Northlake Academy was the most disappointing school experiences we've had, out of 4 private schools in the area with our 3 kids. It's close, cheap, but that's about it. Teachers leave, curriculums are disorganized. Despite the small class sizes, our children received little support from staff over the years until we called it quits. Teachers mostly blame kids and parents during teacher parent conferences. Communication was very difficult, especially with the principal's sporadic and illogical blame emails and "no reasons for concerns". Teachers aren't native speakers with thick accents, the qualified teachers left for other schools. ITBS scores are faked, since they spend a month rehearsing almost the same tests and memorizing. Many kids we know were not qualified for accelerated classes at other schools. The restrictive year-long contract signed in Jan/Feb leaves families locked-in before final grades and staff changes. They don't release contracts and brush away parental concerns. read more

Fully agree with another review here from Mindy H. Our son was expelled in 2 days for 'behavioral problems'. He was going to a daycare for a full year, before going to Northlake. The attitude in previous school was to help him if he fumbles. The apathy from preschool lead teacher was appalling. He was least welcomed. Who does that to a 3 year old. After 2 days of education, she also kept the deposit. Really regret the decision to even trying this school. read more

It's very unfortunate to read the negative reviews of Northlake below because I completely disagree. We have had our daughter enrolled at Northlake exclusively for the past 5 years (since she was 18 months old) and could not be more pleased. She is currently in the Kindergarten program and is thriving, loves school, and feels a part of a wonderful community. I have been continuously impressed with the quality of the teachers at the school, the genuine care and love they have for kids, and the well rounded curriculum, in every age group. They offer extra curricular activities that are included in the tuition (zumba, gymnastics, soccer, foreign language, music, etc) that you won't find anywhere else. The entire staff is always warm and friendly and are able to connect with every child in whatever way the individual child needs in that given moment. I would highly recommend Northlake Academy to anyone looking for a school with a nurturing environment, great teachers and wonderful education. read more

If you're even considering enrolling your child into this "school", I would hope you can afford a good lawyer. You will need this lawyer to get you out of the contract when Sue decides, on the THIRD WEEK of school, she doesn't want your child in her school anymore but will sue you if you do not pay tuition for the rest of the year. This "school" had suspended my child 3 times (in the first three weeks of school) and threatened to expel (but we'd still have to pay tuition for the entire year), my FOUR-YEAR-OLD child for being "disruptive" and "unruly" for having a hard time sitting all day studying for those unending standardized tests they use to show off scores to parents of future prospective students. My FOUR-YEAR-OLD wanted to play and run around, the school wanted him to sit and learn, in one place, all day. Instead of working with him to gradually be able to sit for that long a period of time, the teachers and Sue decided it would be more convenient for them if they just called me or my husband to take him home, every single time he wouldn't sit for their lesson. They would call and tell us we have 40 minutes to come get him. This happened EVERY, SINGLE, DAY, every time he wouldn't sit or was arguing with a classmate, or wasn't completing tasks as expected. Though I had my doubts a four-year-old should be sitting for that many hours on end, I asked Sue (since his teachers would not communicate directly with us but would rather speak only through Sue, the owner of the school) if there was anything we, his parents, could do to help him get adjusted to these new and more rigid ways of schooling. Her answer was that we were not doing a good job punishing him and were obviously "enablers". Mind you, at this point we were already having daily talks with him, daily lectures, time-outs with him every day regarding these problems in school. We had taken away his privileges. I'm not quite sure how much "punishing" Sue wanted us to inflict to prove we weren't "enablers", as we had tried everything within our power without any actual advice from anybody at Northlake. I became alarmed when Sue said my son's behavior was "dysfunctional" and that she would soon be expelling him if he didn't learn to fall in line with the expectations of her school. I contacted his teachers at the preschool he attended before Northlake and was told in no uncertain terms that he showed no "dysfunction" and that we should strongly consider pulling him out of a school that would throw those kind of words around about a four-year-old child, after THREE WEEKS of knowing him, and especially when they are not medically qualified to do so. Still I worried that maybe Sue and the Northlake teachers might've been seeing something I didn't with my subjective parents' eyes, so upon Sue's suggestions, I signed my son up to take a mental assessment test from a pediatric psychiatrist who didn't find any kind of behavioral disorder that needed addressing. We took him for a second opinion, and the pediatric therapist at the second place was actually so alarmed about the things Sue was expecting and possibly forcing from these kids, they contacted her and insisted on sitting in on classes for weeks (out of their own concerns and without payment from me) to make sure my son wasn't being mentally abused by them. They too advised strongly that we take our son out of Northlake. We were in such a scary position because we couldn't quit our jobs but we also could not afford to pay for another daycare if we still had to pay the tuition at Northlake for the rest of the year. On another note regarding sitting in on class. Before you sign the contract with Northlake, and Sue tells you that the school has an open-door policy where you can visit and observe your child during class hours to make sure they are alright if a concern should arise, make sure to GET THAT IN WRITING in the contract. She told us this would be no problem, but when we wanted to come observe some of the "dysfunctional behavior" for ourselves, all of a sudden that was against the rules. My child did wonderfully in his preschool before we moved and enrolled in Northlake. He has done wonderfully in the school he's attended for 2 years after Northlake. It was only during the time at Northlake that he was ever accused of being a dysfunctional child. Everything Sue promises, make sure to get it in writing! Or better yet, don't put your child and family through the stress and emotional (not to mention financial) strain of dealing with this "school" and consider somewhere, anywhere, else! read more

