I was born and raised in India, and lived in Singapore for a few years. Coming to Verde Valley…read moreSchool for 2 years (graduated in 2006) helped me understand, assimilate, and learn the American culture. Additionally, I had classmates that were from many countries like Korea, Germany, Japan, Turkey, and Vietnam among many others. I now have a successful career, the foundation of which was set many years ago at VVS. I didn't even know how to do my own laundry when I came to this school. It really does prepare you for the real world.

Attending this school for two years was a pivotal part of my life. In that period, I grew from a…read moreboy into a young man, developing a sense of world citizenship, environmental stewardship and hard-working leadership. I continue to hold these values very close to my heart, and they have been a springboard for success in my career. Verde Valley has my highest recommendation.

I've always been excited about this Montessori School. It's the reason we moved to Sedona. My kids…read morestarted here in 1st grade in 2006. There are small, multi-age classrooms, some seriously dedicated teachers who go above & beyond and so many off campus trips! On a yearly basis: 3rd graders go the Grand Canyon, 4-6th grades go to the Biosphere and several trips to local campgrounds and events, the 6th graders spend a week in Havasupai, the 7th & 8th graders go to Tombstone for a few days, The Montessori Model United Nations students go to NYC for a week & the 8th graders spend a week on Catalina Island. This is in addition to the various local trips that come up throughout any given year for all grades. The Montessori style of teaching allow for the kids to become independent learners. The environment is provided and they are allowed to explore it and in essence, come out of the experience with a lifelong love of learning. Anyone can memorize facts, spit them back & forget them and all my kids will have plenty of time to do that after this school! The creativity each of these classrooms fosters can be seen in their community garden, the after school Farmers Market, the off campus farm, the violin concerts by the 1st through 8th graders, their award winning presence in the St. Patrick's Parade every year, their artistic creations with holiday lights for the past several years at Red Rock Fantasy, their Bohemian Night of the Arts event, the Monthly Coffee House performances, the student created plays by the 4-6th graders, fund raising theater productions by the 7th & 8th graders, internet radio show, their Mystery History presentations where the 4-6th graders have to get their classmates to figure out what historical figure they're portraying in the "1st person style" of performance, and the uniqueness of the set up and decor of each classroom. The three individual classrooms have their own Principal Educator who is with the students on a daily basis, all day long. Currently (2013) the Lower Elementary P.E. (1st-3rd) is Bob http://www.sedonacharterschool.org/#!__faculty the Upper Elementary (4th-6th) is Bill http://www.sedonacharterschool.org/#!__faculty/upper-elementary and the Middle School (7th & 8th) is Kathleen http://www.sedonacharterschool.org/#!__faculty/middle-school Alice is the Business Administrator and Finance Director in the office. http://www.sedonacharterschool.org/#!__faculty/staff The classrooms individually have their own events as well as interdependently coordinate for "All School" festivities throughout the year. The school received an A rating by the State of Arizona this year and is the highest rated Elementary School in West Sedona according to greatschools.org They've gone up and down over the years directly corresponding with which teachers have come and gone. This year, I'm extremely happy with the current team in place in all the classrooms. http://www.greatschools.org/arizona/sedona/#9/schools/ Upon one of my kid's request, I home schooled last year after they spent 6 years here (which, by the way, Sedona has a GREAT Home-school Community!) This year, for 8th grade, they couldn't resist the pull of the trips that happen at this school. For as long as the teachers that are currently there stay on, I can highly recommend this school.

Our children have been going to Sedona Charter School for two years and we really like the…read moreMontessori-style education they teach here. It really allows the student to explore and learn at their own pace and in the mode they learn best.

Pace is a school that is ok. It can help you get done with…read moreschool quick or as slow as you need it to be. The school has got so of the worst teacher's now that they fired 2 great teachers and push 1 to quit i wouldnt want anyone to work at this school. For next year 2018/2019 students your in for one hell of a bummp ass ride.

Pace Academy is a computer-based High School that has been around for at least 10 years. It has…read morebeen a low rated school for 7 of those years and the owners have been convicted/accused of bad money dealings. In the past 4 years, it has gone from an F rating, according to the AZ Dept. of Ed., to a C rating. In these years, there were the first 2 certified Teachers; one of these being a full-time Special Education (SPED) Teacher/Director. The students at this school were some "Last Chance" students. This means that these students had no where else to go, are Hispanic and needed help with the new immigration laws, are trying to exceed and graduate early, makeup lost credits, etc. Until the first week of July, 2013, this school did not abide by Arizona Law and provide public with School Board notifications and minutes of meetings. Now that they have, they have also put their budget for public review. Their SPED budget has dropped 20% because they did not renew the contract of the SPED Director. This impacts at least 20 SPED students who will not get full-time services required by Federal Law. Their updated website claims they are certified by Association For Performance-Based Accreditation. This company? has not existed for years. Staff were told to tell Parents, Students, etc. to say that the school is accredited through the State of Arizona; even though the above mentioned Accreditation was still on the wall. The website also claims that "any school will accept the credits..." Not true. There are District schools in Prescott and Camp Verde that do not accept their credits. The military considers Pace Academy diplomas as GEDs. The only 2 certified Teachers this school has had were not asked to return. The reason given, "The school is going in a different direction and does not want to be considered a school of last resort." For the past 4 years, there has been no certified Math Teacher of English Teacher. The lady that remains at the Camp Verde Campus is a Parapro who is expected to teach English. She is respected by the students at that campus. The lady at the Prescott Valley campus brags about being the "Wicked Witch", is not respected by the students, and is expected to teach English and does it when it's convenient. I feel sorry for the students most of all. They are great folks and I hope they can succeed in the new environment.

This has been the best thing I could have done for my son. A college preparatory education with…read moreplenty of life changing outdoor experiences and guidance are just what have helped him become a better person.

It was a last gasp for poor or expelled students from elsewhere. There are much better choices…read moreelsewhere in the country.