Honors Academy of Literature in Reno

Posted: May 27, 2026

The principal is never there, teachers tend to do their own thing with little oversight, there are kids running out of classrooms, screaming, throwing things, threatening to stab teachers. Their test scores are abysmal. The behavior policy is a joke - some kids are cracked down on, others get to play games in the office. Kids spend way to much time on chromebooks with little controls. DO your research! Do you want your child in an environment like this?

Posted: May 27, 2026

Posted: February 5, 2026

Overall, the educators at HAL are caring and passionate. However, they seemed hobbled and unsupported by atrocious administrators. There is not much structure and there is a complete lack of consequences for bullies, which jeopardizes the safety of students and teachers. The teachers do not hold students responsible for their learning at all. My son was homeschooled and started HAL in the 4th gradehe was still testing at the 4th grade level in 7th grade. I ended up pulling him due to the bullying, horrible experiences with the "vice principal" (who is a complete joke), and.lack of accountability for learning outcomes. At HAL, my joyful boy became despondent and contemplated no longer being here. It was too much. We are back to homeschooling, and he loves learning again. He's almost at grade level again. I would not recommend this school to any parent who values education safety and sanity.

Posted: February 5, 2026

Posted: September 16, 2024

I will get my few complaints out of the way first. The school is located in a historical building, so I'm not sure how wheelchair accommodations would work (or if they would work). Also, the school has no drinking fountains, only water bottle refill stations (which isn't that big of a deal, more mildly irritating than actually a problem).
Other than those two incredibly minor critiques (okay, I guess that the potential problems with wheelchair accessibility could be a major concern if you need it), I have nothing but great things to say about this school. I don't think that I've ever waited more than one school day to get a reply from either my son's teacher or the office. The school is incredibly proactive in communicating with parents, recently there were concerns that the school would have to close due to wildfires in the area and the school was nearly constantly in contact with us via email and Facebook giving us updates. The teachers are all amazing at what they do and the staff is incredibly diverse, setting great examples for the students. The staff is always incredibly respectful to the students and have created a culture where the students are, for the most part, respectful to each other.
My son genuinely looks forward to going to school every day, we have to ask him to be patient about getting ready to go to school, it is never a struggle to get him get ready (other than sometimes he says he is ready before he actually is). At the end of his kindergarten year, he was already reading better than I was reading at the end of the first grade, if not older (and I was always told that I read above grade level).
I don't know what all Dr. Andi has put into the "secret sauce" of making the school work, but it definitely works.

Posted: September 16, 2024

Posted: February 20, 2023

My child has been attending HAL since 2019. Our experience overall has been very positive.

Andi seems to put considerable effort towards continual improvement and refinement of classroom technique and pedagogy.

Most of the teaching staff do an outstanding job. Id say much of the experience Id determined by how well my child connected with their teacher.

The only complaint that I have heard of consistently but have yet to experience myself, is that middle school grades lack coherence and there have been some bullying issues in the past.

Posted: February 20, 2023

Posted: February 16, 2022

School is falling apart, Dr Andi is never there and seems to have no interest in any of the massive issues plaguing her school when she is.

Posted: February 16, 2022

Posted: January 12, 2020

My daughter started at Honors Academy of Literature last school year reading below grade level and she had no confidence in her ability to answer questions correctly. By the end of last school year she was reading above grade level and could answer questions without whispering the answers for fear of being "wrong". And this school year her MAPs test scores are great and she has been on the honor roll both quarters.

Posted: January 12, 2020

My family has had a great experience at Honors Academy of Literature! Thank you to all of the staff!

Posted: January 12, 2020

The teachers that my children have at Honors Academy of Literature provide a weekly homework packet that includes writing, math, and cursive. It is broken down by day but your child can choose how much to accomplish on which days work best for their after school activities then the homework is turned in the following Monday. And this is in addition to the daily 30 minutes of reading.

Posted: January 12, 2020

I have witnessed the teachers working with students on everything from reading and writing to discussions of behavior.

Posted: January 12, 2020

Dr. Andi and her staff work well together and care for every scholar. I have heard teachers that are not my children's teachers great my children by name in the hallway

Posted: February 23, 2018

Awful. They do not anything about bullying, just talk to the kids and it continues. Total disrespect from the kids and no control. Would not recommend it to anyone.

Posted: August 17, 2017

Outstanding. Dr. Andy, her staff and all the teachers are so committed to the scholars. I would recommend this school to everyone.

Posted: August 17, 2017

Posted: June 20, 2017

After repeated complaints about a bully, my child received an official NRS complaint against her. She was found to NOT be the bully, but rather was further bullied again by the child of our multiple complaints. The staff sent me the other parents private information via email. The director was blissfully unaware of her violation of Nevada Revised Statues laws for bullying and failed to meet the laws requirements.

Posted: June 20, 2017

While the idea of sending homework home with a week to finish is great for family schedules, they type, quantity, and level of homework was not to expectation. My child lost the benefit of a better education with practice homework provides.

Posted: June 20, 2017

Our experience was with a single teacher that was new to the school. She didn't communicate well with parents about the child's educational goals and progress.

