Where should I start.... I started in this school as the usual, clueless teenager wandering into an entirely new environment that I thought was bug free, but that was before I was more informed and before I realized I had aspergers, which clearly proved my difficulty with this school. There is too much homework, Whether it is hard, okay, or easy, it piles up and with other things you feel expected to do in this school to join the large sheep mentality there seems to be here(which I'll go into detail later) it adds up to stress which can make things unbearable(though everyone does have a different experience).
To follow that up, the place is CROWDED. What I figured out from that is the reason it is so crowded is because the district(or just the school, still figuring that part out) makes money from their attendance. Thats why another school hasn't really been rushed to be built(and I know another one was mentioned recently in the years, but where is it now?) and that adds up to their funding with all the kids that are harshly pressured to maintain a high GPA, with little attention to the real stress they go through, struggling. and all the kids who have a tendency to be absent, have bad grades, or don't do homework(or be one of the few who have an actual sense of individuality and realize what is actually going on) are sent to Calhills, which is actually a much better school. The best I have been to and I wish I have gone sooner regardless of the students, which seems to be the only thing people think about when thinking of the continuation school. I voluntarily went however, as I believe the school wanted to keep me spreading what a bulls**t school it was. Now to the horde mentality part, people are very similar and appear to be drones. To me at least, as everyone roams in herds to classes, not even bothering to move out of the way for others. Though yes they all still talk to each other, I noticed the main horde mentality characteristic comes out doing rallies. All for 'school spirit'. and you HAVE to go to them, when you could just be catching up on work. The rallies are yes, done by hard working students and many of whom I feel are generous, outstanding people(that is not sarcasm, as an aspie I have trouble with thatXD) and I know if we didn't have to go, no one would go at all. But I've witness some students getting backlash for wanting to do something else rather than have to participate.
The teachers vary. I had several who I liked. Mrs.Draeger, Mr.Barrett, and some others, are some of the best teachers I've had, and I feel bad about my part of the problem of not doing much. It was just the homework and falling asleep in class part that was my problem. Other teachers aren't much to my liking, and I won't be naming names, as they could have improved since I have been there. Some completely disregard you personal issues that really get in the way of school-life, no matter what you try. Some may be too monotone, or fail to address the actual trouble makers in the class and go after the actual ones who sport true intelligence, only regarding their grades more over their personal behavior in class and to others. But like I said, others have different views, so you don't have to agree with me. Whomever is looking at this, try to get Mr.Barrett as a teacher! or Mrs.Draeger. If I could do just their classes, I would do everything. Their homework can actually be fun to do, while still providing challenge and knowledge about the topics they teach. I recommend Ecology and Facing History & Ourselves.
My experience with aspergers and this school.... The top staff can be nice throughout many times in your life at this school, but when you come up with something different than the system teachers, they don't do well and may not even really acknowledge what they are actually dealing with. Everyone learns differently, even if they are very subtle differences. The last straw was when my parents came in with myself and the top staff to talk about what we can do. One such staff member suggested I get a job with a smile on her face. My mother even straight out told her that would just add up to my stress. What I wanted was not necessarily no homework. I'd feel terrible if that was the case, but in reality even though what I mentioned earlier, I didn't want homework. I'd still copy notes in class and do essays, but not tge general stuff I'd have to take home in large amounts. Now before I go rambling, here is what the staff member told my parents next: "Maybe vincent is just lazy." I don't want to sound snobby, but I am not. I do my chores(trash, clean up the living room, and help around the house). I payed attention when I could. I was the nicest I could be.
Since I am running out of space, I'll just say maybe try this place out, and see what happens to your kid. If they like it, then good. If they don't and they end up with severe depression, and are really struggling and a cycle starts to occur, find alternatives. read more