Democracy Prep Public Schools Reviews

Pros

At Democracy Prep, you are given a strong framework: here is a clear job description, here is the reporting structure, here is our mission and the CMO role toward the schools. But, you are also respected as a professional to be creative on behalf of that mission. You are not micro-managed. You are developed. You are given frameworks, templates, supports. But, you are also given a ton of freedom to figure things out for your individual role, for your team, and for some of the Network's priorities.

Cons

Ed reform work is hard. It is taxing, it is sometimes thankless, and it is a real time commitment.

Pros

I was hired to teach the previous year. Unfortunately, due to health related issues I had to resign. The principal of Endurance Middle School is very welcoming and she really cares about students.

Cons

I worked only the first week, and the hours were incredibly long. We started at 7:20 and finished after 5. That’s almost 12 hours, and we did not get paid overtime.

Pros

Continuously reinforces administrative effectiveness by providing development opportunities, such as anti-racist training, specified field training, and support.

Cons

D.P. encourages employees to solve their own problems. There is no rule book. A great place to work if you have the drive and an ambitious work ethic.

Pros

This is the first organization I've worked for in my career in which everyone I've met is very genuinely dedicated to the mission of not only bettering the lives of our students and communities, but also of facilitating the growth of future leaders and change-agents. DP is different from other charter organizations in its commitment to civic engagement and social justice, so it tends to attract people who are in the work for the right reasons. The students are unusually kind, eager, and empathic for the most part, although this trait can vary by campus, so visits are key. I've been very impressed with our organization's commitment to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) work at all levels. For teachers, the benefit is that the network provides a pretty solid curriculum with all materials and assessments created; the teachers' job is to internalize those lessons. Teachers are given significant PD support and coaching.

Cons

Like most public schools and charter organizations, money is tight. Teachers sometimes have to teach extra classes when people are out. The network is newly committed to using substitutes for long term situations, which has been a game changer on overworked staff.

Pros

Civics-driven mission, quality professional development, generous benefits, driven managers.

Cons

Long work hours, benefits favor longevity