Manara Academy

Posted: October 14, 2025

the school teachers are very biased ,,they dont know how to manage little kids...highly not recommended ...

Posted: October 14, 2025

Posted: October 14, 2025

Posted: October 14, 2025

Posted: October 14, 2025

Posted: October 14, 2025

Posted: October 14, 2025

Posted: October 14, 2025

Posted: September 30, 2024

it is a really good school my daughter loves it its full of Muslim people they Quran class a prayer side teachers are amazing kids are reall good no school problems I really suggest my Muslim brothers and sisters to bring your kids here grade 5 to 12 amazing school your child would also have a good chance of getting a scholarship

Posted: September 30, 2024

Posted: September 30, 2024

Posted: September 30, 2024

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Posted: September 30, 2024

Posted: August 10, 2023

This an amazing school like ong bro wish I was here in kindergarten,likenall the homies chill fr fr

Posted: August 10, 2023

Posted: August 10, 2023

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Posted: August 10, 2023

Posted: August 21, 2020

Yes, the school offers great ESL program and after school program.

Posted: August 21, 2020

..Yes, the school takes very seriously with bullying.

Posted: August 21, 2020

Yes, Teachers call to check if students are doing their homework assignments or need help...

Posted: August 21, 2020

..Yes; Teachers care their students, and they help them with assignments and follow-up with their homework's.

Posted: August 21, 2020

Very disciplinary approach, helps students to respect each other .

Posted: August 21, 2020

Great communication....between teachers and parents. I personally had pleasant experience communicating with the school principle.

Posted: August 21, 2020

..Excellent. I think this school offers full of enlightenment for our children.

Posted: September 20, 2019

Posted: September 20, 2019

Some are good quality teachers. However, they are unable to retain talent. The turnover rate is at an all-time high and often have to settle for lesser talented educators as a result of lower paying positions. TEA gave them a D for academic accountability rating

Posted: September 20, 2019

Posted: September 20, 2019

Posted: September 20, 2019

Posted: September 20, 2019

This organization is a hot mess and spiraling downward. Your children deserve better.

Posted: August 21, 2019

Posted: August 21, 2019

Very good school, nice and care teacher , nice environment for kids

Posted: August 21, 2019

Posted: August 21, 2019

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Posted: May 22, 2019

There are not any issues with bullying at this school due to the respectful student population.

Posted: May 22, 2019

Grades are weighted so that homework will not be a factor in whether a students passes or fails.

Posted: May 22, 2019

Posted: May 22, 2019

The school culture is centered around developing good character.

Posted: May 22, 2019

Posted: May 22, 2019

Project-based learning allows students to explore their passions.

Posted: May 22, 2019

I give this school five stars for their commitment to building student character and their dedicated teaching staff.

Posted: December 21, 2018

My kids have been in Manara Academy for a couple years now. Overall, I'm very happy they have caring staff and both years their teachers have been very good for their academic & social growth. Parents have an opportunity to get involved and work with the school for the betterment of our kids. Appreciate their welcoming environment & the field study methodology has been great for hands-on learning by actually applying themselves.

Posted: December 21, 2018

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Posted: December 21, 2018

Posted: August 20, 2018

Posted: August 20, 2018

Posted: August 20, 2018

Posted: August 20, 2018

Posted: August 20, 2018

Posted: August 20, 2018

Posted: August 20, 2018

My daughter loves this school and studying here last 2 yrs. She improved a lot in studies as well as behavior. So that I recommended to my friends too and joined one of the friends son in Pre-K.

Posted: August 13, 2018

Phenomenal! I love this school. This school has excellent academics and prepares students well for secondary education!

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Teachers have a strong academic background and are well prepared!

Posted: August 13, 2018

Focus on character education and developing the whole child.

Posted: August 13, 2018

Leadership is proactive, parent and student centered and creates a caring environment for families.

Posted: August 13, 2018

Embraces diversity and celebrates all cultural backgrounds!

Posted: August 13, 2018

Bullying is addressed immediately and students are asked to develop understanding for one a others perspectives.

