Arundel Christian School

7459 Candlewood Rd., Suite A-H

Hanover, MD 21076

33 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 04, 2024

Our family has had an incredible experience with Arundel Christian School (ACS). From the moment we joined the ACS community, we have felt the genuine care, dedication, and commitment the school extends to both its students and their families.The teachers and staff at ACS go above and beyond to create an environment where every child feels supported, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential. The individualized attention my child has received has not only helped them excel academically but also grow in confidence and character.What truly sets ACS apart is its commitment to partnering with families. The communication is always transparent and thoughtful, and the staff makes every effort to listen to and understand the needs of each family. Whether it’s through personalized updates, community events, or simply a kind word, the school ensures that parents feel involved and supported every step of the way.ACS is more than just a school—it’s a family. The values they instill in their students and the emphasis on character, faith, and community are unparalleled. My child comes home every day feeling excited about what they’ve learned and deeply cared for by their teachers and peers.If you’re looking for a school where your child will not only thrive academically but also grow into a kind, confident, and well-rounded individual, I wholeheartedly recommend ACS. It’s a place where families and students alike are truly blessed to belong.
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2024

In May 2023, I informed Arundel Christian School (ACS) that our family would not be able to re-enroll our children for the 2023/2024 school year due to my husband's job loss. Despite this, the school refused to release us from their auto-renewal contract and is now suing us for unpaid tuition for a year during which our children did not attend. While I understand the importance of contracts, we missed their deadline by just a few weeks, hoping my husband would regain employment. The school had six months to fill the spots, which they did, as they confirmed to me that the classes were full. Despite this, they continue to pursue a lawsuit, which feels unnecessary and rooted in greed rather than genuine need.What’s even more concerning is that ACS now offers tuition insurance to cover situations like mine, yet this was not available when my children attended. I find it troubling that they have introduced this insurance only now, seemingly because they are filing multiple lawsuits against families for unpaid tuition. This raises questions about whether they are truly in need of these funds or if they are operating out of greed.As a Christian institution, I would have expected more compassion and understanding, especially during a time of hardship. Prospective families should be aware of the school’s strict contract policies and their lack of flexibility or grace, which runs counter to the Christian values they claim to uphold.
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2024

Now that the school year is over I can leave an honest review….this school is bad. My child went here for PK4 and here is a highlight of what she learned…..the name of every character in Sonic, Super Mario Brothers, Frozen II and many more non-educational movies. She watched more TV here in a year than she has in her life. She named shows we had never shown her in her entire life. Before we sent her here, she was advanced for her age, mid way through the year we knew she wouldn’t be returning. The teachers version of teaching curriculum is to get through their workbook and thats it. They don’t spend time ensuring a child is grasping the material. One time she brought home the same colored sheet from her workbook 3 days in a row! If not for the contract they make you sign we would have pulled her out mid year. It was that bad. The administration does not feel welcoming or warm. They don’t give off a “community” sense rather we felt unheard about our concerns and the front desk staff are unwelcoming. I know several families that felt the same about their child’s overall educational experience and have ALL pulled their child from the school. Save your money. Unless your a disney fanatic or marvel character fan and want your child to know every character ever made then this probably isn't the place for you. I wouldn’t return here even if they offered me free tuition.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2023

My child currently attends this school. There is an extremely high teacher turnover, we've had about 6 middle teachers leave this school year alone. Last year was even worse. This school's administration is overly sensitive about simple things and desensitized about the major things. If your child tells you something, anything, about this school, the teachers, and or it's admin, believe them. Get your child the mental health help that they need. Make sure that you have a major personal support system for your children while attending this school.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2023

I am a preschool teacher at Arundel Christian School. In light of the recent accusations, I wanted to share my observations as a person of color who has worked for the school for 11 years. My experience has been absolutely wonderful all these years. I believe ACS has treated me with respect, gratitude, and behavior that honors God in all possible ways. At times the school leadership has needed to make tough decisions. Students, parents and teachers alike may not always be happy with ACS. But, I can tell you that ACS does NOT discriminate based on skin color or race. They are very fair in their treatment of ALL. "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love where with he loved us. Ephesians 2:4 I believe ACS honors this. Thank you!
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2023

I have been a employee of ACS for well over a year and I'm very happy with the school and the teachers so much that I'm moving my daughter here from monsignor slade next year......And for the negative reviews I just seen that I'm sure is a teacher that left on not so good terms are defiantly not true.
Submitted by parent on February 03, 2023

Our family loves ACS! We have three children at the school. We love that the school put Christ first and our children always come home happy! We will definitely be a part ACS until they graduate!
Submitted by parent on August 03, 2022

