Potentia Academy

PO BOX 21223

West Palm Beach, FL 33416

18 Reviews

School District
Grade

5-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on July 22, 2023

I am a former student from Potentia Academy (and also important to emphasize pre-Covid) and my experiences were horrible at this school. A lot of bullying that went under the staff's nose went on, and students being yelled at by the principal when she does not know how to handle them.Another thing important to mention is that they support and endorse Autism Speaks. It is not a good, reputable organization. What school supports an organization that releases a video saying autism is a disease? The organization is horrid and ableist. Just watch "I Am Autism" commercial, and you can make your own judgements on that and perhaps question why Potentia Academy still supports them.It's one thing to teach responsibility, but we were practically the maid staff in that school and had to deal with unsanitary conditions. As well, when kids would water the plants outside, we would not be monitored. So much for school safety. They really care too much about donations and not enough about students. When I was a student, we had one day where we didn't have to wear our uniform. But, the condition was that we had to PAY the principal weekly so that we could do that.Each year, we never had the same teachers. This wasn't because of being taught different subjects as we progressed to each new grade level. It was because no one was able to stay through one year. In hindsight, it was a red flag. There is one teacher that I adored there who retired a few years ago, and she was one of the best parts of my school experience. A very nice older woman, much like a grandmotherly type to me. That's the only kind thing I can say about this place.This school does not have the proper resources or skills to take care of and teach special needs and autistic students. Some kids often self-harmed using school material and/or supplies, and teachers turned a blind eye to this behavior, not even referring to the proper resources or intervention to help these students.Overall, I would not recommend this school. My experience is sort of recent, but from the reviews I've seen, parents don't know the entire story. There are some things that perhaps their kids won't tell them. I was one of those kids, and it took me a long time before I told my parents what happened.
Submitted by parent on July 13, 2023

My child is thriving academically and socially at Potentia. The school is very well run and the teachers are outstanding. I strongly recommend this school.
Submitted by other on July 31, 2022

Potentia Academy gave me the best experience for high school. I had amazing friends and received a great education. Potentia Academy helped me to be able to succeed in college and gave me motivation to want to do well in school.
Submitted by parent on July 21, 2022

After a series of misses in schools supposedly for out of the box kids, we moved to Florida after a run with COVID and found Potentia.I sent an inquiry email not realizing it was spring break. Mrs. Meeks, the principal, called the same day and offered us a tour while we were in town house-hunting.My daughter has blossomed beyond my wildest dreams. Where other schools and teachers labeled her a “bad” kid and saw her faults instead of her gifts, the team at Potentia sees and champions her gifts. And as I suspected, when a team truly cares about a student, the disruptive behaviors seem to disappear. No IEP, aide or being sent home all year.The teachers truly see each child’s individual gifts and champion them, helping them through rough patches in a caring manner without condescension.After having a post-Covid setback, I considered going back to our old state where I had a village to help me. When I asked my daughter her thoughts, without hesitation she said, “please don’t take me away from Potentia. Do you know how nice it is to feel smart and not be labeled the bad kid?” We will be at Potentia through graduation!
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2022

My son has attended Potential Academy for 2 years now, and as I've told Mrs. Meeks - the move to Florida was worth it just so my son could attend this school. The staff is amazing, and even my 15-year-old son has said "I've changed for the better since attending Potentia."While I don't want to dismiss any negative experience (everyone is entitled to their own opinion), I do want to address some of the items they mentioned, and our experience as parents with some of those alleged 'issues.'Experience in the classroom - we've had the same teachers/staff for the past 2.5 years, so I'm not sure about the comment regarding new teachers every year. And as a parent who has volunteered at the school, I have not seen any self-harming behaviors. I have seen students who need movement breaks, which is typical of kids on the spectrum. The teachers were all well equipped and educated enough to handle any issues in the classroom.Students as Janitors - In the age of Covid, it is imperative that the students sanitize their desks after each use. I've seen kids clean up after their own messes when using various tools at school (microwaves during lunch, etc). Part of the curriculum at Potentia is learning to live on your own. If kids are taking out the trash and watering plants - GOOD FOR THEM! I can't get my son to do it at home, but if he does it at school, and understands that is part of real life, then kudos to Mrs. Meeks and her staff for teaching kids everyday skills. Kids nowadays can be entitled anyway.Religious discrimination - my son comes from a family with mixed religions. We celebrate many holidays, and as far as I am aware, he has openly expressed this to others at school. He's had nothing less than positive support from both other students as well as the teacher/principal. In addition, I'd like to add that their reading list includes books of various backgrounds, cultures, and religions. I know this because when my son is assigned a book to read, I read it along with him, to help him study at home. My experience as a parent is that this is an all-inclusive school. This school is extraordinary for high-functioning kids on the spectrum. If you're interested in Potentia Academy, I encourage you to meet with Mrs. Meeks and her staff, and not just rely on reviews. Actions speak louder than words!
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2022

