541 Box
Hamel, IL 62046

I worked for the district in a few spots as well as had a student who attended the high school. There are many many sweet wonderful people who work here but the HR department could care less about your kid, they just need roles filled. Man do they take the opportunity to charge your account for everything. Replacements IDs alone add up but if they misplace your mandatory laptop, thats like 600$.We were really excited for all the sports and how big the arts program was. Unfortunately for some of the sports, your child does have to be very good/experienced to make the team. The old typical high school experience of just try out different sports (especially as a freshman) cant happen for a lot of kids. The arts program also ended up being a bust. After taking the required intro class, you cant just take the next art class you're interested in. The teacher HAS to give their approval for you to get into any class (after the intro) and they can deny the student with out having to give you any reason. Again, the typical high school experience of just trying out fun new classes taken away for many. The staff are drowning in students. The ratio's on here seem a little off. Many parents and students can never get a hold of their counselors (whom are in control of their whole school schedule among other things). My sons counselor put him in three different PE classes for one semester with out even consulting a parent. I don't think it was malicious, I think it just showed a counselor drowning in students and just making whatever choice will pass. The teachers are doing their best but the school is overcrowded. It felt a lot like a college level learning experience where the district expects your child to be pretty independent and self disciplined so kids who do need help with different learning styles often feel overlooked/bulldozed. The nurse staff is drowning and its a little scary when you think about it. There are two (often just one) nurse to handle ALL emergencies, IEPS, daily prescribed medication, daily sick call needs and minor injuries for students AND staff (2400 students this year).If you cant help but let your child attend here just be comforted in knowing there ARE some great staff here BUT you have to be active. You have to constantly be rooting for your student and encouraging them. You have to lean into fostering healthy communication with your teen even though its awkward sometimes and it would be easier not to. Fight for your student.

No complaints, when my child was attending this school.

This is a very new school, very clean. The teachers are wonderful and the PTA is very involved. They make a great effort to keep the kids safe and happy. The only negative is that the cafeteria is also the gym, which makes things very noisy during Lunch/recess!!

I'm proud that my daughter is Accelerating in academics in sport wise!