My child struggled with the traditional classroom from K-3, and he tested into a self-contained gifted program through the public school district. In 4th and 5th, he continued to struggle to fit into the box imposed by the traditional classroom. We discovered Lumos before he entered 6th grade and it's the best choice we ever made. He is like a different kid and has blossomed over the last few years, finally getting good grades, feeling empowered to be himself, and even confidently performing on stage! The environment is warm and welcoming, and the teachers care about each student's success and help them find where they'll shine. read more

"My children began attending Lumos a couple of years ago after being homeschooled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both of my kids are adopted out of foster care and have unique special needs--one with more emotional challenges and the other with academic ones. Lumos has created an environment where they can both thrive, emotionally and academically. While I supplement their education with additional math tutoring at Mathnasium, I am grateful for how Lumos supports my children in developing healthy self-esteem and becoming the best versions of themselves. Although the school has undergone changes over the years, we have remained committed to our vision for our kids' success and continue to be happy with our experience at Lumos." read more

My daughter attended until last year. At first, Lumos was really good. But over the years standards have slid as administration changed. Now, rules are not enforced, behavior issues aren't addressed, promises aren't kept, and parents aren't notified when things go wrong. Parts of the building are unsafe, such as the bare concrete in the playroom of the elementary side. Kids spend all day indoors with no sunlight or fresh air. The quality of the staff has reflected the slide in the school and some of the best were recently let go because they stood up to administration. Additionally, the curriculum will leave your child behind. There are still a few really amazing teachers, but most are short tempered, lazy, or lack the skills needed. The school has no guidance counselor, regular counselor, school nurse, or tech support. The original concept of the school was to help kids that don't fit the standard system. Now it's more of a school for all the kids no other school will take. It's all very sad as the schools founding principles and early administration were amazing. read more

I don't even know where to start. As a student that used to attend Lumos, a lot happened and there's a lot I heard about behind the scenes. The staff are horrible. There's a very select few staff members there that are ACTUALLY experienced in what they do, and weren't just hired in a desperate need of help. Not to mention the fact that last year almost all the teachers left because they either didn't get paid enough, or just didn't enjoy being there or enjoy the way they were being treated by other staff members. The higher ups, (dean of students, principal) don't do their jobs. When there's bullying happening we're told to go to them and file a "report" against the student and it would be taken care of. Well of course it never is. I can't tell you how much bullying happens in a "non bullying school". The old administration used to be way better than it is now. They hire people who don't even know how to do their jobs and put YouTube videos in front of you while they sit on their phone. Also the fact theres no school nurse, and no counselor because every school counselor either left because they were tired of working there and the low pay, or got fired for "being too close with the students" when in reality they never were and were only trying to make sure some of the students didn't hurt themselves or kill themselves. One of those students being me. I used to learn a lot with the old teachers and with the newer ones I didn't learn a single thing. Maybe from 1 or 2 teachers and that's about it. Oh! Did I forget to mention the disrespect from the teachers themselves? Yeah..it's bad. I've been told I don't learn because I don't pay attention when in reality all I'm trying to do is pay attention!!! And the EXCESSIVE targeting from staff members from as the dean of students himself, and a few other staff members. They would fail me ON PURPOSE. Then the fact the teachers would talk to the dean of students about me doing things I never did and he'd come talk to me and basically lecture me. The amount of times I would call my parent asking to go home because I was genuinely upset and stressed from this school is insane. And in 100% honesty this school has given me more mental issues and anxiety and stress than any other school ever has. Also all the things that go on behind the scenes that I could mention in this review that I won't because it could probably get them in trouble. LEGAL trouble. They sweep all of it under the rug like it's nothing. Also..the location the school is in, is HORRIBLE!! There is TONS of homeless people around there and we haven't had a single lock down drill ever since this campus was set up. Only fire drills. If a shooter was to enter, theres nowhere to hide, the front doors are literally made of glass..it's bad. I really wouldn't recommend going here unless you find a great reason to. read more

genuine best school ever. amazing electives, everybody is nice (EVERYONE), closest you'll ever get to enjoying school.

