Academy for Academic Excellence

17500 Mana Road

School District

Apple Valley Unified
Grade

K-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:21
Type

charter

School Map for Apple Valley Unified School District

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 student on June 12, 2024

this is my old school, I was bullied, by teachers and students, my emotional and mental wellbeing wasn’t taken seriously enough. Instead they treated me like I didn’t have a brain, made me break down. I almost gave up on life and school till I was finally moved to a better school. DO NOT take your kids here.
Submitted by student on May 16, 2023

the school does very little to support struggling students and those with metal health problems
Submitted by student on August 30, 2022

I’ve been at this school all my life and I’ve made some of my best friends here. I love all the opportunities and the experiences I’ve made.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2021

My wife and I have six children that have attended AAE from 2005 through this current year. Our oldest graduated in 2010 and our youngest will graduate in 2028. It’s amazing how they each have had remarkably different experiences. The one constant however is the caring staff of the school. Teachers come and go, administrators come and go and support staff come and go but they have all expressed love and support of our children. Some of our children have participated in ASB leadership, some in athletics, some in ROTC, some in AP classes and some in the arts. The diversity of the school is amazing and I’m grateful for what my children learned from the AAE community.
Submitted by student on March 24, 2019

I guess the academics are okay or whatever, but I get bullied a lot here and it hurts. I also went into the restroom once and caught this girl smoking, very bad with discipline in my opinion
Submitted by student on March 24, 2019

I would give it a 0 because i get bullied and i get a bunch of threats by other students at this school everyday. maybe the academics are great but the atmosphere is very toxic.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2018

Very good. Love the support of the staff.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2018

Will be removing my child from high school. My student came in late elementary. I have heard from other parents and also read reviews online before bringing my child here. I remember thinking, it might not be so bad as what I am hearing or reading, gave the school the benefit of the doubt and brought my child here. As time passes, I now clearly see what other parents have been saying and the reviews online are on point especially favoritism towards students whose families donate funds or staff kids and or grandkids. So disappointing. Last straw is they are having budget problems, they can’t afford great teachers in high school because they have no funds, so our kids suffer greatly. It’s ok to have budget problems but it doesn’t seem like they’re are doing anything productive to fix it. Really hoping the best for this school unfortunately I can’t take that risk, just bad timing now that my child is in high school. School also has a 3-5 year waiting list. It is so overrated.
Submitted by student on November 04, 2017

All 12 years of school at AAE was horrible. DO NOT RECOMMEND.
Submitted by other on November 03, 2017

AAE is just OK. It is a middling school with issues that aren't reflected in its polished, obsessively maintained public image. With that being said, there are some benefits to attending it, such as small class size and some truly excellent teachers. Anyone considering AAE as a choice for their high schooler should carefully think about their students' interests (stay away if they want science or social studies, come for English) and ability to integrate into a small school where many students have already known each other for years. Parents should be wary in sending their students here, but also know that for the right kid, it can be a great place.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2017

My kids have been going to this school for 4 years now and every year I get more disappointed.
Submitted by student on May 03, 2017

