North Davis Preparatory Academy

1765 West Hill Field Road

School District

North Davis Preparatory Academy
Grade

K-9
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:19
Type

charter

School Map for North Davis Preparatory Academy

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 other on January 17, 2025

I'm a former student I was here from 1st to a few weeks into 7th grade and some of the teachers are good I had a sub call me stupid because I was pulled to do something and missed instructions so I went back in and started my assignment that's was in Spanish (I don't speak Spanish or read it) so I grabbed a dictionary to translate it the sub for the class walked by and saw I didn't do any work (I was trying to find a word) so he screamed at me in Spanish then asked if I was stupid in English I don't recommend this school ever if you want a good charter school try Syracuse arts Academy great school
Submitted by other on January 06, 2025

I used to go to this school, it was great in the beginning and the teachers were very nice and I liked going there, but when I got to 6th grade it wasn’t as great anymore. I couldn’t handle how loud the classroom was, the drama going on, how unhelpful the teachers were about bullying and bad behavior. I didn’t feel challenged enough and felt held back. It was just unbearable for me and wasn’t a good environment for me to learn. My little brother has ADHD and when he was taking a test it was too loud for him to focus and he didn’t do very well on it so the teacher wanted to pull him back after class to teach him about what was on the test but he already knew everything that was on the test he just couldn’t focus and it really upset him because it wasn’t his fault. And when he was struggling in math from not being able to focus they wanted to put him in a program to help him but all they were doing was pulling him out of class to teach him doubles which was pretty much 5+5 or 3+3 (he was in 3rd grade not 1st grade). I have this friend and so after I changed schools she told me that she was struggling with lots of bullying and her friends started being mean to her. She tried to talk to tell the counselor and teachers but they didn’t do anything about it and it was really bad for her mental health and her anxiety got so bad it was causing her to feel sick. After we both changed to an online school our anxiety went down and our mental health was way better and I actually feel challenged and am in a better place with tons of friends. The overall problem for me is just how toxic the students are with bullying and insults and how unhelpful the teachers and staff were about it. I recommend trying a different school.
Submitted by parent on August 11, 2024

The school staff took my daughter's bullying issues very seriously and promptly took action to help her feel safe.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2022

Teachers do not communicate with parents until the conferences then find out they don't use textbooks or teach history or any P.E. programs. Principal is indifferent to the students needs & ensuring their health & well being. If you have children between 12-15, take them elsewhere or you will regret it. Some teachers seem to care & try to help, maybe a 50/50 bag.
Submitted by other on September 21, 2018

As a community member I have worked with the school and have been very impressed with the programs this school has to offer. The administration, staff and teachers seem to love their jobs and are dedicated to improving their students lives.
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2017

Really dont like the lack of communication from teachers. The principal is very chill amd heart is not in it. I am still not unserstanding how he got the job with no masters. Poet is great.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2016

My children have attended NDPA since the school has been open and this school is fantastic. The administration, support staff, teachers and teacher assistants have all been very supportive and willing to go the extra mile to make sure that the students get the best learning experience possible. The Spanish immersion program has been so helpful and you know that the children are learning great things when elementary children can have fluent conversations with other Spanish speakers.
Submitted by other on March 23, 2016

This school is by far one of the best in Davis county. My kids went to this school for 5 years each and when they entered high school, they were years ahead. They are now in honors classes and taking concurrent enrollment. One of my coworkers, who I recommended the school to, wanted to know what school to take their kids to to prepare them for NUAMES and the NUAMES people told them NDPA. So if you want your child to be prepared for life, through academics and all of it, this school is the best.
Submitted by student on March 15, 2016

Because I go here and it is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! This school makes me look forward to every day and they have an awesome library. The Spanish part of this school is magnificent!!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!! This school naturally has flaws, like any other school, but it is still amazing!!!!!!!
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2016

There are two areas that I have found to be worse than the other two elementary schools my children have attended.1) Little to no teacher parent communication. At this school there are parent "class captains". These class captains send out all email communication from the teacher. Parents literally have no one-on-one direct communication from the teacher on a weekly basis at all. It is all done through a parent intermediary. At schools my children have attended in the past , I always had weekly (sometimes daily) emails from the teachers and I felt like I could always contact my teacher and knew what was going on in the classroom. In this school, I have felt completely out of the loop on all four of my children's classes. In addition, your children have two teachers, and only one class captain that is sometimes shared with other classes, so you have no communication even with a parent who is in your child's class. I don't understand why the teachers cannot just write an email to the parents instead of writing an email to the class captains to then write to the rest of the parents. 2) HUGE class sizes. All of my children are in classes with over 28+ children. The teacher of one of my children's classes just told me that she has 10 ADHD kids in her and only two are medicated. This I feel is unfair to not only the students, but also the teacher. Huge classrooms with imbalanced needs of kids ends up hurting learning. NDPA needs to know better. I can't believe my children are in classrooms where they can't learn to their highest potential due to an administration that refuses to adequately balance classrooms and hiring.
Submitted by parent on January 04, 2016

