Great Hearts Academies - North Phoenix Prep

14100 North 32nd Street

School District

North Phoenix Preparatory Academy
Grade

7-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

charter

School Map for North Phoenix 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 parent on November 18, 2024

This school has major issues. My daughter was so scared to go to class I couldn’t get her go, due to an ongoing bullying issue with her, her sister, and other classmates.Despite the team at this school seeing and hearing the fear in her voice (she couldn’t breath…she was in horror and terrified), they refused to switch her out of the class with a bully. Mind you, this school has kids in sections all day. You are with the same group all day.Instead of switching her out of class, they insisted for a month, that forcing her to go to class would help. After 9 days of my daughter in horror of sitting in class all day with this child, I encouraged her to go (per their request). Day one of returning, this bully would not leave my daughter alone and shoved her. The team there says it never happened. They claimed to review cameras and that this never happened. This happened to other parents, and they refuse to provide evidence for parents to see. Meanwhile I have been able to provide a steady stream of evidence to the school, and they claim it’s false.The PD has also shared this school has been made aware of this issue from a handful of parents. I’ve never heard my daughter cry in such fear before.Since they still refused to switch her out of the class, I brought her in so they can face her so they can say to her face (hyperventilating, crying and in terror) and say to her face that she is “lying”. They all said they were “busy” twice while I waited. Not one person in their large leadership team could come out.This school took 30 days of inaction and has accused my child and my family of lying. This experience has been beyond traumatic for our child and our family. I am very disappointed in Great Hearts with how this has been handled. The leadership has been rude and condescending during this whole experience. I am telling everyone I know to avoid Great Hearts. They do not stand by their mission and values. Avoid this school at all costs.
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2024

My daughter in 7th grade is experiencing bullying constantly and school doesn’t do ANYTHING. There are also false complaints against children who experience racism in school
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2023

My son was racially profiled repeatedly while attending Great Hearts. They harassed him every day he went there. If your child is Black or Brown keep them away from these people.
Submitted by student on July 13, 2022

I currently go to NPX, going into 8th grade. But looking back at the school it isn’t so great.Education wise, my history class was horrible in 7th grade. We read off of a board, made flash cards with the answers to our test, and then took the test! I don’t remember a single thing I learned besides something about 609-911 bc, his tutoring was horrible too, I was having trouble with reading because I couldn’t focus, I went to ask for help but his whole classroom is a hang-out spot while students sit there and do the homework and flash cards they didn’t do. My litcomp class was good, we were told to make things like pre-tests and most students loved the class. Our teacher was funny too. Just stop teaching sentence diagramming, it’s confusing and useless, and we learned it all year for it to barely be on tests and worksheets.Our pre-algebra class was okay. Our teacher was nice, funny. But when I went to tutoring he would just make some random student help me, even students who were there for help. When I did bad on tests I was asked, “why didn’t you come to tutoring?” I told him about the student help thing and he just scolded me to come to tutoring more often. Another thing was that a student was gone for 2 whole months I believe, she arrived at the second to last week of school, the teacher told her to make up the tests in class that day or the next day. She told him she had stuff going on, so she needed tutoring to learn in first but he ignored her. A student also came back from a week trip, and when he did our teacher gave him his test, the student called it unfair and the teacher told him “well you should’ve stayed at school then.” In science it was good, except the fact that our teacher commonly shipped students (one time a student and teacher were shipped), also the teacher pulled students hair when they put their heads on the desk. On instagram there are many rant accounts about this proving it.Our art teacher seemed inexperienced besides calligraphy, and our music teacher was good beside tutoring where the teacher had no time even when I scheduled.Also there should be P.E.Latin was bad. He was funny but had no spirit in teaching and we had daily quizzes.As a christian I’m sure this is a religious school, one the teachers even had a channel about it! it’s wrong for teachers to be teaching us religious properties when lots of students have a wide variety of religions. In some classes we were taught more religions things than normal
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2021