Posted: October 22, 2017

Posted: October 22, 2017

Posted: October 22, 2017

Teachers were more like friends than teachers. I had a very kind, awesome batch of teachers. I don’t think this school focused enough on academics.

Posted: October 22, 2017

Posted: October 22, 2017

Regarding this high school last year - I know students who got A’s in P.E when they didn’t even show up to class. Most students are Muslim, but they aren’t good influences. I loved the social aspect, until I got bullied so badly that I couldnt handle the anxiety and decided not to return. Bullying and rumours- definitely an issue. In such a small school, jealousy is everywhere. Faculty and principal, although kind, didn’t help the bullying situation at all.

Posted: October 22, 2017

Some teachers - my favorite ones - gave beneficial homework. However, in one or two classes, I’d find myself spending hours on homework that I didn’t even learn from.

Posted: June 27, 2017

Used to be a decent school. Everything has changed from top to bottom. And NOT for the better. Wheels are off at this school!

Posted: June 27, 2017

Posted: June 27, 2017

Too much turnover. Teachers leave during the school year. Most e experienced teachers will be gone when school starts in August. Too little time spent reading, math and writing. Too much time in foreign language classes.

Posted: June 27, 2017

They say they will teach character traits but the kids behavior is really bad which means the character traits aren't working.

Posted: June 27, 2017

Good teachers don't stay. Discipline is horrible. The academics are not monitored.

Posted: June 27, 2017

Posted: June 27, 2017

Kids are very mean to each other.

Posted: April 3, 2017

Posted: April 3, 2017

Posted: April 3, 2017

Posted: April 3, 2017

Posted: April 3, 2017

The school changed teachers mid year. Mixed 3 classrooms in one room due to lack of teachers. Discipline isn't being handled as it should.
2016/2017 started all great, now is a totally different story.

Posted: January 10, 2017

I am a student at Manara Middle school. This is a pretty nice school other than a few things:
1. They don't have a normal curriculum. I'm not being rude. Expeditionary learning is fun! But it makes me feel excluded from the other schools
2. They don't have counselors or special ed, which isn't fair.
Other than those two reasons, it's a pretty good school. It does teach TEKS, which is nice, I think.

Posted: January 10, 2017

So, the problem is that the classes are split, Boys and girls. There is obviously rivalry with the girls and the boys. But there is also rivalry with the girl classes. Each girl class says the other is mean. They tease and be really mean. No one tells because every time they just take us to the gym and talk to us about compassion for a LONG time.

Posted: January 10, 2017

Posted: January 10, 2017

Posted: November 21, 2016

Posted: November 21, 2016

Posted: July 12, 2016

worst school ever, even worst than Olive tree on Arlington,texas.
Please do not send your kids, they take the state funding and teach our kids nothing except how to be careless and stupid..

Posted: May 25, 2016

Posted: May 25, 2016

Posted: May 25, 2016

Posted: May 25, 2016

My child is in 4th Grade in Manara Elementary, his teacher is absolutely fantastic. The 4th grade teachers provide good guidance and are very caring. The expeditionary learning takes a little getting used to but the curriculum is on par with other schools in the area. As with most public schools in our state there always seems to be shortage of funds for our educators. To me these teachers deserve some appreciation for all they do everyday for our children and in many cases using their own money to buy supplies for their class.

Posted: November 21, 2015

Worst experience ever. The teachers are inexperienced and too young to be teaching grades like 1st and 2nd. The school staff is unorganized and doesn't seem to know what they're doing. The kids don't respect the teachers or the principals plus they not have counselors. If you're going to enroll your kid there, be prepared to receive a phone call every now and then about some stupid stuff on your child. They always blame your child over something (again due to their lack of experience and inability to resolve problems). The withdrawal rate is increasing. I had to withdraw my child and enrolled him in a different school. If you're looking for a good education for your child, this school is not it. Run!!!!

