Freedom Academy Pima

3916 East Paradise Lane

School District

Freedom Academy Inc.
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:7
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 February 07, 2018

One of the worst schools my child had to endure.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2017

I recently switched my daughter to this school from a public school, and I'm very happy I did. Her third grade teacher is phenomenal! The class size is small. There is just the right amount of homework. I would highly recommend this school to anyone.
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2017

This school only teaches Science one quarter. That is why they show 80% test scores. The Math is at 40% test scores because the teachers themselves can NOT teach the subject. There is NO character building but there is plenty of bullying. The Leadership makes excuses and they are absolutely no help. No one ever sees anything at this school unless you complain and then they see your child doing everything. If you want a good education this is not the place for you.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2017

When we moved to North Scottsdale 2 years ago, I Googled Charter Schools. I drove past the school the first time (it is right off Pima on the campus of a church). We were given a tour of the school, and it is incredibly gorgeous!!! The staff and students sold us. Such a beautifully diverse mix of people. Our two boys (Grades 4 and 2) feel more like they are in a great big family, not a school. I have been a mom for 24 years and have had my 4 boys in private parochial schools, private schools, public schools, charter schools, and boarding schools! Freedom Academy has the feel of a small private school, minus the $16,000 a year tuition! I am so pleased with the dedication of the administration and the commitment to excellence by the teachers, this has been the best school we have attended by far.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2017

A GREAT school with wonderful, caring, dedicated, knowledgeable staff. Small size classes allow one on one attention from the teachers that all students deserve and require, so students are not just numbers. Curriculum is comprehensive and pushes the students to be the best they can be. I feel blessed and lucky to have found this school.
Submitted by parent on January 27, 2017

My 2 kiddos started at Freedom Academy in August of 2016. My 9 year old son who hated school since kindergarten was struggling at Norterra Canyon Elementary. His teacher suggested we have him repeat 3rd grade which he was totally fine with and so were we. We just wanted him to catch up with his peers and be happy! We tried everything to help him including expensive tutoring. We knew he needed more one on one attention with smaller class sizes and less distractions. We were planning on having him repeat 3rd grade at Freedom Academy but Mrs. Gattling the principal disagreed and had the utmost confidence in Mrs. Rasmussen to help my son reach his potential. We took the risk and it was the best decision we could have made for our son! He is thriving and loving school! My daughter is in kindergarten and her teacher Mrs. Bickerdyke is the most amazing, kind, patient teacher I've ever met!! She genuinely loves her kids and her job! Mrs. Gattling, the principal is by far the most compassionate and personable principals around. All the teachers and staff are soo positive, friendly and you can tell they genuinely love their jobs! The school is so family oriented and we love it!! I could go on and on about this little hidden treasure!! We are soo committed to this school that we commute from North Peoria to North Scottsdale daily!!
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2017

Starting with the superintendent and trickling down from the principle to teachers I am giving this school 5 stars. The attention to each child, the community, and quality of care to each student is unparalleled to any public school my kids have attended. Their confidence and grades have skyrocketed. This small school is a gem!
Submitted by other on January 25, 2017

Freedom Academy North, Pima Campus, is a nurturing school where the teachers, staff and principal really care about the students and their learning. The principal's enthusiasm and kindness is contagious. She knows each student by name and makes sure to greet them each morning and interact with them often during the day. The office staff is friendly and helpful. The teachers are wonderful, responsive and patient. Academically it's on target with just the right amount of homework. Any questions or concerns are addressed immediately and fairly. This place is a true gem and my daughter loves it.
Submitted by parent on July 04, 2016

We discovered Freedom Academy (Pima) by accident. We have been extremely pleased with all Freedom has to offer our son. Freedom (Pima) has an awesome principal ,positive and motivating staff, and very kind kids. The children are supported on their journeys as they should be. Our son has looked forward to going to school daily. A great find for our family! We only wish the school offered 9-12
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2016

We highly recommend Freedom Academy, Pima campus.No school is perfect, in large part because a super-elite private school that provides the very best educational opportunities is going to have negatives (stressful peer pressure, snobbery, elitism), just as a underfunded public school is going to have positives (diversity, developing grit & resolve). What Freedom Academy offers, at least in the younger grades with which we are familiar, is an outstanding culture. Kids are nice to each other. It’s a very supportive environment. We recently attended an end-of-school talent show and there were several performances that my inner snob smirked at — yet I witnessed no negative responses from students. That sort of thing can’t be underestimated. If your child wants to sing a song, she can stand before a crowd and give it her best effort and not walk back into broadside of teasing. That comes from outstanding top-down leadership, from principal to teachers. As far as academics, our experience has been very positive, but that probably is because our son does well. It’s pretty shocking how much more advanced the curriculum is these days compared to my schooling, not to mention the demands of daily home work. The Core Curriculum is outstanding because it teaches young people to think. The common denominator with the "Great Whining Masses" griping about the core curriculum is not knowing what the heck they are talking about because they are too lazy to go, “Hmm, this is different. I will therefore try to figure it out for myself so I can help my child.”As parents at Freedom Academy, we have heard complaints. You can read some here. But think critically of them. I can honestly say that all the complaints we have heard have pretty much been parents expecting the school to wave a magic wand over their child’s head to make him or her more successful when the better choice would be to look into the mirror.
Submitted by student on June 23, 2016

