Johnson Senior High School

Johnson is a school with great potential, unfortunately this potential will not be realized for another 10 years. I would most definitely send my child here, but only because I want them to become street smart before entering college. I can attest to the quality of education Johnson provides to it's students, my family has had hundreds of Johnson graduates. The East Side community is the only thing holding this school together, so if you're comfortable with that mentality, then this is the school for you. If not, then I would look else where. The East Side has an extreme sense of identity, most of which has been lost or misconstrued into selfish pride on the current generations attending the school. Students with little supervision at home will struggle here! They will become subject to adult issues very rapidly and need much more attention than the school can afford. Get your child into the ROTC program! They may be ostracized by their peers a bit, but you won't regret it when they aren't repeating high school courses in college. Trust me on that! Some of the finest students in the city represent Johnson, but the same can be said about poorest performing students.

My kid is thriving at Johnson (9th grade in 2011/12, and 10th grade in 2012/13). Johnson special ed teachers are exceptionally good at what they do, helping my daughter out of her shell socially and academically. She went from failing classes and being totally withdrawn (zero friends) at previous schools to making the B honor roll in 9th grade AND participating weekly in after school clubs. She is blossoming and truly believes she can go to college now! We feel so lucky to have finally found teachers who can give my kid what she needs to succeed (mostly extra patience and skilled redirection). I also appreciate how the school communicates with parents using prerecorded voice messages (especially when they let me know about serious violence at the school, how the situation was resolved with local law enforcement, and offering my kid resources to cope if we have any concerns). The principal is very professional and genuine, and I am amazed by the courtesy I have experienced as a parent trying to help my kid. I feel like we are all on the same team and my daughter is now "winning" because of it.

This school is the pinnacle of "ghettoness". One of the most annoying things about this school are the moments within which you are walking to your next class during passing time, and a bunch of the more immature and ignorant students stand around in your way doing whatever it is that they're doing, and you have to literally shove them out of your way. Often times, you can see an authoritative figure telling these students to "head to class", because well, that's all they do. Stand around during passing time then arrive in class late. No need to go into the amount of fights which take place, because I'm sure you are well aware. Maybe just not the reasons for it, and I don't blame you, because I sure as heck don't know. I could assume that it either has anything to do with gangs, sex, or drugs though. And I am not even joking. Honestly, I couldn't say what weird things go on during [or after] school. Seeing myself as one of the more mature students, mixed in with my own realistic introverted personality, I just ignore many of those things. Ultimately, I am disappointed about the lack of insightful, intellectual and mature students that this school has to offer.