Urban Park Elementary School

Admittedly, I thought that Nova Academy (Dallas location) was a good school. Unfortunately, there are many areas that require improvement. The school has wonderful teachers, highly skilled with a strong desire to education children. However, the administration definitely is in need of being changed or receive the proper leadership training. The children at Nova Academy (Dallas location) are just like students all over, they are eager to learn and deserve the best high quality educational experiences.

We are new to Dallas and Texas, in general. I enrolled my child here because it is our "home school." My child dreaded going to school every day. His teacher only communicated with me when he had "an issue" with my child. He also went as far as saying "I never had a student like yours" and then I found out it was only his first year of teaching. Instead of giving my child more challenging work, they gave my child "extra work" just to stay busy. Then I find out that my child is 2 grades above grade level in reading and math by the test scores. The teacher acknowleged that my child's intellect in a meeting, but did nothing throughout the school year to nurture it. I have come to learn that you can choose the school your child goes to in Dallas ISD and we are definitely not staying here. Edna Rowe is going to be a montessori school next school year. I don't see how that is possible if they can't help children and funtion like a regular school.

There staff is very nice and supportive of the parents and students

My experience at this school was highly unsatisfactory. As a teacher, I witnessed firsthand numerous issues within the school. The school leadership, including the Principal and Assistant Principals, consistently neglected the needs of both teachers and students. Teachers were frequently compelled to cover each other's classrooms to address behavioral problems, diverting valuable teaching time. Moreover, the school failed to prioritize student safety adequately. For instance, during a shootout across the street at the high school, the administration did not initiate a lockdown, despite the shooter being at large in the area. Shockingly, the school administration attempted to conceal their own mistakes and avoid informing parents about incidents involving safety, sexual harassment, or violence. The behavior of the students in all grade levels was appalling, leading to teachers spending more time on discipline than on actual teaching, resulting in an educational disadvantage for the students. If you are considering teaching at this school, I strongly advise against it, as the teachers there universally dislike it. Similarly, if you are contemplating sending your child to this school, I would discourage it. Throughout the school year, several students left unnoticed, walking home in the middle of the day. The class sizes are unreasonably large, preventing students from receiving the attention they deserve. Ultimately, the responsibility for these issues lies with the Principal, Dr. Adreana Davis, as well as DISD and the education system as a whole. While this system appears to perpetuate failure among black and brown students, it is the duty of the leadership to prevent such circumstances, which unfortunately Dr. Davis and her administration fail to support. Many teachers at Guzick are subjected to physical and emotional abuse by students, creating an intolerable environment.

Our family has been truly blessed to be part of this school community. My daughter has attended this private Christian-based school since Pre-K 4, and she is now in 9th grade — that alone speaks volumes about the trust and confidence we have in this school.From day one, we have been treated like family, not just another number. The staff, teachers, and leadership genuinely care about each student’s academic growth, character development, and spiritual foundation. They take the time to know the students personally and partner with parents every step of the way.The sense of community here is unmatched. The values being taught align with what we reinforce at home, and the love, encouragement, and structure my daughter receives have helped shape her into a confident, respectful, and well-rounded young lady.We are incredibly grateful for the dedication, faith, and consistency this school provides. If you’re looking for a nurturing, Christ-centered environment where your child is truly supported and valued, I cannot recommend this school enough.