For Teachers Who Truly Care About Their Kids
Pros
I'm dismayed by some of these other reviews. Yes, Democracy Prep has long hours, and yes we could be more structured, but if you've taught in a low-performing school it's hard not to realize how much of an improvement Democracy Prep is to the status quo. 1. Hard-working teachers 2. Supportive administration 3. Warm-firm balance to student culture creates environments that are happy for students and adults, even when the hours are long. 4. Good pay and benefit AND MOST IMPORTANTLY STUDENTS ARE LEARNING!! I'm a middle school teacher, and just today found out that one of our graduating seniors was accepted into Dartmouth, and another Princeton. Obviously not all of our kids will go to Ivy Leagues, but they don't all need to. As a MS teacher, what I do know is that all of my students will go to a high school where the teachers care, where the environment is supportive, and where they will continue to succeed. I know my hard work won't go to waste. I know the long hours will continue to be worth it. I see the students at my school learning in my classes. I see them scoring well on tests. I see them loving our technology class, our flag football team, and our music program. I see them going on field trips to DC and Canada (and I get jealous that I don't get to chaperone the HS trips to Ecuador and South Korea). I see motivated adults, students, and parents. I see learning happening, and I see kids loving it. Democracy Prep is not perfect, but if you care about helping kids be successful in school and embrace learning, this is a good environment.
Cons
Our hours/school day are long. We do some planning on the fly which means things aren't always as structured as they should be.