Research Edison Public School Academy charter Schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“This is my 2nd grade son's second year at DEPSA. This is a great school with an excellent curriculum however the teachers that I've encountered have very little classroom management. A great curriculum and a chaotic classroom environment still equals no real learning.”

“I am going into my Sophmore year in high school, and still get emotional when I think about DEPSA. I started Detroit Edison in August of 1998 as a kindergarten student. When I walked acrossed the stage in 2007, tears filled my eyes as I thought about all the fundamentals and essentials that DEPSA has taught me. I appreciate that school in so many ways. I was the president of STAND (Students Taking a New Direction), and was also active on safety patrol. Mr. Bland is a wonderful person, who is still there for me even though I'm no longer a student there. I have seen teachers and friends come and go, as well as not so good days. But overall I can say DEPSA has taught me a lot of things that has made me who I am today. Im glad to be a 'DEPSA Original'. -Meghan B.”

“My search for a good school ended with DEPSA. We have finally found a home for my two sons, currently in 4thand 6th grades. The school has an excellent curriculum, clean and modern facilities, tons of extracurricular activities, a dynamic superintendent who is always striving for higher levels of achievement, caring and invloved principals, and great teachers. My sons and I are happy there.”

“The learning is great the best I've seen so far since we move here in Sept. However thier safety leave something to be desired for. There is no real safety for afterschool programs anyone can walk in or out. Children are not well accounted for. Same goes for the pick up in the afternoon, it's just a frenzy with no real orgaziation. This needs to be addressed if this school wants to go to the next level. There is no real multi ethnicities in the school, I would like to see Depsa actively recruit other minorities from our communities in the surrouding area.”

“I think that DEPSA is the best thing going in the city of Detroit. The staff is caring and certified. The curriculum is great and the administrative staff is great!”

“This school rocks! This is my son's 2nd year at DEPSA and he is in the 1st grade this year. I am amazed by some of the things that they are learning. I love the attitudes of the teachers and administration as far as learning and uping the bar. I welcome the weekly homework packets and the vacation packets. I expect my son's school work to be challenging. Our children have to be prepared for this very competitive world. I want my son to be successful and I believe he is off to a good start at DEPSA. I will be enrolling my daughter in 2008 for Kindergarten and I expect the same if not more. Keep up the good work DEPSA.”

“Excellent and fair principal Mr.Bland is a fair and just person who genuinely loves our children.”

“Great school they should be use as a model. They have a proven track record. Blue Ribbon,National Charter School of the Year and NCA Accredited.”

“In a predominantly black school there should be more African centered studies not just about Martin L. King, but our history and the major inventions by African Americans.Some Foreign language should be mandatory in junior high not French or German because in an a capitalist urban environment our children are'nt exposed to French or German merchants, they are exposed to Arabic, Korean, or some other Asian language.”

“A school is what the vision is! Detroit Edison Public School Academy far pasted my expectations. The vision of Principle Mr. Bland is current, appropriate, solid and well disciplined. My children were challenged as we were parents to excel in studies. It was great to see our children study like we did in college! Let's not joke here and face it, we have to think out side the box and compete with the corporate world. Preparing our children for what they will face is vital. On many occasions we the parents rolled up our sleeves to get work done. We didn't mind the sacrifice, to improve our children's future. Staff & Facility very professional, clean, safe and deserving of the Blue Ribbon Award. Continue your good program! We Thank You, Mr.& Mrs. Fenton M. Jones”

“My son is in kindergarten, acadmeically he improved almost 100% since the beginning of the school year. They have various of activities for the students. The principal is so involved with the students it was unbelievable. You can tell he really cares about the students and staff. Also, the parent involvement is excellent.”

“Overall DEPSA is a good school. You won't find anything like it in the City of Detroit. The quality of education your child receives all comes down to the teachers, the students and parental involvement. The teaching/admin staff is ok. The science (Mr. Shahid) and forensics (Ms. Caldwell) courses are extremely weak (no depth or organization), while the math (Mr. Sumerton), social studies (Mr. Wooten), and health (Mr. Burley) are outstanding. The student body is pretty good. No major incidents to speak of. Parent involvement is pretty good, but could be more organized.”

