5116 Helene Rd
Memphis, TN 38117

I currently attend Colonial, and I'm in honors classes as well as the CAPA program, specifically Creative Writing. Despite the previous comments, I find absolutely nothing wrong with the buiding. It's beautiful. However, the teachers seem slightly careless. As a 7th grader, I can say that my Pre-Algebra and Science teachers couldn't care less if you need help in certain areas. Though I do enjoy extra curricular activities and all. Just as any other middle schooler, I do dislike my careless teachers, and I look forward to certain classes, but to be fair, I did come from a private school, so I suppose that my expectations would be higher. The students are amazing and friendly. The beginning of the year may be slightly hectic, but after everyone is settled in, it's not as bad. I will be leaving this school next year and I wouldn't neccessarily recommend the school to anyone else.

Two kids were stabbed in the neck, and there was a fire set in the bathroom

My experience at this school has left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. Who knew advocating for your own child to get the recess they have a right to, in accordance to the new TN recess laws would be such a problem. Instead of respect, effective communication and a principal and teacher that cares for students well-being. I was met with intentional dismissiveness, minimization, deflection and a lack of accountability. To the point I had to involve a liaison. Why? And why would a teacher ignore when asked how she handles recess, yet can tell her class education is recess which clearly was an indirect way of having my daughter deliver me a message. Nonsense!! There was another incident involving a school trip and seating. My daughter mentioned a certain staff member instructed the kids where to sit, but was instructed to sit alone, which she said made her feel lonely. When seeking clarity during an in-person meeting, the lack of transparency and shifting of responsibility was very alarming. No one child gains anything from telling on what they see and hear . Additionally, my daughter reported a cafeteria monitor told a student to "shut up". I brought this concern to the principal, when my daughter first mentioned the staff member saying it under her breath. It was not taken seriously. When it later occurred more openly and I reported it again, my concern was ignored. A principal who says they want parents to continue advocating for their children, yet responds in a dismissive manner or intentionally ignores becomes part of the problem rather than the solution.