Chime Middle Charter School in Burbank, California

“The was no more than 20 minutes of homework per night and the academics were too weak. Assignment were too superficial.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child just graduated from CHIME after three years of being a student here. She absolutely loved it! The teachers are wonderful and really care about the students. They take the time to make sure each child is getting the most out of the curriculum. They are one of the few charter schools that has a sports program. They have limited resources, but what resources they do have, they use on the students. All of the teachers are imaginative and really infused my child with a love of learning.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter went here for 3 years. Principle is very good and on top of things. Bullying is not tolerated at all. Text messaging not tolerated. Very safe. Very small. Only 75 students per grade. Block schedule excellent. My daughter got a C in math and had to take math again for an elective, so she got 7 1/2 hours a week of math plus a tutoring program after school for a small fee. Swim team is a joke. They practice in a small pool on campus about the size of a home pool. No lockers for 6th graders, so they have to carry backpacks everywhere and there was a problem with stealing i-pods, cell phones, ect. Squirrels get into backpacks too. No cafateria. School assignments very hands on. If your child does bad on a test, they let them retake it giving only two answers instead of 5.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We feel like we hit the jackpot when we arrived at CHIME. What an amazing combination of excellent teachers, a wonderful sport program and terrific coaches who are really dedicated, an open door administration, and a very active parent body. Seems as though in the big picture there is little room for improvement as so much is working well. There is constant fundraising, but nowadays, you can't get around that, and the parent association has been taking the resources and providing the students with even more opportunities. The principal is committed and involved and the entire staff is like an extended family. This is rare in our society today and this school could and should serve as a model of excellence!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son started this year and he can't be happier.This is a school that I would recommend to anyone that wants private school education for free.It is a very safe school,teachers care about their students and students can comunicate with them via email anytime if they have any question,as well as parents.This is a great school where bullying is almost non existent or quickly taken care of.I love this school,and my child does too!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I'm a parent of a seventh grader, just back from Back to School Night. I have to write that this is an incredible school. The teachers are top notch, their devotion and passion for teaching is apparent. My child is loving math (her worst subject). The math teacher has spent years in a gifted education program and is somehow able to keep the interest and enthusiasm high for all levels of learners. The science program is rigorous, and is mostly experiential and project-based. Students learn to work collaboratively in this environment. The level of participation and creativity in the language arts program is exceptional. Last year's teachers were equally impressive. This is free public education at it's best!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“While looking at the school you would think that there is not as much offered, because of its size. However, there is so much that this school offers beginning with smaller class size, better teacher/student ratio's, teachers that are involved with tracking the student's success. When you remove the 'fluff' and look at the academics Chime offers it's students enormous opportunities. My daughter has learned by doing as opposed to just reading and being lectured. The sports and PE programs are great. There is after school enrichment and the electives are set up so that each student receives each elective (including Spanish, Science Labs, Yearbook, Student run Newspaper and much more). Both the teachers and adminstrative staff make themselves readily available for communication by phone or email. My daughter is reading novels now that I never thought I would see in her hands. Private school education for Free! Fantastic.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child started here this year and there are some plusses and minuses. We thought there would be swimming because of their pool, but apparently not. And there were animals last year-goats, chickens, but those are gone. On the plus side, the teachers are involved and enthusiastic, have a great attitude, are very approachable, and know all of the kids. The campus is cozy and friendly with a lot of green space, and bullying is, from what I can see, non-existent. The inclusion aspect- kids with special needs being part of all of the programs- is very healthy. They all get along, it seems, and there is no alienating people for being different. That is more valuable to me than having the chickens. (But the chickens were really nice!)”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I find the academic programs to be lacking in accelerated options for advanced students. My student is bored with the work and needs more of a challenge academically. Regarding extracurricular activities: no tennis team. No swim team but the school does have a pool. The only music offered is guitar, I wish they had more music to offer, for instance my daughter plays classical violin and has since she was 8. The one shinning star of this school and the only reason we moved and stay at this school is the school is totally devoted to hearing parents and trying to always keep the school safe in all ways for students against bullying and all types of harassment. The principal Mrs. Renee harvey is a wonderful activist for the students at her school as well as the parents. She truly cares as does the board who over sees all the rules and programs.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter transferred to Chime from our district assigned middle school where she was one of almost 3000 students. I appreciate the small classroom size and individualized attention my daughter receives at Chime because of the small size of the school. All of the teachers, office staff, and support staff at the school know every child's name and knows about them, which makes the school feel like a family. My daughter loves going to school and even if she doesn't love the subject of the class, she likes the approach the teachers take to teach it, and she enjoys learning anyways. The block scheduling of classes gives the students and opportunity to learn the subject matter deeply and take time to ask questions and get answers. The teachers are all so excited and happy everyday when I see them on campus, and it is obvious that they really enjoy teaching.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I think that the idea of inclusion is wonderful. Its what makes this school special. Wonderful sports program.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Superlative middle school! Principal and teachers are dedicated to provide the best learning environment possible. Ongoing staff development; teachers guided by an experienced and supportive administrator. Principal and teachers trained in Schools Attuned approach developed by Dr. Mel Levine. Simply stated, an exemplary school, a model of what all schools should be.”
This review was posted by a parent.