18th St E
Cottondale, AL 35453

Absolute worst school I've come across in my 13 years of parenting. My second child went to daycare and preschool and was not new to structure and discipline by the time he started Kindergarten here in 2024. By day 3 he was not allowed to play at recess because he was "being silly," typical behavior for a 5 year old in a new environment full of other five year olds. They have "high expectations," but NOT realistic OR age appropriate expectations. No redirection, only jumping to punishment like some kind of drill sergeants. As if the tactics are go hard and strong and the kids will learn to follow orders. We're talking about Kindergarten!! Maybe the new principal, and vice principal?? They were very dismissive when I requested info on why they were tolerating a grown "special needs," man running into and jumping at the children on the recess playground. I honestly don't care if the guy is special needs, what I care about is that my child is safe and only in the company of other students not random community members looking to entertain themselves. On the 7th day of school children were being punished and humiliated in front of a lunchroom of peers by having to "put their nose in the wall," for being silly after school while waiting for turn to get picked up. No warnings, or redirection, just straight punishments. They allow other children to hold them aggressively by the arms while the wait for cars to pull up to pick that child up, when it's obviously not necessary because the car riding child is showing no reason for the arm holding and is CLEARLY uncomfortable with it!! This school has SO MUCH that requires addressing and CORRECTING, like COMMON CHILD PSYCHOLOGY is completely disregarded. Use of delayed punishment, bribery with food rewards. Peer humiliation, aggressive tactics, dismissing parents voicing concerns, as if this school is for grumpy child haters to have a job rather than an educational environment FOR children. Disgusted after multiple attempts to get assistance I removed my child from the trashiest school I've seen in Tuscaloosa Area.

This is going to be my second year in high school and I am glad to be spending it at Holt high. This school year that just passed was amazing. Holt high is the perfect partner for a freshman. Teachers are amazing and the classes are the best, especially the auto tech class that is given at the school, i took it this year and ill try to take it every year. There is nothing I would change about this school, well maybe the building because it is the oldest school of the county, but besides that I love this school and I am proud to be a holt high school sophomore.

School has a lot of roaches/bugs , could use more cleaning and more respectful teachers.