Research Parkway Christian Academy private Schools in Gadsden, Alabama

“I went to this school for 12 years and hated every second of it. Even though I was a straight 'A' student (not difficult at this school by the way) I was shunned by the faculty because I had *gasp* opinions, not even secular ones at that. Originality and creativity are not smiled upon in this school. The atmosphere is stifling and upon graduation, the feeling is more like a jail break than a bittersweet goodbye. This is a place where you can be punished just because people don t think you are Christian enough not because you have actually incurred real infractions on the rules. Don t send your children to Parkway.”

“If you are looking for a school that allows for Christian values to be taught and for implementation of biblical views, then PCA is the school for your child. However, I have found that there are serious shortcomings when it comes to academics. My children attended PCA for 3 years and when we moved and they started attending a public school we found that they were seriously behind in many areas of academics. (Mainly maths and sciences) My daughter has had a very difficult time in math because she was so far behind. Her current teacher were very surprised at where she was at in math. There seems to be some misplaced guidance and counseling priorities at PCA also. Offenses were very petty. I do not think that the $1000 a month that we were paying reflected the level of education that our children were receiving.”

“Parkway is an excellent elementary school, but a horrible high school. The cirriculum is at a very low academic level compared to surrounding high schools. The high school is a fun school to go to, but only because it is incredibly easy and the teachers are lenient. If your child is even considering going to college, or maybe even being educated, stay clear of PCA.”

“My child attened Parkway starting in 6th grade. I had never had any problems until he entered High School. Some of the things he was disciplined for were very petty. Parkway seems to be unsentative to young men when it comes to developing ( facial hair). If you came to school with stuble on your face you would receive demerits. I understand that the hair on your face should not look like a grizzly bear but give the kid a chance. I called on several times asking to talk with the principal ( Mrs. Howze) but I never heard from her. I communicated with the counselor which was not what I wanted to do. The school seems to be very unorganized and laid back.There discipline procedures need to be revamped ASAP. Pastor Randy Williams does not listen to what parents have to say.”

“My child is going into the 12th grade this year and this past year she has learned nothing. There are only about 3 teachers in the entire high school that actually teaches. My child learned nothing in chemistry.. all they did was sit and watch movies all year and talk, so my child is going to be very behind when she gets to college. I think Parkway needs to improve their teachers and also their counselor. our seniors didn't even know if they were going to college because of her. If you are an upcoming senior, i advise you to fill out your own college applications and scholarships because it wont get done. The counselor is all about getting people in trouble and who's doing what and where. Whereas,other high schools are trying to get their students into college.”

“My daughter left Parkway after attending grades 2-8. Academically, I feel like she was ahead in several subjects, but behind in math. She regularly scored off the charts on standardized tests, so I know that the teachers were doing their jobs. I feel like she was able to get a good, nurturing, Christian education while at Parkway, but I must echo the rediculousness of some of the nit-picking of the counselor. The turn-over in principals and teachers over the last 3 years with no explaination to parents left a lot of us uneasy, as well. My daughter was more than prepared for honors classes (which were review!) at Pinson Valley. Parkway was a good experience overall for us, but it was time to move on.”

“Teacher turnover in the last couple of years is awful. Teachers that have been with the school for years are leaving. The Principal is weak and does not communicate well at all. There is no music program this year and no art classes. The assistant pricipal is the lunchroom drink server now.”

“My son has attended PCA for four years now. The academics have gone up and down for him. There are just a couple of teachers that really care to teach and ready these kids for college. The demerit system has been used uncontrollably.”

“I have a child who goes to PCA because of violence problems at our previous school. At first this seemed to be the answer to my prayers. Now I'm not so sure. 'Good' sports players are sponsored by other parents to make the team better, they forget that all children need the opportunity to play sports.”

“I went to school there & realized after graduation & going to college, it did not prepare me in any way for college or the real world. I held a 3.5 GPA while there, but it was based on irrelevant issues that had nothing to do with the real world.”

“A school that has affordable tuition when all the public schools in the vicinity are not good at all certainly does not make it a good school. It does however make it a convenient place to send your child for an adequate education until something better comes along. This is the category Parkway falls into. It's also a great place for children to socialize for 6-8 hrs.”

