This review is long overdue, but I wanted to share our experience with Gateway Academy for other…read moreparents who may be searching for the right school for a child with high-functioning autism, or what Gateway refers to as twice-exceptional students. My son started at Gateway in 7th grade after attending public school since kindergarten. We were actually very fortunate to have had a pretty good experience in public school, especially with the other kids. He had attended the same school since kindergarten and had grown up with many of his classmates, most of whom were still with him in 6th grade. But as he got older, I could see the writing on the wall. Class sizes were getting larger, the kids were growing up, and there had been a few run-ins with bullies. I also didn't love the idea of moving him to a middle school for only two years and then making another major transition to high school. Kids on the spectrum often thrive on routine and familiarity, and my son is certainly no exception. When we found Gateway, it truly felt like a Godsend. The small class sizes were exactly what he needed, and one of the biggest advantages for us was that Gateway goes all the way through 12th grade. He could attend middle school and high school in the same familiar, supportive environment. Many of the teachers have special education backgrounds, but what makes Gateway so special goes far beyond academics. There is a genuinely loving, welcoming culture there. At Gateway, these kids aren't singled out for being different. They're surrounded by other students who understand them. They can be themselves. They have friends. They belong. The teachers are wonderful, as is the office staff. Ms. Robin, Gateway's founder and principal, truly cares about her students, and that caring is reflected throughout the school. Gateway gives students an environment where they can learn at their own pace while also developing friendships, confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging. As a parent, I cannot imagine my son having had the same high school experience in a large traditional high school surrounded primarily by neurotypical students. Those teenage years can be difficult enough, and Gateway gave him a safe place where he was accepted for exactly who he is. My son graduated from Gateway in 2025 and now attends community college. I asked him recently if he misses Gateway. He said yes. So I asked him what, specifically, he misses about it. His answer was simply, "Everything." That answer was both a little sad and incredibly heartwarming for me. More than anything I could write in this review, it confirmed what I had known all along: my son had a wonderful middle and high school experience. He made memories, built friendships, felt accepted, and genuinely enjoyed going to school. As a parent of a child on the spectrum, I don't think you can ask for much more than that. Gateway was also a tremendous resource for our entire family. Through the school, we learned about services and resources available to our son that we otherwise may never have known about. They even connected us with an excellent professional who helped us navigate guardianship and establish a special needs trust as he approached adulthood. Gateway didn't just educate our son--they helped us navigate the journey of raising and preparing a twice-exceptional child for adulthood. For any parent looking for a school for a child on the spectrum, I would recommend Gateway Academy without hesitation. Ms. Robin, Mr. Bloom, Mr. Curt, Mr. Anthony, Mr. Richard, and so many others have made Gateway the special place that it is. We will always be grateful that our son had the opportunity to grow up there. Thank you, Gateway, for giving our son a place where he wasn't simply accommodated, but truly belonged.

