Waterset Charter School

6540 Knowledge Lane

School District

Hillsborough
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

charter

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 31, 2025

My daughter is currently in 7th grade. She has attended Waterset Charter School since Kindergarten. I am dreading the end of her 8th grade school year. Waterset has been such a big part of her upbringing and has helped shape the leader she is. My 15 year old, now a sophomore at a public school, also attended Waterset Charter School from 3rd -8th grade. He made such tremendous growth and progress while at Waterset, not just academically but also in character development. Thank you Waterset Charter.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2024

My son is in seventh grade. He has been in this school since kindergarten. I think we did his education a disservice by keeping him here. We got the 504c from his dr. For his add which is very bad. He is so smart. But this school does not at all tend to special needs. They will let your child suffer. This is not a place for any child with a disability. This is sad he is hurting and I can’t keep punishing. Rewarding then punishing his grades are terrible and they do not reflect his intelligence. For any reason you think this is a good choice think again.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2024

This school is above average for a charter school. I don’t think it’s the best school though. What I love about this school is they have amazing events. They are very impressive. They have great afterschool activities for the students. The education is good and the staff actually know how to discipline. This school is very fun. A little bit of teachers are rude. But a lot of them are supportive. The location is amazing with a beautiful neighborhood. The lunch is terrible at this school, so i recommend bringing your own lunch. This is the best school in the area. I recommend it here.
Submitted by other on January 02, 2024

My kid(s) have been at this school since Kindergarten and it has been an uphill battle especially after COVID! While some of the teachers are fully equipped , most are not nor to they care to implore themselves to do better. They do not receive criticism well, they lack BASIC teaching skills, they are extremely defensive, they lack social skills, they lack experience to even teach the lesson plans they present to the students, they lack accountability, shall I go on? I’ve tried EVERYTHING, yet my children are the ones suffering. I am in a lot of forums and Charter Schools are the MAIN TOPIC and everyone says RUN but I stayed, even defended them on a few post, but I see the light now and it’s on one fuse! At this juncture, if I make myself any more seen at this school, they might think I’m running on one fuse. While the Principal tries, he really does, I have to ask myself, WHY HAVE SO MANY LEFT? However, you can’t side with your teachers when complaints are consistently made by the parents. I always always said I would never switch my kids school because I want them to have a stable environment but is it stable? They are confused, unable to articulate the work they bring home, and deal with bullying and obnoxious behavior and I refuse to continue. Keeping them there would be a disservice and they don’t even care(Waterset!) If a child is failing, when do YOU , the teacher, guidance counselor, Reach out to the PARENT to work on a plan? When were you going to contact me and say “let’s work on xyz for “John”?But I guess that my responsibility to check PowerSchool EVERY NIGHT! What? Schools in general are too reliant on computers. They are too dependent on technology to TEACH THESE KIDS and I’m not here for it. If you are a parent that is HEAVILY INVESTED in your child’s future and you like to work as a team to help your child, DO SEND THEM HERE! The best part of this school is the resource officer, and about 3 teachers I can name (that I’ve encountered.) What are you doing Jon Hage? Because I’m calling there tomorrow!
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2023

Horrible communication. They don't follow their own guidelines in the handbook.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2022

Our daughter enjoys school, but we have had several issues with communication. Her teacher is very responsive, but many of the questions and concerns we have are for other departments in school or that should not be a burden to her teacher. The office staff has honestly had one helpful, smiling person out of in-person multiple interactions (they don’t return calls or emails so I have to stop in for simple answers) Do not expect clear instructions, eye contact, or warm greetings- even when volunteering- from any of the staff. Every email is listed as a @donotreply with the exception of event flyers. In my experience the emails provided in flyers are either not monitored/ignored, or not working, as I am still waiting for responses from the beginning of the school year. I don’t want to bash the school completely, because my daughter is doing great and enjoys school. The physical layout is stellar and the campus is clean… but when it comes to communication they are definitely failing. I find this very disheartening and deceiving given the principal’s speech to us kindergarten parents about communication and investing in people over technology. Ignorance is bliss I guess? Or maybe it gets better after kindergarten, but I don’t have much hope. My husband and I feel like we got duped because we really felt hyped up and secure after going through orientation, but it’s only December and we feel it was the wrong decision. While this is a free charter school, the amount of money we have spent on ream after ream of paper, field trips to free activities with in the community, and whatever else they need money for like volunteering, I can’t help but warn other parents that are enticed by the high ratings this school has been given. Our experience has been subpar and we are already discussing options for the remainder of my daughters schooling through elementary and middle school- unless there is dramatic improvement with communication. Unfortunately I don’t have much hope and ultimately feel we made the wrong decision for our scholar.
Submitted by parent on June 29, 2021

Students are allowed ro retake tests over and over and over again until they earn a "B", hence the school's ranking. This, however, does nothing to guarantee a student's learning.Some teachers are great while others are woefully substandard- It depends on what teacher your child gets. One teacher has his mother come into class to help him teach and control the classroom because he is unable to do so.The school's administration does little to keep substandard teachers accountable.
Submitted by parent on April 28, 2020

My sons have flourished at Waterset Charter. Their teachers are great and administrators are kind and helpful.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2020

Great experience! We have been very happy here.
Submitted by parent on January 03, 2020

My experience at this school has been awful. If your child is behind even a little bit they don’t care. The lady at the front desk is rude and my sons reading teacher doesn’t communicate well all. I will be pulling him out mid year. I strongly don’t recommend this school.