Maureen Joy Charter School

We were only able to be at RN Harris for one year and then moved out of the area.I would say this is a very child centered school. My child responded very well to this environment.The staff were very responsive to parent communication at all levels. The school worked closely with local organizations to make sure kids went home with food during school breaks. This demonstrated to me that the school staff were aware of the needs of their students outside of school hours as well.We miss you guys!

Burnt out teachers and admin that can’t solve problems.

Children loved it! Staff was amazing, communicated well, and the school was safe!

Since getting new administration our school has taken an even greater turn for the better! Our principal is a leader who pushes our students and staff to succeed and do their best. Our teachers TRULY love our students and would do anything for them. Interventions are in place for students who are struggling, AIG is in place for students who are excelling, and there are plenty of extra curricular activities for students such as after school, tutoring, violin, soccer, cheerleading, and more! The school has ramped up its community and parent involvement through tons of school events like hispanic heritage night, black history night, kickball night, smores night, reading events, sneaker balls, plays, musical performances, etc. The progress at this school is really something you want to be a part of!

I am giving two stars because the school is inclusive and welcomes children with a wide range of needs. That is the only positive I can offer.What I witnessed regarding student safety is deeply alarming. A serious incident occurred involving a younger student and an older student something of a physical and deeply personal nature that no child should ever experience at school. The school's response was a failure. There was no meaningful accountability. Communication with families was almost nonexistent. The affected child's safety and well-being were not prioritized. Instead of hearing from the school, parents learned what had happened from their own children. That is unacceptable.Even more concerning: the student responsible faced no consequences I am aware of and is still attending the school. Any parent sending their child here needs to know that.I also found a troubling lack of independent oversight. The staff is very small, and many have close personal or professional ties to leadership. This makes it nearly impossible to trust that serious concerns will be handled fairly or transparently. The school appeared understaffed, and staff seemed burned out.Academically, the school fell short as well. Education did not feel like the priority. For younger students, there was little consistent instruction mostly chores and free play. The outdoor area is a backyard with mulch and milk crates. Children regularly escape through holes in the fence. The nearby park is often occupied by homeless individuals, making it an unsafe option for young children.For older students, learning was largely self-directed on laptops with minimal direct teaching. I saw no evidence of a strong academic foundation being built.Families considering this school: ask very hard questions about how they handle incidents of a serious personal nature between students, whether any independent oversight exists, and what real consequences look like. Based on what I witnessed, I cannot recommend this school to anyone who values their child's safety, transparency, or a real education.Please talk with your children. Ask them about their safety and anything that may have happened to them that felt wrong or uncomfortable. Do not assume the school will tell you the truth.