We are so incredibly blessed to have found such an AMAZING SCHOOL!!! We originally started our son in kindergarten at a local public school. After the first few weeks he was really struggling in the classroom and his teacher approached us about a two year kindergarten track. Unsatisfied with the schools effort we decided to look at smaller charter schools. From the minute we stepped into the classroom we knew it was the perfect fit for our son. The class sizes are small and the Kindergarten teacher is absolutely the BEST!!! She is warm, patient and really gets to know the strengths and weaknesses of each child. All of the teachers and staff are so warm and caring at Freedom. You will feel like they are an extension of your family. My son's acedemic performance is outstanding and he can't wait to start first grade. The best descision we ever made!!!
Submitted by parent on June 21, 2016

Freedom Academy Pima is such a blessing to my daughter and family. She has been at this school for 6 years and is very smart, happy, healthy and ready to move on to a Public High School. They truly prepare the students for success after finishing up 8th grade. This school has amazing staff. From K-8th I can truly say every teacher loves teaching and treats students as their very own. As a mom people ask me where does your daughter attend school, as she is so smart, kind, and very happy. Freedom Academy, best kept secret! I truly wish they could start a HIGH School with the same values as I would be the first to enroll! As we know, parents if your child is happy they are learning and thriving. I truly wish we had this school in every state so all my nephews could go to Freedom.
Submitted by other on June 15, 2016

I am beginning my 10th year of teaching at freedom academy schools. I spent 4 years teaching at the Pima campus. I cannot express enough what a wonderful environment it is and how happy the students are. The principal, Veronica, is highly educated and effective in running a great program. Students are encouraged and helped to excel in all areas. The school property itself could win home and garden awards. It's beautiful! Each child is loved and nurtured in their education at freedom academy pima. When my niece needed a school for her daughter I sent her straight to the Pima campus. It's a true gem in the desert.
Submitted by principal on June 03, 2016

Freedom Academy is a terrific school. What I like most about the Pima campus is the beautiful location, the friendly and warm staff, and the solid academic presentation. This is school where a kid can be a kid :)
Submitted by principal on June 03, 2016

Freedom Academy Pima Campus is an A Rated, K-8th grade Charter School. We are located in an absolutely gorgeous desert setting----a hidden jewel in North Scottsdale! Here you will find a wonderful group of loving teachers and staff, lead by our amazing Principal, Mrs. Veronica Gatling. Each and everyone of us are completely devoted to the "whole" child. The class sizes are small, so the student-teacher ratio is great. With small class sizes, children who might be struggling won't get lost in the crowd, and those who are are on track, can be offered enrichment activities to go even further. Along with high academic goals, depending on their grade level, students, also receive instruction in Art, Music, PE, Computer Lab, Band, STEM, Cheer, Leadership, Yearbook, and after school sports. We pride our students on their respectful behavior. Besides smiles all day long, come visit and watch our boy students stand up when a lady walks into their classroom! Amazing! We are a great alternative to expensive Private Schools, and over-crowded Public schools. We are "The Little School with the Big Heart"!
Submitted by teacher on June 02, 2016

Awesome school in a beautiful location! It is a blessing to watch students set and achieve new daily, weekly and yearly goals. Staff and students are all friendly and welcoming to all.
Submitted by parent on May 03, 2016

My daughter has been attending school there. I do not recommend. Too many days off and teachers leaving in the middle of the year. No follow up and they do not enforce what has been agreed to. I see many other children leaving also.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2015

This school is the best kept secret in Scottsdale!!!! We feel very fortunate to have our boys at this amazing school!!
Submitted by teacher on March 30, 2015

I love Freedom Academy! I have been here for almost six years, since the North campus opened, and have enjoyed every day. The teachers, staff, administrators, students and parents are so amazing and so caring! The classes are small and the students get a lot of attention from their teachers...we are like one big family. Freedom Academy is the place to be!
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2015

I am a parent of once 3 now 2 children who attend FAN. We love the family feel here and feel blessed to have found this school. The staff is very loving, warm and involved. Mrs. Gatling rocks!! She truly cares about her students and even has one on one lunches with them to get to know them better. She's fun and bubbly and the kids absolutely love her. The students LOVE each other in no way that I've ever seen before. Due to the small classroom size they really get to know each other and get along so well. They get excited about new students who come to FAN as my kids come home excited to tell me all about it. The Parents at this school collectively are fantastic. I have several parents who just love on my kids offer to pick them up for me, take them home for play dates etc. My children don't want to go anywhere else. That's a huge part of why I continue to commute them from Paradise Valley each day. It's well worth it to bring them to a place where they love to learn, can be happy and whole. Thanks FAN!!!!!