This school is not what it portrays itself to be. This is a religious school using public funds through loopholes in charter school law. Their hands off approach to curriculum combined with a strong history of hiring teachers from religious colleges is the perfect recipe for furthering the conservative Christian agenda of the Great Hearts founders. Many teachers are inexperienced and virtually no teacher has been trained in learning theory. Their approach is extremely rigid and in no way takes the needs of the child into account. Their ESS department is so bad they I believe they are harmful to children. Teacher turnover is very high and some of their best teachers were let go because of the school’s inflexible rules about teaching during COVID. If you don’t believe me about the religious nature of the school, go to Glassdoor and see what Great Hearts employees have to say about this. Also, there are several student venting sites on social media that show how many students feel they have been damaged by Great Hearts. I wish I had read these before we enrolled. Save yourself and Most importantly save your children by enrolling elsewhere. Make no mistake, the school headmasters have no power and everything comes from the top, AZ president Erik Twist. Interestingly, Erik has family connections to Governor Ducey. Everything about this school is smoke and mirrors. They routinely paint a rosy picture and sweep real issues under the carpet. They are not raising free thinkers as they say, they are a conservative Christian echo chamber influencing the next generation with public funds.
Submitted by parent on May 16, 2019

This school is very rigid in its approach to daily structure and homework. Students who don't fit their mold will struggle. It is a high stress environment compared to other schools. They have a fair mix of new and more experienced teachers. Parents must actively seek out instructor feedback. Rules and/or discipline are applied indiscriminately.
Submitted by student on April 24, 2019

We have had our ups and downs socially, but academically ANP has exceeded all expectations (and I had high ones).
Submitted by parent on April 10, 2019

Archway North Phoenix has been a huge disappointment. We are in our second year here and feel stuck because we don't have any options that are any better. Great hearts has good teachers and good curriculum and a TERRIBLE ESS program. Their ESS director WILL NOT HELP YOU. If your kid doesn't need help I would absolutely recommend it. But if your kid does need help don't go to this great hearts. I have heard other great hearts campuses have better ESS programs so the problem here may just be North Phoenix program. I used to brag about this school and this past year has been so disappointing I am almost embarrassed to tell other ESS parents we are here. We are hoping to get our kiddo into a better situation soon!
Submitted by parent on December 01, 2017

I transferred my child into this school thinking it was a good move for her academic potential and self esteem. I made a BIG MISTAKE. I have never seen my child’s self esteem crumble in such a short time. The punitive measures these teachers use, shaming in the classroom if homework wasn’t completed the night before is absolutely ridiculous. My child is struggling in math and is frustrated, and yet I am not allowed to have a teacher conference because I was not “invited” for one in regards to my child’s overall success in her grade. And don’t get me started on the pick up lines for dismissal. I need to get into the pick up line 40 min prior to dismissal if I want to pick up my child within 10 min of dismissal time. Otherwise I will need to wait 20-30 min to pick my up my child. Absolute waste of time because of inefficiency on the school’s part, but yet they expect the students to be dropped off promptly with a chaotic drop off system that backs up traffic from their poorly planned parking lot into 32nd street. We will certainly not be returning next year.
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2017

This was my daughter's first year at Archway North Phoenix and it has been her best year so far. She has always been strong academically. ANP has challenged her in a way that is inspiring. I love how the values are modeled for the students and not just taught. We considered Great Hearts competition but I am positive we made the right choice. She still gets an amazing education while learning to be a Great Hearted individual.
Submitted by other on January 13, 2016

Archway North Phoenix is the best school my son has ever attended. We have traveled extensively and he has attended many schools. This school has the most dedicated and friendly team. The feeling within the school is one of dedication, care and professionalism. Both his teachers are fully committed to supporting, guiding and teaching our son who goes to school with a happy and willing to learn attitude. Thank you Archway North Phoenix!
Submitted by other on December 11, 2015