I started at Gateway when I was in seventh grade. I just graduated from there in May. I came to…read moreGateway because I was struggling with staying on top of assignments due to the heavy workload at my old school--leading me to start failing my classes. When I first came to Gateway, I was scared and alone. Little did I know that I would make friends that were as precious to me as my life there. It's a small school, so everyone knows everyone. Some might think this is bad, but in reality it's great because we get to form a tight-knit community within our grade level (and sometimes other grades too). There are therapy animals there, which absolutely helps students who are stressed out or who are going through something in their lives. You can always find Apollo and Athena (the therapy dogs) out during passing period, saying hello to the students. Talking about therapy animals, Gateway also does an equine therapy program for both middle school and high school. I was in this equine therapy program for eighth grade and part of high school. This program helped me so much through my struggle with mental health. Being with the horses quieted my brain. The teachers are absolutely amazing. I have never had a single bad teacher there at Gateway. They were all so kind and patient. You could tell that they knew what they were talking about. The English program they have there is absolutely fantastic. Both middle school and high school. The books that we read are actually interesting. Examples of this include The Boy in Striped Pajamas, Flowers for Algernon, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Animal Farm. The lunch program that they have is great as well. They bring in food from different places, and it's covered by your tuition, so you don't have to pay for the food. Some lunches that they brought in were from Panera, Venezia's, Potbelly, and Jimmy John's. Just remember to bring a couple snacks with you because sometimes the lunches can be a little bit on the smaller side. Every Friday, they have clubs. We can pick what club we want to be in, and there are a variety of them. Such as gaming, art, and board game club. It helps give us a break from our classes and gives us some time to hang out with our friends before the weekend hits. They also have programs that help build great resumes--along with helping to make your college and scholarship applications stronger. I was in the National Honor's Society and the Student Council for two years. Those were some of the best decisions I've made in my life. I got to meet new people through volunteering and even host a school drive for a non-profit that I volunteered at. The headmistress, Mrs. Robin, is very sweet and genuinely cares about all of her students. She was the one who set me up with my (then) future externship opportunity. Mr. Curt is amazing. He is the person in charge of the National Honor's Society, and he also helped with setting out flyers among the school about my school drive. Mr. Anthony is fabulous. He is also part of the admin. He helped me a lot with my dual enrollment last year. The admin are wonderful and won't shy away from any questions and/or concerns. Gateway Academy changed my life in the best way possible. I started getting good grades again. I made friends that I thought I never would have made. I would 100% recommend you go to this school if you have high-functioning autism. Once a warrior, always a warrior.

Terrible staff and management. They yell at the kids and their own employees. They will be nice to…read moreyour face in the beginning but once you're in, they will be the rudest people ever. If you have any ounce of self respect, don't go here. I wish I could give this place 0 stars, they don't even deserve the one.

This school has been wonderful for us! My daughter started at around 18 months and has learned so…read moremuch. At 2.5 years old, she could identify all the abcs, 123s, count to 50 and so much more. Her skills were unmatched compared to similar 2.5 years olds at different schools and LAMs played a huge part in that. My daughter also seldom got sick here. The teachers are caring and we can't say enough great things about Ms. Kiran who has created an amazing Montessori.

Stepping Stone was a great school for me I stared in 5th grade and graduated from there in 8th…read moregrade. When i started there i did not know how to write or spell but Ms. Fisk tought me all of that and Mrs Johnson is the best math teacher ever. Ms.Branham is the best volley ball coach ever and Mrs Gray is a great teacher/cheer coach/ Thearter dirctor

Absolutely amazing school! My child has learned so much and loves her school. I love that they…read moreteach not only school based things but also real life things.

My daughter attended Little Scholars Academy in Glendale for two years, and we had a mixed…read moreexperience. On the positive side, the teachers were wonderful -- especially Ms. Kelley, who was amazing with my daughter and helped her learn to read before Kindergarten. The classrooms felt clean and homey, and my daughter made lots of friends there. It was also one of the most affordable preschool options we found, which was a huge plus. That said, there were some real concerns. Communication and organization were lacking. Dates on the calendar would change, but staff often didn't seem aware of the updates. The school's app was very basic and only tracked sign-ins and sign-outs, without sharing anything about classroom activities. The only emails we received from management were reminders about holidays. We also experienced a lack of communication when it came to incident reports. On multiple occasions, my daughter came home with bumps, scrapes, or bruises, but we were never notified during the school day or given a report about what happened. As a parent, that was concerning because I want to know if she's been hurt, even in small ways. Billing was another ongoing frustration. Invoices were frequently incorrect, and we had to constantly monitor the autopay system to make sure we weren't overcharged. This added unnecessary stress on top of everything else. There was also a lot of turnover in staff. While the core teachers were great, it felt like new faces were constantly cycling in and out, which made the environment feel less stable for the kids. Safety and security were additional concerns. There were no cameras on site that I could see, and we once received a notice hours later about an incident where someone entered the gated playground in the morning. There was no follow-up on what changes would be made afterward. The parking lot also felt unsafe at times, with cars speeding through, homeless individuals passing by, and even a stolen car abandoned one morning while police investigated. Lastly, be cautious when looking at reviews online. Many of the 5-star reviews were part of a raffle the school conducted, which makes the feedback seem less reliable. Overall, the teachers gave my daughter a strong start, and I'm grateful for their care. But the lack of communication, billing errors, staff turnover, and security issues made me uneasy as a parent. I hope the school invests in improving those areas because it truly has potential.

