Research Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences charter Schools in Detroit, Michigan

“Detroit Academy of Arts Sciences has provided my grandson with a great beginning to his school career. He just completed kindergarten and I can not be more pleased with his education. The reading program at DAAS has helped him so much. I am so thrilled when he writes me notes to me that are grammatically correct. I learned at his kindergarten promotion that 95% of all of DAAS kindergarteners are reading at or above grade level! When talking to other parents, they said they are keeping their children at DAAS because of what they are learning and the reading program. I can t agree more! I recommend DAAS to any parent who is looking for a school that really works with its students!”

“I would recommend that parents not send their child to DAAS. Aside from a few excellent teachers and support staff the school is not up to par with other schools in the surrounding areas. My child's fourth grade teacher did a wonderful job this year educating my child but I come to find out that she will not be returning next year. She will be greatly missed by myself, my child and the rest of the student body and staff. It is educators like her that make DAAS what it is. Due, to the fact that she will not be returning neither will my children. The administration should try to retain teachers like her instead of letting them go. They wonder why enrollment is down and it is due to the poor management of the school by the inexperienced administration.”

“DAAS is one of the best elementary schools in city of Detroit. The administration and teachers are caring and committed to student achievement. The MEAP scores continue to climb. The fine arts department is second to non in an elementary school. DAAS students can be found performing throughout the city. Each and every time DAAS students perform; they receive standing ovations and rave reviews. Superintendent Stan Bowman is taking the school and district in the right direction. Under Mr. Bowman s leadership, DAAS continues to flourish. Staff Appreciation was last week. The appreciation the parents demonstrated towards the staff was over whelming. It was a testament to how parents feel about the Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences.”

“It is good to know that there are other teachers past and present that have had a positive experience teaching at Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences. I had to relocate out of state because of family obligations but I really enjoyed my time at this school. When I was a first year teacher, Ms. McReynolds,the Primary Principal along with the Instructional Coaches mentored and encouraged me every step of the way. They saw my potential to be a excellent teacher and they continuously encouraged and motivated me even when I felt that I might not be able to make a difference. I can honestly say I am now a successful Homeroom teacher because of the genuine support I received. I really miss DAAS!”

“I am a previous employee of DAAS and I have read several of the parent reviews and they are correct in stating that DAAS offers many extracurricular activites and many new and innovative programs. I do have to disagree that the school is CLEAN, it is DIRTY and very unsanitary for the young ladies. The girls bathrooms are horrible, sometime there is not tissue or soap for the young ladies. The classrooms are filthy, the floors are never mopped until the school goes out for break and sometimes not then. Now for what I feel is the failure of the school, the ADMINISTRATION, this is the WORST administration I have ever encountered. They are very unorganized, they have LACK of knowledge in their professions, they are doing such a great injustice to the students and parents. DAAS has had many great teachers that have entered that school and left.”

“I am a parent with a child at this school and I have found this school to be a God send as far as locations, curriculum and friendly staff. I would rate this school with 4 (four) stars.”

“DAAS has worked throughout the years to make improvements. They have implemented mentoring programs, tutoring programs, improved the curriculum, and have a variety of after school activities for students to participate in. There is a strong focus on academics and the success of all students. In order for this to work there needs to be a strong and open communication by staff, parents and students. It is a calloborative effort that requires the participation of all parties involved for student success.”

“I previously taught at DAAS and as I was reading some of the previous reviews; I must say that they were very accurate. This school has it's postive and negative points. The students are wonderful and a joy to be around and most of the parents were very supportive. There are tons of after school and during school extracurricular activities the students can be involved with. The school is clean, vibrant and full of color.The staff is young, caring, innovative, and certified teachers with a passion to teach. The school constantly administers test to assess student progress. Those are among a few positive features. On the down side; DAAS administration is absolutely horrible. Communication btw administration and the teaching staff hardly exist which makes the teachers look bad. This can sometimes lead to upset parents. The teachers are great but are sometimes put down by 'upper management' and not appreciated.”