Posted: November 21, 2015

Posted: November 21, 2015

Posted: November 21, 2015

Posted: July 27, 2015

Manara Academy Public Charter School is the best decision we have made for our children in their educational career. We started them in August of this school year. We have read all of the reviews and I dont think some of the parents appreciate what their children are receiving here at Manara or they have truly never been to a traditional public school. My children are so excited to go to school everyday because they use a hands on learning approach, the classes are small, and the teachers seem to care a great deal. Communication is good between the teachers with the parents and their websites are fantastic. You wont find hands on learning in collaborative groups or Foreign Languages being taught in K-8 in any traditional public school. The Superintendent seems to always be present, available and responsive to needs.. The feeling is that he is steering the school with an academic focus. The staff is young in some areas, but each year they gather another year of experience. This school is going to continue to thrive and get better each year.

Posted: May 18, 2015

My daughter went to LCE from K to 2nd. We were so frustrated with the teachers that we moved her to Manara starting 3rd grade and we have never looked back. I wished we started her at Manara since K so she does have to work so hard to make up the knowledge gap. She absolutely loves Manara and her teachers. She misses school, her friends and teachers when the shcool is out. I read some parents complain about the school lunches, buses and grades. If you want just a free education, you should probably go somewhere else. If you truely interested in investing in your kids' future, Manara is the place. The fundraising is necessary as charter schools don't get the same amount of money as other public schools. I pack a heathly lunch for my daughter every day as she doesn't like the food at school. Grades is not the sole indicator of your kids' achievement. What matters most is whether and how much she/he has grown/learned. We are sending my daughter to 6th grade at Manara in the Fall. The middle school is ranked A+, as good as any other school other, but with caring little and great languages program.

Posted: March 16, 2015

Manara is a great school!! The expeditionary style of teaching really makes learning fun for the kids. All the teachers are very caring, patient, and kind. They are like family. I have had kids in Manara for 5 years now and I am very pleased with the education they have had.

Posted: March 15, 2015

I have been with Manara Academy for 6 years, the school s EL (Expeditionary Learning) and world languages programs not only provided academic knowledge for my 2 children but also enriched their characters. My children are more engaged and interested in learning, they love to go to school and love their teachers, the staff are so warm hearted, they make me feel like family :)

Posted: February 28, 2015

The staff are great, they treat the students with care. My kids attended that school since the second year the school was made. The kids enjoy the school and will beam with happiness. Manara Academy is an EL school and they go on expedition to teach the students.

Posted: February 28, 2015

Manara Academy is undoubtedly a great school. Where the focus is not only on the curriculum but on the grooming, character building and of course the expeditionary learning. One of the main assets of Manara Academy is the teachers who are always focused and concerned about each and every student.

Posted: February 25, 2015

I am a student at Manara Academy Irving Middle School. At Manara, our community is a diverse community, our classes are separated boys and girls. Manara allows us to choose a language to take between arabic or french. Minor problem at our middle school is the cafeteria food, most of the time the food served isn't well, either its soggy, burnt, or old. The most important thing of all is that we know each and everyone in our community.

Posted: February 24, 2015

manara is one of the only expeditionary learning schools in Texas. it provides me an amazing education. my school offers 2 different languages for kids to speak arabic and french! manara is very diverse. Manara is a place where i feel safe, and a place where i know that the schools putting in as much as effort as i am. i can proudly say that i attend manara academy.

Posted: February 23, 2015

I have three kids currently enrolled in Manara academy elementary school, the staff is kind and courteous i especially love the language programs that they have to offer. My kids and i love it there it feels like we are just one big family, my kids went to public school for years but, public schools just feel very formal and distant with parents and children which i didn't like. Here,parents are encouraged to be more involved with the students work/activities that happen in the school.

Posted: February 21, 2015

I really like this school. The staff is awesome and teachers are Great! Best thing is that my son loves it and is happy to attend this school. Keep up the good work Manara Academy!

Posted: February 21, 2015

Being a parent to pre teen and an elementary student I feel my kids are in great hands! Manara Academy builds confidence and makes learning fun for the kids! Highly recommend Marana to each and every Parent who wants to give a better futur to their kids:)

Posted: February 21, 2015

Manara Academy is awesome! From the moment you enter the school, you feel like part of a family. Student learning is evident everywhere . . .from the student work and learning processes displayed on the hallway walls to the way students speak confidently about their learning! I am the proud parent of a second grader who is excited about learning a second language and proud to be friends with students from many different cultures. Being the only school in Texas that offers EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING surely has its advantages; but the teachers here have special care for each student as they are loved and challenged continuously! I give Manara 5 stars because I feel no other school can compare!

