I have waited 2 months to go into detail of what happened at our Catholic school hoping that I…read morewould get some resolve from the meeting today but no. I feel no better now than the day Maggie told me what happened and my heart broke for her. I would like to say that I have never felt so disappointed and let down in my life. The principal was also in on the meeting. the smug look on his face and nonchalant attitude assures me that I did the right thing pulling Maggie out of Saint John Neumann Catholic School. The whole incident seems to have been blown off as the "joke" the 2 girls played it off be. Well my friends here is the true story: 2 girls from Maggie's class wrote mean notes during aftercare and signed them with my daughter's name, sealed them in a box and gave them to a 3rd grader. Things like you "are ugly, you are a hobo, your hair is ugly" etc Each individual note all signed with "maggie D". The 3rd grade teacher pulled Maggie aside and accused her of writing the notes without getting all of her facts straight. (The day this incident happened Maggie wasn't even in aftercare.) she didn't compare handwriting only took the word of 2 students over maggie. When Maggie said she new nothing about it the teacher asked one of the note writers who said, "yes Maggie you wrote them and told me to give them to The 3rd grade girl". Maggie said no i didn't. And the teacher tells her girl 1 is a good student and why would she lie? Same day school ends for Thanksgiving break. Maggie comes home and tells me everything. She asked me what the teacher meant when she said girl 1 was a good student and wouldn't lie? What does that mean about me? Sadly i couldn't answer that. Sad & weepy all weekend she doesn't go out to play only laying around watching tv. I contact teacher and by monday no response. After school monday Maggie says the kids said it was just a joke. If it were a joke why would bully #1 lie to teacher in front of maggie insisting she gave the notes??? There was even a student witness who knew it was done intentionally to get Maggie in trouble. I contact vice principal and she assures me this will be taken care of. The kids were to go home and tell their parents and then the vice principal would follow up making sure they told them everything. When i see parents at christmas program neither one apologizes for their kids behaviors acting like nothing happened. At that point i knew they didn't even know. I finally call both moms new years eve and sure enough neither one knew of what their daughters really did. School bully rules show several points the 2 girls broke including passing notes, lying, falsely accusing a student of something and list goes on. Both parents were shocked to find out what happened and both tell me school never told them anything other than it was a joke. at the meeting today I felt like i was talking to the couch. The look on principal's face and his attitude made me feel like anything I was saying didn't matter. Principal apologized to me, but it didn't seem sincere. They would not tell me what punishment was given but from talking to parents I am sure there was none. I know when Maggie lost 10 points last year for something minor I had to sign a paper. Certainly with something like this the parents would know if a punishment was given. At least both parents did apologize to me after I told them what the kids really did to both Maggie and 3rd grader. I appreciate that. And they seemed sincere. More than I can say about the school. I sent my daughter to a Catholic school to get the best education for her like I had for 12 years. But things have changed. It's more about money than the kids. The religion is taught from the books but not how to live it. From August til December was a miserable time for my daughter and sadly I paid $600 + a month to let people, including a teach treat her badly. Maybe today won't be a waste of time for other students in the future. Maybe the school will start taking bullying more seriously and not sweep it under the rug like other things. At least I know I fought for her and have tried to improve things for others.

First of all, it is concerning and a red flag when prior posts that might reflect negatively are…read moreremoved. Because an institution touts itself as being excellent isn't necessarily a fact. Yes, considering what is available in this area, this might be an option for Christian education. But CAK is lacking in several areas. The teacher turn over rate is high. Therefore consistency in programs is not there. The school has grown, which is not necessarily a good thing. Administration needs to be more careful in monitoring the growth. What is being sacrificed in order to bring in revenue? Our expectations for this school were high as we just had an excellent experience (in another state). The atmosphere was TRULY happy and joyful. Lots of high-fives, hugs, and esprit on the entire campus. It was palpable.. From both faculty and students. And top-notch programs where students were achieving academically, spiritually, and emotionally. Sadly, for the rate of tuition, CAK is average.

This school is amazing! Compared to all the other schools I've been to this place is the Bomb!…read moreTeachers are nice and make class very interesting, and it keeps my classmates and I engaged in the topic(s)

Our family has had a wonderful experience at Tate's School. The teachers invest deeply in their…read morestudents and take the time to understand each child's unique learning style, strengths, and areas for growth. We have seen our children develop not only academically, but also socially and emotionally through the individualized care and attention they receive. Tate's provides a strong academic foundation while encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving, all while instilling a deep love for learning. We also appreciate the emphasis on outdoor time, outdoor learning opportunities, and the variety of specials offered throughout the week, including art, music, PE, computer, and Spanish. These experiences create a balanced and engaging school environment. What truly sets Tate's apart is its people. The teachers, staff, administrators, and Tate family genuinely care about children and their families. From day one, we have felt welcomed, supported, and known. Tate's offers a unique culture and educational experience that is unlike any other school we have encountered, and we are grateful to be part of the community.

Tate's School is a dream learning space for kids and parents alike. Beyond its impressive campus…read moreand mountain cabins classrooms, Tate's has a serious curriculum taught by dedicated educators who teach advanced content using holistic learning approaches through which kids naturally develop key practical skills. We value the life skills that our children are developing and the care that they receive by their teachers and the School personnel. Tate's School is a family run center that feels warm and safe by the children and their parents. We observed in these years that respect is a very important value at Tate's and, being an expat, multicultural family, is a key aspect that we hold in high esteem. We wholeheartedly recommend Tate's School, for those searching for a serious, competent educational center where children and families grow strong networks.

