Does Achievement First pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Achievement First employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.1 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Achievement First. This rating has decreased by 5% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Achievement First?

35% of Achievement First employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Achievement First 2.6 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.1 for culture and values and 3.1 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Achievement First?

Teacher (267) , Lead Teacher (34) , Academic Dean (20) , Teacher In Residence (20) , English Teacher (18) , Student Services Manager (17) , Math Teacher (14) , Dean (13) , Dean of Students (13) , Middle School Math Teacher (12) , Special Education Teacher (12) , Middle School Teacher (9) , Director (8) , Office Coordinator (8) , Associate Director (6)

What are the pros of working at Achievement First according to real employee reviews?

"The pay was good and sustained" ((in 69 reviews)); "Some great people work there!" ((in 47 reviews)); "Competitive salary depending on number of years and education Day to day truly depends on the specific school" ((in 42 reviews)); "Good Professional Development" ((in 35 reviews)); "Great coaching during live teaching and documented summary provided." ((in 26 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Achievement First according to real employee reviews?

"No work life balance and a high" ((in 107 reviews)); "Long hours and overly tolerant of negative student behaviors." ((in 74 reviews)); "Misalignment from network level down to teachers and incompetent leadership at some schools/staff shortages" ((in 34 reviews)); "Long hours (9 hours a day required for teachers)" ((in 22 reviews)); "Long days and school year." ((in 13 reviews))

What are employees saying about Achievement First layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Achievement First layoffs and their outlook for job security at Achievement First in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Achievement First locations?

Brooklyn , New York , New Haven , Providence , Hartford , Bridgeport , Bushwick , Crown Heights , Cranston , East New York , North Providence , Binghamton , Queensbury , Stanfordville , Tempe , Hamden , New Orleans , Warwick , Miami , Boston , Savannah , Grand Chute , Brooklyn , Brownsville

Achievement First reviews

3.1

35% would recommend to a friend

(999 total reviews)

Fatimah Barker

39% approve of CEO

21% positive business outlook

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Achievement First has an employee rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars, based on 999 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Achievement First employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Education industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

999 reviews

2.0

Nov 22, 2021

Teacher turnover should tell them something

Teacher in residence

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Trial by fire. Great if you want to learn quick.

Cons

AF was a total mess. I had 0 teaching experience and was full classroom teaching by the second month. That would be fine if a little grace was afforded… however, it was not. My coach was fluent in professional passive aggressiveness. Teach like a champion is the gospel and zero tolerance is eyeroll inducing. Place is a pressure cooker off stress. I left and have been at the same charter, so it did get me in the door. Be very careful though, they only care about test scores.

1.0

Nov 18, 2021

Disappointed

Teacher

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Lots of resources for teachers

Cons

Inexperienced management that frequently changes and reports of unhappy employees everywhere. Focuses on the shortcomings of teachers. Continued gaslighting.

4.0

Nov 17, 2021

Balance is key

Academic dean

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Kids, Families, Classroom experiences, Culture Events

Cons

No work life balance (doesn’t exist)

Viewing 382 - 384 of 999 Reviews

Jobs at Achievement First

2026-2027 (NY) Academic Dean -Math

RI 2026-2027 Academic Dean

2026-2027 (NY) Academic Dean

RI Academic Paraprofessional (2026-27)

RI Middle School History Teacher (2026-27)