SAA rocks! I am currently a student at the school, and I love it! The teachers are very helpful, and they can be fun too! I actually look forward to going to classes here! The whole environment of the school is great and I would reccomend this amazing school to anyone who wants to really enjoy their
... Read more school experience. Read less
Posted by a student on 08/20/07
I LOVE SAA! I am currently a student at the Science and Arts Academy. I love this school. it has givin me the oppertunity to blossom in the subjects that I wasnt challenged enough in-in my previous school. I love the environment, my peers, my teachers, and every one in between! This is a fabulouse school
... Read more and I would advise anyone who needs a bit more of a challenge to attend this wonderful place. Read less
Posted by a student on 08/15/07
We feel blessed to have our son at SAA. He was 'left behind' in a public school setting that had no idea what to do with a child who got it the first time, every time. Now he is allowed to work as fast as he can, as far as 3 grades ahead in his strongest subjects. He just scored above the average
... Read more for college bound seniors on the SAT (he's 11). Thank you SAA! Read less
Posted by a parent on 02/25/07
Our son transferred here after complaining that he wasn't being challenged in math and science. Overall, quite pleased with our decision. Almost all of the teachers are terrific, and take great interest in the kids in their academic and personal growth. The assignments are generally much more engaging
... Read more than we found in our public school (which is a terrific system) and allow for the kids to delve deeply into the subject matter. Read less
Posted by a parent on 12/20/06
Positives: The school mixes ages in subject areas according to achievement. It offers foreign languages early. The children seem happy. The school is no-frills and priced low in market. Some teachers are strong, Notably those with subject-matter and liberal arts background. Negatives: The school
... Read more is overwhelmingly concerned with psychological and social problems of gifted children and with ed-school theories. The curriculum is spotty, even incoherent, failing to provide a consistently rich and sequenced base of study for inquisitive youngsters. Curriculum is little different from most suburban public schools, stinting on children's classics in literature for example. There is poor communication between administration and parents. Read less
Posted by a parent on 09/29/06
We are new parents to SAA this year and chose it after reviewing other schools and options. My son loves it! Everyone has been very welcoming and there are lots of opportunities to get involved. Teachers are great, and are very focused on the kids. Every student I have met seems genuinely happy to
... Read more be at SAA. I know it is early in the game for us, but we are all very happy with SAA and would recommend it to anyone looking for a gifted school. Read less
Posted by a parent on 09/18/06
SAA is a school for gifted kids. 3rd grade tuition for year beginning Sept. 2006 is about $11,000.
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Posted by a parent on 04/21/06
Fantastic arts teacher. Very good warm environment that inspires cooperative, rather than competitive, learning attitude.
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Posted by a parent on 09/03/05
My son transferred to SAA after a public school teacher complained bitterly that he was not paying attention in class. Testing in conjunction with SAA led to him being moved up 3 grades in his language arts curriculum and two grades in mathematics. His attention problems have vanished he is excited
... Read more to go to school everyday and he loves that he learns something new in every class, everyday. We view this as highly positive. The school is not for everyone. It has a vibrant atmosphere and for those preferring a more traditional, 'sit quietly in your seat and wait to be called on' classroom setting, this school is not for you. Kids are encouraged to question, discuss and actively problem solve. Reading quietly and rote memorization of 'facts' occupy a significantly smaller portion of the school day than in many other schools. I need to comment on the discipline comment above. Many classes are multi-aged, depending upon ability. Therefor a highly intelligent 6 year old may be working the same 5th grade curriculum as a 9 year old. Any parent or teacher can attest to the fact that developmentally and socially, there is a big difference between a 6 year old and a 9 year old, even when it comes to simple things like staying seated for an entire class period. In highly gifted kids, this is an issue. But at SAA they do everything they can to deal with this, keeping class sizes around 12 kids and having a teacher plus an aide in the larger classes to help keep the more active kids redirected. Also regarding the comment above about tuition, sitting on the parent board I have come to realize that the school operates on a tight budget. Commentors above mentioned the poor building. It is not wonderful, but with careful fiscal planning, the school hopes to purchase or build a facility in the next 2 years. The school is bursting at the seams with a waiting list. Tuition only covers 75% of what it costs to educate the kids there and the talented teachers there are not overpaid. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Read less
*The resources listed are programs that the institution is staffed to support. Staffing for a program does not guarantee that it will be offered. This content is provided by the institution and may be incomplete. The institution may offer programs not listed here. Please contact the school directly for additional details.
Advanced Placement
AP classes are college-level classes offered at the high school level. Once a student completes an AP class and passes a final comprehensive examination conducted by the College Board, the student earns college credit for the course. AP classes are specific and not to be confused with other higher-level classes such as honors classes.
Before/After School
"Extended day" programs where the school day is extended before and after school to accommodate working parents. These programs should not be confused with common after school clubs or athletic activities.
Gifted and Talented
A school system may identify 10% to 15% or more of its student population as gifted and talented. A brief description of each area of giftedness or talent as defined by the Office of Gifted and Talented:
general intellectual ability or talent - high intelligence test score (usually two standard deviations above the mean), and high levels of vocabulary, memory, abstract work knowledge and abstract reasoning;
specific academic aptitude or talent in one area such as mathematics or language arts;
creative and productive thinking, the ability to produce new ideas;
leadership ability, the ability to direct individuals or groups to a common decision or action;
visual and performing arts, special talents in visual art, music, dance, drama, or other related studies;
psychomotor ability, such as practical, spatial, mechanical, and physical skills.
Vocation/Technical Curriculum
Vocational and/or technical courses offered within a comprehensive school, usually a senior high school.
Special Education Classes
A school or program within a school that provides services and training to students with moderate to severe mental and/or physical disabilities.
Adult Education Classes
Programs offering GED or equivalent courses for adults within regular schools, whether classes are held during evening or daytime schedules.
English as Second Language
English language classes for students whose first language is not English.
Des Plaines schools — Science and Arts Academy is located at 1825 Miner St, Des Plaines IL 60016. 1825 Miner St is in the 60016 ZIP code in Des Plaines, IL Science and Arts Academy is a Private school that serves grade levels PK - 9.
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Test Score Ratings
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