Governor French Academy

Posted: July 10, 2026

Excellent experience for both of my children at Governor-French Academy. Teachers are supportive and helpful. They engage the students to learn. The diversity is amazing. I highly recommend this school.

Posted: July 10, 2026

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Posted: November 26, 2025

This is our 2nd year at GFA. Our daughter went to a nature school previously and was homeschooled before that so I was nervous about her going into a traditional learning environment. She loves GFA. She loves her teacher and she gets to do STEAM class with upper school kids which she loves. She likes music class. I love the morning convocation the school does. The kids get recognized for their accomplishments and parents can join. The only negative is they are a small school so a bit limited on special education services. I do think it is a unique place and maybe not for all families but I am grateful it exists for ours.

Posted: November 26, 2025

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Posted: January 31, 2025

I really love this school. My child was having some medical issues, and we kept getting flagged for truancy (despite him having an A average and working with his teachers). We eventually withdrew him from his local public school and found GFA. It worked out really well. He found a great group of friends and was academically challenged. The teachers really cared about him and despite its small size, there were enough extra curriculars and clubs to keep him engaged. I strongly recommend this school if the public school is not a good fit for your child or you are looking for them to be challenged. The Teachers go out of their way to create classes to meet the needs of the students, and the results and college acceptances prove that.

Posted: January 31, 2025

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Posted: January 21, 2023

If I could give this school zero stars I would. It is a vile place that has ruined my son's mental health. A once joyful and confident child has become a young person who basically has anxiety and depression from the horrible treatment. Most of the teachers do not teach and the ones that are good leave because of horrible treatment and poor support from administration. This school should be shut down before it damages more young people. I am not a parent that writes this lightly. We were heavily involved with the school for over four years. I feel like I let my child down by him putting up with the mental abuse this school operates on daily.

Posted: January 21, 2023

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Posted: December 2, 2022

GFA is based on ineffective leadership, ineffective discipline and curriculum that should have been updated a decade ago. The only diagnostic measure in the school are the IOWA tests that are administered twice a year. Teachers are stiffled and warned against having communication with parents, and are instead asked to let it run through "leadership." The problem with that is they pick and choose what they want to communicate, and parents get mad at the teachers for lack of communication. The "leadership" has no business in that role considering that person was never trained in leading a school, providing professional development that the teachers beg for, and unable to give professional observations because that person does not know how. Look at the text books, the cheap, broken chromebooks, the overall condition of the school, and where finances are disappearing to. There is currently a male teacher that bullies and targets some students to no end. This has been reported to the headmaster, and it is finally coming to light. Ask why the turnover has been massive over the past two years with 7 or more teachers/admin leaving. Ask why 28 students withdrew from Aug. 2022 to Dec. 2022. Do not let these people pull the wool over your eyes.

Posted: December 2, 2022

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Posted: July 7, 2021

I have had friends that kids have went to this school and it has resulted into their success.

Posted: July 7, 2021

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Posted: June 28, 2020

It's a small school with personalized learning and dedicated teachers. Students are given many opportunities to excel with academic competitions, science fairs, Youth and Government, etc. They have a rigorous college prep program as opposed to only standardized test preparation common to many public schools.

Posted: June 28, 2020

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Posted: June 25, 2020

Posted: June 25, 2020

Because the homework is tailored to the skill level of each individual student.

Posted: June 25, 2020

The curriculum & clubs foster community service so that students can learn how to make good decisions & contribute to their community in a meaningful way.

Posted: June 25, 2020

The faculty are receptive to input from parents & they highly encourage open communication from students & their families.

Posted: June 25, 2020

The faculty will do everything that is within their ability to accommodate students with learning differences.

Posted: June 25, 2020

The faculty do not tolerate bullying & there are policies that are enforced to address it.

Posted: June 25, 2020

Excellent! I highly recommend this school! It has been a great fit for my children.