As a healthcare practitioner in the community, I'm an educated, busy, working parent who did…read morethorough research before choosing where to place my child. Several of my colleagues and fellow practitioners have their children enrolled at the other Little Scholars location and highly recommended it to me. I am not being paid or incentivized for this review (frankly, I wouldn't need it as previous review suggested)--this is simply my honest experience as a parent who values quality education and safety. I love this school, and the upward mobility it provides for our children within this community. Little Scholars has exceeded every expectation. The teachers are excellent and hold my baby like he is their own. The classrooms are spotless, and the play yard is beautiful and safe. Outside parameter is locked, secured and checked daily. My son is only three, and he's already learning letters, numbers, and beginning to read and write. His speech has advanced far beyond his age, and he's being taught valuable life skills that build confidence and independence. I appreciate the good manners they practice. They worked tirelessly on helping me potty train. They assisted me in the method I chose and were supportive from day one. Children get sick! It is what it is, but its not a reflection of "cleanliness of the place." Cold and flu season comes around and they are sanitizing like crazy. I'm personally thankful for this season as I know my son's immune system will be optimal come grade school. This is not just a daycare--it's a true preschool where children leave testing well above kindergarten level. My friend (another PA) noticed how advanced my child was for his age and opted to pull her two children out of a daycare and place them in a school atmosphere closer to her. She called me yesterday with an update (1st week in school ended) and she told me how impress she is with the change. As such, because it is a school the teachers are paid a salary and closures for holidays/breaks are not with reduced pay so that they continued to get paid. I don't mind this. I respect teachers and believe they deserve more especially when you have such excellent staff you'd do anything to keep them. I wish more schools followed this model. I also want to address a recent negative review, quite frankly the only lone star review (and her only review on yelp). It's clearly a revenge post for her personal vehicle being rummaged through because SHE left it unlocked. The claims about safety and homelessness in the area does not reflect the whole truth. Within the past year the homelessness has taken a significant shift. The neighborhood is rapidly changing. Bellair was bought out, new businesses are moving in building on empty lots (including the lot directly next to the school - adding additional lighting and security cameras to the area). Landscaping and hardscaping by the city has taken place up 43rd ave and the homelessness is starting to move on. I personally have never felt unsafe here even before these changes took place, but I'm happy to see the local improvements. Regardless, the incident mentioned in the other review was due to an unlocked vehicle in the parking lot not a reflection of the school itself. This could have equally happened a the local quick trip, sushi joint or grocery store. The original poster also cross posted this to the Neighborhood app (or FB (?)- this is where I saw the post initially) noting that the police were called but would be late to arrive so she left (they were late to arrive because they were looking for the gentleman that did it). She notes that nothing was stolen. Beyond this, the child was clearly in attendance for a couple of years (per her timeline). I would doubt that if she felt her child was unsafe for so many years she would have kept her child enrolled for that long. It also appears the child tested out end of summer and moved on (likely more advanced and above their peers) and she was refunded the month for her distress this caused her. Seemingly appropriately handled to me... Little Scholars goes above and beyond for children, families and community. We couldn't be happier with our choice, and I highly recommend this school to anyone looking for a safe, nurturing, and academically advanced start for their child. I can't wait to enroll my second when she's of age. Take a tour and see for yourself!

We couldn't be happier with our son's experience at Breakthrough Academy. His Academic Standards…read moreAssessment was two grades below his age level at his public school. After transferring to Breakthrough Academy, our son improved two grade levels in three years. He is now back attending our public school and is doing great. Breakthrough Academy's approach to learning really came through and delivered on bringing out the best from our son. Thank you!

