They require 100% commitment to every aspect of their vision and mission. People that have different viewpoints or lifestyles are often very quiet about them for fear of being ostracized or fired. For example, I knew of a lesbian teacher at a Great Hearts academy who told only two or three employees of her lifestyle out of fear.
The pay is low. Starting pay for a lead teacher is capped at $33,000 per year with no regard for experience or qualifications that would demand a higher salary.
Raises are typically only %3 cost of living raise each year.
Despite the low pay, they demand teachers to work upwards of 70 hours a week. I was working 10-12 hours a day on week days and 4-10 hours per weekend.
The administration at my school retaliated against employees on a regular basis despite the "no retaliation" company policy. Any employee who spoke up against the unreasonable work demands and lack of administrative support was quietly phased out, given less an less responsibility , and not offered a contract renewal for the following year.
Because they hire new college graduates the faculty and staff tend to be young and very naive. They allow themselves to Often times, I felt like I was in a college dorm again based on the way the faculty related and spoke to each other. I guess that whether this is a plus or minus depends on your point of view. It was huge minus for me because this was my fourth job our of college and I really wanted to be interacting with professional adults.
The culture is extremely authoritarian. My advice: Don't teach here if you have better options.
