I am an ex-student from 2001-2002. I'm sure my experience is no longer relevant, but I figure I would write a review anyway. Back then, the architecture was okay, if a little worn in. The bungalows weren't too bad, but I'm sure they've been replaced by now. The quality of education was alright. Generally what one could expect, but nothing was particularly memorable.
I had a few good teachers here, and a some bad ones. The main issue I have with this school is that at the time, I was severely bullied by the other students AND the administration. One can expect to be reasonably bullied by other students, but the administration went way over the line many times. I'm sure the school has an entirely new administration now, but I'm writing this so that hopefully they will never again repeat that behavior in the future. I was frequently bullied by one of the campus supervisors (who went so far as to physically block my path while I was in the office and demanded to know where I was going, despite the fact that school had just let out, and I was leaving from the nurse's office). The vice principal at the time (keep in mind this was 10 years ago) once took me into her office to complain to my mother about me (mostly that I wore black and that the other people didn't like it). This VP LOUDLY proclaimed things on my permanent record with her door open so that the entire office could hear. These were things that should have been discussed with a closed door, at a normal volume.
The principal would believe it when the girls that were bullying me said that I had a hit list, and instead of investigating into this bullying *at all*, they decided to call the sheriffs on me and look through every single scrap of my things. This was the first I heard about it. When they ultimately had nothing, they punished me anyway by putting me in detention for the rest of the day, even though I had done absolutely nothing wrong.
Some of the staff were supportive and understanding, and they certainly made my time at that school a better experience. However, the hassle I received from the administration, and their complete lack of compassion for me or my situation has always left a bitter taste in my mouth. Not once did they investigate any of the incidences of my being bullied by other students (which was almost daily). They instead decided that there was something wrong with me, and decided to join the bandwagon. For that, I hope they are ashamed.
But that was ten years ago. I hope that the administration is much different now, and that no other students have to deal with what I did. I had to leave midway through my 8th grade year because it got so bad.
And not once did I ever do anything wrong, or actually break any rules. The environment over there was absolutely ridiculous. I have since talked to several other people who went there with me at that time, and some of them experienced similar hassles (though none of them to that extreme).
I transferred over to La Mesa Junior High during the last semester of 8th grade, and had absolutely no problem. It was an issue that was entirely with this particular administration at this particular school at that time.
I hope they aren't treating their students this way, and I hope they have a better bullying policy at this time. read more