Natomas Charter School

If I could give less than 1 star I certainly would. My son and I had a very negative experience during his attendance with the school. The intake coordinator, Mr. Kinder made inappropriate and condescending comments to my son and I, and misuses his authority. The staff and teachers we dealt with in the VLA program (Virtual Learning Academy) are non-​supportive to the students. In fact, the math teacher Mrs. Wong seemed to expect and set up my son for failure. She would hold math labs and instead of providing assistance to the students, she would be on the computer the entire time. When asked for assistance, she would huff and puff, close her eyes, and show obvious distaste in having to help. She is virtually impossible to understand because of her accent. I don’t have a problem with being foreign to the country or having a second language, however, students and parents need to be able to understand and communicate with one another. My son did understand, when she said that she could do math and he could dance. My son is of African decent, so this comment was seen as stereotypical. On another occasion, after I already let staff know that we would be leaving the school, Mrs. Hong cried while telling my son «you can’t run away from math». This made him feel very uncomfortable, as he had only attended the school a few months, and did not know her well. When this was brought to Mr. Kinder’s attention he downplayed it all. I wish I would have wrote this review sooner, as some time has gone by and I don’t recall all of the situations we experienced. In the end, it seemed Mrs. Hong, and particularly Mr. Kinder seemed to try and punish my son and I for being fed up with everything and leaving to another school.
If the staff’s unsupportive, biased attitudes aren’t enough, then the porn being distributed around the classroom while the teacher was present, and drugs being done in the restroom, should say «BEWARE».
Be very careful, as Mr. Kinder’s job of course is to sale the parent on how great the school is. Each student equals a dollar amount attached to that student, which makes one wonder is this what its all about.

As a graduate of the Performing and Fine Arts program, I can give some insight into the school that has not been touched upon.
The development of the school has improved considerably with the addition of new and exciting classes. Bullies are not common, violence just doesn’t happen since it’s largely viewed as an honor to be accepted into the school. It is stressed to ‘problem’ students that they are easily replaceable and that other students ‘would kill for the opportunity to attend’. I was a part of a large scale undertaking, the One Voice production which was attempting to tie the Charter school to a branch of schools in Turkey. It was a cultural mishmash variety show, and successful in it’s own way.
If your student is an aspiring musician, artist, sculptor, dancer or vocalist, there is a large and wonderful place for you here. I’m biased, so take this at face value, but the drama department takes itself far too seriously. While wonderful and exciting to be a part of, if your student does not immediately impress the drama faculty, or show great promise for after-​graduate success, do not anticipate seeing your child on stage for very long, or with a decent part.
I must stress that because this school contrasts so very much with most schools, and has it’s own bubble of virtuosic, and idealistic liberalism, learning about the ‘real world’ and how much it sucks is going to left to you. This can be a horrible thing, since adulthood comes fast and many of the people I studied with were drastically unprepared, including myself. If your child has a problem with social issues, and proper behaviors, they are more susceptible to this safety bubble keeping them childishly unaware and continuing their improper behaviors into adulthood.
If your child is labeled a ‘problem’, the teachers and staff, while meaning well, will attempt to set them straight. They are very much out of practice and cannot do this effectively. I had issues with self motivation, and looking back there were a number of things that could have been done, but the crutch they use is one of motivating through fear of expulsion. I find it hilarious that while self motivation is akin to murder, the widespread use of prescription drugs is generally left unspoken for. Everyone knew that nearly everyone was doing drugs. There was one incident where there were students toking up, but this was dealt with swiftly, and only rarely ever happened, but the pills were the real problem (especially the performance enhancing ritalin and other study drugs).
Aside from it’s problems, the curriculum is a challenge and your student has much in the way of means to advance a good deal into college level material. As far as I am aware, AP classes are not available as of yet. While I was attending, the mathematics coursework was great– the instructors were not. In my year they went through either 4 or 5 algebra teachers, and no matter how nice they all were, they were all equally terrible and dependant on the books held in front of their faces to teach.
Every other general education class was outstanding, and though I personally had a problem with the English teacher recommending Twilight (which has horrible grammar and wording usage), she too was also a fantastic instructor where it mattered.
I just want to say as an end word that I will miss the teachers that helped make the school what it is today; and, that chose to leave when the administration began to care more for money and prestige than the students they sought to teach.
Thank you for listening to me, I know this post is long, but before you give either much of your time or money to the school, you should know a bit more of what you’re getting into.
In my honest opinion there is a more effective way to give your child an edge in the world: public school, coupled with extra curricular activities and your educational guidance in the home. There is no substitute for a good education, but I have never been asked in interviews or by colleges of what work I was doing, nor can I /​prove/​that my work was at a professional level. I would be much better off with little certificates that say I can do this or that from outside programs and a portfolio, than the entirety of what I accomplished with Natomas Charter.

I love this school. Academics are challenging and my daughter is experimenting with video game production, art, dance, drama and she plays the violin well and performs for our community. I’m jealous of this opportunity she’s received. She complains, yet when asked says she doesn’t want to go anywhere else.

We visited for the first time this morning and could not be more impressed. The faculty and students were fantastic. We look forward to having out daughter there through high school.

My daughter got into PFAA by lottery. Knew this place was different the moment we stepped on campus. Kids were talking, eating, joking, studying, playing music, practicing plays. It had a really groovy vibe. More like a college campus. I spent my years there as a fundraiser (no surprise to those who know me). It has earned the coveted Kennedy Center School of Distinction Award. The board members, teachers, students and parents all volunteer heavily. Academics are college– prep level. Extracurricular are phenomenal. Entrance requirements high. Worth the investment in your time and money. Go see the productions at BPAC and you’ll understand the world-​class direction these students receive. (Does anyone remember the show ‘Fame’?) Plus, they are super affordable. The hardest part is getting in!

You may be a hater when you attend, but once you leave the place your realize what an amazing school it is. Class sizes are manageable and you get the attention that you need to succeed. I never had a bad teacher here, and there was always help available if you needed it.
My only gripe about the school is the upper classmen counseling. You might have to do a lot of your own research about college. But once you get to college, you’ll be prepared.

The Performing and Fine Arts Academy, serving grades 6 – 12, offers a unique balance of rigorous academic instruction and intensive instruction in the performing and fine arts. Areas of artistic training range from drama, dance, music and the fine arts to stagecraft and computer animation.
In addition to being named a National School of Distinction in the Performing and Fine Arts, The Performing and Fine Arts Academy has been regularly recognized in the local community through Elly (recognizing outstanding theatre in the Sacramento area) nominations and awards, participation in the Jammies (music recognition program for students), and many other events. All of our students are taught by arts teachers who continue to be professional practicing artists in the community, allowing students to learn not only the technical aspects of artistic expression, but also what it is like to be a professional practicing artist.
Academically, our students excel. Our academic teachers are highly trained and our courses are rigorous. Even with the rigor of our courses, the Academy routinely has over 70% of its students on the honor roll. Many high school seniors go on to prestigious four year universities and art schools.