Clear Spring School

PO BOX 511

Eureka Springs, AR 72632

11 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on May 25, 2023

What a huge disappointment. This place is doing a wholly unacceptable job making kids ready to pursue higher education or even to be well informed citizens at all. It seems like it used to be a great school, and that’s what’s drawn enrollment. After little time it’s obvious that what we were sold isn’t what’s happening. We are seeking education for our daughter, not just a bill and more opportunities to donate money to the school. I’m not sure where the money is going - it’s not for the teachers.
Submitted by parent on August 27, 2022

Sadly, the goals of the founders have been destroyed by the current administrators. The physical safety of children at Clear Spring is in danger, daily, due to a lack of interest in even monitoring the playground, let alone anything else going on, by the head honchos. Ms Charla, who runs the preschool/kindergarten campus, up the hill, is amazing as always, but the lower campus of older kids is barely even a daycare, now. The director herself instructs teachers not to teach, openly, and God forbid any teacher or parent expect anything at all from a student OR teacher, at any grade level - all that will do is earn you a talk with a woman who waxes poetic about her own PhD and privilege of world travel, by way of deflection. There are now 4th graders and older who have no reading, writing or math skills at all, thanks to the “education” they receive at this school. Many students appear to have serious emotional/mental health issues that go unaddressed by both parents and teachers. Student brawls are ignored, staff actively reinforce racist and sexist behavior by students, and their targets are blamed. Teachers quit regularly, and are replaced by people with no teaching qualifications or experience. We had really hoped that this would be the place where our children could all receive a personalized, quality education that did not simply prepare them to follow orders and pass tests - but unfortunately, no basic education at all isn’t a good alternative, no matter how fun it is for the kids to do whatever they feel like all day, every day. The bosses pat each other’s backs for the “progressive education” they imagine they’re bestowing upon the children, when they decide to emerge from their offices. Staff self-delusion is rampant, and real communication with parents is rare, though it showcases functional illiteracy even on the part of the administration. There have been some wonderful things done with the grounds lately, that really could be utilized to provide real education…but the students and teachers don’t actually use the improvements in any real way, so perhaps just winning grant money and looking cool to prospective parents is enough for the leaders, now. Few parents allow their kids to remain for long, from what I’ve seen. Anyone who cares about their child having basic skills has to find another school, and there aren’t many options. Clear Spring counts on that for revenue, now. I don’t know how to describe the total disappointment that is this place.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2022

I have heard about clear springs for many years. Public school just wasn't an option for us and home schooling didn't fit our schedule. So when my child came of age I was so excited there was this option for us in our small community. Mrs. Sharla at the pre-primary is amazing. Her curriculum, patients and involvement is phenomenal. Its a wonderful mixture of outdoor/hands on learning and sitting at a desk with paper and pencil. If your looking for somewhere to send you 4-6 year old I could not recommend this enough. However for grades 1st-12th. Its a completely different story. I'm not sure where to start. The academics are horrendous. I do not expect them to follow the public school curriculum because they are not a public school and they advocate alternative ways of learning. However I did expect them to follow a curriculum that teaches the basic education that our children need to successfully live life in the society we live in : math, science, language arts, history. Non of those things are being taught. I know this school is centered around outdoor learning. But I expected them to be learning more things that they do need in life. I love the idea of teaching our children about birds, rivers and the environment in general but that doesn't take away the fact that children need to learn to read and do math. Learning how to be a business owner is AMAZING as well but they will need to know how to read and do math to be a successful one. This is a major disservice to our community and the children that are in it. They are not getting the education they truly deserve. 9 and 10 year olds not know how to read. Children going weeks and weeks before having a math or reading assignment. Why aren't they teaching children basic education on top of alternative learning like they are are advocating. Not to mention that there is some major bullying issues that are not being dealt with not only from children but teachers as well. It really is a shame because Clear Springs has the potential to be such an amazing school in our community that could really be helping educate our children in the way they need. Alternative learning is needed in the world. However that's not the case and its so disappointing. I believe these issues are caused by not having an adequate director in place. The original founders of this school need to come forward and realize what this school has turned into. Things need to change for the betterment of our children and community.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2022

