Pulled my kids out. The principal is super aggressive with parents. If you ever question anything, his response is to give you a transfer form and say its a choice. Got it. Choosing to leave. Try listening to feedback rather than pretending it doesnt exist.

Please pay attention to the many negative reviews from parents and teachers and save yourself the heartache we experienced in having to unexpectedly and urgently withdraw our child from Peak Charter Academy. Dont be swayed, like we were, by the shiny new school or the awards that the school has received. It is all for show and they really push parents to vote for them multiple times so that they win these awards. At the beginning of the year, we quickly realized that our childs teacher was dangerously incompetent and made inappropriate statements to the children. She was so incompetent that she couldnt write a sentence without multiple spelling and grammatical errors. She also made basic math mistakes that her second-graders had to correct for her. We believed that there was a very real risk of our child learning nothing for the entire year. We thought that the reasonable thing to do would be to arrange a meeting with Principal Pond to discuss our concerns. We very politely requested a meeting with him. To say that we were met with a brick wall is an understatement! Not only did Principal Pond refuse to meet with us, but he aggressively replied that if we werent happy, we could leave the school. No discussion. Shockingly, there was no desire on his part to even learn what the problem was, let alone investigate it. Basically, in every interaction with the administration at this school, parents and teachers are repeatedly given the message that “it’s our way or the highway.” They refuse to listen to or acknowledge feedback, let alone act on it, no matter how much the children might suffer as a result. Children are not the priority here. It is a draconian place where all that matters is robotically agreeing with the administration and that your child tests at grade level so the principal hits his targets and receives his bonuses. If your child tests above grade level, it’s tough, since there is no individualized or differentiated learning AT ALL (another lie spouted on tours). Sadly, if your child tests below grade level, you will be encouraged to leave Peak so that their precious overall test scores dont drop. If you care about your childs wellbeing and want them to be in a nurturing environment where they will love learning , please carefully read the multiple negative GreatSchools and Google reviews and DO NOT send them to Peak Charter. You owe it to your child and to yourself for your voice to be heard and for them to be the priority and that will never, ever happen at this school.

My daughter has been at Peak since they opened, but I just read on the Peak Parent Facebook group that my daughters favorite teachers are leaving along with many others. There has always been a revolving door of teachers, but this appears to be an exodus. Im concerned, especially when the most loved and experienced teachers are leaving. I did a quick web search and learned that the principal makes three times as much as many of his staff. How about giving the teachers more support? Where are the floaters we were promised to help in the younger grades. We were also promised small class sizes. My daughters classes last year and this year had 31 kids. With class sizes so big, another set of hands would certainly help.My daughter is also extremely gifted, but is not challenged. Peak promised us differentiated instruction, but online learning gave me a unique insight to the cookie cutter approach. She is lucky in that she doesnt need any help from the teacher. But I also know that other school systems offer programs to enrich gifted learners.Finally, Im not sure what changed the last two years, but the focus of Peak is not on the community and well-being of the students and teachers. The admin loves the parents who agree with how he manages his business, but if any parent raises a concern, they are not respectfully heard. In fact, he has been known to police the private Peak parent Facebook group if he sees something he doesnt like. I imagine we may get one of his lengthy legalese letters after reading this review. And I see from other reviews that NHA requests that we reach out for support. I have done that through numerous school emails and parent surveys. I wouldnt be posting publicly, if my concerns were heard. I will be looking into other options for the upcoming a school year.