Great school, great facility and teachers. Students are well behaved and follow school rules. Kids show great interest in academic participation and educational experience with their fellow students and teachers. Great improvements over the last few years.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2015

Great school, great faculty and great environment for children to learn and grow. We hope the school and teachers keep up the good work of providing the best education and learning environment for the children.
Submitted by parent on March 04, 2015

After researching every school in AZ, I am so glad I chose Archway North Phoenix. I have 2 kids here (K & 2nd). Both are doing great, which is a result of the amazing, loving, invested teachers. Yes it is academically rigorous, but they teach up to EVERY child, and give tutoring when needed. Lots of individual attention with a full-time and assistant teacher per class. Students also have classes 2/week (with a specialized teacher) in Music, French, Art, and P.E. They offer after-school sports and clubs like running, choir, astronomy, chess, recorder, soccer, basketball, flag football, drawing, drama. Teaching is based on the Socratic method so students are engaged and interact with the teacher. I also like that they give comprehensive written evaluations, not just a letter grade, and grade as much on "depth of inquiry and sense of wonder" as on proficiency. Great activities and field trips with parent chaperones, including, the zoo, AZ Science Center, The Nutcracker, farms, horse ranch, symphony performance at the school, movie nights, plays, Greek Olympic competition, etc. The school emphasizes honesty, integrity, humility, courage, perseverance, friendship - and it shows.
Submitted by parent on December 26, 2013

This is our first year at Archway, and we are thrilled! Previously, my daughter was at a highly rated traditional public school in Scottsdale. We were frustrated, because her performance was mediocre, but it didn't seem as though she was adequately challenged. She is in second grade, and the work at Archway is leap and bounds above what we were seeing from her last year. There is quite a bit more homework, but it seems to give family time a little more substance! I enjoy reading with her as the required material is classical and substantive. The poetry memorization is beyond my expectations, and my daughter has mastered all of the memorization assignments. In addition to the academics she is learning values and responsibility. I can't ever imagine going back to traditional school.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2013

Very impressed. Finally found a school for my son where he can be challenged to excel. Since emigrating from England, this is the first school I've encountered where I've thought that the level of the lessons are age-appropriate. The general academic level of teaching at every other school we've looked at (and tried) in Phoenix is very poor, being about 1-2 years too low per grade compared to an equivalent European education.
Submitted by parent on September 20, 2013

We have been very happy with the school. our son came from public school and adjusted very well. Teachers are great and helpful. Discipline is required and expected, and kids get used to that quickly. Curriculum is challenging, but my son is so interested in everything they did in history or science, that it has not been a burden at all.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2013

Since coming from public school to North Phoenix Prep our whole family is very pleased. My daughter is challenged and receiving A's and a couple B's and has adjusted nicely. Everyone at this school has always been positive, caring and respectful. I have yet to hear anything negative come from any of the teacher's mouths. I am particularly impressed with how organized the school is especially for it being their first year. I would have given the school 5 stars if there was a music and drama program and some playground equipment. Other than that I am blessed to have all 3 children between Archway North Phoenix and N. Phoenix Prep.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2013

I am so grateful for NPPA and their wonderful environment. The teachers are fantastic! The personal attention my child receives both in and out of class is incredible. These teachers give so much of their time providing before and after school tutoring. It is a challenging curriculum but any child who is willing to work hard and take on a challenge can be successful at NPPA. The headmaster is very hands on and is quick to address concerns that arise. Additionally, the parent community is active. The character of the school is outstanding. Academically there is no comparison to our previous school as NPPA is far superior.
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2012

Coming from a small private school, we were impressed! Curriculum is FAR more challenging, teachers are of a higher caliber, Headmaster is great and our kids love it. Teachers are motivated, kids are kind, respectful and responsible. Not at all snooty like some preps or private schools. Uniforms required, but kids like them and look great. Just waiting for a band program so I can give them 5 stars. Lots of opportunities for parents to participate...it's welcomed here.