Fraser Academy

2701 California Street Northeast

School District

Fraser Academy
Grade

K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:6
Type

charter

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 March 07, 2022

We have 6 kids currently enrolled at Spero. The staff are amazing, and truly see the kids for who they are, not just their behaviors. Distance Learning during Covid was challenging, but most of the teachers rose to the challenge and kept kids engaged.
Submitted by parent on November 10, 2017

We have had our son in Spero Academy (formally Fraser) since 2016-2017, so I have no ability to judge on previous programming or administrations. Current staff are amazing and work with a wide range of special needs students. Our son with ASD came from another highly ranked charter school for neurotypical children and walked into 4th grade with a Kindergarten reading level and hated school with a passion. From 4th grade to now 5th grade, he has raised his reading level to 3rd grade level and loves his teachers. AND he continues to make big gains. He gets in classroom supports and teaching that is effective for his specific type of disability. He has had to learn to tolerate differences in other students and has increased his ability to be flexible. They have speech, OT, DAPE, and a team of people who are committed to my son. Through every struggle we have had, the team has been open to conversation and collaboration with us to get through it. For a school that focuses on helping diverse learners make gains and develop a love of learning, I give this school an A+.
Submitted by parent on March 11, 2016

I am confused by some of these comments. 1- There has only ever been one principle from the day Fraser Academy opened until this school year (2015-2016), so I am confused on how "subsequent ones" could be worse. 2- There is no option to "hire an aide". Unless your child has PCA services, then a PCA would be hired and would take the role of para- and hired by the school. 3- Nothing done about loud buses? This school is a special needs school - try keeping 80 plus special needs students on a low level voice.This school is a godsend. Yes, it may not be for everyone (especially if your child needs a level four setting), but for mild to moderate special needs this school has it all. Speech therapists, behavioral therapists, OTs, DAPE, Music therapist, PTs, you name it- they have it. Wonderful wonderful school! It sounds like some other parents on this forum either A. Needed a level 4 or B. Didn't like the routine and structure Fraser Academy has to offer. Amazing school.
Submitted by parent on January 16, 2016

My opinion is this is a terrible school and should be shut down!!!! Do not send your child to this school, I took my child out of this school. I know other parents who have as well. I am shocked they are not shut down yet!!!!!
Submitted by other on June 22, 2014

I took my son out of Fraser Academy because they did a poor job of both including and teaching him. The original principal was far better than the subsequent ones. In my opinion the staff did not understand either special education or inclusion; when my son left he had actually lost math skills and toileting skills, and only gained somewhat in reading skills in 2.5 years. It took us several years to regain the skills he ost there. He was also bullied because of his minority religion and the staff did nothing to protect him; I only found out about that from another parent. Her son had ASD and she actually had to hire an aide to keep him safe at recess.
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2013

Fraser Academy has been wonderful for my son who has ASD. The teachers and classroom staff have been very supportive in making sure he has the tools he needs to succeed and working with us to make sure there is consistency across home and school settings in behavioral interventions. Since starting at FA, my son's behavior at school has drastically improved because his teachers and the classroom staff actually care about his success and know how to work with children with disabilities. Communication with administration has been a problem in the past, but seems to have improved dramatically recently. The administration has been problematic at times, but the rest of the staff is fantastic.
Submitted by parent on July 29, 2013

This school represented itself as being far better than it actually was. Staff misrepresented what my child was doing, and how well. They were unable to adequately use technically based accommodations for my child's disabilities - I had to go in and set them up myself. They also undermined some of our home behavioral programs, and continued doing so when called on it. After I pulled my child out, it took a number of years to undo the damage done, which included loss of toileting skills, failure to have learned basic math in 2.5 years, and having been taught to pretend he was unable to learn, and rewarded for that behavior.
Submitted by parent on July 15, 2013

Fraser academy is such a good school for kids with special needs. I took my son out of public school and there is so much of a difference with him. he actually loves going to school. he loves the science experiments that they do its so hands on. He doesn't mind going to school 11 months out of the Year. he usually doesn't remember a lot of things that he learns he comes home every day with new facts about inventors and songs that they sing in school. i have never heard him sing any songs then for the few weeks that he does have off he kinda missed it he said. i am very pleased with how they work with my child with ASD
Submitted by other on May 12, 2013

Fraser academy is a bad school because they don't do their job. Kids there are so loud on the bus. I told them to do something about it and they aren't doing anything. They are making excuses.