GALEN Plan in Shahbain Reserve by D.R. Horton
Raeford, NC 28376

My children have been at this school for 4 years. In my opinion it has gone down hill. This year the schools main focus is testing and making sure the students pass state testing. If not they will be retented. My kids have expressed to me how overwhelmed they are and how the teachers do not help them when they ask for help. My student is having issues with one of their teachers and it is taking a toll on them. I was lead to believe this was the "better" school in hoke county. Now im not so sure.

I went to this school all four years. I had lots of experiences and graduated last school year. So many fights happened. Bathrooms are horrible cause stall doors break, the locks never work, and you get interrogated or kicked out within 5 minutes of being in there. Which is particularly on the students cause some of them don't know how to act.Some teachers are great, however most suck because there's so many students to just one teacher. Plus half the teachers I had were just permanent subs who didn't know anything about the subject.In my opinion CTE courses have the most one on one time with students due to there being smaller classes and more hands on experience. I took barbering, which I enjoyed fully thanks to the teacher there, she's absolutely lovely as long as you follow expectations which isn't hard. She works with you and more often than not will absolutely bend over backwards for everyone.I rarely ever saw the special education classes but when I did they seemed happy, normally I'd see them during my lunch or when I was running a task for a teacher. They love to wave at everyone and the teachers have lots of patience. But I'm only speaking from the few minutes I'd see.Transportation is the main issue, no communication was given. Even the stupid bus app rarely worked. There's always been 3-5 busses that never show up on time and it was ridiculous that they expect you to get from across campus and to your bus within 7 minutes. Normally I'd say it's not too difficult but the halls are always crowded, doors rarely open, and sometimes you have to walk around the bus lot, looking between every bus just to see if you can find yours.Not to mention I've had my morning bus be late several times, which isn't usually a big deal, till it's 2 hours late when it's literally 27°f outside. Or when testing is going on and you absolutely need to be at your class on time or you won't be allowed to take the test. Even if your bus is late and you're lucky enough to have someone who can drive you to school you're screwed because they still will make you tardy or unexcused absence.Their system is designed for you to fail. If you get sick? Well you better still come to class because a doctors note means nothing. You're literally vomiting everywhere and can barely walk to the bathroom? Welp guess you'll just have to take an absent and take zeros for the assignments you'll inevitably not be able to do because canvas doesn't work on home computers anymore.

My son is currently a sophomore SandHoke early college high school. He is a very smart kid & pretty good student who ALWAYS completes his work although at times not to his greatest ability. Now, at this school he has flourished, he had grown in maturity as well as academically. While he still doesn't LOVE going to school (what teen does) he doesn't want to miss a day. He comes home telling me all that he has learned and has a new eagerness to learn. He has 2 college classes he has just started and I can just see the pride he has when he tells people he is taking college courses and will graduate with a diploma & an Associates degree. Unfortunately, we have just found out that we will be relocating VERY soon to another area with a poor school system. As heartbreaking as this is we may consider having our son stay behind with family because he loves his school. So, as rambling as the review may be just know this...my family would highly recommend this school. Im just sad that my soon to be middle schooler will be missing out on this opportunity.

Overall, Sandy Grove Middle School is a great school to attend. I am grateful for the schools staff, they can accommodate my needs, while also making sure each student are treated equally, they also make sure the students learning and though they can be strict sometimes, they simply just want to ensure that the students are doing well as far as grades and behavior.I also enjoy the variety of electives that they provide as well as extra curricular activities, giving me time to learn while also doing the things I love. On the other hand, I do think this school has room to improve by enforcing rules more strongly and also allowing parents to be included in different events and being more active with the parents informing them with what going on around the school.