I understand your frustration concerning college entrance and offer this as a solution. When you complete and pass the GED test, please send us the results and we will reimburse you for the cost of the test. When you graduated in 2008, we were nationally accredited. We made a change
in and decided not to continue with the National Accreditation Agency. We have been working on SAC accreditation since then. The State of Florida does not require schools to be accredited to be able to grant diplomas. Many students have been able to attend college outside of Florida. If you go to our website and see the graduate’s testimonies, they have included areas that they have been able to attend. On our contract, we do state that we cannot guarantee acceptance to any particular college. I still have the contract your parent’s signed, if you need a copy. Again, I sympathize with your disappointment, but will not be making a refund. However, I will reimburse you for the GED test. Sincerely, *** ***PrincipalFirst Coast AcademyJacksonville, Florida
Company's response below:From: [redacted] <[redacted]>Date: Tue, Jul 26, 2016 at 12:44 PMSubject: Case ID - [redacted])To: "[redacted], Unfortunately what [redacted] is going to have to understand is that business’ have what is called a “social responsibility” when it comes to conducting their everyday operations. Our responsibility to our society is to continue operating at the same level we have been with the change of ownership. We also are working on inefficiencies and ways to maintain our positive reputation. Business owners do not have control over changes in society and should work diligently to adjust to their needs. We are doing just that in regards to accreditation. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Thank you.Sincerely,[redacted]First Coast Academy
Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because: Thank you for your reply to my complaint. I understand the change in ownership as well as the status of accreditation. However, much like the circumstances surrounding [redacted] and the school closing and losing it's accreditation, for the students who were enrolled or who did graduate, their degrees or non-completed degrees, hold a bad reputation in the eyes of employers and other colleges due to press or what follows from the reputation of the school. [redacted] was once accredited as well, but it is no longer in existence, but the after affect doesn't change for the students who hold degrees from that particular school. I did complete my high school diploma with FCA because it would allow me to have a high school diploma, apply to work and to attend college. However, when colleges request my high school transcript from me and tell me that it's no good or ask me to provide a GED, it deals a big blow and I find it to be insulting and it's very embarrassing for me. The service I signed up for was to complete my high school courses, receive a high school diploma and would be able to have it in my possession as proof of completion that holds value. High schools that are traditional may close over the years and are no more, but those students who attended and graduated are still able to provide their diploma and it's accepted. I've read reviews from parents who refer to FCA as a "Diploma Mill", which are organizations that create diplomas for a set price under the guise of being an authentic one. One parent also states once her [redacted] completed FCA and received her diploma that they applied to many colleges and found FCA was added to a list of "DO NOT ACCEPT SCHOOLS". I as well was told the school curriculum and the quality of the program was unacceptable for admission. I've come across numerous reports from former students and parents of students who were very disappointed, angry and even threatening to sue the school for fraud and running a scam. The school is not considered respected or licensed as the website states. I desire to be compensated for the amount of money I invested in what I believed was my education. I do not wish to resort to legal matters, but if some portion of compensation is not settled, I will follow through with my lawsuit.
Regards,
[redacted]
I understand your frustration concerning college entrance and offer this as a solution. When you complete and pass the GED test, please send us the results and we will reimburse you for the cost of the test. When you graduated in 2008, we were nationally accredited. We made a change
in and decided not to continue with the National Accreditation Agency. We have been working on SAC accreditation since then. The State of Florida does not require schools to be accredited to be able to grant diplomas. Many students have been able to attend college outside of Florida. If you go to our website and see the graduate’s testimonies, they have included areas that they have been able to attend. On our contract, we do state that we cannot guarantee acceptance to any particular college. I still have the contract your parent’s signed, if you need a copy. Again, I sympathize with your disappointment, but will not be making a refund. However, I will reimburse you for the GED test. Sincerely, *** ***PrincipalFirst Coast AcademyJacksonville, Florida
Company's response below:From: [redacted] <[redacted]>Date: Tue, Jul 26, 2016 at 12:44 PMSubject: Case ID - [redacted])To: "[redacted], Unfortunately what [redacted] is going to have to understand is that business’ have what is called a “social responsibility” when it comes to conducting their everyday operations. Our responsibility to our society is to continue operating at the same level we have been with the change of ownership. We also are working on inefficiencies and ways to maintain our positive reputation. Business owners do not have control over changes in society and should work diligently to adjust to their needs. We are doing just that in regards to accreditation. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Thank you.Sincerely,[redacted]First Coast Academy
Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because: Thank you for your reply to my complaint. I understand the change in ownership as well as the status of accreditation. However, much like the circumstances surrounding [redacted] and the school closing and losing it's accreditation, for the students who were enrolled or who did graduate, their degrees or non-completed degrees, hold a bad reputation in the eyes of employers and other colleges due to press or what follows from the reputation of the school. [redacted] was once accredited as well, but it is no longer in existence, but the after affect doesn't change for the students who hold degrees from that particular school. I did complete my high school diploma with FCA because it would allow me to have a high school diploma, apply to work and to attend college. However, when colleges request my high school transcript from me and tell me that it's no good or ask me to provide a GED, it deals a big blow and I find it to be insulting and it's very embarrassing for me. The service I signed up for was to complete my high school courses, receive a high school diploma and would be able to have it in my possession as proof of completion that holds value. High schools that are traditional may close over the years and are no more, but those students who attended and graduated are still able to provide their diploma and it's accepted. I've read reviews from parents who refer to FCA as a "Diploma Mill", which are organizations that create diplomas for a set price under the guise of being an authentic one. One parent also states once her [redacted] completed FCA and received her diploma that they applied to many colleges and found FCA was added to a list of "DO NOT ACCEPT SCHOOLS". I as well was told the school curriculum and the quality of the program was unacceptable for admission. I've come across numerous reports from former students and parents of students who were very disappointed, angry and even threatening to sue the school for fraud and running a scam. The school is not considered respected or licensed as the website states. I desire to be compensated for the amount of money I invested in what I believed was my education. I do not wish to resort to legal matters, but if some portion of compensation is not settled, I will follow through with my lawsuit.
Regards,
[redacted]