“As a educator, I find it difficult to find a school even closely comparable to the world-class education DEPSA offers our students. DEPSA is the epitome of a student-centered, supportive learning environment. Administrators, teachers, and students do everything possible to reach out to the success of all students. With the essential curriculum, along with 'Specials' classes including Music, Art, PE, French, Drama, Forensics, Band, etc, there is always a class of interest for students. After school programs include Elementary Show Choir, Ecology Club, Art Club, Basketball, Volleyball, Cheerleading, Dance Team, and more. Teachers and administrators can always be found at students' events. Around the clock security makes DEPSA one of the safest schools in the city. This is a very supportive environment which proves why this school was the first charter school to be named a Blue Ribbon School.”

“My daughter is a first grader at DEPSA. Let me just say that no school is perfect but they come darn close. The late fee is only $25. I was late once and never again. The staff is great. Ms. Rodgers, who my daughter had last year, still gets a Christmas gift from us. We are looking forward to them maybe building a high school in the future. My Daughter and I love this school. Parents are rewarded for their time put in at the school with a dinner in June. I am looking forward to the one this year.”

“My son has been attending DEPSA since kindergarten and is now in the 4th grade. He has a lot of opportunities to excel, his instructors challenge him however; he can be challenged more. I enjoy the rapport and school activities. I am an active parent who always participates. My son has joined the basketball team and it has given him more incentive to stand out and shine in class. Participating on team sports also enables him to build relationships with his instructors and behave in class because if his citizenship is lacking the coach benches his players which is a great idea! Mr. T you rock! Traffic has improved immensely with the direction of the superintendent Mr. Bland and all parent and instructor volunteers. We appreciate you all! Thank you very much!”

“My son has attended D.E.P.S.A. consistently since the school opened. I have watched staff come and go, students go and come back, and I am very pleased with the overall program. My son has grown from a boy to a young man with the help of myself, his dad and the staff and students at Edison. (Mr. Wooten, Jr. Academy, you rock!) My youngest started kindergarten this year (Mrs. Kilpatrick, Kindergarten teacher, you rock!)and my 7 year old is in the second grade. I love everything and everyone from the crossing guards to the 'higher powers that be'. Keep up the good work D.E.P.S.A.”

“DEPSA is a wonderful school! My daughter has been a student at DEPSA since Kindergarten. She has been challenged academically at ever grade level. There is a high expectation of parental involvement that is a must with any successful school. Education does not end when school is dismissed. Our children need our assistance and our involvement in their education if they are to succeed. Thank you, Mr. Bland, Academy Directors and the teaching staff for a job well done.”

“I have been an employee of DEPSA since 1998, when the school first opened. I have been and involved parent as well as employee. I have put my two children through DEPSA and has been very pleased with the results. My dughter first came as a kindergartener and will be graduating from the 8th grade this upcoming June. The extra curricular activites have prepared both my son and daughter for their high school careers. I would highly recommend this schol to anyone who is looking for a great place to have their children taught. In the fall of 2006, we also be adding a preschool. Again, this is a very well organized, professional, and great enviorment for anyone who wants their children to be taught by only the best. This is truly a hallmark of excellence.”

“I have been attending depsa since kindergarten and love the school. I graduate next year and will miss there. but they have taught me so much and prepared me for high school. they have moved us to a better learning environment and I would recommend this school for any child.”

“2005-2006 school year was my daughters first year at Depsa. She was in the third grade. I believe they challenge the children. The teachers are great. I am very pleased with this school. They don't have a problem with keeping you updated with your childs progess. The school always welcome parent participation.”

“My daughter has been at DEPSA since Kindergarten. As the years have gone by, I have seen a major decline in academics, test scores, high turn around in teaching staff and administration. It seems as though no one is qualified to be in the position they are in, including the principal. There is no communication between staff or administration, and the principal never seems to know what is going on, except what awards they are receiving. They do not want to deal with issues at hand, and are only concerned on count day so they can make sure they receive funding. Needless to say, this is my child's last year attending. I am very disappointed because I have watched a #1 school, go to nothing. And, I would not recommend this school to any one who cares about the future and well-being of their child's education.”

