Research Old Redford Academy charter Schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“This school was better when it was K-6 only.I agree with some parents, all teachers cannot become good administrators. Old Redford can and should be a school of choice for all student needs. Parents need to step up and demand better. Remember a school is no better than the person in charge. This should be a peson committed,dedicated,and responsibe to see that teaching and learning is of a high standard at this inner city school. Submitted by a former teacher.”

“Very high on discipline and very low on diverse education and stability”

“Old Redford is not my best experience. The turnover rate of staff and students is outrageous. Teachers are poor and does not provide feedback on a regular basis.”

“Both of my children attended ORA since kindergarten. The quality of education they received has gone down each year. The teacher turnover is horrible. Every year upon returning, there are new teachers everywhere. The leadership of the administrators has decreased this year. One problem is that the best teachers are removed from the classroom and are not trained for administrative positions. They are set up for failure. And it is our children who suffer. The school is poorly managed by its management company. They carry this motto of no excuses and all they give are excuses. My children will not be returning. Parents,do your research first.”

“This school holds students to high expections both in behavior and academics.”

“My son graduates from Kindergarten in 1 wk. This has been his first and will be his last year at ORA. I am not happy with the school or the experience my son has had. In my opinion, ORA s focus is more on what will make the staff comfortable in any situation. They are big on punishment and low on quality time with the children in order to enhance their education. My request for a conference, was blew off with it s gone through the proper channels and been handled . Parents concerns mean nothing to them and they tend to get on the defensive with an 'if you don't like it leave' attitude when approached by parents with concerns for their children.”

“I taught at Old Redford Academy for just about 2 years. The school lacks stability. There is an extremely high staff turnover every year. It was a terrible place to work, and it offers a poor learning environment. I would strongly recommend that a parent does some research before sending their child to Old Redford Academy”

“I taught at the high school, and while I truly cared about my students both educationally and their overall well being, I completely agree with the parents that have had horrible experiences. The administration does not care about the students once count day is over.”

“My child was a 3rd grade student last year at Old Redford Academy and I feel the whole year was a complete waste,although I am not satisfied with Old Redford I am forced to send my child back to this school and pray that something changes,all summer I have been reviewing different schools in the area and have come up short every time. If there are any parents out there who can offer some advice please e-mail me at tifflin@earthlink.net.I would really appreciate the help.I feel so helpless,being forced to send my child to a inadequate learning facility,because in our communitys we have no other choices.”

“I do not recommend this school. My 5th grader has had 5 homeroom teachers in less than 3 months. The principal was not receptive with my concerns regarding a teacher, and rather than working together to seek a solution, a meeting morphed into a personal attack regarding my character as a person egregiously unprofessional. Procedures regarding students with medical issues need revamping. My son has asthma, and in the event of an attack ORA expected him to walk from the annex, across the street, across a parking lot and up a ramp to the office prior to taking his medication although documentation from his doctor had been provided that he was capable of administering his medication himself.”

“This is my child's first and last year at Old Redford Academy.The school's priority sits with the comfort of the teachers.The school policy is for teachers and not the children.Teachers/administration are not as concerned with our children learning as they are with our children maintaining a stress free environment for the teachers.Any child that is not an angel will be punished with petty detension assignments. If your child is not a perfect angel, your child will not last at Old Redford Academy. Parents Beware and do your research!”

“My child attended ORA Middle School and the whole year was a waste. I have to agree with another parent about them not having a concern for your child after they receive their funds. You can't count on them for your child's future education.”

“My son attends old redford prepatory high school academy and I am sorry that I picked this school over another school where he was accepted. The teachers do not care about whether or not the child is learning. His math teacher only checks off to see if they have done their homework but does not go over it with them. Therefore, they don't know if the homework is correct in order to study for a test. They are more concerned with wearing appropriate clothing as opposed to the child being taught. I would not recommend anyone to send their child to this school. They will not be prepared for college. This school is very much below standards.”

“I am not a parent, but I am a student who attend Old Redford High School. I do agree with the parents. This school is not all it is made out to be. From the beginning they were unprepared with the building. I have had three different physics teacher throughout the year and to be honest I feel that this school is not preparing me for colleger or even the SAT's or ACT's. WE have not had a Homecoming or any other fun activities that other high schools have.”

“My child attended the branch located on Outer Dr. and Grnfield for the 7th grade in the 03-04 school year, the next year they moved the 8th graders to Sthfield and Outer Dr. I found this school to be very clean and well kept. As far as your child goes, don't expect the teachers/ principal to work with your child. They have no patience or tolerance with children. The answer to everything is dentention, suspension, and expulsion. Their detention book is over 7' thick, for things as small as chewing gum in or wearing the wrong colored socks. Once your child has been counted on count day and they have recieved their funds for student enrollment, your child is no longer important.”

“This school did not prepare my child adequately enough for the 1st grade. I was not at all pleased with the kind of care my child received at this school. The staff deemed the children as numbers not as children.”