Posted: February 21, 2015

My two daughters go to Manara Academy and are very happy with the programs there. The staff, teachers and involved parents make it so, that you feel a part of a family where your kids are cared for. The teachers are very understanding and are very involved. The communication is on a regular bases. The hands on learning (Expeditionary learning) is a plus that you won't get in public, or even private schools. In today's world where you need to communicate with the rest of the world, Manara makes that possible for your child. My kids do French and Arabic classes for their foreign languag, and we are extremely happy with their learnings.

Posted: February 21, 2015

This is good school, good teachers and staff. good school infrastructure, overall good school, my son in grade 4 , having good teacher and school

Posted: February 21, 2015

I love manara, i had my daughters in pk in public schools never liked it . Since day one i always felt like home, the stuff are the most kind people ever and the communication with the teacher is wonderful there was never a time where i sent an email and had no answer they always try to make me feel better if i have any concerns. My kids have been going to manara for 4 years now all the staff know them and they know everyone. I now live in frisco and still bring my kids to manara every day. Like i said before it is a family.Love you guys ,love you,love you. Keep up the good work.

Posted: October 20, 2014

My daughter attends the manara middle school and comes crying to me everyday. The teachers are mean and blame the students for things they didn't do and they don't back up their argument. My daughter is failing math and science because she says everytime she asks a question the teachers get mad and don't want to explain themselves again. The teachers are mean and a lot of the students cause trouble and everyone gets in trouble for it. It is a very small campus and my daughter says she feels like she's still in elementary school. They can't even pick their classes and there are no electives. I will consider taking my daughter out of the school this year.

Posted: April 17, 2014

Manara Academy is best place for kids, to build strong personality and hard working child of your, send him/her to ManaraAcademy

Posted: January 17, 2014

very cool school i go heheh that rimes! very beter then isi everyone come to manara manara for the win no isi yay

Posted: January 13, 2014

Manara is a horrible school with a mean principal and rude teachers. The children pick up so many bad manners and bad words on the bus that takes the kids to the school and no one says or does anything about it. The hype about the expeditionary learning is just hype. I am only going to allow my children to finish this school year because they don't want to leave their friends. Next year we will find a new school.

Posted: November 26, 2013

This is first year of my kids at Marana academy and this is indeed one of a kind school .when it comes to teaching my kids have improved so much in their reading and writing skills.The homeworks is elaborate and helps kids alot to reinforce the concepts. The staff both administrative and teachers have amazing passion to deliver their knowledge and a positive professional opproach to handle situations and on top of that a compassionate heart which is rear in other schools. In this school they focus on community and character building based on hand on projects like those amazing field studies and SLC(student lead conferences) and much more that help students to boost their confidence at remarkable levels. Yes there is still room for improvement but I see this school going to a positive direction each and every day:) and my kids love it too much.

Posted: October 29, 2013

This is my child's second year at Manara Academy, I not going to enroll at this school next year. I love the homeroom teacher she is very encouraging and hands on, I'm having issues with the other teachers. One in particular I think have an issue with my child, she is very unprofessional and picks on her students. The school has potential but it needs a lot of work. I personally know few parents who removed their kids after few years at this school, I do understand the reasons now.

