Trailblazer Loop
Roseville, CA 95747

My children's grades went down since they've been at Robert C. Cooley Middle School. I've received more emails from staff about how to provide funding for their wishlists, to provide funding for staff appreciation, to volunteer because they're short staff, and have even received an email to vote for the teacher's child's picture (whom doesn't even attend Cooley) so that their child could win a prize, over specifics about my child in the classroom. The overall experience at Cooley has been very disappointing.

I have a very positive experience with this school.

As a parent with 2 students who attended West Park for all 4 years, we have all been consistently disappointed over and over in many ways. Everything I write in this review is gathered from my own experience listening to 4 years of stories from my children, their friends, and other parents. I have personally met with admin several times to address my concerns and although they seemed interested in my feedback, nothing ever changed. As a teacher myself, I have taught my children to value their education and work hard, so they are good students earning a GPA of 4.0 and 3.7. BUT this is more because of family values and a work-hard ethic, not driven by admin, teachers, or support staff at West Park. First, there is NO school culture. Teachers do not build relationships with students or help foster that between students. They got rid of the ONE thing that was supposed to do that, the advisory program, which was not run well anyway. No wonder staff and students voted to get rid of it. IF is was designed and implemented the way it should be, it would have a huge positive impact. Second, most teachers do not use effective teaching strategies. Many teachers have poor methods of teaching and do not use effective engagement strategies required for 90 min classes. I doubt there has been staff training for this because this has been my children's #1 complaint. Teachers are boring, lecture more than engage students in conversations and learning, and don't enfold passion into their practice. This is especially true in the Math and PE departments, which have the most student and parent complaints. Out of all the teachers and classes my kids attended during their high years, I only heard excitement for FIVE "good" teachers. This is HORRIBLE considering they had over 60 teachers between the 2 of them. Third, there are major issues with several coaches in at least 3 sports programs. The coaches are demeaning, rude to players and parents, and definitely do not uphold their athletic mission. Unfortunarely, the atheltic director does not follow through either and finds excuses to keep coaches onboard despite player and parent complaints. Last, I am appalled at the dress code acceptance, despite the dress code policy. It is shocking what is allowed at school. Overall, the lack of leaderhip from the school principal shows up with poor school culture and poor teacher efficacy. If given the chance to do it all over again, I would send my children elsewhere.