5754 Lois Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

I have, my family has and my kids have been an extremely dedicated family for over 20 years to Mark West, volunteering, donating With No Issue Until I had a child who wasn't perfect who had issues. This is not a school for any kids with behavior or learning issues at all. They will do anything and everything to get ride of them.I received a notice that said we have been watching you for months yet I'm told my kids are not enrolled 4 days before school starts? So I have no after school child care nothing for my children I thought Mark West and its staff Cared About. What a horrible thing all the way around. I had several families tell me that were on interdistrict transfers that had children with any kind of special needs where pushed out by any means. I didn’t believe it and stuck up for MWUSD! They have some of the best teachers but new staff, district people are just well not the same!

Love this school helped my daughter's iep

My daughter is going into her Junior year. She is doing excellent academically (according to her grades), but I feel the school is not preparing her for the rigor of a top college like I wish they would. They are more concerned with everyone passing and leaving no kid behind. They are wasting money and time trying to prepare every kid for college even though many have no intention, nor the aptitude to finish college. Meanwhile, we have a huge shortage of tradesmen in the workforce. What happened to the attitude of graduating kids with skills to make good wages and an honest living without needing college? We are doing them and those wanting to go to college a disservice. They must water down the higher-level classes so those that are not academically inclined can pass, yet they still don't need nor care what they kind of learned. I guess this is more of a district issue, but Piner could make their classes as hard as they should be and if some fail, so be it. Maybe then the district will get a clue. Another complaint I have is about the lack of pushing the kids to strive for the best. They are happy to push kids to easier schools like SSU. Why not push them to the UC's and if they fall short they can attend SRJC and TAG to a UC? Come on counseling staff and administration. Many kids are more capable than you give them credit for and will only do what you tell them to. Help them dream bigger with higher goals.The best thing about this school is the Early College Magnet program which many in other schools don't know about. My daughter is on track to finish the IGETC requirements and be certified by SRJC. Then she won't have to do any General Education classes when she is in college. I have to do all of the research myself. Unfortunately, it feels like I know a lot more about college planning than the staff at Piner or any other Santa Rosa school.Overall, she is having a good experience, but I feel they have a lot to improve on.