Academy for Science and Design Charter (M)

Reviews

• Submitted by parent on October 28, 2023
  ASD has an advanced and challenging curriculum and for some people, there is a lot of homework. This is our child's 3rd year in school and he loves it. Our child can do most of his work during study hall and has never felt overwhelmed by the amount of work. He's math and science oriented and we knew this was the best school for him. Some people didn't like the old building, but what makes education powerful is not the appearance of the building or classroom walls, it's the caring and qualified administrators and teachers. We're impressed by the faculty. The counselors are top-notch and make sure the students feel heard and understood yet provide gentle guidance. The school provides many after-school activities as well as opportunities to bring families together. We feel that we are part of a great community. This year, ASD is in its new home; the building is beautiful and classrooms have walls- this was a concern for many people- but most importantly the school continues to provide excellent academics that prep the students for well-rounded college. We're grateful for ASD.
• Submitted by parent on December 09, 2022
  We are so thankful that ASD exists for our child. If you have a kid that needs to learn at an accelerated pace this school may be a good fit for them. Like most schools this school isn't right for everyone. It is a challenging school, there is a lot of work. There is a lot of writing/projects/presentations. My kid has been at ASD for 5 years, all were not easy by any means, but they WELL prepared to head to college next year with above average writing skills, group project skills, and presentation skills. I have another child in public HS that has only done one presentation, and all the kids were very nervous, at ASD it is so common to get up and present that the kids are used to it, it's a skill that is so useful in the real world. Smaller class sizes are great for discussions especially as you get to the Junior/Senior years. There are unique challenges to being at a charter school, if you are from further away it is hard to "get together" with friends when it's an hour or more round trip, the school has less money and resources than a typical public HS (but they do so much with what they do have). We live about 30 miles away and it's been hard to feel connected to the school or have opportunity to get super involved because it is an extra hour round trip. However, the fact that my kid is happy there is what matters most.
• Submitted by parent on September 16, 2022
  Hardware: Very bad. This school is in a business building. There is no gym or fields at all.School/students performance: This school attracted certain type of students only. Those who have a lot of pressure from their parents/cultural background require them to spend their time only studying. School has high academically ranting because of the students background, not because of how school director/principal/teachers educated the kids.I would not recommend the school to anyone unless your kids are good at self learning on math, science, etc. and that you do not care if they learn well in ELA.
• Submitted by parent on July 25, 2022
  This school has been amazing for my children. I have one child who needs extra help and accommodations. Teachers and staff have consistently gone out of their way to help him be successful. He not only has grown a ton academically, but from the first day he came home he said, "Kids are just nicer there." He is happy and doing well. My daughter is much more reserved and self motivated. This school has been great to give her both the challenge she needs with a wonderful hands-on curriculum and small class sizes that have allowed her to come out of her shell and try things she NEVER would have done in our local school.I am so grateful that my kids were at ASD during COVID as they were amazing at teaching remotely and have transitioned back to the classroom seamlessly. We are very grateful for our school!!
• Submitted by parent on September 02, 2021
  Our daughter has been going here from 6th and now in 12th. We love the stem education environment that works towards high academic achievements and encourages the relationships of different age groups. Teachers all seem very invested. Freedom of exploration is encouraged. We have felt very loved and cared for by the teachers and faculty. We love the school, as well as the curriculum, vision, and very clear care for our child.
• Submitted by parent on June 19, 2019
  Every aspect wasn't bad, but the overall experience was. To be perfectly blunt and honest, this is a school that caters to one type of kid. They want the high test takers who will keep their reputation up. They do not care about what type of a person the kid is, so long as the test scores are high. (I've seen behaviors go ignored or weakly addressed.). They are not equipped to deal with guidance issues. I don't even think they care about helping form good and decent people into the world, they care more about keeping their National rating up, even if that means the kids are arrogant and insensitive. (Example -I walked through their front door carrying a large/heavy box and was struggling a bit. Their were three staff behind the desk and 6 available students and not once did an adult suggest to the kids that they hold the door for me …and not one of the kids thought to hold the door for me on their own). They have one agenda and that is to get their school nationally noted, which is ONLY through test scores. Their admin and staff are extremely misguided about education and this has been driven and blown up by their recent National awards. Their teaching staff is actually mediocre as a whole with a few stand outs here and there. Many of the staff are experts in their STEM area, but do not have skills in how to teach it. They will reach that one-track mind...again, they cater to one type of student. I watched my child’s very sincere interest in STEM diminish over the course of a few years there because he was not encouraged, he was not seen as an asset to the school….and it wasn’t delivered in an exciting way. No interest at all now, and loss of confidence. I tried to talk to various staff about this along the way and the staff at this school really do not care. They care only about the ones who are going to keep their reputation as a top school up. This is not a top school in my eyes. You're a top school when you can deliver your curriculum and reach ALL students of various learning styles, rather than discourage the ones that can't do anything for you. I suspect this is a foreign concept to much of their staff. It’s too bad. If they were truly dedicated to delivering STEM to the areas youth, they would let go of their obsession over their awards and they would figure out how to make their curriculum more exciting and reach all students.
• Submitted by parent on June 27, 2018
  In a word: BAD!It is very frustrating to watch a highly motivated, hard working, A/B student become discouraged to pursue STEM because they are constantly made to feel that they are not good enough because they don't get straight A's (particularly in Math).
• Submitted by parent on March 11, 2018
  This school is amazing. If your child wants to learn,they will take him/her to their fullest potential, and have fun along the way.
• Submitted by student on February 23, 2018
  The teachers at this school will impact your life. Even though there is a ton of homework, there is a lot of fun there.
• Submitted by parent on September 21, 2017
  Some good experiences. Some just awful. Teachers should be required to answer emails. Students who are serial sexual harassers should be dealt with.
• Submitted by parent on June 27, 2017
  This school is a wonderful option for students who are interested in STEM. My children love it and I can not imagine them at any other school.
• Submitted by parent on April 08, 2017
  We were awfully excited about this school but now feel a lack of dedication within management and some teachers. The director is never around- even arrives after the teachers, and the secretaries never know why she is late, or where she is. When a complaint is made it doesn't go anywhere, - things are sneakily swept under the rug. Some teachers are on their cell phones during day. One teacher just babysits the seniors and reads news and things on his computer all day. Have to wait in long lines to heat food, so most of the time we pack cold lunches so there is time to eat. Dismissal is horrendous- We have asked for changes here because it shouldn't take us about an hour to pick up our children. No parent wants to do the afternoon car pool because it is so miserable. Laziness is to blame. All the teachers clam up when asked about administration- what do they fear so much?
• Submitted by parent on February 02, 2016
  Extremely engaging for students who want to be challenged in the sciences and math! ASD is a school where students work hard to succeed.
• Submitted by other on February 27, 2014
  This school is AMAZING! It definitely challenges you. For those of you interested in Science and Math, this is the place to be. It has a very friendly environment. All the students and staff are nice. Perfect place to be unique, and be yourself.
• Submitted by parent on September 24, 2013
  My son was completely bored in the public school system and he is finally getting the challenges he needs at ASD.
• Submitted by parent on August 01, 2013
  Wonderful STEM school for students in grades 6-12. Very difficult curriculum for some students (physics, integrated biology and chemistry beginning in 7th grade), but for math and science students it is a great school to be in. Funding is difficult for charter schools so the parents are asked and expected to help the school with time and/or money, but it makes for a close school community. School is now in Nashua.
• Submitted by parent on September 21, 2011
  Excellent school. Top notch teachers and programs. My kids love it. If you need an academic challenge, this is the place.

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