Best Secondary schools in United States

Absolutely love this school, wonderful staff, teachers, teachers aids EVERYONE IS FANTASTIC. My nephew started out here and now my daughter and both my nephews go here. Their curriculum is absolutely amazing. Once my little one gets old enough she will be going to Ridge Christian Academy. I can't say enough how this school and teachers have been a blessing. They are more than willing to help i n anything you may need, just ask. This school is more than a school, they are FAMILY! Thank you Ridge Christian Academy for being the most amazing school out there.

I CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT THEY DID TO MY 4 YEAR OLD CHILD!!
Read the reviews carefully: you'll notice that the people who are happy are praising the teachers; the people who are unhappy are talking about the administration. (I didn't have any big problem with a teacher, and I guess the curriculum was mediocre, which is why I'll grant 2 stars.)
Most of the administrative staff we have encountered has ranged from merely unhelpful to straight-up obnoxious. We've been dealing with regularly getting told one thing about what to expect, and then situations ending different from what we were told. We understand that nobody's perfect and sometimes hiccups occur, but we're new here, and we expect the workers to be able to give us a dependable idea of what's going on. Then, when we've had questions or confusion based on this lack of clarity, we're often treated like we're the ones being unreasonable.
Finally, there was some mix-up about our child's medical forms. I tried asking questions in the office to better understand the way it was being handled, but they kept pointing me to policy without actually answering my questions. While I was definitely frustrated, I did not yell at anyone (my voice tends to carry well, but I didn't raise it, and even apologized for being unintentionally loud), I was not verbally abusive, I did not threaten in any way, and I continued to try to explain myself as rationally as I could. The principal ended up coming around the corner and interjecting with an attitude, basically, "Look, you've been told all there is to say, so you need to beat it." She then said that, if I continued as I was (wanting answers to my questions), she'd have the board kick my child out of school, "based on my bad attitude." I (still civilly) expressed my disappointment with this kind of treatment, especially from the principal of a supposedly Christian school, all because I had the audacity to be frustrated when no one would answer my questions ... to which the principal rolled her eyes at me.
Then, the school called my wife to inform her that there "had been a situation" with me, and the board was indeed kicking out our 4yo son from his first school experience ever, less than 4 weeks into the school year ... all because the office staff didn't like the personality of a civil but frustrated parent.
So, you decide for yourself if you want to deal with that kind of staff throughout your child's time at the school, or if you want them in charge of administrating your child's education.

Horrible experience!!. School just started 3 weeks ago and today they told me I have with withdraw my son out of the school because they say he has trouble staying on task. I told them that he’s not diagnosed with anything but we can go to a doctor to confirm if he has anything. But they told me that he still can’t go to the school. And they can’t wait for a diagnose. So they are assuming my son has some type of problem without a doctor confirming it. And I talked to my pediatrician about it and she says my son has no learning disability. He’s just a kid with a lot of energy.

I’m extremely disappointed in ridge christian. We bought the expensive uniforms spent a bunch of money and now we have to look for another school.

And his 2nd grade teacher just graduated from college this summer and has little teaching experience.
Yet she’s a teacher!
When my son was in her class they all have to use uniforms but the jackets were sold out and they told me to wait 3 weeks so I sent my 7 year old with a solid color jacket. The teacher Ms.Madera made him take off his jacket and didn’t care that he was cold! He got a terrible cold because of that!!
Horrible experience! They lost an amazing loving 2nd grader who cried his eye out because they kicked him out of the school with no valid reason!!!

This is the best school in my eyes I’ve been here for 7 years and my sister and brother did to I have went here for as long as I can remember and crescent very much IS my second home no doubt about it

Ridge Christian academy is the best school hands down. My children are learning so much and enjoy doing so. The teachers genuinely care about their students, and their academic progress. The classes are fairly small compared to other schools but the children greatly benefit from having one on one interaction with their teachers. The staff are always happy to help with any questions. It has been a tough two years but I believe my children have been led by some of the most caring and devoted people that you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. We are grateful and blessed to have our children taken care of academically and spiritually.

Both my daughters are students at RCA. One in VPK and the other in elementary. We have found a sweet family environment where both of my daughters enjoy going to school and are happy with their teachers. As a parent this brought me peace and whenever I had a question or concern I was assisted by the ladies in the office. No school is perfect but I have seen that RCA is always looking to improve and provide a better academic and spiritual experience for our children.