This review is almost entirely regarding our experience this past year with my middle school child. We had exceptionally high hopes for this school to be one that our children attended throughout high school. Unfortunately, my child begged me to unenroll them or consider homeschooling. He was bullied for not having the latest/expensive shoes, for his weight, etc. My son frequently had his belongings stolen from his backpack, his lunch items taken from him, and the list goes on. At one point, he stopped eating breakfast and lunch because the boys in his class were so ruthless. You could physically see the weight lifted from his shoulders as soon as he got in my car each afternoon. I brought it up to the teachers and I don’t feel as though my concerns were taken seriously. They “talked” to the class and that was about it. Middle school boys are sneaky but when you’re aware there’s an issue, there needs to be more supervision. In addition, I feel as though long-time families of the school get priority. I feel as though they pass the children just to make it appear as though everything is OK. I’ve read some of the papers written by my son’s peers. Many can not form a complete thought or sentence and yet these same children receive honor roll. Ultimately, this is doing a great disservice to the child. There is also something to be said about not one, or two, but three 7th grade teachers resigning during the course of one school year. There are some very serious issues that need addressing at ACS but unfortunately I could no longer wait until they were corrected. There are some remarkable teachers here, which is a shame because we did have some genuine connections with several. However, our experience here did not align with the values that a Christian school should exemplify.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2022

I have had a great experience with Arundel Christian School since 2015. My daughter started as a kindergardner and is currently in middle school. She has grown in wisdom and is a very smart young kid. I have seen her reacted with other kids from other schools and I have noticed that ACS curriculum is more advanced in various topics. I have also noticed he character as a human being, she is very respectful compared to most of her peers. And even when she has to disagree with someone (including me), she does it respectfully. They have great teachers and numerous therapists and counselors in school to help the kids navigate any emotional issues. They reach out to parents if there is any concerns about their kid's grades and well-being. I am grateful for the contribution of ACS in my daughter's life and I would highly recommend the school to anyone who is looking for a respectful, inclusive and safe learning environment for their kids.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2022

My experience with ACS has been amazing! As a woman of color, I greatly appreciate how diverse the school is for my child. I love how ACS represents the diversity in the art work throughout the facility. I would love to know where these beautiful pieces of art come from. The teachers and administration are loving and caring and have really embraced my family. The Pastoral team exemplify a loving, compassionate, honest, and trustworthy environment at ACS and Oasis Church. If you are looking for a school to challenge your child to achieve their amazing potential and most importantly, teach them the word of God, this is the school for you!
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2022

We are so happy with ACS! My three boys were challenged not only academically, but spiritually as well. We will continue with this school until our youngest has graduated. We are blessed to have found this great community!
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2022

My son recently completed his first year at ACS and we could not be happier. If you are looking for a faith-based environment where you child's strengths will be both recognized and celebrated I hope you will consider ACS. I happened upon this gem of a place in my search for a welcoming and loving community for my son and ACS has met if not exceeded my hopes. Each morning educators, staff, pastors and even the principal welcome ACS students to begin their day of learning and growing as individuals and as part of the ACS family. Once inside the school one immediately feels welcome and loved. Classrooms are beautifully decorated with themes in lower grades including under water decor, tropical, beach and more. Higher grades incorporate state-of-the art technology in their classroom learning environments. My 6th grader participated in numerous group projects this year where interpersonal skills were promoted and strengthened. In addition to the faith-based curriculum, ACS adds creativity and fun to the learning process to engage students. Students are truly part of a family at ACS where personal growth, connections with others, and finding our place in God's world are successfully instilled and nurtured each and every day.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2022

My Son has been attending this school for almost 3 years now and I couldn’t be happier. He came to this school after having a horrible experience in our local public school and he has done nothing short of thriving in this school. The teachers have been encouraging in assisting him to excel and build his confidence in the studies where he struggles. I couldn’t say enough about the amount of teamwork and dedication that these teachers put into their curriculum when teaching these students and helping preparing them for the world that awaits them. Aside from the education experience the school itself is very warm and inviting to parents and others as they keep everyone in the loop on the various events and networking that they having going on. As a parent this school offers all of the “core” values I wish to have for my child.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2022

This past school year was our daughter's first year at ACS. It was a major transitional year for her, coming back to school after a year and a half of virtual learning and entering into middle school. We could not have asked for a better team of teachers and staff to support her during this adjustment. Mr. Jordan and Ms. Liz not only supported her academically, but socially and spiritually. They make time for each of their students inside and outside of the classroom, even attending student's extra curricular activities outside of school hours. My daughter loved the spirit weeks, field trips, dances and all of the numerous activities that were planned for the students to keep the students engaged throughout the school year. We are so happy to be apart of the ACS family and look forward to seeing our daughter flourish in this loving community.
Submitted by teacher on June 14, 2022

