Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy School

Posted: February 11, 2022

Posted: February 11, 2022

Posted: February 11, 2022

Posted: February 11, 2022

Posted: February 11, 2022

Posted: February 11, 2022

Posted: February 11, 2022

Posted: February 11, 2022

Terrible faculty and the principal (mr. Nickalay) has little to none awareness. Education was mid and aside from the high amounts of homework, the school was ran like a prison even though they have sub par classes.

Posted: September 17, 2020

As previously mentioned, not for everyone but if a student is driven the test scores speak for themselves. A place where the best can reach their potential.

Posted: September 17, 2020

Posted: September 17, 2020

Posted: September 17, 2020

Posted: September 17, 2020

Posted: September 17, 2020

Posted: September 17, 2020

Posted: April 5, 2019

I think that most teachers her are effective at what they do. With that said, I'm sure we are no different than any other school in that some kids relate to some teachers and find them more effective than others.

Posted: April 5, 2019

We are known as a "safe" school - especially for middle school. Our students tend to be more accepting of "nerds" due to the fact that most of these nerds are setting the bar for their peers. We have a strong core of students that have strong values instilled in them through home and through classroom experiences. The value of hard work and reward cannot be escaped at our school.

Posted: April 5, 2019

Posted: April 5, 2019

Posted: April 5, 2019

Posted: April 5, 2019

I teach here. We believe that homework is a critical part of the learning process. I teach math and students will not excel in math unless they practice it. Imagine a coach that never practiced with the team. Imagine a pianist that never practiced. Come on, folks. Now, can the homework be excessive sometimes...yes.

Posted: April 5, 2019

I am a teacher and a parent. One of my children graduated from Charter, the other will graduate from the 'regular' public high school. This is not the right school for everyone. However, if your goal is college-prep, then this is the right school. Consider that our "US News College readiness score is 78% which is higher than every district in Idaho and Washington. Our SAT scores are among the highest in the nation. We usually have 10x the national average of National Merit Scholars. We are the top school in the state on standardized tests. The list goes on. This is the best place for college prep in the Inland Northwest. Our Academic Team typically beats ALL of the much larger (and private) schools in Spokane and Coeur d'Alene.
I think it is worth noting that many students that claim "they let you fail" are those same students that I've contacted (they and their parents) on multiple occasions asking them to come in for help after school. I'm here every day and few students show up. I've even offered extra credit for help outside of class hours and typically only the honors students show up. You cannot struggle in a class, not get any help, then claim that the teachers failed you. However, if you try to get help and the teachers are not available, that is an administrative issue. I have not heard of that happening at our school.
Regarding the comments about white privilege: I hear a lot from students. I have never heard this. Honestly, I hear mostly how the students feel that teachers tend conservative more than liberal. I feel that, overall, we are a fairly neutral environment for political dialogue with faculty on both ends of the spectrum.

Posted: January 30, 2019

Posted: January 30, 2019

Posted: January 30, 2019

Posted: January 30, 2019

Posted: January 30, 2019

Posted: January 30, 2019

If you want teachers that preach about white privilege, and how Canada is a much better country then America then this is the school for you. If you want you child to join clubs like the communist party or the SJWs as young 11, then this is the school for you. If you want your child to be shamed because they do not identify as a "pan sexual" at 13 years old then this is the school for you. According to some of the "educators" this is what is expected at this school. We moved from California to escape this kind of indoctrination of our youth. We never experienced anything close to this degree of extremism in California. This was supposed to be a excellent school. Be afraid. Disturbing.

Posted: July 24, 2016

I attended Charter for three years, excelling in my classes with straight A's each year. There were some amazing aspects of the school including some hardworking and challenging teachers that had a clear aim to have their students succeed, but other teachers were not so great. Some teachers were opinionated, closed-minded, rude, or simply unprepared to teach. Specifically, one teacher brought unrelated political views as a lesson for several weeks. Once brought to administration, it ended, but possibly would've continued if students had accepted it. Other teachers have called students stupid or the worst classes they've ever had, which is rather inappropriate. Of course, Charter contains some teachers who push their students without overwhelming them and teach them incredibly well in interesting classes that promote their successes.

Beside teachers, the "weeding out" process is terrible. In middle school especially, the student population gets small rather quickly. Charter only wants the very best students, so once a student starts failing, they're out, some complaining that they received very little help in recovering from a bad grade once they began failing. Additionally, if a student leaves Charter, it is their fault because they couldn't complete the challenge, not other aspects of the school's. This mentality is incredibly stressful considering that a class size wouldn't drop from 150 to 50 if the school was truly as great as it portrayed itself as.

Unfortunately, the rigorous school also has no G/T accomodations set. The principle claims that their classes are challenging enough to fulfill the needs of a G/T student, but that isn't completely accurate. Charter is only busying those students. They are receiving higher quality and difficulty of education, but once they understand the material, they can't move forward because they have an hour of homework every night from that class alone. It is the school's responsibility to accomodate G/T students instead of simply saying that it should be difficult enough for them.

Charter is an incredible school with some amazing teachers, counselors, and classes, but has a long way to go before it is as great as it claims. Your student will surely have a higher level of education, but think twice about the school's culture before sending them there.

