Helen Cox High School

I am a teacher, new to Helen Cox, but not new to the profession. I have taught in three regions of the US and two foreign countries, but I was still nervous about teaching in a big, urban school. It's true there are a lot of students with behavior problems here, but mostly they are typical teens. The most common problem that students have is managing their work-life balance. A lot of the students have jobs and are exhausted when they get to school. They also do not prioritize school. Work, family, and friends come first for many if not most of them; school is last. As a teacher you have to be prepared for that reality, and it's a challenge for all of us teachers to keep them alert and engaged despite the fact that about half of them are sleep-deprived and grumpy, and a good many of them are simply not motivated to do school work. That said, contrary to what the other teacher reported in his/her review, I've found the administrators to be incredibly supportive to teachers and fair all around. They back teachers when students act out, and students do have consequences every time they disrupt class. I have never been told that a student's misbehavior is my fault or my problem, but I have been given candid and constructive advice when I seek it. I've also been told that if I have any problems or need any help, it is there. Yes, students can get suspended many times before an expulsion. If you are hoping for students to get expelled quickly and easily, then find a time machine and go back a few decades. Expulsions aren't considered good practice anymore, so they truly are a last resort. The staff in the disciplinary office are also incredibly supportive. If a student is repeatedly insubordinate and/or disruptive, you can send them to the disciplinary office and continue teaching. I have also not heard any teachers praised for "unprofessional behavior and cursing" like the other teacher's review suggested. In fact, I have been humbled by how many amazing, hard-working, positive, no nonsense teachers there are in this school who are dedicated to the profession, to their students, and their team. There is a lot of serious talent among the faculty here. Most of the teachers are not only dedicated to their own professional development as educators, they're also serious academics and intellectual powerhouses. I think if I can cut it here that I would like to stay.

A student: hey i was a student a helen cox high school i graduated in may 2013 i could honestly say that its a very good school from the teachers to the staff they work and make sure that u get everything u need to succeed in your life but the deans of the school i just didnt get along with especially muzon i couldnt stand him but ova all i like the school its not a bad school at all i would recomand if u did not attend the school i would like for u to attend nd see how u like it...

I was a teacher at Helen Hox for a month, and social clicks and popularity contests are more important to the principal than actually ensuring that the students do well. The discipline is a joke--students can be suspended upward of 12 times in one semester and remain at school, while teachers are struggling to control classrooms because difficult students always know there are no real consequences to their actions. Teachers are told that student behavior is our problem, and not the fault of the student. In some way, this may be true--if we don't have high expectation for student behavior, then students will behave badly. Clearly, the current principle cares more about the SPS score than expelling students that need to be removed from the school. Behavior problems are interfering with the education of other students, constantly causing class disruptions and a loss of class time. The teachers who are unprofessional and curse at students are praised for their "good class management," but in reality they are mentally and emotionally abusing the students. I have faith in the students of HC, but I don't think anything will get better until this administration leaves.

This is my second year at Helen Cox and I love the school. Most of the teachers really do put forth effort to make sure the students understand what the teacher is trying to teach. There are many activities to get into at the school. I am in JROTC at the school and I like it. Some of the students act like animals and do not know when to act right. Also, the school could use more funding because I think the school is being cheap. Plus it needs to be bigger because more students are coming here. The school tries to reward the good students and punish the bad, though. So if you or a child of yours does not go to this school, you have no right to say anything negative about it.

The school is horrible, The teachers and staff are impersonal with their student. The school system is not balanced. Every class has at the least 30 students in it, as there is not enough teachers. I would recomend moving to a differnet district rather than go to this school. Dont allow or let your child come here. It will be the first step towards a life full of failure.