“DAAS is an excellent school. The K-6 teachers and administrators work together to help all students achieve. Our academic program allows students to learn and explore all areas. Students take part in Science Lab Computer Lab and daily special classes. DAAS' reading program allows students to work on their own level and focuses on growth at all levels. Students also can participate in our dance and choir groups, which have performed throughout the entire city. I am proud to say that DAAS gives all students a chance to learn and grow in a safe environment.”

“DAAS has the potential to be a wonderful place for children to learn and a great place for teachers to work. After teaching at DAAS I can say I'm very disappointed in the lack of leadership. Teachers that are certified, highly qualified, and that have a real passion for their career are leaving the school in large numbers. The school administrators lack basic communication and organization skills. Team work doesn't exist in the school and teachers are encouraged to compete with each other instead of working together to create the best learning opportunities for students. The school lacks a consistant discipline system, basic supplies, support from administration, and a clean teaching environment.”

“My child is in his third year at DAAS, he's been there since kindergarten. I am very satisfied with this school. They offer a variety of arts programs for their students, one being music which my son has had an opportunity to develop and have a passion for. Overall the staff is great and DAAS offers an environment conducive to learning”

“I am the proud parent of Kelly Weathersby, a first grader. When Kelly Weathersbyfirst enrolled in Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences, she barely would whisper let alone read a childs menu at her favorite restaurant. Now she makes it a point to sound out and read everything. She even reads her eleven year old brothers' homework. Kelly is also a member of Junior Great Books at the Detroit Public Library on Woodward. Kelly is anxiously waiting for the Fall session to begin. Thank you Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences for hiring an excellent staff who personally keeps me abreast of my childs behavior and her academic status. You have taken a child with no confidence when it came to reading and have made her blossom. DAAS, you get an A+++ in my book. Thank you again”

“DAAS is an excellent alternative to public schools in the Detroit area. Expectations are high and parent support of these expectations are required. The common goal at DAAS is that children come first, and as parents and educators, the best interest of the child is thought of first. The organizational issues mentioned is some of the 2004 and 2005 comments have def. improved in 2006-2007.”

“From the moment I walked into the school I saw an organized,quiet and well kept environment. The children were well behaved and a joy to be around.”

“I taught at DAAS and many times the students were excellent. The teamwork however (parents, staff and administrators) was horrible! Often times though students (and some of their parents) thought they were getting away with something, they only ended up hurting themselves in the long run. Because of the lack of organization (although I have seen worse) students were often testing limits and pushing the boundaries, therefore there was chaos. Parents often complained, but very rarely did they show up to help out (except for the faithful few who I hope are still hanging in there). Adminsitrators accused teachers of being lazy and vice-versa. And everyone says it's the kids sojust kick out the bad ones - All Wrong! The answer is in working together as adults, being adults, setting limits and keeping them firmly set. If the kids have no wiggle room, they'll feel safer, see the real expectaions and work for them.”

“This school is a great rip off. while my child was attending, the staff was more concerned with school uniforms, than on his academic progress. I met with the staff many times to discuse his shirt hanging out, but rarely about his academics progress, except when it was too late and he required summer school which was $125 per class + late fees. As a senior, my child was pressured for senior dues which was very steep, it encluded the 'cost' of graduation. I was told this did not ensure a diploma, I knew my child needed one more required class. Found out this school did not offer this class, and gave no more information to where my child could take it to complete his requirements. So after thousands of dollars on summer school uniform corrections and senior dues, my child is a classic example of being 'left behind'.”

“I love DAAS, especially Ms. M. Matthews. She is a great teachers she really helps me with my school work and also Ms. Smith. I thank you both for the care and help you give to me each and everyday.”

“My son Jourdin is a second grader in Ms Raddens class and she is working with me and my son to boost his skills and cofidence with his class work and homework. I really appreciate this teacher as my past experiences were not pleasant this teacher really cares about my son and his progress in school. I'm also really impressed with the K-2 Principle Ms McReynold's she takes her job of shaping future productive citizens seriously.”