This school is simply amazing! My daughter has attended this school for almost 2 years. When she sees her teacher each morning she runs to her and gives her a big hug! It feels so good knowing my child loves her school! It brings my husband and I so much peace, knowing our child is so well taken care of every day. Ms. Maira is amazing! She loves my daughter like her own. The Director of the Preschool, Mrs. Toribio, is phenomenal! She truly cares about your child and their education. She has years of experience and is actively in the classrooms every day. They have an app, where you get pictures of your child daily and even see what they ate! The Principal, Mrs. Caruso, truly cares about each child/family and has years of experience in education. She is so easy to talk to and is also actively in the classrooms every day. My husband and I feel so blessed to have found this school. They truly have a spirit to serve others and instill Christian values in each child that walks through their doors. I completely disagree with the comments below. If you want your child to be truly loved by their teachers and to receive a solid Christian based education, this is the place for your family!

My family and I are so thankful we found RCA for our children. They absolutely love going to school now and adore their teachers. As a parent, I love being able to see how they are being academically challenged in class and the teachers keep the parents involved in their learning, which my husband and I love!

Seeing all the academic progress they've made since enrolling them has been so amazing. There is always fun activities for the kids and families to be involved in and the Christ-centered environment is exactly what I want my children to be surrounded by each day.

The teachers, administration and staff have been super supportive of my family and my children. I couldn't imagine sending them anywhere else.

I've had my kid here for years and never had a bad experience. 10/10 Would recommend.

This is the best academy in all of Miami-Dade, you can tell that their staff is well trained and know exactly what they are doing. Very happy with my experience!

Excellent academic the best professional and Excellent therapist.

Excellent academic the best professional

Tenemos muy buena experiencia con nuestros nietos y sobrinos en esta academia ' excelente

Best school academy in Miami lakes and Hialeah. I truly recommend MGM Academy to anyone with kids that want to see their children exceed academically and mentally. I love the location, the staff and the service that is provided to the children and the parents. Very professional, I am truly satisfied

Amazing school with a great team of therapists who truly pay attention to detail when it comes to children. I would recommend to anyone!

Very nice place. Very Professional and excellent therapist

I have read my share of mixed reviews about Muslim Education programs for children - and then thought it may be better to focus on program curriculum, longevity, and faculty credentials, rather then say 'subjective opinions/experiences'.

Perhaps my expectations were set too high for a program with 30+ years of administrative/educational acumen - however I will list a few of my said unmet expectations as a parent in search of the best learning environment for her children:

1. Proper Communication: at the very least a timeline/organization of the admission process should be outlined and adhered to; Verbal and written communication should be responded to, both thoroughly and efficiently
2. Defined Admission Requirements: admission criteria should be objective and concrete, not subjective and selective
3. Palatable Forms/Documents: if forms are not electronic, they should at least be 'fillable' (e.g., have spaces to properly document responses)
4. Proper Parent-Teacher/Faculty Communication: professional (e.g., involve an introduction to identify self/role, two-way, active-listening, include follow-up and discussion)

I write this in hopes to influence formal changes in a program with great potential, as my efforts to communicate these concerns to the current administration where unfortunately derailed by closed eyes and absent ears.

It’s a pleasure to work at FPA with my fellow co-workers and servicing students watching them glow and grow. The FPA staff is family oriented and they really live by their first values(Focus, Integrity, Respect, Self-Determination and Teamwork). I Love my FPA Family!!!!!

Great school!!!

Excellent private Christian school K - 12.

Go Hawks ! Some of my best memories happened while attending this school. Shout out to Ms. Kraut !

- Nahu, Class of 2012

Despite that, we were eager to get our 6 YO the Islamic education he critically needs, the Crescent academy has made it extremely difficult to enroll. It seems like they have deviated from their mission as a Muslim community serving school and shifted their focus to the margins. Very disappointing!!

I trust my children's education to Crescent. That's no small thing. Not only do they have a strong academic program, but they help foster that Islamic 'self' so necessary to development. Teachers and staff members are caring and my children and I truly feel like family there. I'm so grateful that my family has been able to be a part of Crescent Academy.

My child has attended this school and I must say that my child loves this school. She is challenged, engaged and still happy. The teachers are the best in the business and they push their students to do more and be the best that they can be. The classes are at a reasonable size and not over crowded. I could go on, but I'll stop by saying you can't go wrong with RCA,
One more thing... Ms. Christina in the office is the best!!

There are many bad schools but I can certainly say that it does not work as it should be. Do not pay attention to the parents when one complains and there are too many irregularities, personally they do not even reach a star. It is unpleasant in general.

