Zzzz
Donnellson, IA 52625

Central Lee has been my home school since elementary, even after moving i always come back here. The staff are, for the most part, wonderful with a few in there who could probably do with some extra help here and there to deal with larger classes. As for the social culture, Bullying is a pretty big issue. Whilst usually, the staff do what they can to deal with it, nothing ever truly comes of it. However, the MAJORITY of the kids (mainly upper class men) are welcoming and kind. Families are always welcome to engage with things like sports and the fine arts, and the turn out at games and shows is amazing. All of that being said, Central Lee has a serious issue with allowing certain things to slip under the radar and kids struggling and lagging behind. When the proper steps are taken, these kids absolutely flourish, but the issue is in fact getting things started. The special education programme here is helpful and the kids i know who go through it get a large amount of support where needed. Specially the resources teachers are phenomenal and make real connections to the students, even the ones that aren’t theirs. Academic wise, the school has a great arsenal of teachers and subject, (including a film class at the high school level!), and the teachers make the curriculum understandable or at least manageable. Overall, Central Lee is a tight knit community where everybody knows everybody. I recommend this school for numerous reasons, despite all my grievances above. I just suggest being an advocate for yourself and your child, and not taking the bare minimum for an issue. I love this district with all my heart, and I want more parents to be able to see how amazing it can be despite how much the kids complain. I will be graduating in a few months, and will certainly be missing this school.

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Central Lee has a HANDFUL of issues that are hidden by administration and staff. There have been no changes to the demographics of this district for YEARS, and it shows. Some may turn it over to be the "area" that they are in. However, that is COMPLETELY false. Surrounding schools may have their given faults, but they are consistently taking students and families of different ethnicities. Whether a student isn't welcomed, bullied and chased out of this school, or they have heard the stories of previous issues with discrimination, I can confidently say that Central Lee does not accept ethnic persons. The principal of this high school has verbally told staff and students that anyone who comes to Central Lee who was not born in the area or have families who have gone to school there, they will be addressed as outsiders; and those students and families have been treated with the most disrespect and devalue I, and 107 families have ever seen. No one is there for students besides a handful of staff to address issues efficiently and CORRECTLY; they are all too busy acting so that the school can create a face. This school needs to have a realty check and SOON. More and more families are realizing the faults of this staff, and it will all surface soon. Don't send your kids here if you are new to Southeast Iowa, they will not receive the same opportunities or treatment as the kids who have generations being born and raised in the same 30 mile radius.