I attended AVCS for four years. I'm a highly intelligent individual.
This school is terrible. Flat out terrible.
My Algebra II teacher didn't know what she was teaching-- we had a Junior trying to teach us as HE learned the subject. The truth of the matter is that some of the teachers are either poorly-qualified to teach, or simply not qualified at all.
Discipline? Across the spectrum. Once, a teacher locked his entire class in the room, into the next period, because he was mad about something or other. Another crazy teacher started screaming at his class until he was red in the face and dripping sweat. At the other end was the teacher who was so nice we conned her into letting us go to the computer lab after we finished our classwork, because the comp teacher was so naive he didn't realize we had the entire network running Unreal Tournament 16-player deathmatches.
The office staff, mentioned in another review, is a bunch of soccer moms. They get in everyone's business. Not in that "guiding hand, sharing of wisdom" kind of way. More like that "this is what I believe you should do, and if you don't, I'm going to make your school experience hell on earth."
They also play favorites, blatantly. My best friend and I broke the same rule at the same time. I got suspended for a week. He got talked to and released back to class. Why? He'd been there since elementary, and I was on scholarship.
The most important people to the school are the Foreign Exchange students, and rightfully so. They finance the majority of the school's budget because they pay ridiculous amounts of money to go there. However, these students are treated very poorly. Not inhumanely, but I wouldn't want to be one of them. Former dorm parents have espoused to me their shock at the way things were run in the dorms.
Let's see, what else? Oh, most high schools have some semblance of a guidance counselor, college-prep kind of staff. Non-existent, at least when I was there. I graduated second in my class, and was never once exposed to college preparation, apart from my SAT. Don't get me started on their so-called "AP" offerings-- they're sad to the point that I wouldn't feel comfortable claiming credit for them.
Don't let them con you with their generosity, either. It only extends as far as your checkbook and willingness to do things for them. A friend of mine got kicked out one month before graduating because of tuition. His dad couldn't pay it, he was late. I understand that. However, if you're gonna boot someone from High School, don't do it so late into the year he has no choice but to either go through another year or get his GED. That is cold.
If you or your kids end up going to this school, be prepared to experience two-facedness, bigotry, ignorance, incompetence, and stubbornness on levels that should out-and-out shock you.
Oh, and we have a saying for one of the administration: "Heil Hester!"
Posted 09/30/09 | Report Abuse
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I have two boys at this school, one in Preschool and one in First Grade. The preschool teacher may leave something to be desired personality wise, but my son is happy and loves it. We love the first grade teacher and our son is thriving. We tried one year of public school first and it was a nightmare...we will never go back to public school God willing. I am not sure about the high school...we have a couple of years to figure it out.
Posted 03/24/09 | Report Abuse
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My children have been in that school for several years. Elementary was OK if you look beyond the lies and "christian faith"so everyone is safe and secure. You can never get in touch with any one of authority with straight answers. The office staff is horrible either "soccer moms", relatives, or act and look like battered women and the walking dead. The high school principal is a joke I'm so glad I pulled my children out of that school. No one is in charge. every event is not planned. They try to rule by intimidation with the kids. The PTF is a joke they hold nominations in the summer by email. If any parent if educated with half a brain that school will drive you crazy. They are liars and dangerous to children. Hardly no one goes there in high school.
Posted 09/03/08 | Report Abuse
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An extremely bad experience.
by Anonymous
My little boy went to this school for a few months, but we pulled him because he was so frightened about going. He especially spoke of "naughty notes", and his fear of getting one. I know that when I would drop him off there, I felt horrible, because it was an unruly mess in his room, and the teacher was doing a lot of yelling at the children. Another "helper" was reading a book to the children, but could barely read! It was quite astonishing! My husband and I pulled him from there, and took him to Sunshine Factory where he excelled and blossomed, and is now having a fabulous kindergarten experience! I'm sorry, but I would definitely have to say that AVCS was not a great experience for my little guy.
Posted 04/21/07 | Report Abuse
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I have to disagree with the post from the former teacher at this school. The teachers are caring and the curriculum is challenging. My daughter is in Kindergarten and is reading, cursive writing, learning social studies in a safe and caring environment. We are very happy with the school and the teachers. I went to public school orientation and knew that there was no way I would allow my child to attend. Public schools teach to the test and that is it. At AVCS the students are challenged but learn at their pace. I highly recommend AVCS and I am thankful another parent recommended this school to me.
Posted 01/18/07 | Report Abuse
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This is a school where first and foremost, to the exclusion of any other consideration, the teachers are devout evangelical Christians. The administrators seem to think that everything else will fall into place educationally if this is the case.
Unfortunately, being a good Christian doesn't not necessarily mean you will be a good educator. Or even a so-so one. Or even a not-horrible one.
And, when you pay teachers crap, you get crap teachers. Yes, as you can tell, I taught there. And it was horrible. And unethical. And the teachers taught to the test-- they were instructed to. (I was horrified) The vast majority of the "teachers" had had no prior experience as educators. The guy in the classroom next to mine was a laid-off janitor. I kid you not.
For religious education in the AV, try Paraclete.
Posted 04/21/06 | Report Abuse
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