Our daughter moved here about a year ago from another (much more expensive local daycare) at age 4. We have been in the preK class with her absolute favorite teachers Ms. Fanny & Ms. Marjan. She had no issues with the transition to the new school and every drop-off has been easy since day 1. She actually gets sad on weekends because she misses school. The quality of education here is great but what really makes the school successful is the way they empower and appreciate their teachers thus attracting and retaining people that love their jobs. The extracurricular activities (particularly Zumba and Japanese) are a big hit and another reason my daughter runs out of the car every morning. Lastly, with regards to some of the negative reviews written on here I must say that I do not know the specifics of their situations, but I actually appreciate the fact that violent or problem children are excluded from school. Not every kid is an angel despite ever parents belief. My daughter is small for her age and in previous schools she had bruises and bite marks from kids that would push her around on the playground. Teachers can't watch every child, every minute and the directors in these schools were unwilling to exclude repeat offenders for the sake of other children. Boils down to this, if you are looking for a safe, affordable education in a caring environment and your child doesn't act a fool then this place is highly recommended. You will note that there are quite a few five star reviews not shown by Yelp. For whatever reason their algorithm chose to exclude them. read more

I can't imagine our lives without Northlake Academy! The warm and personable team of teachers and educators has made us feel like family. I did a lot of research and tours before choosing Northlake Academy. Northlake Academy gives my children (two girls - two and four year olds) a comfortable place where I don't worry about the safety of my children. Not only do both of my girls enjoy learning how to read and write, but also how to be good friends with their classmates. Northlake also provides extra programs as part of the regular programs (no additional cost!!) such as Spanish, Japanese, Zumba, and Gymnastic to name a few. My girls love to sing and move their little bodies just like what we as parents would expect for the toddler and preschooler love to do. I always enjoy watching their "show-off" events - Zumba dance show and winter performance (singing songs in English and foreign languages)! We strongly feel that we, as parents, are a big part of our daughters' education, working with their teachers as a team, to help our daughters prepare for their schooling years. We can't wait to see our girls grow physically and intellectually - filled with confidence and bright smiles at Northlake many more years to come. read more

This school is one of the best school on the eastside in terms of learning, overall structure, loving & caring teachers, bright and colorful classrooms. My son has absolutely loved this school, teachers and friends. We are so happy that my son got a chance to go this school and have a life time of memories. I am grateful to Ms. Sue and all the teachers who made the transition so easy for my son. read more