We toured, but the administrator was mean to my lgbtq+ kid. He ignored their questions and told them they would be expected to not wear anything saying anything about their gender. They were wearing a pronoun pin and had some rainbow bracelets. I agreed that this was not a good fit. My kid cried in the car. He was the most bigoted person my kid has ever met and I regret exposing my kid to this person. I took my ESA funding elsewhere. read more

please DO NOT go. the admin team is horrible and does not take responsibility for their actions. so many great teachers either got fired or left because of how bad it is. the principal does not care about secondary students and does not listen to any of us. the teachers that remain are not good and don't get me started on the students.... you WILL get bullied and you will be pulled into unnecessary drama. and again, the admin team doesn't listen. me and many MANY other students have already left and agree with me. i'm just warning you, do not enroll here PLEASE. it used to be great, but it has turned into a horrible experience read more

Incredible. Found the place...the place where my granddaughter can thrive! She's so happy about school! She's thrilled. She loves it & so do I. Exactly what she needed. She can live out loud and in a safe, secure, caring, and nurturing environment. Wow. read more

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Love this Arts school!!!! Mrs. H and all the teachers have been amazing to my daughter!!!! shout out to the students and staff in the amazing Wizard of Oz performance I will definitely recommend others to see that show next school year. read more

My child has been attending for 2 years and this will be great number 3! Being a new school they have grown so much each year all in the right direction. It's a fun school where my child says it feels like family. From the amazing staff to the fun Art classes, great kids, and wonderful team building, we are not leaving anytime soon. I would definitely check this school out as an option for the ARTS and a different learning style. read more

I finally found a school where my son can thrive! He is doing better academically than he ever has! He's made some friends and feels accepted! The staff is amazing... Especially Ms. Horvath!!! It finally feels good to be able to take my son to a school and have him be happy! Thank you Lumos and Jim Lee for having such a big heart for our students!! read more

God Bless Principal Green and Dr Seaton for creating such a revolutionary school concept - you guys are truly creating a new scholastic paradigm. This has been such an incredible transformational year for our daughter at this Private Art Academy, she has grown leaps and bounds and is immediately applying what she has learned at school into her own photography business (Business started at 15 years old). I would have given anything to go to such an innovative school such as this and feel so blessed that our daughter has this opportunity to do so. There's no homework ever assigned, because they get it. Family time is important time not busy work time. All core classes are online, and students are encouraged to seek out help from peers (Just like you would at a job right); however, numerous teachers are there for instruction and to answer questions. Students are also allowed to work ahead whenever they choose just by logging on. Our daughter is working online whenever we go out of town or on vacation. Moreover, it's nothing like a traditional school where, for example, you would go to history first hour, math second hour, science third hour etc. The students can pick and choose what they feel they would like to work on that day. So, for instance if our daughter decides that on a particular day she just wants to work on math, then so be it and she works ahead on that subject. And on another day, she might do the same for science. Administrators, are very good about keeping on top of the students to be sure that they are not falling behind on any of the subject areas. After the core classes are completed, everything else is art related electives. It really is that awesome and hard to believe. Additionally, because they are private school they can be very picky about who they want to attend the school - which is awesome. There is absolutely no bullying at the school, and a teenage drama to a real minimum because of the way they cherry pick students to attend the Art Academy. And with that said, they are really striving for students who are focused on the arts. And as far as cherry picking goes, they do the very same with their educators. In my opinion, they are the All-Stars. They teach with passion, conviction, integrity and are all very arts driven. If you live in the East Valley and have an artistically driven child, this private art academy is for you. The school started out just 6-12, but because of its success is moving to a new location 4 times larger and adding K-12. Moreover, Lumos is a "blended" school that also intermingles autistic children on the spectrum. So, if you have artistic driven children/family/friends with children on the spectrum, this private art school is for you (State Covered Tuition for Spectrum Students) Don't let the cost of tuition scare you away either. Arizona Tax Credit Programs and the Arizona Private School Tuition Organizations helped us to pay our daughter's tuition in full, with virtually no money out of pocket. The school staff, PTO and student parents are more than helpful in directing you in ways to get your students tuition paid. To be completely honest, I was filled with much anxiety about fulfilling the tuition and very relieved how easy it became. If you want to go, they will find a way for your art driven student. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbbVb4xiT-8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QP0HEp4L4k&feature=youtu.be https://www.lumosarts.com/ https://www.facebook.com/LumosArtsAcademy/ read more