Research Astec Charter Middle School charter Schools in Bethany, Oklahoma

“My son attended ASTEC for 6th and 7th grade. 7th only because I couldnt get him into another charter school. Academically I feel its lacking because they dont have enough text books to assign every student. All the work is done in a classroom setting except for a few projects now and then. In my opinion this does nothing to prepare them for college where all of their work will be outside the classroom. Uniforms are good to a certain degree but this school carries it to rediculous. when a child is being suspended for not wearing a belt.. the message is 'Your appearance is more important to us than your education'. Would ISR and afterschool detention not be a better route for this problem? Lunch program leaves much to be desired as do the after school activities. Save this one as a last resort before public school.”

“If you are looking for 'safety' compared with other OKC schools in the vicinity you could do much worse than astec - but if you are looking for something in the way of advanced education, as the name implies (advanced science and technology education center) - you better keep looking. There are NO 0.advanced science courses at this school and there is one high school technology center and the courses are not advanced at all. The name implies one thing, the curriculum tells you another - at the best it is a lie to call itself 'advanced' at worst it is flat out fraud to call itself that. Also, as parents we should be asking why has there been so much turnover at this school??? Administration turns over almost yearly!”

“The school has not alot of student activities. The after school programs are not normal after school programs. The uniforms are hard to find. The principal I dont think fits the job as the one of the 05-06 school year did. The lunch consists of only pizza which looks reheated. If i had a choice i would not come to this school”

“This is a bad school with no good after school activities. It is not challenging. It is also way to strict. Uniforms are no good and hard to find. This school doesn't have many free dress days. Lunch doesn't have many good options either, pizza everyday is just not good. Don't send your children here.”

“The teachers challenge their students. It has been a challenge to gain parent cooperation in support of their students, for parents to provide study time, nutrition, sleep management and other resources at home for students to be fully prepared for classes. ASTEC Charter School strives to unite home and school environments to assist our students succeed in everything that they do.”

“This school is not challenging, many of the teachers don't explain and simply tell you to do something. There are also absolutely no good after school programs theres soccer and a few other things but its stupid. The people that are kind of struggling in classes are put in after school Click-and-Learn and it is the stupidest thing ever. You learn absolutely nothing and sit there and click stuff like addition and when were in 8th grade and it's so pointless.”

“After attending Astec for 6th and 7th grade - I withdrew my daughter and enrolled her in another school. She read one book total in 6th grade English and the child I had in 5th grade which was in accelerated classes dropped to merely mediocre because she was not challenged. There were too many personal agendas and personal opinions being taught. What the administration promised me and what they gave me were two different things. I am only sorry that I wasted 2 years of my daughter's life in this school for what she could have received in daycare, a babysitter. Ms. Goats and Ms. Armstrong were incredible teachers -- and my daughter did gain a lot from them. But I was saddened by the lack of challenge in the classroom. The vision they presented was a great one, but what they delivered was lacking.”

“My child has attended Astec Middle School from sixth to 8th grade. I have been especially impressed with her accomplishments in Technology. Ms. Armstrong has done a great job in preparing her for the next level.”

“ASTEC is a school that offers students and parents a unique educational experience. At ASTEC, students engage in hands-on activities and projects that promote critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. ASTEC is a learning environment where both students and teachers feel safe and comfortable. I would highly recommend ASTEC to any parent and student that is looking for a high-quality learning experience unlike any other. ASTEC is a fairly new school, and with that comes some growing pains. However, the positives of this school far outweigh the negatives.”

“Having known the students and staff of ASTEC for quite sometime, I can only rave about the vision the administration and staff has for their students and school. Of course there are always a few growing pains for any school that is changing and growing as much as ASTEC. However, the students are well-behaved and staff members are hard-working and well-qualified. This is a safe and loving place for students. The cross-curriculum instruction and creative lesson plans provide a wonderful learning experience for students. You will find that the teachers at ASTEC are dedicated to their profession and are second-to-none in the amount of effort and care they put into each and every student in their classroom. ASTEC is a welcome change for parents who are looking for something just a little better for their children.”

“As a parent and grandparent, I realize the importance of a safe, positive learning environment which will provide a variety of learning strategies that will ensure success for today's students. In my experiences with teachers and staff at ASTEC, I have seen an educational climate that is evidence of a commitment to give multiple chances for all students to acquire skills needed for lifelong learning. In addition, parents are offered a variety of opportunities to play an active part in their child's education. Students are offered individual and group tutoring. Teachers and staff work hard to promote respect and increased self-esteem through character education. ASTEC offers an educational experience that can help our future citizens to learn how to approach and solve the basic problems they might face in living and learning.”

“Astec is a fairly good alternative for working class parents who's only other options are 'regular' public schools. If you are familiar with OKC public schools you know what I'm talking about. Astec's lunch program needs help but do okay with the resources available to them. The extra curricular activities are VERY modest and the price to participate negates most kids from being able to participate, which includes there summer programs. I do like the fact that they require uniforms which removes a lot of peer pressure middle school kids endure at regular schools. I have had a positive experience with teacher/parent communications for the most part. The teachers I have spoken with are outstanding and I'm saddened to know that the turnover rate is so high for teachers at Astec, a great loss and needs to be remedied.”

“As a former teacher of this school, I advise that you find an alternative school to send your child. While advertised as a school of advanced studies, it is in fact a school of remediation, and the teacher turn-over rate is at a frighteningly high level. It must be said that the teachers at this school are phenomenal, however do not stay more than an average of a single school year. This is merely an opinon based on personal experience, but I feel it is my duty as an educator to inform prospective parents, students, and future instructors.”

“The turnover rate for teachers at this school is high. They administration seems confused and do not cooperate with the teachers. The quality of instruction was great as the teachers were mostly of good quality. If my child were bright, he would get a good education, but average and special needs students should consider other alternatives.”

“We had a great experience overall this past year with a child in the middle school and the high school. We found the Administrative staff to be caring and extremely helpful. I will say that feedback to parents about specific assignments is improving but can be weak depending upon the teacher. If you have problems, teachers are very approachable and return emails quickly. Parents have to make the effort to be involved if they want feedback. The school has done a great job of fostering a school community so that you get to know other families at the school. The school provides many opportunities to use technology and learn real skills for the world. School lunch program needs improvement but they are doing a great job with the tools at hand. They claim to be a science , Math and technology school and have great programs in this area.”