Great Hearts Schools indeed--we're in! (Mesa, Glendale: public schools, relocating, teachers)

[TransporterG]

Hi folks,

Sharing some good news. We're just relocating back to the Valley from more than a decade in China. I applied, during early admission period, for my oldest son to attend one the the more mature Great Hearts Academy schools (an advanced jr.high-high school).

After the first lottery in January, we came in at #24 on the waiting list. Yesterday, I received the mail that my son's number had come up and we were in. What great news! Now he can get his fair share of Latin, and Great Books curriculum.

For all that is said of Arizona education, if you have visited and/or researched these schools, it is really impressive. Man! I had to be a Catholic to study second semester calculus in high school. Now my oldest will get the opportunity and doesn't even need to be an alter boy!

Anyone here have children in Tempe Prep or the other GHA schools?

[StillLookingToo]

Congratulations. I hope your son likes homework I have 2 in Glendale Prep. The school is an amazing experience but demanding for those used to AZ public schools.

[dgs92]

My son just started Scottsdale Prep in Jan. We are so pleased with the school. He was at BASIS for 7th and part of this year. That was a very difficult school. My son is soooo much happier at Scottsdale Prep. I can't wait for my daughter to go there as well in a few years!

[Not Born Yesterday]

I have children at Mesa Prep. Moderator cut: consumer complaints not allowed per ToS Parent need to gather as much information they can and make an informed decision. We are looking for a viable alternative to Mesa Prep and if we find one we will be gone and I am sure they really will not care if we leave.

[TransporterG]

Isn't Mesa Prep one of the newer schools? I can imagine any new school having issues with teacher retention, for example. Moderator cut: orphaned reference Truth, beauty and goodness happen to be not the unique purview of some Trinity School, but of the ancient greek tradition of the academy--the world of Plato, Aristotle, who based much of their ideas on these notions. Truth is always in the middle of opinions that are not presented with measurable data.

But so far, Chandler Prep has started up and while my son is still 2 years ahead of the curriculum in math (something I need to figure out a solution for), his homework load is much less and much simpler than that in China. But he quite enjoys the new environment and the approach of his teachers. The verdict will remain open when we see the results, the data. But I need to get him in some additional classes so he can continue to grow his math skills as the school won't let him participate in 8th or 9th grade math as a 6th grader. Otherwise, so far, first week of school--not enough time to evaluate of course.

[new2gilbert]

My daughter is on the current waiting list for Mesa Prep. Can anyone say what the odds are for getting in the school? This is definitely our 1st choice and she is anxious about not getting in for 8th grade.

[azriverfan.]

I'm glad this thread exists. For all the whining about the local schools based on tabloid-like fervor from people who are too lazy to reseach schools, it shows that smart parents ignore the dumb rumors and are doing what they can to get their children into the good schools. Maybe some of you uninformed parents who are whining about the schools should get off the sidelines and actually copy what these good parents are doing. They aren't complaining about the sky falling, they are making decisions based on evidence.

For those parents who are concerned about schools but are willing to take the effort to distinguish rumors from substance, go to this website www.greatschools.com There are too many good schools to choose from in the Valley if people would just take the effort to learn that instead of listening to rumors.