Betsie River Rd
Interlochen, MI 49643

My son had a great experience at West Sr. High. They offer a large amount of AP classes and the staff is excellent. Even though it is a big school, it never felt big to him or us. The teachers and administration were very responsive to both his issues and our questions. He was very well prepared upon entering college.

I would not recommend this school. The culture is rather unwelcoming. Of course there are some wonderful teachers here, but during my observation I noticed numerous red flags. I saw staff discouraged from (and chastised for) interacting with students in favor of self-guided learning. I know in theory this is a part of the Montessori method, but what I saw resulted in several instances of isolationism (employed by both teachers and students). I heard politicized statements from at least three staff members (in the presence of students). I found out multiple paraprofessionals were deprived of lunch breaks (or any break) for days on end due to staff shortages. I also saw a staff member nearly hit trying to cross Franke Road. She informed me this was a regular occurrence because staff were required to park across the street at Meijer.It occurred to me that perhaps safety was not a top priority. One of the rooms was 62 degrees. I saw students shivering after coming in from recess soaked in wet coats. In the other schools I observed, students had indoor recess when it was raining, but apparently not at Montessori. I tried to keep an open mind. I found the "Montessorian" pledge that followed the Pledge of Allegiance slightly odd. Coupled with the ubiquitous pictures of Maria Montessori throughout the school, I was stricken with a feeling of unease. It was also disconcerting to see three year age gaps in the classroom. Large nine year old students sat next to small students who just turned six. At that age, a few years can make a considerable difference in physical, social and psychological development. I was told the Montessorian philosophy emphasizes creating an external home for students, one that reflects their own home. While I did not find the austere, gargantuan modern glass building to be particularly conducive to this principle, I did notice one teacher constantly refer to her classroom as their family. I am not sure whether I view a school as my child's secondary family.I witnessed a birthday celebration for one of the elementary students, but there were no cakes, cookies or candies. Evidently, the school does not allow sugar. I asked if exceptions were made for Halloween or other special occasions, and I was assured there were not. Instead the students had rice cakes and walked silently around a candle. The whole ceremony seemed bizarre and unnerving. I understand nontraditional educational paths, but not at the expense of enjoying one's youth.

As a student here, this school sucks, all the kids are racist and discriminatory, and the teachers don't actually help you with anything and are just annoying.

This school is something special. It isn't focussed on getting into some snob nose university I'll admit, but it does what it needs to. People go here to graduate, that's why we go to highschool. The staff is amazing, and the atmosphere is the best I've ever seen. Everybody works with each other in a way I've never seen at a high school before. No dumb cliques, ingroup outgroup, or anything like that. It's special.