The fun Fridays aren't fun as they used too be but other than that, it's a good schoolread more

We have spent the last three years at Guidepost and it has been an amazing experience for both of…read moreour sons. The community here is so welcoming and the 'vibes' are always positive. James (Head of School) does a fantastic job making sure the kids have a space where they can truly thrive. We love that the school prioritizes outdoor play, which is so important at this age. My boys have learned an immense amount--they are already reading and doing math! We are so grateful to the caring, authentic teachers who have guided them. Highly recommend to any parent!

Our oldest daughter started at Guidepost Montessori- Paradise Valley at around 15 months old (she…read moreis now almost five). She initially started in the toddler room and has graduated to Children's House. Our younger daughter (aged 20 months) is in the toddler room. We were one of the founding members of this campus and have overall had a wonderful experience. Our daughters have blossomed in this school, gaining independence, confidence, and a genuine love of learning. The classrooms are beautifully organized and nurturing, and the community feels like an extension of our family. We feel a sense of partnership with our guides and value their developmentally appropriate input (assistance with potty training especially!!) Highly recommend to any parent looking for a supportive and enriching environment!

I am a former student of Benchmark and I would recommend it to anyone. My teachers were amazing…read morethey cared a lot about me and made sure that I understood any assignment. Most of my teachers loved making learning in the classroom very fun and interesting. The "specials" teachers were amazing and helped me figure out the kind of stuff I love to do. I realize that the school has had a few changes in teachers and principals but I still consider it to be a GREAT school. I made many good memories and have very good friends that I grew up at the school. I always look forward to going back and visiting my teachers. So again I would recommend this school to anyone!

We love this school so much! Class sizes are small, opportunity to be on campus and in the…read moreclassroom is always available to parents, there are so many activities/festivals to get the kiddos excited about learning, the campus is beautiful, the science center is amazing. Truly, so many wonderful things about this place! The school is always locked, the opportunity to donate to various causes is always there, and it is very patriotic! My only negative, many people here park in the No Parking, fire lanes. No one at the school does anything about it. No duty aides outside moving cares, notes, or anything to stop the behavior. I asked once and was told "it's always been like that, people don't listen". As a fire wife, this frustrates me to end! I want to know my daughter is safe in her class and has FULL access to emergency personnel if needed. Other than that, we really love being apart of this school!

If you are looking for smaller class sizes, hands-on learning and staff who truly care about your…read morekiddos, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND Atonement! My grandchildren moved to Atonement in 6th grade, which was a very difficult decision. It was quickly apparent to their parents what a great choice they had made. The kids are excited about learning and strive to do their best! This school offers project based learning activities and hands-on experiences. There are tons of field trips and extra-curricular choices, including football, volleyball and cooking classes! Atonement excels at building a community where parents, children & staff are respected and valued. As a grandmother and a former elementary teacher, I have been extremely impressed with this school! FIVE STARS!

I am so happy that my 2 granddaughters are at Atonement Lutheran School at 4001 West Beardsley Rd…read more My daughter switched them from another charter school to Atonement this year. We take them to the school 2-3 day a week and it is night and day of how they view school. They are now excited to go to school in the morning. They talk about what the class will be doing that day. I love that they use books and it isn't sitting down at a computer or on a tablet most of the day. The science teacher actually does hands-on learning to complement the lessons. We met the teachers and they impressed us as well as the school principal that will sub if a teacher is out rather than a part time substitute. They also let the kids be kids by having a longer lunch break and they let them go outside to play. They also have a great financial aid person that helps the parents navigate the rules for ESA funding as well as other charitable organizations. They also are in a league with other schools for sports. Something else they do is that a player has to maintain a level of grades or they don't play. We have actually seen that on one team's star player having to sit out due to low grades. The kids then all helped that student in school to get their grade up so they could play the next week. Our grandkids are learning so much in school academic wise but also socially on the playground and in playing a sport. I can't say enough good things how this school has transformed my grandkids who did not like school into ones that love school and most importantly want to learn.