Zion Preparatory Academy

Zion has been a great experience for me and my children... I graduated fro there in 1997 finishing my 8th grade and was above average when I went on to High School. Parent can say what they want but it really takes a village to raise a child and Zion DEFINITELY went above the call of duty when it came to me and my children. I pray that one day they really get the recommendation and support needed to sustain the potential Zion has to continue. My children were reading by the age of 4 and academically soared even after they unfortunately had to leave due to school funding. People here is a question to ask yourself: If Zion wasn't a great school how have they been able to stay an existence for 29 years? Well there is your answer they wouldn't. I would still to this day even though my children have moved on to another school I will always remember the strong foundation Zion Preparatory Academy installed in me and my children and will always campaign for the education excellence they provide and still do. Even when parents get upset and threaten to take there kids out they soon come back and realize that the grass was not greener on the other side! We love you Zion... Thank You
—Submitted by a parent

I can say the support from the school is Excellent. Public schools will not tell you, children there are actually one or more years behind this private school. They ealuate, test, and place your child in the correct grade level. Upon college entry, after using Zion Academy, your child will be one to two years ahead of other college freshman. Great Program, Great school, somewhat expensive.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a student the only white girl there and i was welcomed by alot of friends and i still keep in touch with most of them... I'm so happy i went there when i was in 7th grade now i'm in 10th grade... The teachers are excellent and fun.
—Submitted by a student

Zion Preparatory Academy is a place where children can come and celebrate their African-American heritage in an environment where love, unity and academic excellence is promoted. This is my child's home away from home.
—Submitted by a parent

Zion Oreo is great. They have science and technology, and advanced placement, for less than $500 per month!
—Submitted by a parent

I myself being a product of Zion Prep am now a proud parent of a child that is attending. I myself learned so much and even though I moved on from Zion into the public school system (not due to educational reasons) was put into advance placement classes since grade 4 and beyond. I am now 24, a college grad, making $60K+ year and I can definitely say that Zion had something to do with increasing my educational abilities. I am seeing major progress with my child who is in pre-k as she is articulate, knowlegable, and very eager to learn and go to school every day. Also, I have had my younger sister attend through the 8th grade and now she is preparation to attend an HBCU and we all definitely credit Zion for providing her with the tools to succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

Zion middle school is going through great changes with a new principal and staff who offer a challenging traditional program with social studies, literature, language arts, math and science. We have a strong team this year with an exceptional principal. The program is challenging and highly academic. GO ZION !KIDS!
—Submitted by a teacher

My child has been going to Zion Prep since she was 2 1/2 and now she is 8 in the 2nd grade. Zion has taught her a lot of verbal skills and her math, reading has exceeding any other child that I have compared her to in public school. Zion has given her the extra jump she needed for her education needs. Thank you Zion sct
—Submitted by sheila callandret, a parent

Zion is a great place for children to learn and grow, pre-school through 4th/ 5th. Beyond that consider what is best for your child. Middle school can be a bit of a challenge and better suited for at-risk cases. Instruction is computer based atleast 50% of each day. Seems geared toward students in need of a GED or at-risk to drop-out. You must remember that many (NOT ALL) the students Zion serves are students who may have had issues in the public school. You cannot compare Zion to any traditional school...the school is more than half populated with students that would fail in any other setting. When you consider the poplulation Zion serves and the academic success of the students you have to know they are doing something right. It's a loving and caring place.
—Submitted by R. H., a parent

My children have been a part of Zion for almost 8 years now and I wouldn't have it any other way. Academically they are way beyond where they would be at Public School and the teachers really care about the kids. It has become more like a family than just a school. Although I wish they had more extrcurricular activities there is nothing negative I can say about this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been a big disappointment. It is fine for lower grades (pre-school through 5th grade), but for upper school, (6th trough 8th grade) the education is lacking in all areas and the teacher's do not communicate well with parents. The current 8th grade class has less then 5 students and this is owing to the simple fact that parents are not happy with the school curriculum. It does have a small music program which at its best is mediocre however they do have an excellent art program which has instructors from outside of the school to work with the students in all different areas of art. Zion is a private school that so poorly educates your child that when I finally removed my child from the school she was a year or more behind the same age student in the public school system.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is currently attending ZPA and has been since preschool. She is going into the 1st grade. The pre-kindergarten and kindergarten curriculums are very rich in academics and preparing them for the next grade. The kindergarten teachers challenged my daughter in math and reading and she was doing 1st grade work while in kindergarten. They now have a p.e. teacher which is very exciting and they are getting a new playground. Principal Wells is determined to bring up the standards past the already excellent standards and he is doing a great job.
—Submitted by a parent

Preschool to 1st or 2nd grade are very good foundations to build upon.
—Submitted by a parent

Poor communication between senior administration and parents. Not all teachers accredited. No organized extracurricular activities. Parent involvement is low. Safety is satisfactory and discipline is inconsistent. Pre-K, Kindergarten and early elementary classes have good programs for learning. Middle school (6-8) have poor curriculum and poorly qualified teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

When I first received a foster child in my home, public schools were not assisting him with negative behaviors that he was acting out. I enrolled him in Zion Prep and he became a straight A student. He was 4 years old when he started attending and now he is 5. He knows his colors, can read short sentences, can add small numbers, knows his alphabets and his numbers to 100 and his social skills have improved greatly. I credit his preschool teachers for helping to create a positive balance in his life at school that matched what I was doing at home.
—Submitted by a parent