Posted: October 26, 2013

So we're new to Manara and I just wanted to share some things that I feel new parents should know..that I wish we would've been told. For starters, lunches are preordered. If your child is eating school lunch, make sure the order is placed before the school year begins. Yes, the school has a bus service..however, there's a montly charge as well as an annual fee. You can expect dozens of daily emails, lots of fundraisers. The dress code is not strictly enforced so don't invest in too many of those special monogrammed shirts. The kids are given dress down days per a donation. If you're unfamiliar with charter schools, know that they have some non-school days that differ from other schools. Check the calendar so you'll be prepared. And lastly, the field studies that are such a HUGE part of the curriculum are costing 120.00..THIS year. Multiple that by the number of students in whatever grade your child is in and it makes you wonder. I agree with their principles and want to believe in their ability to deliver on these principles. However, we haven't seen anything that would make us return next year. Theres nothing that a non-charter public school couldnt offer US and minus the cost

Posted: October 13, 2013

I TOTALLY disagree from a parent who wrote that she is not coming next year because she was not aware of certain things. If you see other charters school you will know That there are fee for the lunches and school Buses too. I suggest you to be a part of a PTO or volunteer and go to the field studies to get a clear Vision and see what MANARA is doing for our Kids.The Principle and the teachers really work hard to provide better education and environment. It is not too late dear parent you can send your kid to different school to save $120. I am amazed when I see my kid growing by Learning so many great things. Good day!!

Posted: August 18, 2013

Manara is an Expeditionary Learning school, focused on teaching children through problem solving and community service. They work on projects which they then must present in public meetings, so the children develop a sense of pride in their work and confidence in public speaking. My child went to Las Colinas Elementary for three years prior to transferring to Manara. My experience is that Manara's teaching method is superior to LCE and the teachers are far more concerned with helping my child to achieve. It is a public school, so there is no tuition. Smaller class sizes. A world-class French and one of a kind Arabic program cap this amazing school.

Posted: June 4, 2013

I have had very bad experience in this school with my two kids. Many parents are removing their kids from this school. Most of them are trying it for a year. The administration lacks professional behavior. Some teachers are not well trained and so unable to deliver good education to students. Very rude to the parents. If you want your kid to be in a good school you wouldn't consider this school.

Posted: May 6, 2013

Overall I'm satisfied with academic part of the school for the most part. The school staff and teachers, not so much. They are fake and not so much of a welcoming environment overall. I've been to other elementary schools to know the difference. My child's teacher is not what I would want in a teacher. She is not personable or friendly to be a teacher.

Posted: April 19, 2013

innovative school, family enviroment, project based teaching methodology, strong forighn language program, single gender classes in the middle school, character and community building emphasis

Posted: December 16, 2012

Manara Academy is one of the best schools around. I am a proud parent who has 2 children that attend this school. The teachers and staff are top notch and teach in a way that allows the children to think and learn. The Principal is one of the best educators that I have met. You can see her true passion and love for education by watching her interact with the students, parents and teachers. She is extremely approachable about any topic and responds quickly to any inquiries. I am honored to send my children to this great school.

Posted: October 30, 2012

I believe as a grandparent that this is a wonderful school. They have the best teaching staff I have ever encountered. Exceptional teaching methods. I believe any child who has a chance to attend this school would be blessed.

Posted: October 23, 2012

this school doesn't even deserve 1 star trust me I'm an 8th grade student there and if you care about your child DO NOT SEND THEM HERE not only me but every single one of my other classmates complain about this terrible joke of a school theres not even lockers and the elementary school is bigger then the middle school this is a warning

Posted: July 11, 2012

Manara acdemy is a very bad school the principal is very unprofessional and abuses her power.the teachers yell at the students and treat the students with no respect IF you are sending your kide there don't

Posted: May 30, 2012

My daughter attends Manara and is just finishing up KG. She loves her school and especially her teacher. The field studies are great and interactive and make the students feel like little explorers who are discovering new things for themselves. I have heard the lunches arent great(my daughter asked to try them a few times), but parents need to accept responsibility for taking 5 minutes to pack a nutritious and tasty lunch for their kids instead of throwing $3 at the school and expecting them to produce a miracle on less than the price of a happy meal. You know it has to come from an outside catering company, so what do you expect? Anyway, I have been very impressed with the staff, the latitude the teachers have to be innovative in their own style, and the focus on living a healthy lifestyle, which is very important to our family. The language programs sealed the deal for us! Thanks Manara.

Posted: May 29, 2012

Me and my kids love this school.teachers are very nice and hard working. My kids used to go to public school they didn't like the school but now they are very happy,they love manara academy.