I have three children at this school. They have been there a few years now. I have two in high school and one in elementary school. We are a military family, so they have transferred from private schools in other states. I wanted them to go to a bigger school, with more diversity, so they could get used to a more realistic environment before going out into the real world. Pros: This is a pretty safe school, comparatively. My kids have all had some run-ins with other kids, but it has been handled mostly well. They have good programs for advancement, like the dual enrollment, honors classes, state rally, honor society, etc. Their work is challenging and seems to teach them mostly what they need to know. Sometimes it is seemingly pointless work, but usually is good. I appreciate their chapels and an environment to learn about God. The staff has been open to feedback and it has been pretty collaborative. The campus is nice.Cons: Like others have said, this school is mostly about rich families, "Christianity," and athletes. All of my kids have played different sports, but it has mostly been about trophies and money. The high schoolers have both had to deal with nasty comments, rude players, and coaches who were less than helpful. What should have been a fun experience they learned from and grew through, turned out to be something they dreaded. Additionally, the kids at this school seem to be very racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. In all the states we have lived in (four in the south), I have NEVER heard kids speak like this. It is a very conservative school that does not really consider anything other than the bible and their preconceived views. This is not helpful in learning or critical thinking. My kids have been frustrated many times while trying to engage in thoughtful dialogue with their teachers or peers. They are basically told to be quiet, or laughed at, since their views do not completely align with the school. Meanwhile, as far as I can tell, there is almost nothing done about the hate speech from the other students. White kids telling black students they need someone to pick their cotton and rampantly using the n word, boys there thinking women should not be able to vote, parents banning their kids from talking to other kids because they might be gay, and on and on and on. I would still not send them to another school, because there are almost no alternatives. For what it is worth, hopefully my little two cents have been helpful.
