2016 Thackrey St
Manhattan, KS 66502

Our experience with Lee for the multiple years we were varied from year to year. There are some excellent teachers there and there are some horrible teachers there. We got our taste of both. One teacher seemed more focused on medicating our child than teaching our child and also favored one parent over the other - that was the horrible one. Other teachers were excellent and focused on encouraging our child and propelling our child to excel. As far as the staff goes - it is hit and miss. Some are fantastic and some leave you wondering how they managed to be qualified for their job. If you are a blended family, I would avoid this school at all costs. They are not prepared or equipped to provide a non-biased interest for your kids. We experienced staff members telling us they were "on our side" and staff members making it clear they were not. I suppose if you do not have any drama with any exes this school would be an okay school. My take from it is that they don't quite have their stuff together to handle any dynamic other than your ideal American family.

I went to MHS from 9th-12th grade, graduating in 2022. Some items not reviewed due to lack of reference to other schools/others' experiences and my failing memory.Orchestra: 3 orchestras when I went, non-audition groups for 9th grade and 10th-12th, and an audition group. Audition group was roughly college-level and was one of the best in the country. Non-audition groups came in right behind the audition group during competitions.Band: Had several groups, including a jazz band, with audition and non-audition bands outside marching season. Several members of the band made it to the state ensemble and/or solo competition.Choir: Had several groups, including non-audition, audition, and pop choirs (latter included dancing).English: My experience with the English teachers varied from year to year, but most were good. The teachers for AP Lang prepared us quite well for the exam, and the same was true for those who took AP Lit. There was also a dual enrollment English course through the local technical school which covered equivalent material to AP Lang and AP Lit.Math: Every teacher I had ranged from quite good to amazing. The AP Math teachers were a Godsend and did not get enough credit for their amazing work.Biology: The anatomy & physiology class was good enough that it would have been dual enrollment if not for the only prereq being 9th grade biology and a teacher recommendation. AP Bio was hindered by COVID but was very good when we were in the classroom. There were several other options for varieties of AP and non-AP courses that seemed quite interesting. The teachers were beloved by most of the students who took their classes.Chemistry: Ordinary chemistry was a walk in the park as long as you went to class and did your homework. College-level chemistry courses were taught by 1 teacher, and he was always willing to help students after school and let students study/ask questions.Physics: Very good, the only friction point being the lack of an AP Physics C (calc-based physics) course - unless a student self-studies and gets help from a teacher.Tech: Offered a variety of woodworking/welding courses; the welding courses were free dual enrollment through the local technical school.PE: Was PELibrarians: Extremely kind and helpful. Also run a 3D printing lab for students.Advisors: Tended to push students either towards K-State or local tech school. Did their best to help struggling students.

Great school! My child is attending 7th grade here and loves it! Amazing staff, teachers, and administration. They care so much for their students at this school. Everyone, from the office staff to the prinicpal and vice principal, know my daughter - and everyone else - by first name. I wouldn't trade for any other middle school in town! Sometimes 'ratings' aren't everything.