Lead Academy

804 Mauldin Road

School District

School Public Charter
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

charter

School Map for School Public Charter 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 parent on November 12, 2017

We were looking for a school, for our middle school and elementary school aged sons, that would provide a challenging level of academics and be a diverse community. The EL curriculum and the teachers lead the students to be excited about their learning. In my recent student-led conference, I was impressed with the equal emphasis on character growth as well as academics. My sons self-reflected on their strengths and weaknesses and worked along with myself and their teacher to set goals. Through daily “Crew” groups with their peers, they discuss character related issues such as kindness, stewardship, and hard work.
Submitted by other on June 22, 2017

Second year at Lead and have been very happy with the education that my children are receiving.
Submitted by parent on February 16, 2017

Overall great experience, looking forward to new building!
Submitted by other on February 16, 2017

We are in our second year at Lead Academy, and we love it! The EL Education teaching model is top notch, with a focus on making sure students are mastering skills, producing high quality work, AND developing good character and leadership skills in the process.The school motto is "Be Nice. Work Hard. Serve Well. Have Fun!" That pretty much sums up what Lead is about...helping students grow academically and personally, and my sons have definitely grown in both ways while at Lead Academy. Lead offers a rigorous curriculum and a daily focus on teaching students what it looks like to be a good citizen of the world and how to make a positive impact in their own communities. There is lots of hands on learning and real world application of knowledge. The administration and teaching staff are dedicated to what they do, and model what great leadership looks like on a daily basis. (Google the name of the school leader, and check out the numerous accolades he has received.) The school culture fosters inclusion and celebrates diversity. Parent involvement is welcomed and encouraged. Lead Academy has exceeded our expectations, and we are thankful that our boys are a part of it!
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2015

My daughter is currently in her 2nd year at Lead Academy. We selected this school for her middle school because my daughter wanted to go to a school where she would be challenged. We have been very pleased with her academic experiences while at Lead. The school makes an effort to keep class sizes smaller than your average middle school, and this allows the teachers to have time to differentiate their instruction and assignments in order to meet the levels of their students. Also, the school's 4 pillars: Be Nice. Work Hard. Serve Well. Have Fun, are helping to reinforce our goals as her parents to raise an awesome human being. Another benefit to Lead Academy, new in the last 2 years, is their commitment to Expeditionary Learning. This style of learning works very well with my daughter. She is being given real world problems or concerns and she and her classmates are being challenged to think about real world solutions!
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2015

starUnfortunately my experience with Lead is very different from the other reviews here. My daughter attended 5th grade at Lead. She has always had some difficulty in school, but the principal and her teacher assured me that that would work with her to bring her up to her "highest level of potential." That was not the case. We struggled with homework for hours every night. When I told her teacher that I was concerned, her response was that the homework can be done 30 minutes. Maybe that was true for the majority of the class, but not for my daughter. She tried so hard and wanted to do well. When she came to class without her homework she was ridiculed by the teacher in front of other students. Her confidence and school work suffered and her grades dropped steadily. By the 3rd quarter of school she begged me to let her change schools. She said that her teacher hated her and made fun of her in front of the class. On numerous occasions I told the faculty that I was concerned with my child's school performance and that I wasn't sure what else to do. I asked about testing for learning disabilities and was told that they would have her tested (they are required by law to have testing done if a parent requests it). They said that they tested her by watching her in class and having an "expert" do the same. Their consensus was that there was no learning disability. They believed that she was just not motivated and didn't finish her work because she didn't care or want to do well. I know better. She was absolutely miserable and would have done anything she possibly could to do well in school. She has since been diagnosed by her pediatrician with severe ADD. She couldn't finish her work because she couldn't concentrate on it. The embarrassment and misery that she went through at Lead has permanently affected her academic confidence. On the last day of school, her class had an awards ceremony. Every. Single. Child in the class received some kind of award except my daughter. When I picked her up that day she got into the car and burst into tears when she told me what happened. So much for working to reach her highest potential. This school beat her down until she had no self esteem at all
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2015

This is our first year at LEAD and we could not be happier. The small school environment and Expedition Learning is a fantastic learning environment for my 7th grader. I am looking forward to their expansion to k-8th.
Submitted by parent on January 31, 2014

Not sure how Lead was given only 7 stars. The school is led by a truly wonderful principal. My son has flourished there and I could not be happier with a middle school. 2013 PASS results ranked Lead at number 1 for fifth grade in the state. For sixth through eighth grades Lead was ranked 12th in the state and I think 1st in Greenville County.