“My youngest son is in 5th grade and has been @ PCA since K4. I have been happy with his education and extra activities. Though there has been 4 principals since we have been here, I have not experienced any real dissatisfaction with our administration. I have been a parent volunteer from the beginning. Parent involvement is strong. Teacher skills can always use improvement, no matter what school you are in. Our new principal is very attentive to what our school needs and our school's future; his door is open for discussion with both students and parents. Our school board is involved in listening to parents. Overall our teaching staff is concerned with our student's best interest for a Christian foundation, quality education and preparing them for their future. I refer PCA to all parents seeking a good school for their children.”

“As a PCA parent of seven years I am very pleased with our school. My child is happy here and is getting a quality education, plus having prayer and worship in school. Sure everybody has a bad day once in a while but attending PCA is a privilege not a right. If you encounter dis-satifaction, address the proper channels. Some of the comments on this sight appear to have been written in haste. We have a new principal this year -- let's give him a chance.”

“As a parent of a child that attends parkway Christian. I have to say that I'm very pleased with the school.No drugs, no shootings, no stabbings.I feel my child is receiving an excellent education along with Christian values .We have a new principal this year & in my opinion there are good things ahead for the school. Please give the new principal some time as, Rome wasn't built in a day.”

“Ok so Parkway Christian hasn't been the best school in a few years. Let me tell you this: I am a Junior at this school. This is my 6th year. So yes I have stuck through all the good and the bad things. Our school has started a committee where parents who have had concerns about the school. They were picked by Pastor Randy and the school board. We just recieved a new principal this fall. He is new, so give him a chance!!!!!! I believe there will be a great, no huge change to PCA. I just want you to know the great things that happened during this time: Varsity Volleyball went to substate for the first time since '96. Varsity Boys Basketball was a competator in the 1A Final Four!!! No school is ever perfect, mistakes can be made!!”

“I have read some of the negative comments posted by parents and do not agree. Children learn how to work on a team and obey authority from their parents. If the parent supports the school the students act better and the school gets better. We must rally behind the school, the students, the teachers, the administration to make it the best possible place to learn. So far, I am very satisfied with the school and think my son's teacher is a fine person.”

“The K5 and first grade curriculum is very strong in the abecca program which produces solid readers.”

“Do not send your child to this school especially the high school if you want them to actually learn and go to a good college without being way behind. It's very unorganized, too bent on silly rules, put too much ephasis on sports, and very judgmental and not opened to new ideas and opinions. Only a couple of the teachers know what they are talking about and know how to teach it to you. The rest just recite from the books, give you notes, and occasional test or book work. You'll hardly ever have homework and a very slim chance of doing a big protect.”

“My son has attended PCA for 3 yrs and loves to go to school. He has excelled academically and socially.The curriculum is not an easy one. His teachers have all been caring, competent, christian examples for the students.”

“Love the school. My child is prayed over. Mrs. Mary in the 2 year old room is wonderful. Her soul puts mine at ease, since I have to leave my son!”

“this school is just terrible it was ok at first but all the good teachers have left.”

“parkway i think is the lamest school because there are teachers that give you demerits for little things. they are driving away some of the best teachers and those teachers are the actual ones that stand up and teach the students and the students actually excell in these classes. if you are considering this school i would think again because you are not going to be doing anything but wasting your money because there are plenty of other schools that i would consider besides this one”

“I would like to start by saying, 'If PCA were not a good school, then it would not have been teaching and praising for 25+ years'. My child started his education at PCA in K4 and will be entering the 6th grade next term. I am very pleased with his spiritual and academic education -- I feel that I am getting more than my monies worth. Every school may have some issues; with PCA's being minor. But parent involvement is necessary along with positive attitudes from students. All of the negative remarks posted by students should be ignored -- if their parents did not think they were getting a quality education then they would not be at PCA. Going to PCA is a priviledge not a right. The 2008-2009 school term will get our school back to it's foundation, our new principal is 'making things happen'. God bless PCA!”

“I think the school is ok it could be better. My only concern is that all the students in their senior majority attend Jeff State, I wonder why when the school is suppose tot be a college prep school. So I think the school could do better in that area , because most seniors cant even write an good essay something we all should know how to do.”

“My child has been at this school since K5. He is entering 6th grade this year. To this point he is ahead of his friends in the Trussville City schools, and other local schools. He is getting a strong Christian foundation. He loves it there, as do we. Parent involvement makes the difference. I would and have recommended this school to friends.”

