Harpswell Coastal Academy
Harpswell, ME 04079
Phone: (207) 833-3229
Fax: (207) 833-3231
GreatSchools Rating
charter • Grades 5,6,7,8 • 78 students
Harpswell Coastal Academy, a charter school located in Harpswell, ME, serves grades 5-8 in the Harpswell Coastal Academy.It has received a GreatSchools Rating of 4 out of 10, based on a variety of school quality measures.
Harpswell Coastal Academy is a charter school located in Harpswell, ME. 78 students attend Harpswell Coastal Academy.
School Ratings
| Category | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Test Scores | 4/10 | The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2023 Maine Educational Assessment (MEA) data from Maine Department of Education. |
Posted: February 20, 2022
I read the positive reviews of this school before choosing to take a teaching position here and moved across the country for this position because the administration made it sound like my dream teaching job. I am writing to warn other prospective teachers and parents that this school is not providing the best possible education for these students. And it is against my ethics to tell families we are offering their children something we are incapable of offering.
I will begin by pointing out that I was blindsided by the behaviors of my students within the first few weeks of the school year. I was given a very different picture of HCA during the hiring process than what I initially experienced. I believe it would be beneficial for prospective teachers to understand that a large population of this school is made up of children who have quite difficult home lives and extremely diverse learning issues (not all of which are assessed early enough to be constructive for teaching or learning). And though the teachers are amazingly compassionate and care greatly for these students, it is not a school for children who are motivated to go on to college. And it is not a school for teachers who want to see grade-level, academic progress in their students.
I came to really care for my students and realized that there are some students who just need a safe place to go during the day and who need positive adult influences in their lives. But I had to let go of my desire to provide academically stimulating lessons due to the fact that a large percentage of my students simply were not at grade-level and I had no support in the classroom.
The philosophy of the school is wonderful for students who havent been able to make a go of it in other schools. Yet, there are systemic issues within HCA that lend to shortcomings in meeting our students with the structure and academics they truly need. The administration needs to get on the same page in their curricular advice. The faculty feels unheard and undervalued in the experiences they bring to the table, and often as if trying to make any change for the better is futile. The stress that these kinds of oversight and lack of communication bring to a teachers every day experience is utterly exhausting.
I am not the only teacher who has spoken to these concerns. But I am the only one writing a review here - to warn prospective teachers of what you will be stepping into. Do not believe what you are told.
Posted: February 20, 2022
Posted: February 20, 2022
Posted: February 20, 2022
Posted: February 20, 2022
Posted: February 20, 2022
Posted: February 20, 2022
Posted: February 20, 2022
Posted: November 1, 2020
I personally really enjoyed my time at HCA. It was very different to the standard kind of learning I had been so used to. However, I quickly got used to their system and grew to enjoy it quite a bit. During my time at HCA, I have had some of the greatest experiences, I believe I will ever have in my lifetime. I loved attending the school and I truly enjoyed going to school. In fact, as a alumni of the school, I miss not being there anymore. I would say, you have to apply yourself, if you dont the process will be harder. However, I can say without a doubt, I wont ever forget my time at HCA.
Posted: November 1, 2020
HCAs approach towards homework is one that should be adopted by more schools. Instead of giving a student hours of homework for which they must do after school hours. HCA, instead gives the student time to complete the work during school hours. Therefore, giving the student a better chance at having a social life. They achieve this by both giving the student time to complete their work during their respective class. As well as, during a study block, in which they will have access to a teacher who can aid them with their work.
Posted: November 1, 2020
The average teacher has limitations to what they can and cannot teach. However this differs at HCA, mainly due to proficiency based learning, and their different outlook on learning. Instead of teaching out of a book, the same material repeatedly throughout a day. They get to teach different classes on topics that are enjoyed by them and that they have significant knowledge in. Another significant benefit of the teachers in this school is that they are (for the most part) relatively young. Not to say that older teachers are in any way worse. However, it can be harder for a teacher of older age to understand a student because of their age gap. However, if the teacher is only 8 years older than the student it is easier to be understood. It also creates a higher chance to have common interests between students and teachers.
Posted: November 1, 2020
Posted: November 1, 2020
Posted: November 1, 2020
Posted: November 1, 2020
Posted: August 13, 2017
Posted: August 13, 2017
Posted: August 13, 2017
Posted: August 13, 2017
Posted: August 13, 2017
Posted: August 13, 2017
I took mg daughter out of public school because the school thought they knew m daughtrrs needs better then i did and when what i informed then would happen i said no more i am not allowing her well being and education go down because ofnthe lack of listening. And the school being. Receptive to my concern
Posted: August 13, 2017
Reviews provided by GreatSchools™
| Base | Distance |
|---|---|
| Coast Guard Portland Maine | 13.9 mi. |
| Bath Iron Works | 14.4 mi. |
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