Democracy Prep Public Schools Reviews

Cons

The only think I can think of is that this is not a 9-5 job. However, if you're looking to make a noticeable impact in education, a 9-5 job is not going to cut it.

Cons

Long hours, plus an 40 extra hr requirement outside of workday.

Cons

The long hours lead to burn out pretty quickly.

Cons

Everything else. Racist, classist charter school obsessed with respectability politics, punishment, and subordination of students and staff of color. Leadership is awful. It's a traumatizing work environment and most staff leave within their first year.

Cons

Longer hours than DOE
Lack of transparency regarding evaluations. They were never particularly clear as to what system they use. in the DOE they used Danielsen Framework. I never received any rubric or guidance as to what they are looking for.
They have a "no excuses" policy regarding students. But in the end teachers will always get blamed if students are not performing well. So in reality administrators are making excuses for students.
You can be let go for any or no reason. My contract was not renewed because I did not build strong enough relationships with students. That is ridiculous because most kids did like me.
New teachers aren't treated the same as veteran teachers. Veterans usually have contracts renewed even though I have seen very negative interactions with students. New teachers are much more vulnerable.
They hold teachers accountable but not students.
Many teachers leave during the year. The CEO denies this but she is a delusional fool.
Students are tough to teach. They like to "test" new teachers.

Cons

Salary varies -- no set standard

Cons

Democracy Prep came from a "no excuses" model and is still in the process of reexamining the effectiveness of its discipline system. Less experienced teachers rely heavily on consequences for behavior management.

Cons

I was a super long and you were micromanaged minute by minute, the principal lacks any compassion and only criticizes, doesn’t speak to Strank’s, the workload is extremely heavy and tiring and many teachers are always crying and often quitting. The students are miserable and given consequences for every little thing like leaning their head on their chin while writing or reading, even if they’re paying 100% attention. There are multiple staff meetings like 7:10 AM every Monday and professional development until 5 PM every Friday. There are also only five personal/sick days for the whole year and many random late night events throughout the year they’re not told when you sign contract. If you don’t have pets and these events, you get your personal days taken away from you and additional hours added to the 40 hours of unpaid overtime everyone is required to do. there is also an out-of-state trip each year for about three days which they don’t tell you about when signing contracts but you must go on the trip or lose two personal days.

Cons

Over emphasis on observations without much guidance for follow-up.

Cons

Hours are very long so make sure to have a work life balance that caters to your health. Not enough support when needed. It will all depend on your leadership whether or not you will love going to work.