Governor French Academy

219 West Main Street

Belleville, IL 62220

25 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 01, 2025

I really love this school. My child was having some medical issues, and we kept getting flagged for truancy (despite him having an A average and working with his teachers). We eventually withdrew him from his local public school and found GFA. It worked out really well. He found a great group of friends and was academically challenged. The teachers really cared about him and despite its small size, there were enough extra curriculars and clubs to keep him engaged. I strongly recommend this school if the public school is not a good fit for your child or you are looking for them to be challenged. The Teachers go out of their way to create classes to meet the needs of the students, and the results and college acceptances prove that.
Submitted by parent on January 22, 2023

If I could give this school zero stars I would. It is a vile place that has ruined my son's mental health. A once joyful and confident child has become a young person who basically has anxiety and depression from the horrible treatment. Most of the teachers do not teach and the ones that are good leave because of horrible treatment and poor support from administration. This school should be shut down before it damages more young people. I am not a parent that writes this lightly. We were heavily involved with the school for over four years. I feel like I let my child down by him putting up with the mental abuse this school operates on daily.
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2022

GFA is based on ineffective leadership, ineffective discipline and curriculum that should have been updated a decade ago. The only diagnostic measure in the school are the IOWA tests that are administered twice a year. Teachers are stiffled and warned against having communication with parents, and are instead asked to let it run through "leadership." The problem with that is they pick and choose what they want to communicate, and parents get mad at the teachers for lack of communication. The "leadership" has no business in that role considering that person was never trained in leading a school, providing professional development that the teachers beg for, and unable to give professional observations because that person does not know how. Look at the text books, the cheap, broken chromebooks, the overall condition of the school, and where finances are disappearing to. There is currently a male teacher that bullies and targets some students to no end. This has been reported to the headmaster, and it is finally coming to light. Ask why the turnover has been massive over the past two years with 7 or more teachers/admin leaving. Ask why 28 students withdrew from Aug. 2022 to Dec. 2022. Do not let these people pull the wool over your eyes.
Submitted by parent on July 07, 2021

I have had friends that kids have went to this school and it has resulted into their success.
Submitted by parent on June 28, 2020

It's a small school with personalized learning and dedicated teachers. Students are given many opportunities to excel with academic competitions, science fairs, Youth and Government, etc. They have a rigorous college prep program as opposed to only standardized test preparation common to many public schools.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2020

Excellent! I highly recommend this school! It has been a great fit for my children.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2020

This is not an appropriate place for children. Please, if you are considering this school, ask about dwindling attendance, inquire what their rate of staff turnover is, ask what type of professional development they are undergoing as teachers. Their metric for student achievement is the Iowa Basic Examination. Ask to see generalized data showing student performance year after year. Ask to tour their biology lab, see the textbooks, etc. This school is dying. It may have once been good, but now they are woefully understaffed, there is little variety in their curriculum, and their discipline practices are abhorrent. Every day is run like they are at the end of their ropes. Don't be wooed by their prior reputation.
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2020

I attended Governor French Academy from 6th grade through graduation. In my opinion it is an amazing school. The amount of knowledge, skill and charisma that I gained by attending Governor French is insurmountable. I also loved it because it always felt like home. So much so that now, 11 years after graduation I commute 40 minutes and across state lines to bring my daughter. She has loved it since day 1.
Submitted by other on April 04, 2018

In the beginning it was great. Things change.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2016

The staff are always encouraging the children to do their best and in return the children respect and are comfortable interacting with all the staff.
Submitted by other on February 24, 2016

I love the personalized attention my son gets! He is thriving here and reaching his full potential!
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2015

Governor French Academy is truly an outstanding school. The teachers care about their students. Unlike other schools, where the teachers all teach one way and if it's not the way a student learn, then tough. At GFA, the teachers will use numerous methods to get the students to learn. My daughter is 4 years old and already reading. To this school, each child is an individual. You learn math concepts quickly and can do work a grade above the one you are in? Great! Your work is tailored to that. Every child's work is individualized. Lower grades have about 16 students per teacher; upper grades have about 9. Upper grades compete against other schools for WYSE bowls and other academic competitions; GFA will have 9th graders competing against seniors from other schools in calculus; physics; chemistry...and win first place. Mr. Paeltz runs a tight ship and it shows. He expects the best from each student and he gets it.
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2015

Governor French Academy is a great school. I would first say "Don't judge a book by its cover." Governor French Academy has a different kind of look and feel then public schools, but don't let that deceive you. My children are way ahead of what their friends in the public school system are doing. The teachers are committed, friendly and driven to help your children get the education they deserve. I would suggest trying them out for a day a learn what its all about.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2015

I am very happy for the education my daughter is receiving at GFA...Thanks to all the staff.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2015

They have a real interest in seeing your children succeed rather than just getting to the next level. They help the children thrive.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2014

I love Governor French Academy. The school keeps us parents informed and I'm always able to get a hold of the staff or teachers when I need to contact them.
Submitted by other on September 03, 2014

The Academy is unlike any other place of learning I have ever seen. They have balanced the six needs that we all have in such a way that students thrive, learn and enjoy. The six needs I speak of are success, self worth, control, inner peace, love and freedom. When these are all fed equally a student excels at the highest level. My grandson enjoys his experience here fully. If I could suggest to any grandparent how to best support their grandchildren, it is in the investment of them through the young years. It is gratifying to walk through the doors and see what is taking place here!
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2014

The teachers are there to teach and to help your children succeed. They are so invested in the students. If a student is interested in a certain subject, the teachers will do all they can to create learning opportunities.
Submitted by parent on July 18, 2014

If you are looking for a factory education, then public school is fine. If instead you are interested in one on one interaction with a specific learning plan for your child, then Governor French is the answer.
Submitted by parent on February 11, 2014

Governor French Academy provides an environment where students learn more than an advanced core curriculum that emphasizes math, science and writing. The school environment encourages students to pursue activities that interest them and take on leadership roles. Students have the opportunity to participate in the student council, direct a play, join or create clubs, participate in WYSE and math competitions and more.