ACS is the best school to work at! I have always felt supported and encouraged by fellow staff and administration.
Submitted by parent on June 14, 2022

My daughter just completed first grade and thought I should take the time to leave a review since most people always take the time to leave a bad review, and do not always remember to take the time when things are wonderful. My daughter was set to start her school career online because her kindergarten year was the year that AACC was online. I wanted her at a school and could not have been happier to find ACS. My daughter began at ACS for her kindergarten year in 2020-21 and her teacher, Mrs. Sabrina, was exceptional. My daughter learned SO MUCH and loved going to school each day. Any question or concern I ever had was handled promptly by either her teacher or administrator. We loved her first year so much, she attended summer camp at the school, and she would be sad if I picked her up early. We just completed first grade with another amazing teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth and she again flourished. The curriculum is very vigorous; however, she was never stressed out and loved learning. Her teacher did a great job communicating and giving extra practice work when it was needed to be sure she grasped all key concepts. I have many friends that teach at public schools, and they always comment how advanced the curriculum is at ACS vs. the public school system. I read some of the reviews and was shocked to see parents complaining saying "their children were not challenged," and "ACS was no different than a public school." While academics are important, ACS offers something that most schools do not, the foundation of the Bible and its teachings. These kids are brought up to love Jesus and they are full of joy, empathy for others, love, and kindness. That, to me, is most important in today's world. The entire Pastoral team at the school are incredible. They are wonderful teachers/mentors to the kids. My daughter looks forward to Bible class daily. My family loves the staff at ACS. We are very involved with her education and every staff member we have interacted with has gone above and beyond. My daughter's joy for learning and excitement to attend school each day speaks volumes about the school and the education provided. She has made friendships with great kids. Anyone that is looking for a quality, private education should not be swayed by any of negativity and make an appointment to meet the wonderful staff and see the school. I guarantee you will love it as much as we do and want your child to attend ACS.
Submitted by parent on June 13, 2022

As a grandparent of students enrolled in ACS, I find the post dated June 7, 2022 to be completely false. It's easy to say things anonymously but if this parent truly feels this way then I challenge them to put a name to their post.
Submitted by parent on June 07, 2022

I was really hoping that my student would graduate from ACS. We had to pull our child out of the school after the first year. The school is not a safe place for children of color. Although there is much diversity among the student population, there was absolutely no diversity among the staff. That was not the case upon our initial tour of the school. The school staff need training on equitable practices, implicit bias, and how to celebrate the diversity of students and families. Our child experienced many micro-aggressions from the teachers, after care staff and leadership. Fortunately, it wasn't recognized by our child initially but by mid-year, the implicit biases were beginning to take a toll and became recognizable. Discipline practices are not equitable, there were obvious distinctions in the discipline of white students vs. black students and specifically boys. Our child experienced anxiety, and low self-confidence as a result of attending ACS. As a Christian school, they do not operate with grace. Many African American families felt the same way but would not speak up about it, they just complained to each other. I accept responsibility for choosing this school although there was a red flag upon the initial tour. When asked about how diversity is celebrated, I was told by the principal that they do not see color. I should have known then that this was not the right environment. During Black History Month, Dr. King Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, there were no mentions or celebrations at all. There were no school-wide posters, announcements, etc. Black children and other students of color do not see representation of themselves. Our child was even disciplined and sent out of class for questioning the teacher after the teacher made disparaging remarks about President Obama while stating that President Trump was God-sent (which is fine to believe) but stated that there was no way that President Obama was a Christian and that he was a Muslim that lies. When asked for evidence and disagreeing, our child was disciplined and sent out of the classroom. There are several incidents that occurred like this. The leadership does not openly listen to parent concerns and sides with the teachers at all costs. The pastor of the church is not friendly towards African American families and gives of a phony disposition. There are low expectations for academic performance for black students. As an educator and parent, beware!
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2022

This school is mediocre at best. The staff seems untrained (I’m speaking as an educator). My kids tell me stories about some of their classmates’ behavior and I wonder why I’m paying for them to basically be in public school. I will say when I asked my kids if they enjoy the school they said yes…but I’m wondering if it’s more of them not wanting to change schools or if they actually LIKE the environment. Seriously praying on next steps:-/
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2021

ACS is not a good Christian school. They are all about the MONEY. The school origin is from Oasis church, Pastor Darrin & Christy Spencer are the schools executive directors and are also board members of ACS. Despite being "Christians" they do not have the students and families best interest at heart. The curriculum requires a lot of improvement. The staff members are related they stick together and have a bias point of view. The contract is outrageous please read and research if you would like to apply despite my review.