I have posted on here a few times asking about different school districts and advice on where to buy a home. We are desperately trying to decide where we want to go. We have totally outgrown our house and we don't like the school district (Grandview High). Although, we may be homeschooling again next year. Here's another question for ya! Someone mentioned to me a charter school on 68th and Holmes called University Academy. I went to their website (www.universityacademy.org) and was actually impressed. It sounds like they really prepare those students for college. I also know someone that had to do some type of internship there and they said the kids were extremely well behaved. My question is, if this school is so great, why haven't I ever heard of it? We have gotten advice from a lot of people about moving to the Brookside and Waldo area and everyone and everyone has said told us the neighborhoods are awesome but the school district stinks because of it being Kansas City MO school district. I'm just wondering why nobody has suggested this school. Any comments? Has anybody had any experience with this school? Thanks!
M.
Just remember if you move into KCMO, you have a 1% earnings tax on any income! Many people who live outside the city limits forget about that little detail--so, you need to consider the price of the school AND the extra tax.
Just my 1% worth. :-)
Hi M.,
I live very close to this school, and I have heard nothing but really good things about U.A. I was told by an educator that is in the know, that alot of the students that attend are ones that need a very structured enviornment. It is funded by some of Kansas City's finest people who give back to the community and saw a need several years ago for this sort of school.
The response about the fighting, might be because they are trying to give children who are in poor socioeconomic area's a chance. That is why the structure is so regimented.
I also know of Academy Lafayette which is on Oak around 72-73rd Street that I hear wonderful things about. French Emergin (sp) School Half a day is in English and the other half French. You might check this out as well. I do know that parents are very involved in this school.
There is also Boarder Star Montesorri School in the Brookside area at 63 and Wornall, I don't know for sure if it is still a possible closure for KCMO schools, but it is well attended and I have had clients and friends that have said wonderful things about the school. Then last but not least there is the Global Montesorri school on the Country Club Plaza that is located in Unity Temple right on 47th Street across from Ruth's Chris Steak House. I know it is a good school as well.
I am also looking for potential schools for my 5 month old, so we can be prepared when it is time.
I hope this helps and good luck.....I also think we are selling our home which is in the Brookside Area.....let me know if you are interested.
Hi!
First I agree, the neighborhoods in Brookside are awesome, but the schooling has always been the issue. We send our grade school age boys to Brookside Charter school and love it. It is small and neighborly and nurturing. I picked it over University Academy mainly for those reasons. I need my boys to feel safe and happy first, and then the will be ready to learn. Not that this helps you now, but Brooksdie Charter is planning to expand with a high school sometime in the next few years, and I am so glad! As for University Academy - the curriculum is top notch, and students are definitely prepared for college - that is the ones who want to work. The problem is that they are still weeding out the students that don't want to work and want to cause trouble. So it would probably depend on your 15 y/o attitude and personality if the school would work for him. I truly think the founders of the school have a great vision for it - it just might take awhile for it to get there. Anyway - good luck, and keep Brookside Charter school in mind for your little one! I know Academie Lafayette is a great school too, I just wasn't comfortable with the French immersion concept.
L.
I don't know for sure, but I live in Hyde Park, and I've talked with several parents of school age kids about the local schools. The comments I got from them were that there is a lot of racial tension at University Academy. I used to attend and work at UMKC (the university that runs UA), and there would be frequent entries in the police blotter that kids gotten into a fight at UA. But again, this is just in my experience.
M.:
The reason you probably have not heard of UA, is that it is relatively new. There use to be a Temple there and Helzberg bought the building, tore it down, and built the school. I see three kids there (all in the lower grades), for therapy. I really like the school(with the exception of the Superintendant). The teachers are great, and they really work with the children. Ir has a diverse population and encourages parental involvement.
A. L
Have you heard of Christ Prep? They are currently in Kansas City, KS, at I-635 and Shawnee Drive. (I've heard rumors of them looking for a place further south) The school was started by, and is designed for, homeschoolers. At the high school level, students attend 3 days a week, with the other 2 days at home working with a parent. It is a "university-model" school, meaning you choose the classes you want and are charged per class. (I know the principal and several of the teachers from Cub Scouts)
They will have a booth at the MPE conference this weekend.
http://christprep.org/SiteResources/Data/Templates/two_co...
And here's the Midwest Parent Educator conference info if you need that:
