Kernan Middle School

The first day I took my son to his classroom, I explained to his first year teacher that he was ADHD with ODD. In his documents I put the same thing. Had been asking for an IEP or 504 plan for months and my son would just be getting write ups for everything. Granted my son is extremely smart but he gets frustrated and angry when he doesn't understand something, gets frustrated, or feel like he's being picked on. No one heard me until October and FINALLY decided to give me what I was looking for which was a 504 plan. Even with that they still kept writing him up and IDK what they were actually doing to help him seems as though this school did not support his needs. Then in the last month in a half the before school director writes him up every monday as if he was trying to get rid of him in the program. These schools know that write ups travel with students from school to school and I feel like they wanted to give him a bad rap sheet. This school needs to do better when it comes to special needs children. Doin't look past them and rule them as bad kids. I do not like this school. I'm very involved in my sons life and school but this school I'm over it. If it was the end of the school year I'd send him to another school.

This school overall is decent. However I wish they had more cultural diversity and provide more anti bullying programs/ workshops. There needs to be more black/brown/latinos, theres not enough involvement for the parents, like RARELY. Therefore as a parent you feel left out of your childrens lives. Another factor, is the everyday tests and quizzes these kids have to complete! Seems like the school is worried about their ratings and numbers. One other factor is the teacher shortage, kids get so many teachers and the staff will move the children from one class to another like nothing, for example they change the kids homeroom teacher a lot. Seems very upsetting.

Where do I even begin? Attending this academy felt less like pursuing an education and more like signing up for an ongoing test of patience. From the moment I started, there was an overwhelming sense of disorder the kind that makes you question how things are supposed to function at all.The academic experience? A confusing mix of unclear expectations and inconsistent structure masquerading as organization. Lessons often felt rushed or poorly explained, leaving more frustration than understanding. It was less about learning and more about trying to piece things together on your own.Support and communication didn’t fare much better. Asking simple questions sometimes felt like an inconvenience rather than a normal part of being a student. A place meant to encourage growth instead felt strangely disconnected.I’m honestly surprised this experience met even the most basic expectations. A learning environment should inspire confidence and clarity not leave students feeling drained and discouraged.

My son loved going to Waterleaf. Great neighborhood school!!!