Explore Knowledge Academy

Do not waste your time with this place. I have put a lot of time and energy into finding the best school for my child. After researching EKA, exploring their website, speaking to other parents and educators, I thought I had found a contender, but boy was I wrong! I called EKA to gather a bit more information, and decided to set an appointment to tour the school.
I arrive at the school two days later for our tour and to pick up the enrollment paper work as previously arranged. It took less than three minutes in that building to cross this school off of my list, permanently.
First, we were greeted less than enthusiastically with a bothered, «hold on a minute», by a very nondescript gentleman. I’m being kind and using the term «gentleman» very loosely.
Next, a woman (again, without introduction) inquired as to why we were there. After I explained that I was considering enrolling my child and was there to learn more about their program and tour the facility, as discussed during last weeks’ phone call, she barked, «Well, have you looked at the website… everything you need to know is probably on there.»
…Yes. I’ve viewed the website and that’s what initially drew me in to consider a tour.
She then told me that they are not doing any tours and doesn’t know if and when they will be.
(???What the…) *deep breath* If that’s the case, then why was I told I could schedule this appointment to come in today for a tour and enrollment guidance…“I don’t know. We are not going to give a tour. If we do anymore, it won’t be until umm… well…umm…maybe sometime in July.
Well, ok. In that case I’ll make sure everybody knows not to waste their time here. Have a great day!
I mean seriously, if you can’t be polite, courteous, keep your scheduled appointments, or give correct and accurate information, at the very least, be apologetic for any misunderstanding that may have occurred (even though there was none and this was just pure sloppiness and laziness on their part– at least try to placate me with a standard customer service 101 apology).
This was an absolute waste of time and a horrid introduction to a place that I, obviously, now know not to entrust with my child’s education.

EKA focuses too much on projects and not enough on testing. I only lasted at this school for four days due to how awful my experience was. Students would take discussion topics out of context turing «The Princess and the Frog» into a debate on bestiality.

I find it astonishing there are so many good reviews about this school because It’s been an absolute nightmare from beginning to end, There is zero communication between parents and teachers, You call and leave a message for a teacher and receive no call back. It’s near impossible to get a message through at all, I don’t know if the messaging service on the EKA website is flawed or the staff and teacher’s just don’t care but I’ve attempted on several occasions to contact my 2^nd graders teachers and received no response. I’ve written letters, same thing. I’m just so frustrated I can’t believe their able to be run this way.
I would strongly discourage any parents looking into this school to steer clear and look elsewhere if you care about being involved in your child’s education at all. Some of us parents still believe in being hands on parents. You’re not going to be able to be that here.

I find it ridiculous in the amount of time it takes to get your child! You have to get there about 20min early (just to be able to be in some what front of the line) & of course still wait till the time they are out to not only wait another 15−20min to just get finally receive your kids! & for some reason (I find completely use less) while your sitting in your car waiting a teacher/​staff member comes walking between the lanes w/​a tablet to ask and mark down your children’s name, as if we were ordering something and waiting in line to get to the window and receive your order lol.
WHY DO THEY MARK IT DOWN? DON’T KNOW? it’s honestly not like it makes it any faster! sure makes it seem like they are organized in doing so, but I asked my child one day & she said they just say «okay (child’s name) your parent is here get ready» as a type of warning Im sure? but then she added on & said «but sometimes I can’t hear who they say because it’s really loud & I get in trouble if Im not ready because I wasn’t listening».
So my point is they need to find a new way to organize this situation. I can’t fathom the amount of waiting it takes for parents with more than one child!

My daughter has gone here for Kindergarten & 1^st grade. So far we are both happy with the facilities and the teachers. I really like the experience my daughter gets presenting the numerous projects each year, and for us, the 4 day weeks work out well.
The drop off & pick up valet does take a little getting used to, and is a bit of a pain at the beginning of each school year with everyone learning the routine, but after a week or so it’s pretty smooth sailing and I like having my kid taken out & put in my car with no far walk to her classroom.
Its nice to go into the office and have the staff know my daughter by name because it is a small school. One downside though, is that there are no art/​music/​PE teachers. Those are all taught within their core class.
My daughter loves her school!

My son started Kindergarten at EKA last fall. I had been researching schools since he was a toddler. We asked parents, visited schools, went to many orientations and researched online. We felt EKA was the best fit for our family. I love that they are project based and mix technology (every student has an iPad) with traditional (and non traditional) learning. I also like that they have longer school days and 4 day week (off Mondays). The teachers and staff have been great. My son has an IEP for speech. I mention this because of one of the negative reviews below. I have not had any issues or problems with his services. Also want to note they do have a separate resources room with specialized teachers as Heather A mentioned. Drop off and pick up can take a little getting used to (they have a valet system) but once you get the hang of it, it is not a big deal. I am so happy with our choice and looking forward to enrolling my twin girls in a few years.

They do have a resource room with a special ed specialized teacher. I have really appreciated working with the team on my child’s IEP. Can they serve all students’ IEPs? No. They do not have the full services that a traditional CCSD school. So, to expect it is a little ridiculous.

I used to adore this school until I got to high school. I’m not saying that all the people there are bad, a couple of the teachers actually left a serious mark on my life. I adore some of them. But most of the teachers just don’t care how the students are doing. The guidance counselor told us before we took our CRT’s that we couldn’t do bad because it would reflect poorly on our school. Quote on quote. Then there was some anti-​gay bullying going on, so I got together an entire plan for a Gay Straight Alliance and was brought into the Administrator’s office for speaking about it and talking it up. She told me that we could not have a Gay Straight Alliance because it would «make it so they have to open the school up to the Klu Klux Klan.» Quote on quote. They broke federal law by not allowing us to open a GSA or speak of it all while allowing other non-​curricular clubs to take place in the school. Not to mention they were doing seminars once and had offered Flag Football as one extra class, and then took all the girls that signed up for it & placed them in a All-​Girls «all sports class.» The girls were all grouped together for one sham of a class where we practiced a bunch of different sports & didn’t even do any real playing while the guys played football. All because they thought the girls wouldn’t really play! Rubbish school overall!

This will be a multi-​part review. First, I attended the orientation and this is what I saw. The classrooms are located in large rooms which are blocked off with partitions (similar to what is used for cubicles in a work place). The grades are grouped 2^nd-​3^rd and 4^th-​5^th (I’m unsure about any other because those are the grades I needed). All the kids have their own IPAD, which are not allowed to be removed from the classroom. Second, I attempted to enroll my child who is special needs. I was informed that there is not a separate resource room and that resource is essentially combined in a small group and taught by a regular teacher. I was also informed that even if my child is behind in learning I am not legally allowed to hold my own child back (of course this was not a licensed attorney) a grade. I have to allow the child to be continued to be pushed through to the next grade and next grade. LOL. And this would be what is wrong with the children in the state of Nevada. I am actually thankful that they did not accept my child because I would not want my child to attend a school that thinks they are too good to have my special needs child.