Posted: July 24, 2016

Posted: July 24, 2016

Posted: July 24, 2016

Posted: January 20, 2015

For those who said the positive reviews are only from the staff, I am a student (alumni 2014) - named Jake Johnson - and believe this to be an exemplary school. Yes, it is more challenging than all the other schools in the district, but if you have the patience and dedication, you will learn more than the majority of people in the US. Getting a 4.0 is a lot more difficult at this school, but getting high SAT and ACT scores are extremely easy. I always struggled in maths (Bs and the occasional C) but that's because the school provides the most extensive and advance instruction. That being said, I only missed one math question on the SAT. I have to constantly thank Charter for helping me get accepted into some extremely competitive schools, as their instruction and reputation made me a strong applicant. The teachers and administration were always caring and encouraging, and tried to establish bonds with all students in order to find out what would help the excel. The student social environment is incredible, as it is small enough so that everybody knows each other, and safe enough so that no student tolerates bullying. I loved my time here.

Posted: July 24, 2014

I had 2 children attend this school for 6th and 7th grade. They did fine academically but something is certainly lacking in the social growth of students especially in the junior high. The feeling is that they are trying to "weed" kids out in Junior High. There is more to school than academics. I was hoping for much more. I've heard the exact same thing from other parents. This school can be tough on girls in junior high. Sometimes I think putting all the "smart" kids in one school is not the best thing.

Posted: April 28, 2014

All around excellence is what makes this school so unique. The school makes it possible for students who accept the challenge to thrive.

Posted: April 27, 2014

Our school is like sand in an oyster shell, rubbing, chaffing, grinding, growing, developing pearls. If learning was easy, it would be practicing, not learning. Our school provides the best learning environment, highly qualified teachers, great students willing to give us their all and wonderfully supportive parents. Only the educated are free. Go Charter!

Posted: April 27, 2014

Professionally drive. Academically top notch. Fantastic students. If you're looking for a no-nonsense education, Charter is the place. Yes, we have fun, too!

Posted: April 27, 2014

I have two children currently attending this school. One in the 6th grade and one in the 11th. Both boys started off in private christian schools that touted "college preparatory"... Unfortunately, as my oldest hit the 7th grade, it became apparent that the educational standards were definitely sub-par. We entered the Charter Academy with some hesitation, but have been very happy over the past two years. The curriculum is tough - but they both love it and they have said that they have learned more at Charter in the past two years than all other years combined!

Posted: April 27, 2014

My school is attempting to counter some of the educational trends that have been generated by a discredited teacher training university system.

Posted: April 27, 2014

As a teacher, Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy provides me a magical combination of intellectually curious students, supportive parents, freedom to teach a rigorous French curriculum, and fun in our community garden.

Posted: March 8, 2014

This is an amazing school! My kids are thoroughly challenged on a daily basis. Teachers are very professional and conscientious and caring. The administration is amazing. They deliver exactly what they promise, which can be tough with so many helicopter moms constantly demanding that the school compromise its programs for the sake of poorly-performing kids. I have never seen a principal who relates as well to kids and parents, and who just totally "gets it." Totally professional, amazingly approachable. Don't enroll a lazy student and expect them to lower the bar for you, but if your student is struggling and is wiling to work, the staff will work diligently to help them be successful.

Posted: January 20, 2014

My child attends Charter and although we ve thoroughly enjoyed most of the staff and have appreciated the structure and discipline, I am not impressed with the Principal. Their focus is to prepare your child for college and nothing more. There is not an emphasis on athletics or arts. Parents were recently asked to complete a survey and the response from the principal was very defensive. Unfortunately, his response indicated he is not interested in what the parents truly feel would be beneficial additions to the school/curriculum. MANY parents volunteer and would be more than willing to come up with creative solutions to the strong feedback, but he had no interest in making any changes. Sad.

Posted: September 9, 2013

Coeur d'Alene charter academy and I'm very impressed with the circular and sports programs as they demand the best of their students. That is why they are rated so high.

Posted: March 19, 2013

truly the best school in the north-west It is very academic focused and friendly - if all schools were like it, America's educational system would be perfect

Posted: May 18, 2012

My daughter has been attending Charter for the since 6th grade. Love this school! At first, she had to adjust her study habits and organization, this was not an easy task; however, I encouraged her, tolder her I believed in her and now she is thriving. A parent's attitude to the workload and the academic challenge will adversely affect the child's overall performance. This school holds kids accountable and creates and successfully creates an environment where children can focus on learning. What a concept! No school is perfect but Charter Academy is is the best Idaho has to offer. I am grateful that my daughter has an opportunity to be a part of such a great school.

Posted: April 18, 2012

I'm a graduate of the Charter Academy, and while the school's curriculum is hard, I think that's how high school should be. I don't agree with the comment that they only focus on Ivy league-bound students. Those kids don't need help. Teachers like McCormick, Solsvik, MacPhee, and Bass all do their best to make sure the students have the best opportunity to succeed. That being said, this school is not for everybody. I graduated in 2008, and am about to graduate from Boise State University, and the Charter Academy prepared me well for a rigorous college career.