St Michael School

My 9th grade daughter should NEVER have to experience "lock downs" and "police escorts to the bathroom". It even has it's own police force and a police dog on campus every day. This is high school, not prison! The students are taught to test and by simply completing homework and showing up for class students will land the on the A/B honor roll. We are working so hard to undue the factory mindset instilled across nearly all the classes here (show up, punch the time clock, follow the rules, and that is as good as it gets for you) that should have disappeared with the factories in the last century. Students are taught to simply "do" homework, but not to think. Students are taught to take tests (they even take 30 minutes out of the school schedule four time/week for the "Success" program that exists ONLY to raise state mandated test scores - look it up on the school website) and not critical thinking skills. My experience with the teachers in my daughter's classes are that they are caring people (this is why 2 stars and not 1), but they are working inside a VERY broken school that's primary objective is to prevent fighting and keep kids "safe" while school is in session. My daughter will not be returning next year. If she doesn't clear the wait-list at Burris, we will be moving her (and possibly the whole family) to a different school district.

I am very pleased with what I see going on at Northview. The teachers really enjoy teaching and are excited to be there.

I have a 3rd grader here. There are 1 or 2 students in her class that cuss at the teacher, leave the classroom, etc., bringing the whole class to a stop until they're removed for the day, only to be there the next. No1 is able to learn while this is going on and the teacher gets overwhelmed and is short w/the rest of the class. Understandable, but it shouldn't keep happening. I also feel that the teacher let's the kids slide by on their grades. For example, allowing the kids to bring home unfinished class work and even pop quizzes! Communication w/parents (including for volunteering ) is non existent. Standing in front waiting 4 my daughter 2 come out, there are always other parents cussing, 1 day a guy cussed out the principal b/c he was told he had to get rid of the snake he had around his neck b/4 the students came out.

There is no real discipline and leadership in this school. As a teacher I decided to leave as it was impossible to be one under the current administration particularly the principal who lacks a lot of professionalism and experience.

My children were bullied and then blamed for being bullied by the staff. Not enough support for struggling learners. Very legalistic. Teachers do not seem to understand different learning styles.

I cannot say enough good things about this school. I highly recommend it. I work in the field of gifted education and can say as a parent of a gifted student and professional that the gifted program at ESA is the best I have seen.