The Classical Academy High School

Posted: April 4, 2023

Hello!
This is an interview coming from a graduate- in one of the worst years to graduate (Class of 2020!). I am currently a student finishing up my junior year at a small school in Nebraska. I want to set the record straight on the school- words have a lot of power, and true ones need to be said.
Let me first say that any school has its ups and downs. There are always going to be hard or rough experiences. I am saddened by the poorer reviews of the school and for the bad experiences. But aside from that. . . Overall, this is a really solid school. As a now college junior, I was very well-prepared by TCA. The challenging classes were difficult at the time, but they have prepared me effectively for college in a way that a lot of my peers are still lacking. The school does have a bit of a stigma of being performance-based- but I would argue, as someone who actually attended it (not just a parent who has not actually experienced a class there) that this is caused more by the student body, not the school, or its teachers or administrators. I went to the school all the way through- kindergarten through 12th grade, and yes, I had the off-teacher here and there who I didn't like, or who was honestly not a good teacher (I know now how to evaluate these things, as I am an education major). But even with that, the majority of teachers and admin here were supportive. It is a tight-knit and caring community. I am still great friends with many of my high school friends and teachers. As for the extracurricular pressure... This is caused by other students. Being in a high school means being subjected to some of society's most judgmental people- teenagers. I never had a teacher or administrator push me to succeed in extracurriculars, in all honesty- it was just them telling me good luck on races (also yes, I was a cross country runner. More on this later). The culture of high-success was not teacher driven. The last thing I'll say is that I ran cross country in High School. The review on this sight that says practice was 3-6 is extremely exaggerated. Unless things have really drastically changed that much in 3 years, practice when I was there was only 3:30-5:30. Two hours. The average for a sports practice. And running, fyi, does require that much practice if success is desired. All this to say, TCA is a great school and worth sending your kids to. I only hope to be lucky enough to teach at a school as good as this at some point.
Best,
A former student

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Posted: June 14, 2020

Poor leadership, no accountability, children/parents are made out to look like the problem.

Posted: June 14, 2020

Worst school experience ever (coming from a veteran teacher with a master's degree in elementary education). No transparency, targeting (trying to find a scapegoat), absolutely ineffective leadership/instruction, etc.

Posted: June 14, 2020

Homework was ineffective and not child based

Posted: June 14, 2020

Brand new teacher who was incapable of child based instruction

Posted: June 14, 2020

If the leadership and instructors don't act what they preach, then unfortunately the students are not equipped with strong character.

Posted: June 14, 2020

No transparency with the parents and when asked for transparency we are told no.

Posted: June 14, 2020

Had our child running laps as a form of punishment after a stay at children's hospital for an asthma attack/sick.

Posted: February 16, 2019

Posted: February 16, 2019

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Posted: February 16, 2019

My five kids have gone through this school from elementary and now closing in on graduation. Wonderful caring teachers , involved families and students with character. We moved to be near this school and have never regretted it. We love TCA. It's not the perfect school for everyone but for my children it has been a huge part of a happy childhood, a great education, and lasting relationships with both peers and adults.

Posted: February 23, 2018

Posted: February 23, 2018

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Posted: February 23, 2018

The best way to think about TCA HS is that up in D20 and D38 it is probably your least worst option. Palmer Ridge HS up in Monument is a good alternative if you want to try and choice-in. TCA is a good school but it is not a great school.

The academics at the AP level have remained pretty good. We think the teachers are strong, and they assign challenging and appropriate work to prepare students for the rigors of the AP exams and college. The chemistry teacher, Ms. Cummings, is a standout, but there are others.

TCA's weakness is something they say they want to be a strength: the whole student model...mind, body, spirit. The school overemphasizes the importance of extra curricular activities...particularly sports...which the administration refers to as co-curricular activities. We refuse to drink the kool aid on this. The "activities" consume vast amounts of time. A sport as simple as cross country has 5 practices a week between 3-6pm, meets on weekends, and rarely has transportation. The TCA band won the state championships, but there is a huge cost to this as the band kids are constantly on the brink of tears trying to get their homework done because of all the band practice. Don't believe me? The first 3 things you'll see driving onto campus are a gorgeous new baseball field that is empty 8 months a year, a nice artificial turf football field and a gym. The band gets to use the field AFTER the sports are done...often starting practices after 5:30pm. The Classical Academy is only now building a theater instead of concerts in the gym for the last 15-20 years.

It's absurd over-emphasis on "extra curricular" winds up EXCLUDING students, which I find continually frustrating.

So, if you have a student who isn't much concerned about academics, and can meet the rather absurd practice-hour requirements, you'll probably be okay. If you have an academic high-performer, they're really not wanted in any of the "activities".

Where you'll appreciate TCA is in public settings where you can see students from different schools. The most respectful, self-controlled students in any crowd of teens will be the kids from TCA. They're good kids, and it is what keeps us there. But we don't operate under the illusion that this is St Mary's high school or something.

Posted: April 27, 2014

I am an alumni of The Classical Academy. On the whole I had a very positive experience there. Considering how poorly they pay the teachers (food stamp qualifying wages...even before Obama), they seem to attract a large number of very good teachers. Due to the poor pay you get some bad ones. The academics were if anything too easy. I was only challenged when I got to high school and took AP courses. The focus on character was also a welcoming addition which served me well after I left. In summary, TCA left me prepared for college in body mind and spirit.

Posted: October 23, 2011

Excellent academic and character. This is a true partnership with parents and faculty. This public school continues to surpass all metrics for evaluation.

Posted: January 3, 2011

As a graduate of the Class of 2006, I can say nothing of the last 4 years of the school as I have not attended for that time. I can say without a doubt that the time I spent there fully prepared me for university academics. Using my well rounded education at TCA, I was fully prepared for all academic walks at college and was able to graduate with a Master's degree in 4 and half years. If you are looking for academic rigor, this is definitely the school for you.