First of all, don't be mislead by the name. Academic excellence? The only "academic excellence" they offer is "integrated," which is supposedly a mash of all classes in a particular subject (i.e integrated math, integrated science). Integrated doesn't offer as much in-depth learning as it would to take a biology class, or algebra II class. It's a combination of all those subjects taught in one class. So no more full in-depth biology, no more full in-depth chemistry, no more full in-depth geometry, no more full in-depth algebra II. Yet... you need those classes for ANY university or college, isn't it? Second, there are a handful of AP classes, such as Calculus, U.S History, Government, Literature, etc. But there isn't an AP Biology class, which is pretty important for students who want to study STEM. A group of students started a petition for the class this year so they could take it next school year. But administration constantly made up excuses to reject the students' want for AP Biology. "UC's are moving away from AP classes, "It's too encyclopedic," and "You will have 2-3 hours of homework a night. A NIGHT. But... I know you students can do it." Really? Because it honestly sounds like they're trying to discourage students from taking the class, offering a $500 online program for advance biology, or a free credit recovery online program for students who failed classes, but yeah, "teaches" advanced biology. Seems legit, right? Because online programs really help students withOUT the 48-54 hours of lab work than an actual hour long class. Lastly, visual and performing arts. Everything's been recent, and this issue is the MOST. Word has gotten around campus that administration is ridding the school of a majority of the visual and performing arts classes. Why? Aren't those classes requirements for any college? So what's the point of taking them away from the students? And away from the students who like to dance, play instruments, draw and paint? It's makes no sense. AT ALL. Students are on the edge of their seats, anxious if they're prepared for college, or if they're even going to be accepted by their dream colleges. That's the "academic excellence" that's offered here at wonderful AAE. Before you want to deny the facts, ask the students who really care about their education and future.
Submitted by student on March 05, 2017

Its the best if you have a lot of friends - but if your a new kid or a nobody... good luck.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2017

Great LOOKING school, other than that, I DO NOT recommend this school. If you are an Old-School parent and really care about your student, This is NOT the school for you.
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2017

Teachers take too long to process test scores making report card grade untrue. Why does it take 30+ days to grade essay questions? Is it a time management or organization issue? Or an administrative neglect??
Submitted by student on October 13, 2015

I hate this school people here are rude and try to make it where you won't fit in.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2015

Coming from another great school who unfortunately only go up to 6th grade. I can say I have something to compare to AAE. This school cares for their students, and the leaderships are just amazing. They have regards over the parents and what we think and feel about things. Please stay away from negative parents and students. Like I said we came from a really really good school who have the have the highest ratings and scores up in the high desert. Do not compare test scores because higher scores dont necessarily mean the best school in town.
Submitted by student on September 04, 2015

#1 WORST school I've been to,it's such a shame I'm stuck there.If you're not white I don't recommend it for you,you just won't fit in or they'll make sure you don't.
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2014

It is amazing, the bad reviews and the negativity from parents on here. It's easy to be negative behind a computer screen & dole out criticism without the repercussion of saying it in person. My kids have gone to AAE for over 8 yrs & for the most part, we have been very pleased at the caliber of education being taught by these amazing teachers. To counter what one parent wrote re: students only being wealthy, athletic or related to staff...well, we are none of those & we STILL love it over at AAE. SURE, there are flaws, but you'll get that anywhere you go. One of the great things about this school: it's a CHOICE school. There are plenty of other options to pick from. This school might not fit the needs of every student. Your child DOES NOT have to attend here . Fact is, many kids come and love it here...a few realize it's not for them & they leave...& there's nothing wrong with that. It doesn't make the school bad. It's just not a fit for your kid. AAE is and has been a "fit" for us and we love it, we're blessed to be a part of such an amazing campus filled with caring teachers and administration that seek the best direction for the students.
Submitted by other on August 16, 2014

I graduated from AAE this past June after attending the school for eleven and a half years, since first grade. Truly, I cannot imagine a better place to have grown up. I doubt that most people would refer to their school as the place that they "grew up," but, I think that there is no more accurate way to convey what my experience at AAE has meant to me. Academically, AAE served me incredibly well, with teachers that simultaneously held students to high standards but also made personal attention a priority to help us achieve such standards. Thanks to this combination, I am headed to UCLA next month to study biochemistry. Personally, AAE's students and staff truly made the school my home. Among the students, I developed a strong group of close friends, but still enjoyed amity with most of my classmates. While there were different social groups, there weren't cliques. Not only that, but now that I've graduated, I miss the staff greatly, with many of whom I developed what I know will be lasting friendships. AAE made me a student and a leader, and introduced me to a group of people with whom I have become family. In short, I wouldn't have gone anywhere else.