Aloma High Charter

I would give this rating no stars if I could. We enrolled my son in this school so that he could earn a high school diploma. We thought this would be a place where he could get a second chance. what we got was terrible communication from the staff (No one ever answers the phone!) and when we were finally able to contact the gentleman in charge of the issue we needed handled, he was rude, condescending and out-right shady. When asked a direct question, Mr. Waldron dodged my question and congratulated me on my son completing his English course (This had nothing to do with what I was asking!). When asked why my phone calls and email weren't returned, his response was that he "wasn't going to respond to hate mail". Um, my words didn't degrade, demean or persecute anyone. what they DID do was ask WHY the educators in this school weren't acting as such - EDUCATORS! If my son is working is tail off and is doing the right thing by attending school and buckling down, I would expect the educators in charge of educating him, would do the same. Mr. Waldron has been promising to take care of three credits owed to my son since before the LAST school year ended. Every time my son asks when it will be done, he gets the same response - "I'll take care of it, you're good". But it has not been taken care of and apparently he's not "good" because now that I had to get involved, he's only going to issue him ONE credit?!? Because my son didn't "turn everything in". So, everything was "good" before I called your boss and complained, but now that you've been exposed as lazy and not doing your JOB, he isn't going to get the credits? This Mama Bear is NOT having it. My son has come too far and has worked too hard to have the likes of Mr. Waldron set him back. Thank goodness for the principal Mrs. Villanueva who was kind, understanding and very helpful - apparently my son isn't the only one waiting for credits - she is this school's saving grace.
Mr. Waldron aside, let me address the "Security Guard" that works at the school. We were running late this morning, so we called my son's teacher to inform him and was told to call him if my son wasn't let in. When we arrived, the security guard - I'll refer to him as Top Flight Security - was vacuuming near the door where my son was standing waiting to get in. After a few minutes I thought, ok, let me honk to grab his attention. Still vacuuming. So, I got out of my car, knocked on the door. This got Top Flight's attention and he opened the door and let my son in. I asked him why he didn't open it sooner and his response was that he didn't see him. Through the GLASS door my son was standing in front of while you were vacuuming and facing? You couldn't see him? Through glass? He saw my kid standing there, there isn't a doubt in my mind. Perhaps he was abiding by the sign posted on the door that read "If you're late, then you can wait" - Which is THE most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. This is supposed to be a place for second chance kids - If they are working hard, they deserve to be cut a break now and again. And, no I'm not saying coddle them and allow them to be consistently late - what I AM saying is in the very least, provide a POSITIVE environment for them to work and learn in. Don't be a jerk and continue vacuuming when you clearly see a kid at the door waiting to get in and get his day started. Don't be a lazy educator and make sure you are doing right by the students. They are not throw away kids. They have dreams and hopes and aspirations and deserve attentive, caring INVOLVED educators!

I really like this school because it gives you the chance to work at your own pace and actually get a diploma. I should be graduating in December. Cant wait.