Clayton High School (neighborhood, middle school, subdivision)

[suzeeq72]

I am hoping to gather some information on Clayton High School from families that have had children go there. We moved here a year ago, and our subdivision is zoned for Clayton High School. My kids are in middle school, and my oldest starts high school next fall. I am concerned, because I have heard negative feedback about Clayton High School, and the rating on greatschools.org have dropped since I originally did my school research. I am trying to identify what the concerns are, outside of being told "oh, you don't want your kids to go to 'that' school." Anyone have any input? Is it test scores? Teachers? Trouble? Etc.

I would like to get some feedback without stirring up any controversy on the boards here, since I have sensed that this is a sensitive issue. SO...if you have something to say that might be offensive to others, but that you strongly feel might help me make a choice about a school for my kids, I would be very grateful. If it is something that can be posted here and possibly aid others in evaluating their options, that would be great, too.

As always, your input is much appreciated.

[michgc]

If I were you, I would strike up conversations with people in your neighborhood who have children in that school. They are probably the best ones to give you insight. There's no need to be negative, just ask how their children liked the school, if the parents are happy with it, etc. After talking to a few people, you'll probably hear some good info.

Another idea is to attend some events there, a football game, a school play, a holiday concert, etc. You can get a feel for the students and maybe talk to people there, too.

I did that this past year wtih the middle school my daughter was attending. I asked everyone and anyone I knew with kids in the school, what they thought about it, if their kids liked it, etc. I got a lot of good insight - most good; some bad. I also visited, although not on purpose, we went to a play there and another activity there. I was able to witness a fee things - again both good and bad.

Hope that helps.

[twingles]

Agree with this - the chances of you finding a large enough sampling of people with kids who go/went to CHS is pretty small. Why don't you ask people you know in your neighborhood? Maybe you're afraid you won't get "real" feedback, but generally you will, especially if you ask leading questions about things you are interested in/concerned about instead of just "how did you like CHS". You could even say "I saw on great schools that someone said [fill in the blank] - what do you think?"

Originally Posted by michgc

If I were you, I would strike up conversations with people in your neighborhood who have children in that school. They are probably the best ones to give you insight. There's no need to be negative, just ask how their children liked the school, if the parents are happy with it, etc. After talking to a few people, you'll probably hear some good info.

Another idea is to attend some events there, a football game, a school play, a holiday concert, etc. You can get a feel for the students and maybe talk to people there, too.

I did that this past year wtih the middle school my daughter was attending. I asked everyone and anyone I knew with kids in the school, what they thought about it, if their kids liked it, etc. I got a lot of good insight - most good; some bad. I also visited, although not on purpose, we went to a play there and another activity there. I was able to witness a fee things - again both good and bad.

Hope that helps.

[suzeeq72]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have been doing this with everyone that I have met. Unfortunately, I have only met one or two with specific experience with the school, and the only feedback they had was "eh, whatever, it's okay, but the others are better." The two I spoke to didn't seem to be all that involved in their kids education (no judgment intended, just an observation, and not helpful in my situation). I will continue to try to find people with specific experience.

Thanks.