Central Jr High School

Northeast school is not ready for diversity especially young black boys. They don't listen to parents and concerns if the parents are African-American and even the staff is complaining of a racist work environment. The school doesn't hire African American teachers and the school is half or more 50% of African American students. The staff put on a face to play the role but, the staff don't care about the African American students that they label and make out to be a problem. Staff say horrible things about children and families. This is one of the worst districts for hiring people of color and they like to hire people they know and relatives.

This has been a great school for my son so far. He currently is going into 2nd grade. The class sizes are reasonable, the teachers have been really helpful, and the administration is great so far! I loved having Mr. Sheldon as the principal because you knew if you needed to contact him at any time, he would be there. It helped make me feel safe and secure knowing that my questions would get answered no matter what.

I was a new parent at Owen during the 2014-2015 year. My son was new and he fit right in. Mrs. Bailey is awesome. I could email her and vice versa with any concerns, being a new parent. I must say that the staff and teachers work really hard to make sure the students are the best of the best. I am a very involved parent and I see a lot of parents working together helping the children and one another. I saw an immediate difference in the professionalism of the Owen staff verses the school my son previously attended. It was a difference in the curriculum and I was very pleased. This school year I will have 2 children attending Owen and I am so excited and confident that Dr. Griggs and Mrs. Morris, staff and myself will help them soar. I feel as if we are all on the same team with the same goal, being the Best of the Best.

My wife and I put three children through Ashburn Community School. Why three? Because we kept hoping things would eventually get better.One of the first principals—Retired Jewel Diaz—transferred our son to another school without our permission. Why? Because my wife asked too many questions. She didn’t want my wife encouraging PTA involvement, and she certainly didn’t want our son to have a paraprofessional in a general education setting.Then the second principal, a close friend of the former, took over—and continued the same hostile, dismissive culture.In total, we had three children go through this school. Our daughter did graduate, but when she got to high school, she was disappointed. Why? She realized she hadn’t truly learned anything. I looked over one of her math tests—she had seven questions wrong, yet the teacher gave her a 100%. That same teacher is now the assistant principal.One teacher even told my son and his friends, “You’ll be nothing but McDonald’s workers.” Well, as of today, that same son just attended his younger brother’s graduation—and he himself just graduated from Navy Boot Camp.Our youngest son, happy just to be finished with Ashburn, said it best: “Mom, I’m so glad I don’t have to go back to that school.” He only went because it was close to home. When he opened his final report card, the teacher who had given him the most trouble—the one who clearly disliked my wife for being too involved—gave him a D. We believe that grade was personal.This school seems to dislike parents who want to be engaged. They push back against strong voices, especially strong women and men who refuse to stay silent. Yes, some of this is personal experience—but it’s also undeniable observation.As our son walked across the stage at the Kroc Center during Ashburn’s graduation ceremony, our family felt one overwhelming emotion: relief. We’re finally done. Done with the coldness, the fakeness, and the leadership that does not have the well-being of children at heart.

I cannot recommend this school. The community is an insular one--good luck breaking in--and the kids who are not the super athletic types will fall by the side. All four of my children attended, and the first one had a great experience, but then again, he was an athlete and an outgoing boy. He received plenty of attention. Then my youngest three sons went here and were bullied and ignored. It got so bad that we transferred them out mid-year, and we were glad to take the financial hit. Complaints to the school about the bullying did nothing. The school says they practice a "Choose Kind" philosophy, but don't be fooled, as these are mean people. Finally, the school is lacking academically. When my younger children transferred, they were behind. My son had practically all A's at CK, but was behind in math and Spanish in high school. He caught up, thankfully, but he was not happy with his preparation. The principal dragged her feet in dealing with the bullying problems and had little to say about revamping the curriculum to meet contemporary needs.