Our family was let down by First Discoveries Academy. From the outside, the venue appears to be a…read moredream school, especially for those kids who have special needs and might struggle in mainstream schools. We took a tour of the place in July with Cindy, the owner. Cindy and I all agreed it would be a good fit for our child, even though my husband had a bad feeling about the place, so we paid a $500 deposit to hold her spot, with a starting date on September 1. Cindy gave me the information for the scholarship to pay for the (very expensive) school fees. I obtained and provided the required documentation to the scholarship program and was approved for the scholarship. After that, I shelled out another $130 for school supplies on a list I had to acquire myself on their difficult-to-navigate website. Cindy then informed me that I would receive a conference call to educate me on the inclusion program, but, that call never came. A few days before our child was to begin school, I took her for a two-hour visit (they require a visit before the child is able to attend school) and dropped off the $130 worth of school supplies. When I went back to pick her up, Cindy informed me that our child needed ABA to be able to attend the facility, as it was part of the "inclusion program". Again, the program she said she would call to speak to me about, but never did. I said that was fine and that we would sign up for ABA and pay out of pocket until we were able to get it approved through our insurance. Cindy said she would send the referral to the ABA provider, and someone would reach out to me soon. She said I could leave my school supplies, since our child would be able to attend her school in the near future. Well, weeks passed by, and I heard nothing. I called the school several times over a course of two or three days before I finally got ahold of Cindy for an update. She stated that there may have been a technical issue when she sent the referral over to the ABA provider, so she would send it again. In other words, she forgot to, just like she forgot to call me about the inclusion program. Again, more time went by with no communication, whatsoever, so, after putting a lot of effort towards contacting Cindy again, she finally wrote me an email saying there's a waiting list for ABA. I said we would wait a little longer, as I really, really wanted our child to attend this school. Weeks went by with no communication, so, reality finally sank in for me, and we decided to not let this place waste any more precious early childhood time, so I began the process of enrolling our child into a different school. I informed Cindy via email that we were disappointed with her lack of communication and for wasting time, and that I had located another program for our child. I requested our deposit back, as well as our school supplies, and stated that my husband or myself would come by and pick them up. Cindy finally responded and unapologetically offered to mail me a check for our deposit, along with $100 for the school supplies. So, that means they used our things without our permission. What would have happened if our child began school at First Discoveries and she had no supplies because they had the audacity to use (steal) our possessions? So, after stating that the supplies were worth $130, and that they didn't have permission to use our things, but we would accept Cindy's offer of the deposit plus $100, here I am waiting for our shorted refund. Too bad we can't receive a refund for our time, emotions, and effort this place wasted. Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise because now I know why my husband had a bad feeling, and I would never trust this place with my child. Learned my lesson.

Our kids love attending First Discoveries. They offer full time care and after school care. They've…read moreestablished so many positive relationships with teachers and other students. It's great to see all the kids get along so great when dropping off and picking up. Definitely recommended

Wow, how extremely impressed I am by the happy attitudes, knowledge, and professionalism of all the…read morestaff and members at this School. As you walk down the hall, each and every teacher or staff member that you pass, will greet you with the biggest smile as if you've known each other and have been friends for the longest time. This is my son's first year here, he is in the fifth grade and wow, what a breath of fresh air. We attended a program last night at the school where the school patrols were given their well-deserved badges, and where the teachers informed parents on many exciting things happening in class and many more to come. This school is definitely headed for an A school rating. Great Job!!!

School hasn't even started and I'm already impressed by the staff and how things are being run…read morearound here. Everything is organized by what I have seen so far. I'll be writing another "updated" review once school gets underway:-)

This place sucked! Mrs.Plesina or whatever that witches name is was emotionally abusive! I remember…read moreher yelling at me across the room for getting a 78 while other kids got such a smaller grade! I was picked on I was the "anger doll" In her eyes. That women had anger issues for sure and needs to be put in therapy! I remember crying in my moms bathroom because she wrote a note asking for me to go back down to 2 grade and my mom explaining she is doing it because she doesnt want me to be yelled at by her or upset after school because she was being bitchy to me! I was 9! 9!!! and dealing with such a devil! Laughed at me when I cried or pushed me to move faster in the hallways. She is lucky I was young and innocent if it was now I would have yelled at her back and attack. After I went back a grade because of her she did anything to pick on me in the hallways. I hope she burns in hell with her career. Now done about the teacher I wanna talk about the kids. I was bullied and beat on the play ground by 4 older kids and no one did ANYTHING! THEY DIDNT EVEN HAVE TO SPEAK ABOUT IT WITH A TEACHER! IT WAS "YOUR FINE" OR "TATTLE TAIL" Thinking about what I went through kills me breaks me down in tears. I chopped my hair off out of anger that school made me upset with myself kids made me think I was ugly. I WAS HIDING UNDER A PURPLE JACKET FOR 2 YEARS BECAUSE THEY MADE ME HATE MY BODY. If you want your kid to deal with bullies and stupid teachers that dont care for your grades go right ahead and put them in this school. take it from someone who has seem the darkest deeps of this school dont just dont.

Great school. Front office staff is friendly and helpful. Teachers are good and my son loves it!read more

There is a lot of fights at this school and the food is not very good the students are mean. The…read morefaculty and staff is nice they treat students very well. The End

Very disappointed with all the fights, bullying, and vaping...Whe I was walking passed the…read morebathrooms in the hallway to get to my elective there was a strong smell of smoke coming from it...I was very excited for my first year of middle school but did not expect it to be like this.. When I was taking a test I was interrupted by another student many times but nothing even happened when I told the teacher....PS do not send your child there especially if there shy.

This school has lost it focus for student care, safety and its purpose to Defend it!! After a 3…read moreyear run with this Academy, I cannot in good faith recommend this Charter School to any child, or parent that cares about a well run Administration that aren't afraid of the parent's that take over the parking lot like a bunch of Nascar fool's. This school has definitely got issue's when it comes to their drop off and pick up procedures. Maybe they could recruit Chick-filA employees to better run that drop off line. It's a joke. The parent's driving should be held accountable for their bad driving, speeding thru the crosswalks, getting out of their cars and dressing their children blocking the lines, stopping in the 1st lane halfway between buildings to let their kid out, then expect someone to just let them cross over 2 more lanes to leave. They do what they want. I can't support a school, when they clearly cannot grasp the concept of Drop off and Pick up. I've moved my children to another school.

The school as a whole is great. My simple complaint and the reason for my review is regarding a…read morespecific teacher (Ms. Wilson) of the 1st grade class. We ask that you evaluate this teacher's attitude when she is in class with the students. The manner in which she speaks to them radiates frustration and anger, I don't speak to my children in the tone she does and they certainly don't deserve it from their teacher. These are very young children and some fragile, as such they shouldn't be berated for simple errors. We are all playing a part in shaping their futures and her toxic attitude does not help shape them in a positive manner. Take a moment and listen in on her lessons and you'll plainly notice that she's not in the right profession.

Such a great school. They have done such an amazing job with my son. Teachers, staff, are all so…read morewelcoming to him. He has improved to become an honor roll student thanks to they some of the tutoring programs that they have enrolled him in. Oh, and they are super nice to us if we are running behind or have to pick him up early for appointments and such. This is a Choice school for us, and we could not be happier. Go Sharks

Haven't had any bad experiences with my child going here…read more Symmes has been a safe and good environment for my child to learn and grow.