“I attended Parkway Christian from first grade until ninth grade. I feel that it is the parent's responsibility to discipline their children, not the school's. Because I was of a different Christian faith I was often criticized by the teachers in front of my classmates. I do however believe that Parkway has a fantastic educational program. I was reading at a sixth grade level when I was only in second grade. After I left Parkway I went to a public school where I blossomed and was allowed to be myself instead of what my teachers and principal wanted me to be.”

“I have sent my child to Parkway Christian for three years and have found it a lot better then other schools provided. Though they are strict in their ways, they mean no harm by it and are one of the few schools that act like they care about my daughter. The only thing that I dislike about Parkway is its way the school guidance teachers seem to stick their nose into my childs business. Last year I had several big problems with that and I attend not to deal with that this year. As I said, other then the strictness, PCA is a great school and deserves a chance.”

“This will be my child second year at Parkway and I love it. By the end of K5 my child was reading on a 1st grade level. The do believe in disipline, but why would you want to send them to a school with no structure. The teachers are great and not only are they certified but several have their master degrees also. My child will also be learning a little spanish as well in the first grade. This is a wonderful, wonderful school. everyone works together to make this shcool a sucess.”

“I find that the schools academic program is excellent. Some of the teachers are a little stricht on the younger grades, but make it up by obviously caring for the children as well. Your child will never have trouble being a part of the Parkway family.Everyone knows everyone.”

“When I first enrolled my children in Parkway I was impressed by the student to teacher ratio. The academics for the lower grades seems adequate, however I am finding it sorely lacking as the child reaches the middle school. Children are behind when they transfer to public school and one parent was disappointed when her child didn't get into another private school because he didn't test well on a standardized math test. The principal's reply was that the math program was being re-vamped. Their idea of discipline is archaic, placing emphasis in the wrong area and deciding that meaness is the correct action. Last grading period my child lost so many points for not bringing back signed test papers on time, not having his shirt tucked in,he received a D in conduct. There were only two actual infractions related to conduct.”

“I am a graduate of the 1995 class of PCA and attended there 4 years. I had been in sveral schools prior to that including public shools as well. The education I received there was far better than any at any other public school system I attended the only people that I ever saw that had problems were those who were problemed to begin with who resisted to abide bide school policies. even then, the staff was patient and tried to meet them in the middle. My education there (even my science-this is to the evolution comment) was superior enough to get me in college on accodemic scholarships. Can't say enough about the school. This coming from someone who has been inside and not one who only attends in meetings with principal on behavior issues. Eric Harmon”

“Our son has attended other private schools and we can say by far that PCA is a great school with good diversity. The classes are small and the teachers are firm and compasssionate, but what more would you want for your child. My daughter will be starting at PCA the next school year and I feel that she will get the best education that they can offer as well.”

“My daughter has attended PCA for 5 years. I had my expectations because I, too, had attended a private Christian school, but Parkway far exceeded my expectations. The classes are small and the staff is nothing less than wonderful. I KNOW that my child is getting a top-notch education at PCA. A friend of hers left to go to public school where she enrolled in advanced classes and was still far ahead in the curriculum. My daughter is off the charts in standardized tests. Classes are not dumbed down at PCA, and discipline is enforced with love. My child actually enjoys school! I would encourage any parent looking for a better education for their children to seriously consider PCA. You will not be disappointed.”

“While the classes are very personal and they have a lot to teach, the science classes are woefully substandard, resorting simple to ad hominem attacks on Charles Darwin and a complete rejection of the scientific theory of evolution--no mention of its mechanics or anything about it.”

“I resent to person that said 'don't send your child to this school due to the most recent review...' and would be interested to know if that person has a child at Parkway. My child IS there and so far we have found it to be a wonderful school. Small classes, everybody is friendly and knows the children by name. You don't find that just anywhere. Furthermore, my child loves school and doesn't whine not to go in the mornings. What about the school was rated so low?”

“Parkway Christian Academy is not the BEST school in Birmingham. So any parent reading this, don't send your child to Parkway Christian Academy”

“Parkway is a great school. Everyone there is so friendly and the whole school is like one big family. I think it would be a perect school to send your child to.”

“Parkway provides a great education in a caring Christian environment. Parkway students, teachers, administration, and alumni feel a sense of family.”