Foothills Academy Society

Great for children with learning disabilities. Due to the dwindling staff programs are limited to sports and basic academics.
The number of kids in each grade is quite small, which can be a good thing. Since everyone is an exocentric kid, almost nobody is bullied or an outcast. However the ones that manage to be so different that they become an outcast, will have the worst possible time in this environment.
Everyone knows each other like cousins (gets weird when anyone starts dating), rumors are impossible to escape.
The school environment is extremely controlled, which is great if you want to keep your child in a bubble. The kids who've been there the longest tend to resent the school for minimizing their social opportunities. Great, if you were struggling so bad in public school that you couldn't possibly graduate otherwise. Just keep in mind that you are sacrificing social exposer, and as a result your child will come out the other end a little less socially aware or experienced than others their age. People who graduate from Foothills Academy tend to either distance them self from the school as much as possible, or love an support the school as much as they can.
There's a lot of behind the scenes drama and politics, stuff that students and parents are kept in the dark from. This school is like a very close strict family with a lot of money. Anything that can jeopardize the families image is swept under the rug. They love you but shelter you to an unhealthy degree.
There is not a lot of room to explore new ideas or challenge ones perspective.

I applied to this school based on (3) paediatricians' recommendations that my son would do well there. After waiting for an intake opportunity, making a financial plan, prepping & copying years of paperwork and paying the application fee - we were rejected within 48hrs based on IQ score data from his initial assessment for diagnosis. (This is info gathered prior medications and assistance after diagnosis.) They say his IQ is too low. In other words, he is too disabled for their program. I understand the value of the old IQ info but I don't agree that it would predict his future potential for learning - on an older child maybe, but he was 6 at the time. I am disappointed the school did not see or interview my son at all. All his teachers who have worked with him have commented on his ability - he is in grade 4 now: once he learns he can retain information. The challenge is getting that info in, and the public board is very limited on staff/resources (though they have been exceptional in doing what they can to help us along the way). He has shown significant improvements since his diagnosis and medication. He appears and is basically ''normal' in every way other than when learning something new - he us slower. I had hoped a highly recommended speciality school such as this would have been more familiar with these situations but I guess this school is better suited for students with physical disabilites vs those with any cognitive issues. They do state online that there are IQ standards for acceptance. I had expected some testing or interviews if there was any doubt to his suitability for their programming. I am surprised (but only slightly) that there is no such process. I say only slightly because there is along wait list and high demand for a spot here. I'm sure their program works well for anyone that gets in, just don't get your hopes up if your child faces challenges as mine. I will keep looking.

It's about time I write a review for this amazing place!

I attended school there from grade 8 to grade 12. I gotta say, this place is amazing. I never felt unwanted. Not once. The teachers are legitimately invested in their students & are personable, caring & diplomatic. Most importantly, they're friends to the students, which goes a long way when ascending through adolescence.

I was one of their early students with a mild autism spectrum disorder. They knew that this would be an academic experience for both parties. Through them, I learned just how intelligent & powerful I was; A personal epiphany that the public system could have never given me. There's a McLargeHuge binder on autism in that school because of me :D . Both student & teacher at the Academy have an insatiable apatite for learning.

Those were some of the greatest years of my life & I'll never forget it. And even through the toughest, most terrible parts of my teens - which we all experienced at least one of these events together - teachers & students were all here for each other. There's a level of camaraderie at that school that would only be found elsewhere on a seasoned warship or in the great works of Star Trek.

I owe this school, my fellow alumni & it's teachers more than I could ever repay in kindness or in finances. This place is a faculty of heroes, that teach kids that they are heroes themselves for the differences; And that the flaws we have are in fact the inherent power that will, in the end, change everything.