655 Blackhawk Dr
Batavia, IL 60510

Rotolo Middle School in Batavia has been a nurturing environment for my four children. The teachers were amazing, and they also communicated well with us when necessary. One of my children had an IEP, and the staff there met with us on a regular basis to ensure my student's needs were met. They also did a great job of encouraging music, athletics, and clubs. As a result, all four were well-prepared for Batavia High School.

I have had 2 students graduate from BHS. One is now a college graduate with a great job and the other is doing well and will be a senior in college next year. I feel that both my students were well prepared with the transition to a four year university and were set up for success. We are fortunate to be apart of this awesome school district.

I am writing this review not out of anger, but out of heartbreak and profound concern. My child was the target of a racially charged incident at school—a moment no parent ever wants their child to experience. What makes this even more painful is the complete lack of urgency, care, or communication from Principal Chris Milka and the school’s leadership.I was never contacted by the school. I only learned what had happened when my child bravely told me after coming home visibly shaken. I had to initiate the conversation with the school myself—an unacceptable failure of responsibility and protocol. To make matters worse, I later learned that the parents of the student who used the racial slur were notified only by email—not by phone. This shows a deeply disturbing lack of seriousness in how the school handles racial bullying.This is not just a communication failure. It is a moral failure. When a school leader demonstrates more comfort with quietly brushing racism under the rug than confronting it head-on, they send a dangerous message: that the well-being and dignity of all children are not equally valued.What’s worse is that this is not an isolated incident. I’ve listened to multiple Batavia school board meetings where student after student has bravely spoken out about the racism and discrimination they’ve experienced within the district. It’s clear that this is a deep-rooted and systemic issue in Batavia School District 101—one that has gone unaddressed for far too long.There is a clear and urgent need for stronger leadership, racial equity training, and accountability. Until that happens, I cannot in good conscience recommend this school—or this district—to any parent, especially families of color. Every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and protected. That is simply not happening here.