00 Pine Shadow
Aiken, SC 29803

Regardless of the reviews, even my personal opinions of certain aspects of the school, I only have one complaint against the school system, and that's their response to bullies. The teachers really go hard to meet both standards, and ensure academic progression. They involve parents by posting assignments on the parent portal. We don't agree that state standards are beneficial to education, and is usually focused on funding more than ensuring cognitive development. Even the students complain that the school feels stale, unengaging, like a prison, and boring. Being behind brick walls for 8 hours, unable to engage in conversation, or get any sunlight can make anyone feel that way. I particularly have contention with the way they deal with bully situations. The disciplinary system seems to punish the victim before they deal with the aggressor. I've seen it through several years where children were sent home in tears, because of students with uncontrolled behavior problems getting away with acting out against others. My children, who are trained in self-defense and martial arts, practice restraint, inform adults of issues, and explain in detail to us what's happening during these confrontations. When we address the school, nothing happens. They claim to shuffle the desks around, but seem unwilling, and expressively unable to change the class of the student being harassed, or moving the aggressor. These bullies go from child to child with the same complaints from different families being ignored. When the victim decides to defend themselves, the school reacts harshly against them. Some students actually stop talking to the teachers about what's going on, and resort to violence, bringing weapons, or ganging up on the bully, being willing to take that risk due to inaction of the school. We've even spoken with the interim principle who seems indifferent to any accusation, and tries to protect the reputation of the school more than he tries to protect the students. Maybe he's burnt out, and should consider other employment. Whatever the case it may be, things are going to change, and it probably takes the bully's parents to do so, either in the street, or in the court system. I can assure you that students and parents have had enough of this school, and administrators refusing to protect these children. My children will stand their ground, and defend themselves and others if need be. The community is united. Too bad the school barely represents this unity.