Altus Institute

We moved to California from Texas and my 2 oldest kids have attended Altus Charter School of San Diego. It has been a great experience for them. They both got plenty of one on one teaching and their they also received assistance with their IEP and 504. My kids attended the Point Loma branch and all the teachers have gone above and beyond to help my kids reach their goals.

I find the previous review disheartening as an educator with the Charter School of San Diego. Having worked with Chicago Public Schools prior to teaching in California, I have realized that there are fundamental flaws in both traditional public schools as well as alternative programs.
However, here at the Charter School of San Diego every teacher/​classroom assistant is not only credentialed with a teaching license, but incredibly compassionate as well. It is an insult to assume that we do not have proper credentials as many teachers hold a Bachelor’s or higher in their specific field. Each teacher is encouraged to participate and acquire units in coursework outside of their area of expertise. At my site, I know first-​hand that most of us hold multiple-​subject teaching certificates.
Are there daily challenges? Yes. However, every single student is catered to and receives help when needed. There are weekly workshops, home visits, phone calls, etc. Each teacher goes above and beyond to make sure their students are progressing. Teachers and classroom assistants know every individual’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as know every parent by name.
In the past year and a half, we have altered every bit of the curriculum to align with the new common core standards, spending extra time outside of the classroom to create challenging, diverse, and creative lessons. The courses are varied and students do not solely work through the book or through worksheets. They utilize the technology in the classroom (Apple TVs, ipads, web 2.0 tools, etc.). The curriculum is varied and diverse.
We have come a long way in advancing the curriculum and we make sure to foster a safe, effective learning environment where students are happy and academically challenged. It is an alternative program and it is not for everyone. However, I have seen growth in many students not only academically, but emotionally as well. They trust their teachers, they know they can ask anyone at the learning center for help, and they become more resourceful and independent. They are safe and cared for and everything that we do is for them and in their best interest.

aka: Audeo aka: Altus aka: Charter School of San Diego
Locations all over San Diego, Riverside, and Orange County
Just the fact that they have 3 names should put you on alert. There is essentially NO oversight by any school district. It is a great BUSINESS. You should buy one if they franchised. But for education… run away fast.
Personal experience at the Mira Mesa, San Diego site.
No single subject or full-​time credentialed instructors on staff. Basically, just kids out of college with credentials that only allowed them supervised/​team teaching of middle school aged kids in the «class» with your child. Two or three «aides», who appeared to be parents with more expertise in Math and Science, to assist students in class. Unfortunately, even with this small class size and numerous adults on site, the «squeaky wheel» rule still applies. Two or three kids get an adult sitting with them, yours is on their own.
Not a problem if you’re a homeschooler? Problem. You have to use THEIR books. Really bad public school textbooks that haven’t been updated to current standards. These are to be used in conjunction with «workbooks» which are photocopies (poor copies) of something a founder of the school made up a decade ago. They don’t have the originals anymore even and nothing on computer to even make a clear copy. They also don’t have TEACHER EDITIONS available… to STAFF!!! If you are trying to teach your kid at home using their curriculum, you will have to do all the work before your kid. The school gives no feedback other than a graded paper… because they don’t know the answers!
Forget it if your child has a 504. They will have all the nice meetings and come up with a plan, but have no ability to implement ANY plan. You will make all the accommodations for them, not the other way around.
There is no early graduation available and no concurrent enrollment. They say there is, but give no assistance or proof any student enrolled has or is.
If your child really needs this, just do independent study through your district. If not available, file a PSA and let your kid do whatever until they are eligible to take the GED. Any kid that needs to go to this school is not on a college track. If you want your kid on a college track, there are MANY, MANY real options. Run away from this one quickly.