Posted: January 31, 2020

This is not an appropriate place for children. Please, if you are considering this school, ask about dwindling attendance, inquire what their rate of staff turnover is, ask what type of professional development they are undergoing as teachers. Their metric for student achievement is the Iowa Basic Examination. Ask to see generalized data showing student performance year after year. Ask to tour their biology lab, see the textbooks, etc. This school is dying. It may have once been good, but now they are woefully understaffed, there is little variety in their curriculum, and their discipline practices are abhorrent. Every day is run like they are at the end of their ropes. Don't be wooed by their prior reputation.

Posted: January 31, 2020

There isn't much communication regarding homework. The teachers can contact you through Edmodo (an app), but you as a parent are not able to respond to the teachers or email them.

Posted: January 31, 2020

The students feel as though they are surviving the day together. The character they are building is one curated by a culture of fear. This is counterproductive to actual character building.

Posted: January 31, 2020

They have no training in effective discipline. Students are afraid to voice concerns. The parent teacher organization has just recently been permitted and they are only to support the staff through funding, no suggestions on improvement to curriculum are accepted. Constructive criticism is discouraged.

Posted: January 31, 2020

Students must fit into their mold of a student or they will ask your child to leave, while you are still on the hook for tuition. This is not a place for children who have any kind of behavior problem.

Posted: January 31, 2020

It is difficult to confront student bullying when the adults are using those same tactics on the students.

Posted: January 9, 2020

I attended Governor French Academy from 6th grade through graduation. In my opinion it is an amazing school. The amount of knowledge, skill and charisma that I gained by attending Governor French is insurmountable. I also loved it because it always felt like home. So much so that now, 11 years after graduation I commute 40 minutes and across state lines to bring my daughter. She has loved it since day 1.

Posted: January 9, 2020

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Posted: April 4, 2018

In the beginning it was great. Things change.

Posted: April 4, 2018

Same stuff day after day kid was very bored

Posted: April 4, 2018

Teachers are very dedicated and try hard.

Posted: April 4, 2018

Posted: April 4, 2018

The atmosphere has totally changed. Two very well liked staff members left and it made a huge difference

Posted: April 4, 2018

Everyone is handled the same and taught the same. It could be good or bad but in the end it did not help our child.

Posted: April 4, 2018

Posted: August 18, 2016

The staff are always encouraging the children to do their best and in return the children respect and are comfortable interacting with all the staff.

Posted: February 24, 2016

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Posted: February 24, 2016

I love the personalized attention my son gets! He is thriving here and reaching his full potential!

Posted: May 5, 2015

Governor French Academy is truly an outstanding school. The teachers care about their students. Unlike other schools, where the teachers all teach one way and if it's not the way a student learn, then tough. At GFA, the teachers will use numerous methods to get the students to learn. My daughter is 4 years old and already reading. To this school, each child is an individual. You learn math concepts quickly and can do work a grade above the one you are in? Great! Your work is tailored to that. Every child's work is individualized. Lower grades have about 16 students per teacher; upper grades have about 9. Upper grades compete against other schools for WYSE bowls and other academic competitions; GFA will have 9th graders competing against seniors from other schools in calculus; physics; chemistry...and win first place. Mr. Paeltz runs a tight ship and it shows. He expects the best from each student and he gets it.

Posted: March 2, 2015

Governor French Academy is a great school. I would first say "Don't judge a book by its cover." Governor French Academy has a different kind of look and feel then public schools, but don't let that deceive you. My children are way ahead of what their friends in the public school system are doing. The teachers are committed, friendly and driven to help your children get the education they deserve. I would suggest trying them out for a day a learn what its all about.

Posted: March 1, 2015

I am very happy for the education my daughter is receiving at GFA...Thanks to all the staff.

Posted: January 12, 2015

They have a real interest in seeing your children succeed rather than just getting to the next level. They help the children thrive.

Posted: December 15, 2014

I love Governor French Academy. The school keeps us parents informed and I'm always able to get a hold of the staff or teachers when I need to contact them.