“I was recently certified and taught at DAAS for 3 weeks in 2003. My views are the same as others posted here. The biggest reason I quit because I had 34 'at risk' kids JAMMED into a classroom on big enough for 20 kids at best. Three weeks into the school year, I still did not have my text books. The staff was unorganized, plans changed from moment to moment, I never knew what was going to happen next. I felt terrible about quitting. I just couldn't take it.”

“My children have attended Detroit Academy of Arts and Science for two years now. My children will never attend this school again. Teacher turn over rate is horriable. They are not organized, especially during dismissal. There is no parent parking available. Let me explain, there are 3 parking lots not one available for parents. In my opinion the Principals are not good at all. They do not communicate with parents in a respectful manner (this is my personnal experiece. There seems to be more interest in charing money for all kinds of activities than in the students. I have a 5th grader who does not have gym or extracurricular activity. I would not recommend this school to anyone. I am very displeased. I do not like to have my children continually swith schools but in this case it is necessary. This school is below average and that not good enough.”

“I feel as if I must defend DAAS. My kids have attended this school for the past 3yrs. I must comment on how dedicated the teachers are. Even though they may be first time teachers and a little inexperienced, they love the children and are extremely concerned with the kids success. To ensure that your kids recieve the very best possible education,it takes parents, teachers and the kids themselves. I am the proud parent of nearly straight A students, that are motivated to learn as a result from attending DAAS. They offer many extra programs such as tutoring, dance, basketball and other extracurricular activites. The only negative comment I have is the changing of the dismissal time from 4pm to 3:15pm, it called alot of inconvenience for me.”

“When I first pulled my son from public school to join DAAS, we had high hopes and were very excited about the curriculum and the principles and policies that the school stood for. As I write this commentary today I wish I had never placed my children in this school. With each new school year comes a new principal and new (uncertified) teachers. The children have no sense of continuity with the staff that they see daily. More importance is placed on a strict uniform code than is placed on education. It seems that the school motto 'changing the world one student at a time' should be ' make sure you wear your tie or we'll make you go home!'.”

“The first year we attended this school was very good. Then in the middle of that year, we changed principals. Upon our return to school the following school year, we had a new principal. Too much turnover. Teachers had little or no control over their classrooms. Discipline and safety suffered greatly. That is why we left. My children were no longer safe. My children's safety is first and foremost. This school really needs to re-think their policies.”

“My child and I did not enjoy our experience at this school. My child was in a very large class, for the school to have more than one or even two kindergarten classes. My child's teacher was young and inexperienced with disciplining young children. She could not retain control of her class. I would have to schedule parent/teacher meetings to discuss improper and unprofessional comments made to my child or in my child's presence. When I complained to the administation they shuffled me from person to person and then their voice mails. The homework assignments were pretty creative and sometimes challenging but sometimes I felt like they were too overwhelming for kindergarten students. So much so, they could not enjoy the learning process itself. Now my child dreads seeing her teacher and going to school all together and the school experience has only just begun! We would not recommend this school to anyone!”

“This school is very unorganized, doesn't have good leadership and is out of control. The grading scale is ridiculous and the horrible experiences my child had there I would never reccomend anyone send there child there!”

“The mission of DAAS is slowly diminishing. There is an extreme need for class sizes to be reduced, as this is one of the key reasons that parents are withdrawing their children from the school. The district has wonderful teachers, yet they are losing the good teachers as a result of classrooms being overcrowded and the lack of communication and/or follow-up from the administration. In addition, the Principal has limited to no authority. The Board of Directors must allow Principals to have more authority. There is an extreme need for professional development in all areas. (I.e. management, disciplinary policies, ongoing training for teachers, parents and administrators, etc.) The need for parental involvement is strongly encouraged, as this is one of the key components of a successful school or district. DAAS could be a great district if people were willing to make the necessary changes needed to ensure success.”

“This school was great when it first opened. Every year the leadership changes which results in a change in major focus of the students. This school is not 100% African American. There are other nationalities attending this school. Reverend Holly's initial plans for this school have deviated which lead to parents removing children from this school and putting them in private school. Once parent participation increases and stable leadership returns, this school shall be back on track for success. This school has a similar curriculum to private schools.”