Amazing school that has made a huge impact in my child's academic and life skills outcomes and has prepared my child to truly reach his full potential in school and beyond. Caring teachers who provide intellectual challenges in every academic and life skills area. School administrators are actively involved with all the students and parents and really understand our unique situations.
Submitted by other on December 17, 2021

I would not recommend this school to anyone. I am a former student and the experiences I had in the classroom were abysmal and downright unprofessional. The teachers (Meeks, the school's principal, mainly) did not take bullying seriously and even said that they are a small enough school that they can't look after their own kids. They said if I can't deal with the bully myself, then I should leave the school. Goes to show just how "seriously" the school takes these issues when someone's life was endangered. Experiences in the classroom--a whole other level. Kids would bang their heads against their lockers or desks, and the school staff didn't do anything to stop this self-harming behavior. Student behavior was bad, don't be surprised why they hire new teachers every year. They are not equipped on how to handle their students, and I'm not blaming the students, it's the environment they were in that reenforced this negative behavior. The staff was ill-prepared and did not have the experience to deal with students with special needs. Also, don't get on Meeks' bad side! There was a bathroom incident with the men, so she gathered them all up into that small bathroom and yelled at them for fifteen minutes straight. Talk about professionalism, right? Because that's definitely the way to treat autistic students, along with those with learning disabilities and emotional issues. (Note the sarcasm). For someone with the name, Meeks, she is anything but. They also like to use the students as their own personal janitors, last I was there. We cleaned the microwaves, swept and vacuumed the floors, dumped the trash cans including those in the bathrooms, took out the garbage to the dumpster, sanitized desks, watered the outside plants (without supervision), and even wiped down windows. Speaking of not watching their students, they often left the door unlocked. They were also very discriminatory to people of other religions. My friend is Jewish and she had to endure antisemitic slurs and comments from students; and teachers would often comment how they wished they could teach a bible study class. Now this was when I was a student and I acknowledge things could have changed. But, I do NOT and will never recommend this school to anyone. If you want your child to be endangered, to not be taught properly, to be ignored and left behind by this system, then this is the school for you.
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2019

Potentia Academy has proven to be the perfect solution for our child who is high functioning on the spectrum. While public schools have ceased to support students who fall in this area, Potentia provides the perfect environment and curriculum to support students at this end of the spectrum. The negative review on this site does not reflect what happens at the school. The teachers and leadership are very competent and supportive, and have been a consistent presence throughout our child's time at the school.
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2019

I am very grateful for Potentia Academy. My son was given a great education in a wonderful environment. He was given personal encouragement and respect. He is ready for college!
Submitted by parent on August 02, 2019

A 10+. Very effective, happy place for the students, and well rounded education.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2019

GRATEFUL!!! This school VERY capable of helping students on the spectrum. There are various forms of exercises for the students. The staff is very well trained on how to handle behaviors that occur at this school. The Meeks work very hard to see the school is in compliance and receive the funds to offer the best schooling for our children.
Submitted by other on June 05, 2019

This school is not capable of helping students on the spectrum. There are no services or sensory activities for these students. The staff has no training on how to handle behaviors that occur at this school. The Meeks care about donations....thats it. Plus, they always have new teachers. It can't be a great place to work.
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2019

I don't have enough words to describe how my child has flourished and how much this school has made it possible for him to love school again and to learn. In the regular school setting he was falling behind and hating school each day. He is now thriving and his experience is very different.
Submitted by other on September 27, 2017

A family member has attended Potentia for several years and we have been closely involved with the concern for the students welfare both academically and socially. I have been very impressed with the emphasis of teacher and parent involvement. I would highly recommend this school without reservations.
Submitted by other on September 16, 2017

Overall terrible experience. This school is lacking the training that is necessary to create an effective learning experience for a child on the spectrum to succeed. Just because you want to open a school doesn't mean you are actually qualified to support a child with disabilities. My advice would be to look for other options for your children on the spectrum. This school is in dire need of training on children with autism from the principal down.
Submitted by teacher on February 15, 2016

The teachers work hard and have years of teaching experience. The Meeks do a great job creating a safe and nurturing environment for the students. I encourage all parents to visit this school and see for themselves if the school is a good fit for their children.
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2015

Mrs Meeks and all of the teaching staff are wonderful. The school is a very safe, nurturing and educates to the highest of standards
Submitted by parent on December 27, 2014

Please do not send your child to this school. It is one of the worst schools my kids have ever been too!!