Excellent school with challenging curriculum, Loving and great teachers, plenty of extra activities like gymnastics, Zumba, karate, piano, art. We loved our K teachers Ms.Leah and Ms.Nina who handheld my daughter and supported her emotional and educational needs. The director Sue welcomed us here and was willing to allow additional therapists come in and help my daughter at class. My daughter enjoys going to school every day and loves the activities all day. read more

My kids have been going to northlake since they were 18 months (now 8 and 3). We love this school and recommend it to everyone we know. They have wonderful teachers who treat our kids like family. My kids love it here and they are both thriving in this environment. We moved all the way to Black Diamond last year and still do the drive everyday to bring the kids here because of how academically advanced they are compared to public schools and other small private schools in my area. My 8 year old is 2 grades ahead of kids her age in a public school setting, and they offer extra curricular activities during the school day from zumba, gymnastics, spanish and japanese to technology and chess and everything in between. My 3 year old loves going to school and is ahead of kids her age. We love it here. read more

If you really care about your child don't even think about this school, they are obsessed by controlling kids and making them obey their order no matter how, even if that means destroying their personality! My kid was 18 month when he joined, he was way happier in his old daycare. Since he joined this (so called) school, he became so sad, angry frustrated and much more! I saw some of the teachers by my eyes physically force him to do what they want him to do. They don't treat kids like human beings. And they won't even tell you if there's a problem. The manager Sue is completely rude and careless with the parents. My kid was going to this school for 3 month, and then suddenly last April Sue said we can't have your kid in our school anymore! our teacher is not able to deal with him! and his last day will be May 31. Why didn't the teacher say something before if she's really having hard time dealing with our kid? Why would she say every day that he's very smart and going to be great leader? Why suddenly tell us, go take your kid somewhere else! that's not professional at all! Also when we told them we can't find another school that soon and if they can keep him until we find a good one, they said no! that's his last day! seriously !! that's was very shocking since the teacher never mentioned that she's having hard time with him. Also before that, Sue used to send kids school if they are understaffed and saying that the kids have cold. I went to the doctor and got a paper saying that my kid is fine and healthy and can go to school, however Sue keeps sending the kids back and saying"we are private school and we have the right to send kids home whenever we want!" read more

My two kids went to this school before they were two years ago. The teacher student ratio 1:4 is the best in this area. All the teachers we met are great and they are kind and patient to my kids. My two kids are still in this school now and I expect we will let them stay there until they are ready to go to elementary school. read more

I have had my two daughters at this school for three years and I couldn't be happier about the growth and progress they both have made. When I first enrolled my daughters my older one was a bit shy and overly sensitive. With the love a patience the teachers have given her, she is now almost a completely different child. They have helped her become out going and more flexible. The teachers alone make me want to keep my kiddos here as long as possible. They are kind, intelligent, and really understand children. I feel comfortable with my children being with any of the teachers at this school. The extra curriculars are fantastic! My children participate in Spanish and Japanese language courses, Zumba dance, gymnastics. Karate and music. And all at such a reasonable price. This place really can't be beat! read more

Northlake is an amazing school!! The teachers are wonderful, the class sizes are small. My daughter loves it, 3 teachers in her class! Personal attention, Ms. Christina potty trained my daughter in less than a week, they make you feel part of the school, I remember every time that I approach Ms Christina with concerns about my daughters stunted speach proficiency, she tells me "don't loose your patient we are racing a bilingual kid" what I loved, because I felt that she was part of it (what it's truth) they come with solutions instead of complains. Ms Christina and Ms. Kelly give support to my daughter all the time, even on weekend she asks for them. There are fun community events, the holiday programs are amazing. We love it there. They have gymnastics (I don't have to take her or pay for extracurricular activities) Spanish and Japanese!! I feel like the way my daughter is learning, is the ideal for her age "learning through play". Also is really enjoyable seen how Ms. Sue (the principal) interacts with the kids, they love her. I'm so happy, I will recommend this school to every parent that is looking for a family oriented school. read more