Zion Baptist Academy

My oldest went to ZBA for pre k 2019-2020 it was fabulous! The teachers were great and had engaging hands on lesson plans. Sadly we did not have the same experience this year with my youngest, and we ended up pulling him one month into the program. ALL of the staff is new. The teachers had the children sitting on the carpet watching Youtube videos a good portion of the day. It did not seem the lesson plans were well thought out or engaging for 4 year olds. The children are expected to sit still and quiet for these hours and if not will have their only play time taken away for more sitting as punishment. There were a few kids in the class with clear attention issues and the way the teacher reacted to and treated them was sad. The staff lost all of my sons records including his social security and birth certificate. I was also told the wrong time for open house. It seems very disorganized and like the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. It is far from what it used to be. If your child has any attention issues at all this is not the place for you. When I told them I was pulling my child all I was told was OK, and his belongings were placed by the front door. No concern as to my reason or care what is going on in their facility.

Please do not place your children at this school. While it is named a Christian school...it does not represent Christ at all. The administration is cold and callous. They do not care about the students or parents. The food they feed children is unhealthy food... substituting juice for fruit. They do not support their teachers. The before and after care consist of tv for two hours. The teachers are responsible for their own curriculum and class materials (requesting support from parents). The Parent Teacher Fellowship leaders left the school because the mean and unprofessional attitude of the principal. Families are looked at as more as a check or number instead of a respected member of ZBA. They can care less how many people leave because they are always looking for a way to replace you. The classes are overcrowded and disorganized. You never know when you child is moving on to the next class and half the time the development is off and the length of time in the classes after your child has had a birthday is too long. The principal spends his time in his office never visiting the classroom and completely impersonal....promoting that same energy from the rest of the administration....(although they provide surface activities to put on a façade that appears like they have an interest of promoting parent and staff relationships...not real) The board agenda is simply about an image and additional money but nothing to do with the needs of the students, staff or parents. While they are conveniently located it is worth the drive and money to find a different school...please do not waste your time...it will leave your disappointed, heavy and drained every time you step foot in the building...not mention lack of what your child is supposed to experience. The teachers do not stay long...and all of the daycare/pre-k teachers are fed up and leaving this year.

The 2012 - 2013 school year ended in a disaster! The Board decided to fire the lead PreK teacher 8 days before the end of the school year. Then a week after classes ended she fired all of the other PreK teachers. The Board brought in a new director and sadly no one from the old staff was kept around--not even the cook. At the Bridge to Graduation ceremony, the police were called because of the student's parents was making "terroristic threats." The academics were great here, but the stress of having to leave my child their while at work was unbareable. I guess that I do not like the fact that Zion Baptist Academy is a business, they take your money, but the Board feels no real responsibility to answer any questions. This was quite disappointing. I lost sleep over all the changes, stress and drama and would not recommend this place to anyone. I believe that the academics are decent, but is it worth being stressed? No. I am sure that Zion will continue to have a high turnover rate because of new management.

The current administration does not promote a "student friendly" environment. Lacks diversity in its staff and ignores concerns of the parents. It is noticeable the lack of a professional culture among the staff. The staff shows dislike or make snide comments in earshot of parents. Not the family friendly, learning focused environment it once was. In 2010-2011, 2011-2012 years had a great experience with my son. The 2012-2013 year was on that I wish my daughter did not have to experience in educational path.