previous statement regarding the constant replacement of kindergarten teachers...who's to say that's a BAD thing? What if they're just picky about who they keep on? There could be many other reasons also. Don't always assume it's the schools fault.

Posted: February 6, 2011

I am very impressed with CCAA. Working in the classrooms, I see the kids just thriving. Not only do they get a sound education, but also a warm nurturing environment to learn in. The programs are always fantastic! The children and teachers work hard, yet have a blast creating the programs! How lucky to have the visual and performing arts incorperated into their schooling. With the way the world is today.. forcing kids to grow up too fast, CCAA lets kids just be kids. As parents and volunteers, we could always have a field study day school clean up in the classrooms if it's possible. Thank you to all the teachers and staff members at CCAA for guiding our children through their educational journey. Every one of you brings a new, fresh prospective to the table and I appreciate that. I hope my grandchildren can attend this school when the time comes.

Posted: January 31, 2011

I am very disappointed in this school. I attended the orientation and it was mandatory that the students meet certain social and academic standards in order to attend. My child did but there are several that need extra assistance and now my child is not getting the education that was promised. She is told that it isn't important if she spells a word correctly and that because she is smart, the teacher expects excellence from her which has caused emotional and physical stress. This is also the 4th teacher that her AM kinder class has had this year. I am actively looking for another school. The principal is too distracted with the new junior high/high school to care about the elementary school which is very very sad for the kids.

Posted: April 25, 2010

This is such a great school. It creates a great learning envirnoment for my three kids to grow and thrive using the arts!

Posted: April 21, 2010

My son has been at CCAA for 4 years now and considers it the best school he has ever attended. He enjoys the balance of creativity and academics very much, as well as the principal, teachers and administrative staff

Posted: April 21, 2010

Our family has been at CCAA for all 5 years of it's existence. It is the perfect school for kids who want to learn in a creative environment with teachers that care and are invested. Does your kid want to learn to: play an instrument, sing, act, draw, paint, dance, llearn to cook, crochet, knit, create digital media, play chess...and more? Then this is the school for them. Not to mention the strong academic standards they hold along with the extra help available to help kids catch up if they need it. I love to spend time in the classroom (parent participation is required every year, in a variety of forms...you can even do it at home if you need to) and see the creativity in each the kids come alive. We are fortunate to have CCAA HIGH SCHOOL available beginning with the 2010/2011 school year. It's finally the extension of our wonderful program in a High School. Can't say enough about this excellent charter!