Today's Fresh Start Charter School in Burbank, California

“My children were not learning there. too many child in behavior problem.staffs screaming at my child and all children all times.teacher nice but students wild and classrooms verry small and kids have no space to study. money is why there still open. this school needs to close.what a shame my children suffer like that. shame.close this down.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son's been attending TFSCS since pre-k. He's now in the 6th grade. He's learning skille has improved tremendously over the years the teachers are very caring and concern about the childs well being. I just want to say if his school went up to the 12th grade i would keep my son there. The school is a safe environment, non-gang affiliate, what parents are looking for in any school. I give this school 2 thumbs up!!!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My children have ben going there for 1 year, my kids have improv very well. they teachers are about education. the parents need to start coming togather and make a difference. school can not do it by them selfs. it takes a village to raise a kid.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“TFSCS is a very good school. My child has been in attendance four years.The Founder/Administrator is a person with a big heart and cares for the children as well as the parents. It is not about $$, but to educate the children so they can excel and become great leaders in the community.To be an educator takes much work, when the average worker and parent is sleeping, the Administrator is awake making things better for the children of our future. I am blessed to send my child to this school of choice.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“150 words don't do justice to the disaster that's Today's Fresh Start. It's an environment in chaos and it all starts at the top. A small handful of teachers, assistants and other support staff are wonderful, but many seem overwhelmed and/or defeated. And more than anything, there is an overwhelming feeling of negativity that fills the place. I truly feel for the students, parents and that small handful of staff. They deserve far better than what the administration seems to care about giving.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“T his school is horrible. It doesn't have a nurses office, nor counselors and they call working parents every 5 minutes for solvable problems. The teachers often aren't familiar with the children and when you pick them up it takes at least 15 minutes to find them. They don't teach the kids to be creative thinkers and they only use workbook sheets for homework. The founder thinks parent participation is a meeting about attendance and the children never have formal programs showcasing their talents. There is no stabiliy for the teachers and most of them leave within the 1st year. My son had 4 teachers in 2nd grade. This is an upper grade day care. You'd be better off if you homeschooled. Kids deserve the opportunity to receive better intellect. Their are exceptional schools in the area. Try Garr on 51st and Western or Celerity on Jefferson.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is the epitome of the decline in this country's education! The teachers are genuinely concerned about the kids: behavioral help, academic assistance, and friendship.. Even though they are the most underpaid, most unsupported, and unfairly treated by the administration. On top of that, most supplies are provided by the teachers. The administrastion doesn't have a clue how to keep things in order.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The most surprising thing about this school is the great effort that was made to have an incredibly culturally and racially diverse staff. As a parent, I'm always concerned about predjudices that may be imposed on my children when the teachers are all any one race. At Today's Fresh Start it was so cool to see the staff of people of African-American, Philipino, Jewish, Caucasian... decent! Good job!”
This review was posted by a former student.

“Wow! I guess I'm not really surprised that there are other parents out there that are also disappointed and frustrated with TDFS. I chose a charter school so that my children would have a better opportunity to receive a better quality education. TDFS is not that opportunity. Some of the teacher really do care but most are just paid baby sitters. TDFS is losing most of those good teachers. The administration is a joke. To say that they are un-professional and un-organized is a understatement. No seems to have a straight answer about any thing if its not attendance related. Like other parents I found it was just about the money. My children would have gotten the same quality of education at any other public school in the district. If fact they might have been better off. This is not the school if you looking for higher standards and better opportunities.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am extremely disappointed with the school's lack of ability to retain any of the great teachers that were on staff last year. My child flourished, but now I face a year of uncertainity at this school wondering if her needs will be met. The administration is hugely disorganzied with no one seeming to be able to provide straight answers to us parents. Behavior enforcement needs to be followed up on as it seems this school leaves children in class all day just to get their money instead of sending those children that disrupt learning frequently. I will be looking into alternatives for my child and would encourage others to do so until the school focus on the problems that need to be addressed.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Needs better sites for 3rd grades thur 5th grade. But good effort to teach. Before being a charter school it was a good private school now it seems there all for the $$$$. FS is unorganized needs better comminucation. Good luck.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“A school that cares and is personally concerned for each and every child. If you want a school like that, this is the right school for you. The leadership administration of Today's Fresh Start Charter School has combined experience of more than 200 years with knowledgeable, experienced educators and have serviced the inner cities for more than 40 years. This long term record of devoted service shows compassionate concern for the community, the children and families who they serve. They are in this for the long haul and persevere to perfection. We want this school to continue working hard in the community and to help the children.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is a school which has set forth to turn around student test scores by giving each child personalized teaching with adult to child ratios of one to ten or less. State test scores show steady improvement. In many cases they are offering one on one tutoring, summer school and before and after school care for many families. For working parents they give care and education for their children as early as 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Parents really appreciate this service. There are also nutritional meals and snacks. These are the things which make a great learning environment for the students to grow and achieve.”
This review was posted by a administrator.

“Fresh Start Charter School in LA has surpased my expectations for charter schools. The children attending this school did nothing but fail in the public school but now their behavior, and test performance is excetional. We can ask no more from a school than to do what my school has done for the children and the community they live in within Los Angeles County.”
This review was posted by a administrator.

“My experience has been nothing but positive. The school exhibits a true commitment to student progress and learning through one-on-one tutoring, strong professional development for teachers and a sincere effort to make sure all children are learning. Books have been sent home for children to use as well as another set of books at school. Every parent receives the California standards and encourages parental involvement. Administration has also made great strides in making sure every child is in attendance to make sure they receive a good education. I highly recommend this school!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school refuses to see itself and correct itself on many issues. I can be a good school if the administration will take an honest look at its shortcomings and work to improve. They have had some great teachers there. The great ones are leaving to go somewhere else. I salute them for their efforts they simply need management consultation.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is a terrible school. The teachers do their best but administrators make promises to the students and the parents but don't follow through. Don't enroll your child here. You can do better elsewhere.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have been greatly dissapointed with the lack of proffessionalism this school has displayed. The parents are uninformed about what is happening in the school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Positive: My child is in kindergarten and has a wonderful teacher that loves teaching and the challenge of a progressive student. I am very involved in my child s education and am able to visit the school regularly. Negative: Lack of timely communication to parents from administrative staff. Notices sent to parents days before events allowing limited response time. Despite the frustration, I refuse to give up as long as my child is enrolled. Unfortunately this is what makes the good teachers move on and parents as well.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Honestly, this is a terrible school. The teachers appeared to genuinely want to help the students, but the administration was quite insincere and without integrity (but attempting to feign the opposite). Please do not enroll your children here! Granted there are charter schools out there that truly want our students to succeed, this is one of those organizations which are in it only for the money. Good luck to you all.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“If you truly value your child's education, please don't send your child here. There are no resources or support for the students as well as the teachers.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“I have been dissappointed time and time again with the level of unprofessionalism when it comes to making parents aware of changes within the school. Several times now, parents of school children that attend Golden Day Schools (a sister school) have been told, when they are dropping their children off for school, that their child is to report to Fresh Start School. No prior notice, no prior phone calls, nothing. Whether it is about School programs, field trips etc. Fresh Start will not give the parents the courtesy of prior notice. It is extremely frustrating dealing with a school that refuses to get it together for the children and parents sake. Then they wonder why parents have attitudes.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school! My son has attented there sinne he was 4 1/2. Now he's in the 2nd grade. Hours are somewhat flexable and after school care is available year round (up to 5:30 pm sharp).”
This review was posted by a parent.