The Maeser Way or the Highway: When Rigid Policy Undermines Linguistic Preparation…read moreI am writing this review so families coming from Alpine School District dual-language immersion (DLI) programs, particularly those at neighboring DLI elementary, junior high, and high schools, understand an important reality before accepting enrollment at Maeser. My student was offered admission to Maeser after completing several years in an Alpine School District DLI program. That experience represents sustained academic instruction in a living, globally spoken language. Before accepting the offer, I contacted the LEA Administrator at Maeser to ask a straightforward question: since flexibility for DLI students reportedly existed at Maeser in the past, why does it no longer exist? Historically, DLI students attending Maeser were permitted to leave campus to attend immersion classes at nearby junior high and high schools. I was told there is now "no flexibility." Latin is mandatory for all seventh graders, with no exceptions. When I followed up to ask what prompted this policy change, that question went unanswered. In practice, this policy requires students who have invested years in mastering a Romance language to abandon that academic trajectory entirely. There is no alternative pathway, no transition option, and no acknowledgment that these students bring precisely the kind of linguistic foundation the school claims to value. Maeser promotes Latin as foundational for grammar, logic, and etymology, yet students already fluent in a Romance language derived from Latin are told that background cannot be accommodated in any way. I was further advised that my student's DLI language could simply be "continued at home." Language immersion does not function that way. Fluency developed through daily structured instruction, academic accountability, and peer interaction cannot be maintained through casual practice, particularly in households where the language is not spoken. Replacing a formal immersion program with informal at-home exposure is not academically equivalent. Schools are free to design their curriculum. However, when a rigid policy effectively excludes a defined group of academically prepared students from continuing their established educational pathway without a transparent explanation for the change, families deserve to know. This experience revealed a disconnect between Maeser's stated commitment to academic rigor and its unwillingness to engage with students who bring significant prior preparation. A truly rigorous academic model should be capable of examining reasonable pathways for well-prepared students rather than closing the door entirely. Charter schools operate with significant autonomy. That autonomy can foster innovation, but it can also leave families with little recourse when inflexible policies narrow access. In this case, the message was clear: the "Maeser way" is nonnegotiable, regardless of a student's preparation or prior academic investment. Families deserve to understand that reality before enrolling. As for our family, we will choose another school, one that demonstrates openness and a genuine understanding of the value of a comprehensive education. Our student will continue in the DLI program through college, which represents a significant academic accomplishment. Expecting students to abandon years of linguistic study without compelling academic justification does not reflect educational flexibility or intellectual depth. Families considering Maeser should be fully informed of these limitations before making their decision.

This is an excellent school! Inspiring teachers, strong community, and top-notch academics!read more

Junior high school is sooooooo hard I got 20 homework page every day school start at 6 amread more

This is an internment camp for japanese students like me. Don't believe me? Google the locations…read morehistory you'll see. Okay okay it's a junior high school (not much of a difference). Well not all is bad here the cookies are delicious and the lunch ladies are just fantastic (nice on the eyes too). But the reason I rated it one star is because the lack of love I feel here! Must warn you stay away from the lady with the mullet she's crazy! The lockers here are unsatisfactory theres not enough room for you to stuff kids in as advertised in tv shows. Beware of the stairs they have become so infamous for the tripping and slipping they have a new nickname called "The Stairs to H-E-DOUBLE-HOCKEY-STICKS"!! The health teacher is just amazing his voice is soothing like the chipmunks (starring in alvin and the chipmunks). The crazy teachers and constant earthquakes (seventh graders running to lunch) makes it a VERY unsatisfactory environment for learning! That is why I gave it a one! The health teacher and the lunch ladies are not enough to raise the reviews!

I attended heritage from 2013-2014. I went not knowing that it was a residential and when I got…read morethere, I was welcomed immediately into open arms and a campus full of people that strive for what is best for the client. Over my stay I learned healthy ways to cope and live my life without needing a outside source to provide it for me. Heritage is an outstanding school for all sorts of kids but particularly those on the spectrum and those who suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. I would strongly urge any parents who's kids are struggling to contact Heritage, it is the best place by far to attend and it really shows how much they care when they do extra stuff to make clients feel more "normal". Heritage hosts banquets periodically, and they have a prom set up as well as other dances and other fun activities. The therapy program at Heritage was key in my success and the added benefit of family therapy really sealed the deal for me! Anyway I hope this review helped you!

