Renaissance Academy of Arts and Sciences

"If you are thinking about putting your child in this school because they have a great STEM program and all the bells and whistles they talk about when you first visit the school, well… think again. The things my children tell me everyday about what happens in school makes me very upset. This is no better than any public school. My children have experienced yelling from staff without given the opportunity to explain themselves. Ms. Soto, the PE teacher will literally be verbally abusive to kids in class, on the hallway. She has no limits. She doesn’t know how to treat kids with dignity and respect. The STEM teacher has been a substitute all year and my child has learned nothing in that class, because all they do are assignments on their iPad. My husband waited 2 hrs. to speak to principal Mr. Kotkin regarding how some teachers speak to the kids and he never showed his face. Total disregard. I know you might think, oh maybe he was in a meeting, or he was busy…perhaps, but you would never know because no one notified my husband whether or not Mr. Kotkin was available to see him, not even Mr. Kotkin himself. Not all the teacher are mean and horrible, my kids have teachers that are good and they love them, but they are few and far in between. I have invested time, money and energy for my kids to get a better education and I feel like I failed them for choosing this school to be the place they spend most of their day at to “learn”. Oh.. I almost forgot, yes there is as much bullying at this school as any other. Only difference is that at this school SOME teachers are bullies too. Seriously disappointed and dissatisfied with this school. Wish I would have read reviews like this one, to keep my kids out of this school."

"It’s been a bitter experience. This is my child’s first year entering (Kindergarten). I don’t know if maybe the faculty is burnt out and overwhelmed but the lack of communication is HORRIBLE. Since the beginning, getting a reply to a simple email is almost nonexistent. We were so lost, confused, had no idea where to go or who was the teacher. They don’t take the extra time to help kids with special needs, they’re not attentive, they don’t approach the child and ask “hey you need help refilling your water bottle?” Or “let’s take your sweater off it’s really hot”. I think the school just want to work with your “typical-normal-independent child” I’ve sent several follow up emails to the ESE coordinator and requested to have evaluation done for my child to receive special accommodation, no one ever replied till I emailed the school counselor now all of the sudden my child is at the top of the list. Teacher sends newsletter letting us know what the kids are working on and when homework due, but NEVER checks the homework so I’m keeping a folder at home with all of child’s completed assignments. Didn’t get a simple “Thank You” when we brought in a Christmas gift; she’s also unorganized and she’s out a lot. My child is not his typical self, he’s very quiet when he’s in the school, he never wants to go, doesn’t play much with the other kids, he’s afraid of using the restroom. I truly feel emotional and worry about my kid every single day; I may just withdraw my child and placed in a regular public school. Not sure what’s going on, maybe the school is understaffed . I totally understand that we’re all overwhelmed, exhausted, and feeling burnt out, but if you’re going to work in the school system take the time to help, guide, and acknowledge all of your students."

"This school is bad. Ur kids cant use their phone if its an emergency. This school is a disgrace, staff are not helpful, theres sometimes school fights, and bullying, they dont pick up the phone and stuff and its not that good. So much drama about couples and students dont behave alot. Teachers are not good."

"I’m a nineth grader. I honestly think the teacher are all well educated.They are all fair. An as for the students, they are all well behaved. I am enjoying my time in this school."

"I may end up taking my kids out of this school. They never answer the phone, which is so unprofessional. They have people’s children in their school but they don’t answer the phones. There could be an emergency where you need to get in touch, but they will forward your call to a voicemail every time. When you press “zero”, to speak to office staff as directed, it says “ All of our agents are busy helping other customers, please leave a message”. No compassion or respect for parents and families. We are not customers, we are parents. This system should be updated IMMEDIATELY so that parents can speak to office staff with any issues, questions, or concerns."