Research Advanced Technology Academy charter Schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“I feel that their intentions are real but if your child doesn't fit their mold he is out of there. Heavy on Disipline which I can understand but school should not be like a prison. A smile good morning, lets tuck that shirt in, come by my 0ffice today, [and] just want to see how things are going can go a long way with a young adult. Great intentions once again just a very bad choice I made for my child.”

“At the new building for middle schoolers and up i learn so much . It is very fun 6th grader”

“this school is great I learn so much here”

“I'd like to agree with every other parent. The school has great intentions but they fall short on their promises which is a slight disappointment to myself and the other students. Most of the teachers show favoritism which of course makes some stuents feel left out or completely ignored. They're definately not as advanced either. Its a good school but sometimes you might as well feel like you're in prision. The teachers disrespect you at times and get away with it. Again, I have nothing against the school but I feel as if they could do better .”

“ATA definitely has it's good and bad points. The teachers that my kids have had try very hard and are willing to work with me. I appreciate the high standards they hold the students to, but I wish they held themselves to the same standards. My kids complain about how hot or cold the building is all the time. They don't like the school food and I have had my disagreements with the main office, the security people, and the principals. Also, for a name like Advanced Technology, I would expect things to be more advanced and I would expect my kids to be better at technology.”

“This school is terrible... I wouldn't send my dog there. Starting from the over sized classes to the despicable lunch that is served, ATA is undeserving to be called a school”

“My children just completed the 2006-2007 school year and I was very impressed with the environnment and the faculty. Each class gave the children a syllabus for the year, the dress code is strict and specific and if your child is late, there will be consequences. Some parents get upset, but this is life! Wehn you work at certain places, there is a dress code, there is also consequences to being late at a job (it is called, 'you will get fired).' This school offers the children many opportunities, if the parents don't choose to take them, that is their fault. I am always involved in the school, no one has ever stopped me. Nothing is perfect, but this is a great school.”

“Advanced technology Academy is a very great school! yes it may not have any extracurricular activities or foreign languages but the school teaches your children disipline and the only reason kids are getting suspended is because those children does not follow the rules it also teaches your child college level subjects”

“ATA has good intentions but fall way short of an 'advanced' curriculum and staff. Go to the school and you will not see anything that comes close to 'advance'.”

“the institute is ghastly, most teachers do not have experience and are extremely rude if I were you I would get my children out immediately or prepare to watch them fail in this 'Advanced' school”

“This is my childrens 1st year at this school and it is ridiculous and pitiful. My daughter was suspended one time and the school has written my daughter up every day since her suspension. That's right, they don't offer any other activities for the children. My daughter need extracurricular activities and foreign languages. No parent involvement. All they do is just write your child up every day. Nor does the principal or the dean resolves anything. To me this school is not the greatest as everyone says or think it is.”

“School continues to operate in a transition mode. Parental involvement is not encouraged. Advised and suggestions, ignored. Operates as a private business. Parents are not allowed in the building without a escort. Not a friendly environment. Academic quality varies from class to class. Majority of teachers have little experience and/or first time teachers.Does not offer language class, does have music and art. No activities for elementary students. High School has basketball but students were not allowed to attend games, just the team. Funds could be better applied.”

“The program is cool. You can graduate with lots of college credit. The teachers are great and caring. Extracirrular activites are limited. The kids dont go there for the academic program--they are simply their to escape Detroit public schools.”

“i feel advanced tech academy has out done many institutions it offers you a college degree upon graduation not many schools do that its a school for those who want a safe enviorment”

“I believe the goals of this school are high but definetely not met and I refuse to allow my child to continue to be submitted to this 'experiment'.”

“Limited the dress code every year for three years. Now we are wearing black pants and dark blue shirts with a green/yellow nametag. Yet that's the only part they've got right this year. There are no electives...the school has gone so far as to CALL required classes electives simply for the paperwork. We are called Advanced Technology, but the highest computer class is basic HTML. We have no language classes. Not even the bread-and-butter Spanish or French. But OH do they have FordPAS. EVERYTHING is FordPAS. Again, the school fails to challenge the advanced students, leaving them with classes like PAS that are meant to sound elite, but are laughably basic. Meantime, they have everybody staying for the full 7 hours with no classes for some, who are now retaking freshmen ones. There's one kid who they try to hold in the office for lack of a class.”