Benson Magnet High School

All the negative reviews have been accurate. My son has gone there for 4 years. I just found this website. The statistics seem to accurately portray the reality of this school. Students are not respected by the employees, there is little to no communication with the parents, the resource officer is highly inappropriate, has even pulled a gun on my non-violent and non-threatening son. They have refused my requests to put him with kids his own age multiple times, despite his iep. Most teachers will push kids through even with no effort to bolster their statistics, which are still lousy. School lunch is inadequate. Some good teachers but the norm seems to be cocky, creepy or immature young teachers with little to no experience. Apparently one teachers comes into class throwing up his set (representing his gang, for those who didn't know). Regular threats of violence against the school make the students and parents nervous on a daily basis, yet the school doesn't report these incidents to the parents, we have to find out from our kids or the news. Busing is horrible, and may have improved slightly this last year, is still unreliable. I have heard reports of the drivers hopping curbs at speed and driving through yards without stopping. Long story short, if you love your kid, don't make the same mistake I did... send them to almost any other school than Benson. BTW, I'm not trolling with rating as low as possible, this reflects my true sentiment towards this school and their staff.

I actually go to this school and so far the teachers are amazing and they really do care about the students. The teachers also work really well with the students and their academics. The principal is awesome and he works with the kids each individually in their own way. Some of the kids have troubles working and focusing. BUT they are really good kids and they do have a lot going for them.

I'm a grandparent, and Benson has lost it unity. I saw a teacher at open house sit on his butte and chit chat with a person with very small children and ignore high school parents while he discussed grade school computer systems. Also didn't know how to bring up grades on the computer he was playing on. I watched him with more then one parent. Very sad, not the Benson I grew up with. I also watched a teacher offer help and telephone numbers and email address exchanged for communication. Total opposits.

The teachers do not understand the concept of an IEP, the principle does not care about parent concerns and parents that are involved are ignored. The staff is rude to parents and students alike, the testing is very low. Transportation is not provided to students less than 2 miles away. School will likely lose class A ranking as parents are taking their children elsewhere.