About seven years ago, I made a visit just to see how the place is changed…read more The "warehouse" is no longer a part of the school, thank god. They've made a few improvements, but I think they're better options available. And I don't mean, sending your kid away to another state for some "tough love" or wilderness camp or some other crap like that If you are religious, I recommend getting rid of your "religious counselor" and going for somebody who is a member of the secular therapy project. Do not go here if your religious counselor recommends it. Seek other options feel free to message me if you need

We moved here from GA and PGHS has been great for our son. Great students, counselors and teachers…read moreand some really great athletic programs. We won several state championships last year.

Can't mosh here and the school is very controlling and takes away the freedom of the students here…read more They are planning on taking away dances in a whole. 1 teenager gets injured because they were being stupid and the whole school district bans moshing and probably dances. So forget prom and forget this school. Teachers are nice though :)

Our daughter suffered from anxiety & depressive disorders and was so acting out we had to do…read moresomething. In our particular case, our daughter, a strong/smart girl, found ways to grow from the experience, though she tells hellish stories of staff scamming records and horrible treatment. I always had the sense staff was invested in making money and far less in turning kids around. Loosely and clumsily run in my opinion. They are Mormons and my daughter would joke about their Mormon underwear which was true. Her therapist, Tristan, LOST HER SESSION RECORDS... which killed a $30,000 reimbursement from insurance. We were incensed about that as you can imagine. The idea is interesting, DA is not the iteration that makes it work. Don't do this to your kid (as other parents have said). If you're on the fence, perhaps my daughter (now 31) might talk with you to help a decision. Largely a joke. Check the reviews.

RUN! DON'T DO THIS TO YOUR CHILD. I ran away from this…read moreboarding school. Do not send your kids here! Upon arrival, they place you in a white, empty hole in the wall, with a plastic mat in the floor, with no shoes and minimal cloths, with nothing else, similar to an insane asylum. TO WHO EVER IS READING THIS: We aren't making this up, there are numerous reviews explaining how this happened to them. They left us in there for days! I'll never forget the numerous cold nights I spent crying in that white tiny area, hoping, and praying someone would come save me. In regards to reviews that state the room (hole in wall) didn't exist, I am reposting a picture to demonstrate the white area they locked us in. The positive reviews must be fake accounts or owners of DA. The entire time I was there, they didn't allow me to speak to my family. This was traumatic. Thankfully, I was smart enough to crawl out of the roof window and scale down the wall and run, as fast as I could without shoes. Best decision in my life. ...we had a wonderful escape plan...too many details for a post here,, but we end up making it home back to Cali...long long greyhound ride, with lots of loving individuals and new friends who helped us on the way. Most the counselors were uneducated and unfriendly. The scholastic standard is below minimal. Your kids will receive horrible education here. Teachers are not accredited. Be aware of what will happen to your child when you send them to an enclosed building with strangers. Upon me escaping, they refused to return the full year payment my single mother had paid. After a legal battle, we received part of our payment in return. If you don't believe me, feel free to contact me and I will tell you the entire story how I escaped from this hell in Provo Utah and arrived in San Diego, CA. As much as I have healed from the scars caused by this place, I must warn others, don't place your kids in danger. P.S. Simple look at the bars on the windows. SCARIEST place ever.

Was here to watch high school basketball tournament games. We had to park far far away. It was…read morefreezing in the bathroom but hot and stinky in the gym. They need better ventilation and temperature control. Decent concessions. The loud music was really obnoxious. Bleachers were okay.

They don't have separate bathrooms; I took my daughter to the bathroom at 8 am on a Tuesday, and…read morethe bathroom was completely dirty and covered in urine. I took the principal there, and she simply said she couldn't do anything. Total negligence.

I attended this school, so I'm speaking from personal experience -- and let me tell you, this place…read moreis straight-up dogwater. The academics are seriously lacking; I barely learned anything during my time here. On top of that, the cafeteria portions are a joke. I got a slice of pizza that was barely 4 inches long and 3 inches wide -- I've seen bigger crackers. I politely asked if I could get a bigger slice, and instead of helping, the staff hit me with some passive-aggressive response like, "We don't cut the slices, the pizza company does." Like... seriously? To sum it up: The academics? Trash. The food? Embarrassing. The financial staff? Just as bad. Do not go here. You deserve better.