Legacy Prepatory Academy

My daughters (k and 4gr) were accepted over the summer. I am really excited about the journey that we are talking this year. I also have a DS 13 who is not going to LPA, but if I knew what I know now about the neighborhood school, I would have let him go to LPA in 2nd grade. I look forward to a new learning experience this year. I also look forward to the new and different teaching style that we are about to embark on this year. Good luck with your decision. I really don’t plan on a super close relationship with the director. I have heard similar things about her as well. It really is about the education right?
P.S. There was a reason that you applied to the school in the 1st place remember that when making your decision

I'm surprised people who have no experience with this person or school are writing in. Maybe she was having a bad day - maybe she doesn't realize she comes off as condescending. This is a perfect opportunity for you to bring it up with her and see if she takes corrective action on her demeanor. How she reacts will tell you a lot about how she will deal with any potential problem that may come up over the year.

You didn't mention how old your daughter is. I don't know anything about that particular school, and have no personal experience with it. But if your daughter is old enough, leave the decision up to her. Maybe she wants to go there. You can give her all the information you want her to base the decision on, but if she's old enough or mature enough to handle it, leave it up to her. If not, you could at least ask her opinion of it. Let her help make the decision. That will ease both your minds and she won't feel she's being controlled. I guess if she's still young it doesn't really matter and you need to do what you feel is right. Anyway. Just a suggestion.

Hi S.,
I personally don't have any experience with any charter schools (my kids are 4 & 1), but our neighborhood (ward) is divided between 3 schools, 1 regular elementary, and 2 charter schools. The elementary in our neighborhood is a title 1 school, which means that a certain % of kids that go there are at the poverty level. But, the school also has a huge variety of other income levels. Over 1/4 of the kids come from $750,000+ homes, so there is quite a span, with everything in between.

It seemed that as soon as the kids in our ward (we're all about middle class/lower middle class) started going to the charter school, they got this "I'm so much better than you because I go to a 'private school'" attitude. It really divided our ward. Kids who had been friends for years were now enemies because of the division. It is really sad. I'm not sure that the kids are getting any better of an education at the charter schools, or not, but their attitudes towards everyone else are not great.

I firmly believe that half of our child's education is our responsibility as parents. We need to be involved in our kids lives and make sure we know what they're learning and that they're learning it. We can't leave it all up to the teachers.

I only have two questions for you. Why do you want your daughter to go there? And, would you/your daughter have been heart broken if you hadn't gotten the call that said she could go to LPA?

Good luck in your decision. Hope all turns out well.
-S.

While I don't have experience with LPA, my kids do go to a superior charter school in our area where it does seem like they think they are better. Once I got to know everyone I lost that feeling because they were really nice but they are elite compared to the public school. At the academy they don't have to deal with teen pregnancy, drinking or drugs on campus, gang activity or other issues like bullying. The kids that are there want to learn and that's what they do. The kids are friendlier to each other and they have more respect. That wouldn't happen if the director didn't have the attitude of expectation from the students as well as the parents. I would never switch back to a regular public school.

I don't have any advice for you, but I just got the call myself that my son got a slot, too! What a huge decision to make so soon before school starts!

If you are concerned and want to be more involved you might check out k12.com

I would weigh the academic scores more than the attitudes. I went to west Denver DPS and if I get the chance to send my kids to one of those schools, holier-than-though attitudes are the last thing on my list of worries.

I have no direct experience with LPA, however, my daughter was in a "gifted" program where we had many of your same concerns. She was subjected daily to teachers' comments and attitudes that these students were better than others, simply because academics were easier for them. I found this attitude completely unprofessional and damaging to my daughter. One teacher went so far as to directly mock and insult those students with special needs, in front of my son who is living with autism. I transferred my daughter the next day. The attitude of entitlement and superiority caused other teachers and students to resent and reject those in the program. As a parent and former teacher, I believe that children need to learn to respect others, regardless of their abilities or circumstance. Your daughter can receive a quality education at another school, especially with an involved parent, but she may not be able to overcome the false superiority and disrespect she'll be subjected to at LPA. To me, no school is worth risking my daughter's character. I'd say, follow your instincts, and find another program.

I'm confused. Why does your daughter have to go there? Don't you have a choice?

I just got out of a school year that was an absolute miserable experience. For two years our school had a new Principal who's agenda was not to better the kids, it was to better HER career only and she had the attitude you describe in your inquiry. Needless to say, I had a few problems arise with her throughout the school year but nothing that I couldn't handle until last year. My son was placed in a class with a teacher that was a horrible fit for my son and I found that going to this principal got me no where and no sympathy. What it comes down to is she chose each student teacher combination and she was too prideful to do the right thing for my son. Her comment was I had to trust that she made the right decision for him. Needless to say, we spent the end of the year with tears every day, an abusive teacher and a 9 year old with a very low self esteem (with learning).

In short, what I wish I had done is pulled him from the school as soon as I had a problem. I thought we could work through it. I feel that because of the arrogance of that principle, my son suffered and my hands were tied.

I say if you get a feeling about this woman, don't send your daughter there. Your gut is probably right about the kids, the director and the overall attitude of the school. It is more important that your daughter grow up to be a confident, loving, respectful human being, not "Greater-than-thou."

Good luck!

I am sure you looked into the school before you signed her up, and you have some basic idea of what is taught and how the school is run.
I would just say this: Think about what you are looking for and what is the best atomosphere for your daughter. What are your goals for her education? Look carefully at the curriculum between the two schools and decide which one better meets her needs. Look at all the pros and cons with your daughter, and then together make a (quick at this point)decision. There is really no right or wrong answer here. She will get a good education either place. You may need to supplement a bit if she went to the public school depending on her needs and what kind of curriculum they have to offer(i.e math, reading program, science, English/grammar, etc.) One nice thing about a charter school is it meets many educational needs within a school day. Your child may not know what she likes best until she tries it out?
Good luck with your decision.