Grix
Woodhaven, MI 48183

I rated the security/safety so low only because they do not have any parameters to make sure the students aren't bringing in weapons. I would offer a higher rating if the teaching staff were higher.The school district has a very diverse group of students; from White to African American, LatinX, and some Asian ethnicities. However, the teaching staff is entirely all white, with one Black Female teacher and a Latin Teacher who doesn't teach Spanish. It is so unfortunate that the school is so diverse but the teaching staff do not represent the diversity in their staff. Students of color need to see themselves in professional, upwardly mobile roles in order to believe in they can make it and become somebody. If they only see white people in professional roles then they begin to diminish their self-belief. There have been 2 black males the students have been exposed to over the years and one of them was a janitor. The maintenance worker serves an integral role in schools, however, African Americans can do more than that.Additionally, some of the staff can't relate to the students and vice versa. Teaching an African American male is different than teaching any other type of student, and that has been studied and factually founded. African American females need to relate to someone as they are becoming women in this world of white supremacy. Lastly, this school district needs to begin doing some work around social justice and having some important "Courageous Conversations," specifically in terms of why they won't hire people of color, namely black people, especially since approximately 40% of their student body is Black.

I’ve been in woodhaven schools for a while. I haven’t had a SINGLE consecutive month- maybe even week- where i wasn’t made fun of, sexually harassed, called slurs, or bullied in some kind of way. I’m now in online school and will NOT be going to college out of fear of having a similar experience to this. Thanks!

The fist day of school was a disaster for my kindergartener last year. They said no parents in the school on the first day but we watched many parents walk through the front doors with staff members holding the door open for them. The staff was non verbal to the children with grumpy faces instead of being helpful to a scared children on their first day, providing direction. My daughter wandered the hall for a couple of minutes not knowing where to go until we walked in to give her direction. No school staff anywhere to assist. She was supposed to be a walker that day and they put her in the car pick up line. Disaster. From that point forward the principal avoided us and our child completely for the remainder of the school year, purposely walking away from our car for pick up and drop off. Zero level of professionalism and doesn't appear to have the best interest of "all" the children. I believe this is the only school in the district that does not have the Watchdog program which is a great program for both the parents and the kids.

BMS provides so many options for my student. Advanced classes, sports, clubs, and tutoring as needed. The school is clean and has been updated over the last 2 years. They are now switch to be a 7-8 building while the other middle school will become a 5-6 elementary. WHS will now be a true High School as a 9-12 building. Teachers and administrators work with family’s to help all students.