“My daughter has attended DEPSA since 2003. The school expects the best from its students and offers them the resources to accomplish this. DEPSA offers a year round saturday enrichment program free of charge. Also this year DEPSA is offering a summer academic day camp for just $70 per week. Everyday I am so grateful that our principal Mr. Bland is a man of vision. We are one of the very few schools in the city of Detroit to have a state of the art facility. Our campus is out of sight including our newly completed playground. The children love it. My child is in a safe, nurting environment. Everyone there really loves our kids from the security guards directing traffic all the way up to the principal. Although it is a large school the staff takes the initiative to get to know parents and students by name.”

“this school is wonderful the parent involvement is absloutely fantastic. nAlso the staff is very liveable. The building is outsatnding. The grades are exceptional. Just one bad apple.”

“My daugther has been at Edison since it opened in 1998. She is now in the Eighth grade and will be leaving this year. Overall it has been a great experience. All schools need parent participation, and I found that when the teachers know you are interested they have bent over backwards to afford her opportunities for growth. She has become a confident young lady and the exposure to field trips, business mentors and extra study around the MEAP tests have served her well. Although there was no language in 2004-5, it has returned in 2006. The curriculim with emphasis on reading allowed her to breeze through the high school enty exam. Ocassional Parent Volunteer.”

“This school is fantastic. My daughter's first grade teacher took about an hour with me on Saturday afternoon to discuss my daughter's progress. The teacher is back after having a baby this year. She is one of the most dedicated teachers in the building. I love this school. The staff is so kind and caring.”

“I absolutely love this school. My daughter has been here since Kindergarten and is now in 5th grade. The new location is wonderful and the setup is much better. It took a little getting used to but its been a year in transition and things are great. I love the curriculum although I wish they had foreign language again. This year the fifth graders are switching classes to prepare them for Junior Academy. My daughter is well rounded in all her subjects as well as social skills. I would recommend this school to anyone. The teachers are great at being understaning of parent's concerns and we couldnt ask for a better principal.”

“My children previously attended DEPSA before they moved to the new location. I returned because they have the best curriculum thus far. The only classes that aren't offered are 'foreign lanuage' and some sort of 'dance' class. They are finally organized. I'm sure they will close the gap and decrease the class sizes soon. Some people have to be turned away. Otherwise the quality of education diminishes each time the class sizes increases.”

“DEPSA has changed locations. I go there and we don't have World Language.”

“Overall I am pleased with the school, however, there is one thing that disturbs me. When my child initially enrolled here, the school was chartered by the Edison Project. That was one of the main reasons I enrolled him in this school. I recently found out that this school is no longer chartered by the Edison project and Parents were not made aware. Some parents may have been told on an individual basis, but as a whole, I bet many parents don't know this.I would have liked the opportunity to decide if my child was going to stay at the school (minus the charter, but instead that afct was swept under the rug?”

“I don't understand this place they implement new rules and then don't tell the parents. Now that it is close to the end of the school year they started to give children detention if they don't turn in a read and respond form. There was no forewarning just did it. All year some 10 months into the school year and they start this. What is going on. There is no rhyme or reason. They used to have a waiting list now they beg for applicants.”

“it was a terrible school, i had to get my children out of there. the teachers were very unprofessional and the school administration is very unorganized.”

“I am glad to see a school that will stay open no matter what. I appreicate the longer class time that this school gives it students. This school and the teachers appear committed into helping the students succeed, if your child wants to succeed in school. The staff will work with you if there is a problem and do their best to help resolve any issues one might have. It is up to the parent to make the decision if the child should go to school during bad weather. I have found that the faculty of this school is willing to work with you as the parent if there is a problem. They will address it and work with you. The fees for latchkey is not as high as a private school. (I had my child in a private school for 4 years). In fact they are very resonable. I was late once and the office called me on my cell phone, I told them that I was on my way. There was no problem, I picked up my child and there were no late fees. This school works hard to ensure that the students receive what they need. It is up to parent envolvement to ensure that the child is recieving what they need to.”

“kid warehouse.34 kids in one classroom for 1 teacher. high fees for everthing. $50 per child late pick-up fee 3 kids =$150.00 for 1 minute late including inclimate wheather. school day ends at 3:30pm when most parents are still at work. charged fee for in school 'field trip'. regular public school that charges like a private school.”

“At 32 students per teacher, with a high rate of teacher and administrator turn over, this is an environment that reaches only the average student. Students that are above or below average do not get the individualized attention they need. Edison attracts a pool of talented teachers then wears then down through long hours, long years and minimal support.”