SessaInNYC
AVOID AT ALL COST!!
AVOID AT ALL COST!! If we could, we would give Forest Trail Academy zero stars as the experience we have had/are having is the stuff of nightmares. We were assured and reassured that the classes are credited and recognized nationally. They are not!! The department of education here in NYC has never heard of Forest Trail Academy and we were told to pull our child out IMMEDIATELY. Our child is now behind on HS credits and has to play catch-up in the form of summer school and next academic year. We were lied to,dismissed, the effect of their dishonesty minimized and to top it all; their "eagerness" to have us pay for something that is not even valid and recognized!! We were strongly advised by the DoE to fight the case in court as the treats of court action have already started. We lawyer'ed up and are eagerly waiting to have the courts decide what to do with these "educators". They are saying that we are in breach of contract, we will then show and demonstrate that they run an illegal establishment. Cannot wait for that day to arrive so they can be shut down and other families will be saved from the misery we have had to go through...
Response from Forest Trail AcademyJun 17, 2019
The state of New York does not recognize any online school as an academic institution. They categorize online institutions as a home school. All parents/students enrolled at our school or any online school must enroll in their home school district as a home school parent/student. During the enrollment process, our admissions personnel inform all parents from the state of New York of this information. We currently have students from NY enrolled in our program. Additionally, we have had former students from NY who have graduated with us or have taken classes or a grade level with us. We welcome any former and current NY parents to substantiate this information. In regards to your review, we requested from you the name/title of the New York school personnel that informed you of this erroneous information but have not received a response from you, despite our numerous queries. We are still willing and able to speak with the personnel or representative that gave the information to you. Please note that your student would not have to make up or repeat any courses that have been successfully completed. If the course was not successfully completed, then you are correct, your student would have to retake the course(s). In regards to accreditation, our website provides direct links to the accrediting bodies so that all families are welcome to verify our accreditation for themselves.