103 E 3rd St. - The Hayden

I recently made the decision to withdraw my son from JGC due to significant concerns regarding the learning environment. We observed a troubling culture of favoritism and a lack of effective intervention regarding bullying. Since transferring him to an institution that prioritizes academic excellence and student well-being, the transformation has been remarkable. He is now engaged, supported, and genuinely enjoys learning. I would advise parents to carefully consider whether this school’s current faculty and administrative standards meet their expectations for a quality education.

First of all Holmes has disappointed us in so many ways. Unfortunately this is the only public middle and high school in Covington. My daughter has autism among other disabilities. She has an IEP. The school has failed her in some many ways. She has been suspended twice. Taken to the hospital from school for privacy I will not disclose. She has spent more time out of school than in and not once have we ever called her out of school. School kept sending her home and than we get a truancy letter. Also they determined she could not be safe or keep others safe and we were forced to make a decision in 5 mins either alternative school or virtual learning. We will not send her to alternative learning due to the location which was on a major highway. My daughter who is high elopement and they wanted to send her there and they said they are concerned about her safety I think not. So we had no choice but to do virtual which my daughter will not be successful in meeting goals. So the principal refuses to speak with us and refers us to the special Ed director all the time. Her teacher is nice but has not advocated much for Emily. Oh how I wish we could go back to her elementary school where everyone was great and knew how to keep her safe. She met her goals there and loved her special Ed teacher. HOLMES Middle school is a huge disappointment. If you have a special needs child please please do not send them here. If your child has behaviors they will seem like they care at first but eventually you will be in our shoes. A school who would rather not deal with a child who has emotional issues. I understand they have to keep others safe but special needs at the school is at the bottom of the list. Good luck if you send your special needs child there. Now we are in a position where we have to try to educate her ourselves. The school is to provide material but yet to do so and she gets 2 hours a week with a teacher what is that going to do ? Well that is my review.

When I say I am a graduate of Holmes High, the usual response is "oh, I'm sorry." I cannot imagine why, because I'm not sorry at all! I loved my school! The majority of my teachers were of high quality, and the wide variety of educational opportunities available (Clubs, Sports, Music, Vocational training, AP/IB classes, Parenting classes so that being a teen mother/father was no longer an educational death sentence) trumped any school I had attended (and I attended many). No, our test scores were not the highest, but that has as much (if not more) to do with the lack of support students receive at home. Given the general low economic level of the school population (I think in my time there it was something like 30% were at or below poverty level), parents are either working 3 jobs and too tired, or have given up and stop caring. They can't/ won't expect more of their children, so students learn not to expect more for themselves. Against a constant flow of apathy from the students, even the most engaged and well-meaning teacher can lose his/ her dedication. Get parents interested in their child's education, teach students to expect more, and you'll see the scores improve.