3224 SW 44th St
Oklahoma City, OK 73109

This school is becoming worse and worse every year. I can't wait to switch my kids school

In a poverty-stricken environment, many of my students have traumatic childhood experiences and have to deal with stressors at home. The cultural background of the majority of my students is Hispanic with a Spanish-speaking homelife. Many who are unable to speak English have difficulty retaining information because of the language barrier. Many of my students enroll in my class for the challenge physically. They enjoy the structure and physical activity it offers.My school’s mission is to inspire student success through academics, arts, athletics, and culture. However, the school culture can be perceived differently depending on whom you ask. Faculty members report a culture of apathy and disengagement, as evidenced by the high rate of absenteeism and tardiness among students. Meanwhile, many students feel that drug use and disruptive behavior are prevalent. The teachers attribute these issues to a lack of personal and parental responsibility for student performance, attendance, and behavior. The school encourages and tracks family engagement through direct contact when possible to address this. To reduce tardiness, the administration enforces policies that deter poor punctuality; students are locked out of the classroom when they are late with administrators staged in the halls togive passes for entrance back into the classroom. This monitors tardy accumulation and disciplines excessiveness. Community engagement is prevalent through the school's athletic and extracurricular clubs, additionally, local businesses sponsor various school activities to show support. Instructional coaches at the school place a focus on student-centered learning, using district resources to support this approach.In the last 4 years I have worked here, I have had 3 different principals. The current one has made the most improvement. The school is moving in the right direction, but has a long way to go. The top obstacles that directly hinder student progression are absenteeism, apathy, and lack of effective discipline. In terms of resources, students have more than enough to be successful. Graduation is not a true reflection of the knowledge standards, and students seem to make it across the stage who have missed more than 30 days of school; it seems to imply a force-feeding system to push numbers up, not accurately preparing students for life. I see a struggle between battling district policy riddled with ideology and a lack of home support teachers have to bear.

The administration is dismissive and condescending. Teacher morale is non-existent. Students don’t attend school. There is a high rate of absence. Students are unable to pass. Ganglike culture. Students try to start physical firs in the building. Complete lack of control but administrators paint a different image-an inaccurate image.