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 4% 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 3.0 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?

"Pay is good and beneficial" ((in 69 reviews)); "You meet some really great people at this organization and form relationships for the rest of your life." ((in 48 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 37 reviews)); "Great coaching during live teaching and documented summary provided." ((in 27 reviews))

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

"No work life balance and a high" ((in 104 reviews)); "Long hours and overly tolerant of negative student behaviors." ((in 77 reviews)); "Misalignment from network level down to teachers and incompetent leadership at some schools/staff shortages" ((in 35 reviews)); "Long hours (9 hours a day required for teachers)" ((in 20 reviews)); "Poor management." ((in 14 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

3.0

35% would recommend to a friend

(998 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 3.0 out of 5 stars, based on 998 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an average 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

998 reviews

1.0

Apr 4, 2013

The worst place I've ever worked...

Teacher

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The students are wonderful and motivated to learn.

Cons

Leadership is astonishingly out of touch with what it means to teach and educate children (probably due to the face that leadership has very little teaching experience). If you express an opinion or ask a question, prepare to be demonized. Teachers are bullied in ways that are frightening. Emotional and psychological harassment occurs and if you express concerns, they will make your life worse. At the school I work at, over 50% of the staff is NEW this year. The Achievement First network spends a fifth of its budget on recruiting each year because they can't retain teachers. In short, it's an abomination.

5.0

Jan 7, 2013

Work hard, but get extraordinary support, professional development, and make a positive impact.

Director of student life

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible roles that you can tailor to interests, entrepreneurial, decent pay, motivated and engaged colleagues, plenty of support, outstanding coaching model

Cons

Expectations for time spent working are high and sometimes unrealistic. To be successful, you will need to sacrifice some work-life balance.

1.0

Dec 3, 2012

Worst workplace I've ever been

Assistant to the director of external relations

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Actually play a part in improving education for young people.

Cons

No work-life balance, and if you try you are penalized. Management People do not say "hello" or acknowledge you

Viewing 991 - 993 of 998 Reviews

Jobs at Achievement First

2026-2027 (NY) Academic Dean -Math

2026-2027 (NY) Academic Dean

RI Academic Paraprofessional (2026-27)

RI 2026-2027 Academic Dean

CT Building Sub (2026-27)