If you are considering sending your child here please know the following before you do. Our child went to Peak for two years and this is the reality of the experience:Steve Pond, the school principal, only cares for his accolades and will aggressively back up his staff, regardless of what the issues are or how much damage is being caused to the students. We experienced amateur and destructive teaching every day during virtual school and our concerns were washed away with defensive ignorance. Neither the principal nor his deans will take any parent concerns into account and only protocols matter. Mr. Pond also polices the parents private facebook group and, if anything negative is written about the school, he has it removed and emails a reprimand to the parents. I personally know three different families with whom this occurred.Students are factory workers and only test scores matter. If your child underperforms, they will be encouraged to leave - we saw this often, which was very sad. The work becomes overwhelming and no other option remains. If students are advanced, there is no true challenge or gifted program. Peak says there is no need for an AIG program because they supposedly offer differentiated groups. This is blatantly false. There is no differentiated work and there are no differentiated groups. All of the work given to the children of the same grade is exactly the same, as has been confirmed to me by several staff members. Our child is advanced and is now being thoroughly challenged in a WCPSS school where they let you accelerate through SSA and join AIG classes. She is finally blossoming and sees that school can be both challenging and fun. None of this AIG challenge or acceleration is possible at Peak. Be Warned that what they tell you on the tours and on the open days is completely false and made up to sell the school. They are fundamentally against the idea of addressing or acknowledging the needs of advanced learners.The core work at Peak is drab, reproduced and dull. Repetitive activities lead to uninspired kids who quickly learn that this is what kids are supposed to do: work, sleep and repeat. There is no joy here, no love of learning, and the huge annual teacher exodus demonstrates how the lack of joy extends almost all the way up the chain. The principal finds joy in his fake awards (parents are pushed heavily to vote multiple times for him) and his deans role is to maintain the almost dystopian Peak system functioning with its goal of keeping students proficient and strictly no more. When we approached the principal with valid concerns, we were immediately rejected without his even wanting to hear what the concerns were. He refused to meet with us (again, not knowing what our concerns were) and his response to our meeting request was that, if we didnt like it, we could leave. Witnessing virtual teaching was enlightening. Seeing so many students bored and hearing so many of their ideas blanked by the teacher in favor of them following the daily Peak mantra was very sad. We ultimately saw bright kids give up on creative and extended-thinking altogether and stop talking. We left and are very happy at our WCPSS school, yet are sad to think of the young minds still in the machine, losing their individuality and will to learn and think freely. We are extremely glad we got out.

Please read the GreatSchools reviews. They are more accurate without the unnecessary sugarcoating by other parents. Would 100/10 NOT recommend your child(ren)to attend this school

Our family is so lucky to be accepted by Peak Charter Academy . All teachers and staffs try their best to give helps to us.We are so much appreciated.Thanks again for Peak Charter great team!

We have been very happy with our 6 th graders experience here. There are no clicks, which is huge for middle school. They can be themselves and the students are kind to each other. The teachers have been good and the principal is very communicative and friendly. We are grateful we switched, and now we don’t have the threat of being reassigned every year with WCPSS.

Not a good experience. Carpool was horrible and the hybrid classes really hurt. Teacher was always just half present. Promised smaller classes than we had, too. Left after 1 year.

Horrible experience we have encountered at the school. Principal has certainly some issues. In few words overly hyper and aggressive behavior.Extremely demanding and uncooperative staff and majority of teachers.it will definitely lower the confidence of your child.This school is in business cause of high demand of waiting list of the students not knowing that they are getting into boot camp.Please do your research before pulling your child into this school.

I was a 2020 grad of peak and loved it. The teachers were always supportive and there was never any bullies in any of the years I was there. The staff, deans and principle were all kind. The only thing I have to say is that some of the rules were kinda ridiculous for middle school like walking on a blue line. But overall a great school and a wonderful community. I highly recommend checking it out!

I love this school! To the front office Ms Shauna is awesome, Principal Pond is great, Dean Gorman, and Miss Walker. My son is so happy to go to school and we are fortunate to have found a school that will have such good impact on my son!