The most disorganized school staff I’ve ever encountered. I called to ask for English teachers shadowing opportunities for college. (I’m not an education major yet but was wondering if education was the right one for me). I got transferred to finance which was the wrong department. Then, the person that picked up the phone in the finance department transferred me to someone else. They kept me waiting for about 5 minutes and when they finally answered, they hang up on me. This is ridiculous!

It’s a great high school .staff very nice but of course nothing is perfect attendance office they never ever answer the phone even if you send a email you always receive calls that you son is absent. I don’t know what they do all day.

FPA provides such a unique school model for our community. Teachers and staff are highly qualified and bring wonderful skills to the table while also taking the time to care about each student's character. And the time spent studying at home is priceless. Teachers truly work together with parents/families to nurture and grow the student. So thankful to have found this school!

My kids went through the elementary school years. They prepared very well. They had strong foundation in many subjects and positive attitudes overall. The environment is like home and kids grow with love and happiness.
I would highly recommend, if it is an option!

A great Christian school that allows more family involvement and family time. Teachers are caring and highly knowledgeable. A nice blend of homeschool and traditional schooling.

A community driven environment that makes each family and child in attendance feel like home. A nurturing and caring environment that any parent would feel comfortable their child is attending.

This school is positively diverse and in a great location. Most of the staff care about the students and want to help you at your time there. But some of the counselors just like to pick on you like Mr. Dodson. Don’t get on any of the teachers bad side and you’ll be fine. The students are very social and excepting. Good school

Ujamaa has changed my families life. The amazing teachers and the school's culture is exactly what our family needed. We've learned so much about about science, history, math, economics, language arts, African language and so MUCH more. Asante Sana Ujamaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the school where your children will find a strong community of forward thinking teachers. They encourage the children to think deeply about the meaning and application of their faith. My daughter has grown so much in character and identity. It is by no means a superficial environment where orders and codes are enforced without purpose. I love it, and would not trade this experience for anything!

I've mixed feelings about this institution. I was part of the "boundary battles" back in the mid 2000s, when a large chunk of Hayfield Secondary's school population was "carved away" to attend the newly opened South County Secondary. (In fact, just go check Hayfield Secondary's school boundary on the FCPS website...one of the most laughably GERRYMANDERED school boundaries in the ENTIRE district.) I was part of the "hiring committee" that brought on board the late/great Dave Tremaine (one of our most accomplished leaders) as head principal until his untimely death in 2014, and I've served in various Hayfield Secondary PTSA capacities over the past decade (including 1st VP and President), until my youngest child graduated from HSS in 2015. Perhaps even more than the ugly, divisive school boundary battle in the mid-2000s (when FCPS did little to support Hayfield Secondary), the arguably WORST injustice was changing the school's assignment in its VHSL athletic conference to the Liberty Conference, where we have LITTLE to NO chance of winning, or even tying, any sort of sports competition with the other powerhouse high schools assigned to the conference. Thank you so much, FCPS and VHSL, for marginalizing an already struggling school in terms of identity and sports competition. I'm ashamed to admit it now...but if my kids were attending Hayfield Secondary today, I'd seriously consider moving to another part of FCPS...or out of the district altogether.

Crescent Academy goes beyond being an Islamic school. Not only are the academics rigorous, but the Tarbiyah Curriculum takes Islam and implements it into every single subject. It not only provides quranic, islamic and Arabic studies, it implements the deen into their day to day lives. As parents it's our responsibility to raise our kids, no doubt, it all goes back to the home no matter where you put your kids, but Crescent helps to bring Islam alive not only at home but at school.
And for those who think you are "sheltering" your children by choosing a private school, rest assured there is so much diversity at Crescent Academy. It is diversity at its best!
I recommend Crescent to everyone, Muslim or not, I'm so happy and blessed I chose this education route for my children. If i could
Give crescent a 100/100 I would!

This is my second year there and for the most part, most of the teachers are pretty good. There are great programs/teachers for advanced students. Theres lots of school spirit and lots of extracurricular activities. There is all kinds of kids there and lots of diversity. But counselors are worthless. Lots of name calling, trash talk, ghetto behavior, and bullying going on and teachers/administrators could care less. The only thing they care about is if kids actually get into a physical fight which does happen quite often, then they take action. Christina Cashman acts like she is hot stuff because she can be really nasty to us, has no class, seems to hate kids and is really mean to most of the students, is a bully herself and uses her position to abuse us kids instead of helping us, and has the maturity level of a grade schooler. I

Yea the school might be diverse, but isn't that good? havent we been working on diversity in america for decades? people need to stop b*****ing because they want their school to be like the ones on t.v......thats never gonna happen....the teachers actually do care except for maybe a couple....but hayfield is so much better than a lot of schools i know...so quit complaining