I never thought I'd be writing a review like this after spending thousands in donations on top of…read morenormal tuition. The school does not live up to its marketing pitch. However, most of ESK's flaws will not be readily apparent to those visiting. You'll likely assume that your kids are in a small class and teachers are working with them. But, if you read no further than here, I suggest that you consider what ESK is actually teaching (the actual core curriculum) and compare it to national, local, or other private school standards. It falls drastically short - particularly in reading, history, and science. They don't even have textbooks or teach basic phonics in the lower grades. Problems: 1) While they hang their hat on the student/teacher ratio, the additional teaching assistant more often just allows the teacher to slack off. This surprised us because, like most people, we thought that more teachers would mean more attention. However, that didn't happen. 2) Instead of the usual schoolwork, a lot of class time is spent on projects designed to continuously impress the parents. Regularly, you'll get something like a laminated book with a storyline about how mom and dad are awesome. But, at the expense of this, there's not much time for the true nuts-and-bolts of teaching your kid. Among other things, ESK skips over phonics and does not even have textbooks to send home (just copies of worksheets). Since ESK doesn't conduct tests or assign grades, parents may not notice deficiencies until it's too late. It's a "participation trophy" philosophy that is, in the end, harmful to kids' academic success. The fuzzy standards also help teachers do whatever they want in teaching. This is particularly true for one 1st grade teacher who favors studying butterflies and outdoors over reading and writing. Likewise, in Kindergarten, our child went many weeks without doing reading assignments because the teacher just didn't send anything home. In second grade, the teacher had a love for Civil Rights, politics, and Black history. Again, fine material for older kids or college, but not for 2.5 months of class time in second grade. The peculiar history lessons also created confusion since there was no clear timeline or context (as one would have with most American history textbooks). 3) Schools should be apolitical. As a middle of the road guy, I'm bothered by right or left political indoctrination of my elementary school kids. In this instance, ESK has a decidedly liberal political agenda and incorporates it into the curriculum. They also teach inappropriate content at a young age. We had enough when our 7 year old child was assigned a book entitled, Maya Angelou: Journey of the Heart by Jayne Pettit. On pages 16-18 of this book, there is a graphic description of a young Maya Angelou being molested by her mother's boyfriend. 4) If you plan on earning money to pay the $15,000 tuition, be prepared to take a lot of time off for the various activities during the school day. Very little, if anything, is scheduled for after school. 5) The new headmaster is an ineffective leader. He previously led a NC charter school ranked average by that state. Moreover, unlike the former headmaster, he lacks charisma and was unable to handle routine issues. 6) If you are a Christian, you'll be disappointed by the fact that ESK seems to shy away from embracing the religious aspects that could offend someone. During the holidays, there was always an email practically apologizing to non-Christian students for having Christmas and Easter events. Overall: There are much better options in Knoxville. ESK puts on a good front. But, it is woefully deficient in how it prepares children for later academic success.

Wow! What a great school. We have been so impressed. I love seeing pictures and videos of what goes…read moreon during the day through the parent-teacher app. Our daughter started JK4 with a basic knowledge of some sight words and what sounds letters make. Within 3 weeks of class, she was reading... and FAST! She also tells me certain arithmetic facts and wants me to quiz her. She's made great friends here, and I love that she gets to play outside often. The teacher incorporate outside activities into the lessons. I appreciate that her weekly schedule includes P.E., library, art, music, and two foreign languages. I also like that the cafeteria food is farm-to-table. Parents are encouraged to participate and visit. The students attend chapel every day, and I love when my daughter tells me what she prayed about. I have no complaints about ESK.

They need to hire better teachers. 6th band 3 months in and we haven't learned a single song not…read moreeven hot cross buns. You have to pay to do everything. What even is the point of school when there's ChatGPT and Gauth. they don't even teach us anything useful, in addition they expect us to eat raw cold nasty food everyday. you can't get food if you don't have money, which is exactly what I said about having to pay for everything. Even if you have a medical condition they won't let you go to the bathroom or nurse. In addition to the nurse, she will just check your temperature then send you back to class. I would recommend dropping out of this school if you were able to drop out before 9th grade. Do not recommend do not send your kid here,no wonder it has 1 star.

The principal ignores violent threats and doesn't tell parents what happened…read more The kids get in fights often and the teachers don't get paid enough.

Good school wonderful people good environment happy students and awesome teachers!!!!read more

The vibes were immaculate, and the staff are unmatched! 10/10 experience and culture.read more

Beyond exceptional and kind people. I am so thankful to have met them and they are always…read morerespectful and considerate when I have a question. Highly recommend

From the owner: The mission of Grace Covenant Baptist Academy is to partner with families in providing a superior…read moreChristian education, consistent with Biblical principles, within a secure, loving environment, recognizing God as the source of all life and truth, and leading students to discover their individual gifts for spiritual, social, emotional and intellectual development, thereby equipping students for the pursuit of excellence and integrity under the Lordship of Christ.