Wow! I cannot say enough good things about this charter school & staff...they are the best the of Utah state has to offer. I love Mrs. Billings the VP..she is friendly, always helpful. She truly cares about the students. I have witnessed her sitting on the floor of the hallways working in small groups, teaching children how to read. I have never worked with a vice principal who is trained in Orton gillingham method and takes such detailed interest in the success of her students. The resource staff are caring, educated and hard working. They work with students, taking their expertise and parental suggestion seriously. They work as a team with the parent, student, resource staff and teachers...unlike any school my children have attended prior to NDPA. Toni in resource is on top of her game...if she doesn't know the answer, she is researching, asking questions and goes above and beyond what is required of a resource teacher. My child attended a local public school prior to NDPA and struggled academically with dyslexia, his attitude towards learning and wanting to go to school...coping with his sld. Toni..in a matter of 6 months helped turn my sons educational path around. He is making A's in spelling, he is improving on his reading goals. He enjoys school more and most importantly..my son feels safe at this school. At my sons previous school in Davis county he was bullied by both his 1st grade teacher and classmates because of his sld / dyslexia. At NDPA, my child finally has the right iep team, and educators who work with parents to help their child succeed. I am so thrilled my children attend NDPA. With davis school district being known as one of the worst school districts in utah, NDPA is the exception in Davis county. They are the school you want your child to attend. Also, of note...Jean the receptionist at the school...is always friendly, knows each parent & student by name...she is part of what makes NDPA a great school.
Submitted by parent on November 18, 2015

My children attended NDPA when it was first started for several years. While the Spanish language immersion was a big challenge, when we moved and my children enrolled in regular public school, they were a full two years ahead of their peers in coursework - which spoke to how well NDPA's academic policies worked. Their program of helping children to succeed on an individual level was amazing.
Submitted by teacher on October 05, 2015

After retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 2008, I was hired to start-up the North Davis Preparatory Academy (NDPA) Athletic Department for grades 6-9 and to develop and teach the Health & P.E. Curriculum. After several years as a full-time teacher, coach, and athletic director, I have retired, but I continue to substitute teach. The Administration, Faculty, and Staff all are exceptionally good. The students appear to be happy and challenged to learn. I think the faculty from Spain add to the learning experience for the students, and I am very impressed with the warm and supportive relationships that have developed among the teachers from Spain and the American teachers. I am proud to be associated with NDPA, a strong educational institution.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2014

This used to be a really great school. But they grew too fast and they keep teachers that should be replaced. Student count has grown to be the same as public schools in some cases. Teachers are starting to become entitled and not an advocate for students. After researching schools around the city. There are better programs in the regular school districts and better teachers. I gave the teacher quality a 3, but there are some that are a 2 and some that are a 4-5. But I feel the 4-5's are becoming complacent and shifting to 3's.
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2013

Amazing school that will challenge your student. What I love about NDPA is the Immersion Program. Students are taught math and science (some other subjects) in Spanish starting in 1st grade. When you walk into the classroom the students are conversing with each other and the teacher in Spanish. I love it. The teachers treat each student as a individual and can challenge those students who need more. I've noticed that NDPA is very committed to teaching students to think deeply and more critically. I agree with some of the other reviews that as far as expectations and environment, NDPA is more like a private school. The administration takes the time to work through conflicts with the students like you would in your own family. They spend the time to understand the root of the problem and work with the students involved to form a solution. If you are a parent who is looking for Spanish Immersion, want your students to be challenged, and understand that today's students need more practice at solving life's problems then NDPA will be a perfect fit for your family.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2013

My sons went to NDPA for 1.5 years. I am writing this review I felt bad that I had not warned other parents. This is a terrible school, primarily due to a lack of leadership! At one point I called an attorney that told me I had a solid case and if I wanted he would represent me and my sons before the board but that he was sure we would win. Well, I decided to move them to a different charter school. They love it! I am so glad I did. Another example of poor leadership was when my family had a major (public) tragedy the school did not respond or support my sons hardlt at all! I was professionally trained to work with families in tragedies and confronted a teacher and the NDPA psychologist. I let them know that their response was very poor and that I was aware that is not how one is trained in this field. All they did was apologized for their behavior (or lack there of)! I was told by an NDPA leader things were different but that the principal changed hands in the last couple of years. Too bad for those families!
Submitted by other on August 08, 2013

NDPA is a terrable school, the principal is nice but she is not do anything to help the school. They allow bullying, if you cross anyone in the wrong way, they will do everything in there power to drive you away. only a few good teachers, the band teacher, the 7th grade science teacher, the 7th grade cte teacher, and that it. But the band teacher left, cte teacher is considering quitting, and the science teacher is under appreciated. The next problem the Spanish program, when i left that school in 8th grade i took a Spanish class, i learned more from that class than i ever did there The students can get away with anything (most students anyway) I witnessed , fights, people who had such fowl language, that you would be horrified. I once saw a student who was asked to do something by the teacher, the teacher was imidiatly yelled at by the student! There are no extra activity, just sports, and even than, there have been kids suspended for not playing aggressive enough! on top of that the jr high assistant principle will not let them do anything with anyone other than charter schools. I beg and plead with you stay away,you will be transfering out in the middle of the year
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2013

North Davis Prep is FAN.TAS.TIC!!!!!! My children have attended for the past 5 years, and I have nothing but praise to give the teachers, staff, and administration. There is a different feel when you walk down the halls of the school. The students are respectful and the learning environment is second to none. NDPA gets more out of their students because they have higher expectations for learning as well as behavior. After having my children in my local public school for 2 years, I can say without hesitation that NDPA tops my list of schools in Utah.
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2013

North Davis Prep. One word, Horrible! I had my girls in it and I finally was able to take them out. The administration is terrible and we hated Mrs. Gomberg the principle. The Spanish immersion just slowed my kids down. I loved a few of the teachers but even they left because the administration was terrible. Don't take your kids here or you will regret it.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2012

I brought my son here for two reasons. Spanish immersion and smaller school. However, I got much more than that. The principal, counselor and teachers are phenomenal. This is a tough school, much more like a private school in the expectations. The teachers from Spain do not have a hand holding philosophy. The student is responsible for their education and they are the guides. The school as a whole believes this. If your child is focused and has the desire they will do everything to help them be successful.