Posted: June 20, 2017

While staff made and attempt to teach character to children lacking, they did so by taking away activities from other students.

Posted: June 20, 2017

Foremost, the leadership should know the laws that need to be followed in the State. Sadly, distraction by the leadership takes away from what this school might have been.

Posted: June 20, 2017

This school is NOT recommended for students unless they learn well on their own, are highly focused, and can ignore distraction and annoyances.

Posted: June 20, 2017

Failing. As can be seen in the overall test scores, this school is not for students looking to achieve high overall, well rounded standards. There are definitely better options in the area for better and more diverse education.

Posted: January 31, 2016

My kids are happy. The new changed format in administration has been great. They listen to the needs of parents and students. All you have to do is speak up! The teachers have always been willing to work with my family in any circumstance to help my children achieve their goals.

Posted: November 5, 2015

My daughter began attending HAL in 5th grade after K-4 in an academically rigorous private school. We saw an immediate improvement in her attitude at home, and she has since been excited to learn and go to school. HAL strongly encourages collaboration and group projects throughout a student's day, as well as self-advocacy. Scholars are given the freedom to learn at their own pace but are challenged to grow and work hard. It's a hard balance but we feel that HAL does a great job of this. They have a strong sense of community and open-communication. All of our needs and concerns have been addressed and not once have I felt that my daughter is "lost in the crowd." We are very grateful for this great school.

Posted: January 6, 2015

Our daughter attended the public school two blocks from our home for first and second grades, however, we felt that it was not teaching at the level that we wished for our daughter. Fortunately, we checked out the Honors Academy of Literature (HAL) and we are pleased that we did. HAL places each child at the level of his or her readiness, and they have stellar ELECTIVES that are interesting, engaging, and academically challenging. HAL also has a high level of communication and engagement with parents. We are very pleased with the education and personal attention children at HAL receive, and are certain that they are doing their best to help children prepare for college and beyond. Our family loves HAL!

Posted: November 21, 2014

In the public school my daughter was worrying about which shoes to wear by the time she was in fourth grade. She was always trying to dress in a way that allowed her to blend in. When I took her shoe shopping recently she tried on every shoe that caught her eye. She explained, "At Honors the kids don't judge each other." She tells wonderful stories friendship and laughter. This school is everything I hoped it would be and more.

Posted: November 16, 2014

I have a special needs daughter who is valued and loved at this school. She is encouraged to excel in academics while strongly supported in her behavior. The strengths-based approach to children at The Honors Academy of Literature allows for my daughter and other unique students to thrive.

Posted: November 13, 2014

I am so lucky to get to work here each day with such strong professionals, caring parents, and excited students!

Posted: November 10, 2014

We love the Honors Academy of Literature! My son is above grade-level in math and at grade-level in reading. The way the school groups based on need rather than grade-level, my son is able to be challenged in math while still getting the reading instruction he needs. The staff is so warm and caring, and every member knows my son's name. We love the small class size, and small school feel.

Posted: November 10, 2014

Working at the Honors Academy of Literature has been like no other experience I have had in schools before. We work as a team, and always have to best it's of the scholars in mind. Because we are a small school, we get to know each of the scholars and families very well, and are able to meet their specific needs. The teachers are also treated as professionals, and are able to guide instruction to meet the needs of our scholars. The Honors Academy of Literature is warm and inviting, and a great place to be everyday.

Posted: November 10, 2014

I love going to work everyday. All the staff has the interest of the child and their families. I like the feeling that I am helping people.

Posted: November 10, 2014

As a member of the governing board of The Honors Academy of Literature, I highly recommend parents look into what this school offers. I believe the individualized education offered each scholar truly is the way to build a lifelong love of learning and prepare for real life and workplace successes. If I didnt I wouldn't volunteer hundreds of hours to help The Academy thrive.

Posted: November 10, 2014

Our family loves the Honors Academy! The developmental teaching style in both literacy and math allows my son to be challenged exactly where he needs to be challenged! The middle school has small class sizes and each teacher knows my son personally! He is greeted personally by all staff members every day! The elective classes are interesting and teachers provide support so all students are successful scholars! My son feels welcomed and supported at this school!

Posted: November 6, 2014

I have 4 children attending the school ranging in age from 7 to 13. They have been thriving! I had children who hated to read before they attending this fantastic literature based school, and now they've become book worms and put books on their Christmas/birthday wish lists! Their reading proficiency has increased, which has led to an increase of competency in other academic areas as well. With the smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, creative lesson plans, this school has been a Godsend to my kiddos. The downside is driving downtown from South Reno everyday, but the quantifiable benefit to my children outweighs any inconvenience in the drive. The teachers are amazing, the office staff is wonderful. I believe the more one puts in to something, the more they get out of it. As with any organization that deals with children, parental involvement is key - after all, it's your kiddo. When you partner in earnest with this school (teachers, administration, etc), you and your child will benefit enormously!

Posted: November 4, 2014

This school was great when it came to math but when it comes to the sciences it is lacking greatly. I went to middle school at HAL, while they did teach a bare minimum in science it was not enough because now I am in high school and am very under prepared

Honors Academy of Literature

Reno, NV 89501

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Honors Academy of Literature

Reno, NV 89501

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