We have been at Peak Charter from the very beginning. My son started the 1st year it opened and is now in the 2nd grade and he is doing very well. We are very happy at Peak! Principal Pond is awesome and always can be seen lending a helping hand in any capacity! We love the attentive staff as well. I feel that I have been able to partner with my sons teachers and the staff in general to aid in bringing out the best qualities in my son and also challenging him to do his very best! The school trips are fun as well as the extra activities they have for the children throughout the year continue to PEAK (lol) their interest again and again! :) When I ask my son if he likes his school etc. He always says he loves it and when on vacation he cant wait to get back to see his teachers and friends. His opinion really matters to me as he spends most of his day there. In summary! We love Peak! :)

Im impressed with this school; its committed to excellence in education, it always respects to the diversity, it keep emphasizing the morals and values.The staff is always helpful, friendly and accessible.Just missing High School.

Both my girls went to DDE in Cary, so I was reluctant to switch over to Peak Charter. I’m glad I did, this is our second year there. It’s a great neighborhood school within walking distance of our home. My girls are happy, maintained their grades and made new friends. I love the security entering the school. It’s great not to worry about my kids being in a trailer. There’s no over crowding, so they’re still able to pay attention to student needs. The principal, staff and teachers are awesome. I love the uniforms, arts, music and athletic programs. Overall, I’m very impressed with the school so far.

Subpar at best, classes are huge in lower grades. 28-30 in first and second grade. One teacher and no floater like they claimed. Having trouble getting subs when needed. My son’s class was divided in two and added to the other two classes for three full days. Teachers stretched thin, how can you give adequate attention to at least 28 second graders? Lessons given to the group and then left to continue on their own. If you’re not a parent that stays on top of it then your child could fall behind. Ask why so many seats opened midyear? Many exited the school as we did. I had the kicker of them loosing my son at carpool for a full 30 min. They didn’t know if he could have gotten onto a aftercare bus or went to carpool. We had to call all over for 30 min (me from work and my husband inside the school) we were terrified. At no time was anyone at the school reassuring. We thankfully found him waiting outside in carpool wondering where his dad was. He asked a teacher several times if his number was called and she told him it must have been a mistype. We never received a call from the principal after, yet we did from the director of the aftercare program who didn’t even have our son. I had to request a meeting with the principal to which he was glib, procedural and non apologetic. His mannerisms left me with zero confidence in his decisions. At one point he chided my husband for him saying to “call the cops” and then added that my son was facing the wall talking to friends. Two lies right to my face. There are strict rules about their backpacks to the wall and he’d been outside so long there were no friends out there. There is no accountability with this principal.

So many wonderful school options in our area, find one that will listen and care about the safety and well being of your child. Children deserve to be treated with respect and kindness.

I used to be in that school and i am sad that i cant meet my friends again i was in the 3rd grade

This is Benjamin rosen, a former student at this school in its first years, this is a terrible, greedy and upright dehumanizing school that any parent should despise with a fiery passion. In my experience, I was suspended a total of 14 times for minuscule and trumped up reasons while the community of bullies thrived without consequence and the children and adults that made my life miserable were never stopped while I was repeatedly reprimanded and harassed by the staff. I would rather die than go back.

I go to the school and I really like it here it is so fun!

Great school! We’ve been very happy here the last 2 years!

Excellent school. My daughter learns more and is much happier than her previous public one.

My children have been attending Peak Charter Academy this school year and we love the school. Definitely recommend it!

We love Peak Charter! Principal Pond is the best!

My daughter came to Peak Charter in 6th grade and has never been happier! Love principal Pond and staff.

Great school! My son is doing great in school thanks to the care of the teachers and faculty.

I honestly can not be more disappointed with this school. First off, the teachers are constantly yelling and scolding. Second, the teachers and staff show constant favoritism. Third, the policies are so stupid. I had my child enrolled then we emailed the teachers about possibly moving then got unenrolled. Fourth, the principal is very rude and just wants your money.

This school has so many unnecessary and harsh rules that do not give the same experience as a public school

This school gives to much pain to the kids, you get a lot of homework and you will get use to having bad manners.

Yes

I loved this school before covid started but this school is getting too crazy with health mandates.This school forces kids to wear masks all day.