Posted: September 2, 2014

The Academy is unlike any other place of learning I have ever seen. They have balanced the six needs that we all have in such a way that students thrive, learn and enjoy. The six needs I speak of are success, self worth, control, inner peace, love and freedom. When these are all fed equally a student excels at the highest level. My grandson enjoys his experience here fully. If I could suggest to any grandparent how to best support their grandchildren, it is in the investment of them through the young years. It is gratifying to walk through the doors and see what is taking place here!

Posted: August 21, 2014

The teachers are there to teach and to help your children succeed. They are so invested in the students. If a student is interested in a certain subject, the teachers will do all they can to create learning opportunities.

Posted: July 17, 2014

If you are looking for a factory education, then public school is fine. If instead you are interested in one on one interaction with a specific learning plan for your child, then Governor French is the answer.

Posted: February 10, 2014

Governor French Academy provides an environment where students learn more than an advanced core curriculum that emphasizes math, science and writing. The school environment encourages students to pursue activities that interest them and take on leadership roles. Students have the opportunity to participate in the student council, direct a play, join or create clubs, participate in WYSE and math competitions and more.

Posted: February 2, 2014

My son is in the 8th grade and is in his fourth week at GFA. Since attending GFA he comes home with a smile on his face and has more confidence in himself. Prior to GFA he was attending a public school for the first time for his 7th and part of his 8th grade year. He would come home depressed, low self-esteem, and dreading to return to school. He would often say that kids were picking on him and that he felt that he did not belong anywhere. My son's grades continued to spiral downhill and my husband and I became very concerned about his academic and mental well-being. We are so thankful that God answered our prayers about the next move for our son. We had a few friends and a therapist who suggested giving GFA a try. At this point we are ever so grateful for GFA and for our child who is excelling and meeting many friendly children in a tranquil environment. Our hats go off to GFA!!

Posted: January 5, 2014

Sending our son to GFA was the BEST decision my husband and I have ever made! After four short years Conner has done tremendous things...National Youth Leader of the Year as a sophomore, three time INTEL International Science Fair Finalist (currently working on a project that he is hoping will get him to INTEL one last time), winner of dozens of science fair awards, First place winner of Webster's programming challenge, many first and second place medals from WYSE, more trophies and ribbons than I can count, and many opportunities to start clubs at GFA. His accomplishments were only made possible because he is in a school that cares about the students' future. The teachers are instrumental in guiding, teaching and encouraging every student to do their very best. Thank you GFA for all that you have done for Conner!!! To any parent who is not satisfied with the public school systems, I would highly recommend you visit Governor French. Our only regret is that we didn't know about this school earlier.

Posted: July 21, 2013

This is a small but well tuned school. It provides personal individualized attention to the needs of the students. My family has been going there for years!

Posted: May 14, 2013

The teachers at GFA are the best! Our daughter started in the fall of 2012 at the age of 4 and the GFA environment has been perfect. They are firm but fair and make learning enjoyable. They understand and develop each child based on needs and do a phenomenal job. The entire staff is supportive, responsive and kind to both parents and students. I think that communication could be a bit more modern (emails/text messages for information) but overall the school gets an A+. Our daughter will continue at GFA and our son will start soon too.

Posted: February 3, 2013

My granddaughter attends Governor French Academy. Last year at the age of 4 she was ready for a formal education. The teachers are very dedicated to the students needs. All students are given individualized education from the very start. She is challenged in her work and receives gratification for a job well done by her teacher announcing her, and other student's accomplishments during morning convocation. What a wonderful idea. You would have to see it to believe it! The people at Governor French whether a teacher or administrator know the students names! It is a safe friendly environment that makes education the number 1 priority. I never worry for her safety as I feel comfortable knowing that an emergency plan exists. The entire learning experience is spectacular. The High School students compete individually and in teams to attain the academic excellence that helps them acquire large monetary scholarships to spectacular colleges. I encourage every grandparent/ parent to check out Governor French Academy. If you are like me, you will be amazed at what they offer your family. I wish the school continued success as they celebrate 30 years in education!!!!