This school has become a runaway train in the recent years. There is top down, authoritarian-style policy making. The teachers have all seemed to jump ship, with very few remaining who hold the original ethos of the school. Generous extending of scholarships has turned into so heavily scholarshiped that it is out of balance and seems to attract students with behavioral concerns. While previously this was a safe place for those students, it has grown out of balance, crating a breeding ground for bullying and low expectations. The focus on creating an ultra-progressive school has outweighted all other goals. Not a wholesome environment. Not horizontal administration. Sadly, barring a change in administration, or a coup-d’etat from the parents the school will have lost all of the sweetness this community so enjoyed.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2016

I love this opportunity for my daughter to be a part of something bigger than herself. In other settings it was strictly individual results that mattered. Here the students take pride and responsibilty for a collective experience as well as personal. I absolutely admire the dedication of the staff despite the many difficulties it faces. They are kind, professional and care about their mission. We are so thankful to have a place to feel welcomed and confident in our child's education! Thank you clear springs school
Submitted by other on October 03, 2016

The hands-on, hearts-engaged philosophy is certainly what my family was looking for in educating our daughter.
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2015

This school has been providing families with an alternative, quality education option for over FORTY YEARS for a reason!My daughter completed the Pre-primary Program at CSS and is now a lower elementary student there. Her experience with Charla Destry and the education she received in those early essential years helped her to break out of her shy toddler shell and blossom into an articulate, confident, expressive adolescent. We did not want a school that pushed 'academics' on our three year old. Instead our child thrived in this hands-on, hearts-engaged learning environment. Instillation of a love for learning, promoting problem solving, life skills, and active outdoor play, interaction between all ages of students, dedicated caring staff, close knit family community, and a safe accepting environment for your child to grow and prosper; all with a twist of good ole Southern hospitality! The cost seems minimal for what you receive...Our second child will certainly attend preschool at Clear Spring School.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2015

My Kids love Clear Spring School, in Eureka Springs. CSS has great small class sizes! The different levels of students all interact together on campus. The great thing about the independent school is that the grades run from pre-primary all the way through High School. Some of the greatest experiences for us as a family are with the outdoor experience learning of going on school camping adventures and CSS travel program trips. The children experience hands on learning with a master craftsman as one of their teachers. The woodworking class has lead my younger on his own ventures of crafting wooden swords and making custom longboard skateboards!
Submitted by other on March 04, 2015

After recently visiting Clear Spring School, I found it to be the most joyful campus I have ever visited. The classes are small, anywhere between 6 and 12 students per teacher, which allows for more individual time between students and teachers. Students were actively engaged in learning in all of the classes I visited and clearly excited about learning. If you are looking for a small school that will look for your child's gifts, look no further than Clear Spring School.
Submitted by other on October 04, 2014

Clear Spring used to be a great school 3 or 4 years ago. It's not anymore. The beautiful traditions that made the school special are falling away and the heart and focus of the school has been lost. It's been sad to watch this jewel in our community get tarnished.
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2013

My children were students at CSS for several years. This review is based on that experience, plus those of other CSS parents and 2 educators I know in the public schools. The Pre-K and K teacher, and her program at CSS are of such high quality that you could not get better at any price. At older grades, the teachers tend to continue to be kind and respectful to the children (depending who's teaching that year), fostering a healthy environment overall, but the academics are very weak as a whole. If you want your child to compete academically later on (eg, college entrance exams) or possibly jump into another school someday, monitor what they know and remember compared to common core standards. Supplement if needed. Just because students get glowing reviews and you see work in their notebooks doesn't mean they're anywhere near "grade level." If my child was having a problem with the public school, I'd consider CSS, but it would not have been our family's first choice if I knew then what I know now. I am a big fan of progressive education, but the academics at CSS do not do it justice. Also, beware of claims re: accomplished alumni b/c many did not go all the way through CSS.