Henry Abbott Technical High School

I have seen positive things at Ellsworth. Teachers, students and administration work together to create a positive learning environment.

Unfortunately I’ve had a recent bad experience with the Life Christian School. I know that my son is very difficult and very tough personality but from the first situation that occurred, instead of caring it he was in school or not they didn’t care and he hasn’t been in school for a week. They seem like they do not care and they seemed like they just wanted to get rid of any problem situation . They said in the end “I will pray for him.” For this being a christian school, I was expecting a more human and respectful environment. The teacher was fake, didn’t care about my child and was just trying to get rid of the issue at hands. He was only going there for two weeks and they called me he didn’t fit the school, didn’t adapt. I understand but they don’t even bothered to ask me if I could have his things back, I had to ask myself. He didn’t get to use the books and I payed an absurd amount to get him into the program. They said that they couldn’t give back the tuition or book money since it’s payed in 10 payment and it’s a full year tuition and when I asked the pastor “he only attended the school mall for two weeks” he repondes with something along the lines of ‘we can’t give back the money” for reasons above. They have a horrible system and organization as well. I went there and the teacher ( pastor wife) tried to say I never paid and that if I did I used my company’s name. I never use the company name for payments like these and the fact that they didn’t have the parents payments ready really worries me for others. Overall, a great school with terrible coordinators. The pastor and his wife were the ones who talked to me about these things.

I enrolled my children in this school believing they would receive a better education, stronger leadership, and a safer environment than public school, but unfortunately our experience has been the complete opposite. I currently have four children of color attending this school, and every single one of them has come home this year with concerns about the way staff and administration treat students. My child has come home crying multiple times because of comments made by teachers and administrators, including the principal publicly embarrassing him in front of classmates by telling him he “should work for a radio show” because he was loud. There is a huge difference between discipline and humiliation, and no child should feel mocked by the adults responsible for educating them. What concerns me even more is the culture surrounding racism and discrimination within this school. During one lunch period when chicken tikka masala was being served, students began mocking an Indian classmate with fake accents, stereotypical dancing, and exaggerated Indian songs meant to embarrass him. According to my child, the school secretary witnessed this behavior and laughed along instead of correcting it. What is especially disturbing is that even the students themselves often seem more aware and respectful than the staff members supervising them. My children have told me students will sometimes call each other out when jokes go too far, while adults either ignore the behavior or contribute to it. That says a lot about the environment being created here. This school proudly promotes diversity and inclusion, but diversity means nothing if minority students do not feel respected, protected, or treated equally by staff. Parents deserve to know that behind the polished image this school presents publicly, there are serious issues with professionalism, accountability, and the way children of color are treated.

This is an amazing school. The teachers are caring, devoted and excellent educators. It is a wonderful environment to learn.

Very good school. Excellent teachers, administrators and staff. Wonderful kids in the school as well.