West Johnston High

There is a clear discrepancy in the way children are treated in this school. The principle is very strict, but only strict to a certain type of student. She is very lenient with students that look and sound like her. Rules are created to force students to quit or be removed. Please do the research on how many students either leave or transfer that are of color. Dress code violations, lunch room violations, food violations are what students here received ISS or OSS for THREE days for. A student can't wear a hoodie but students can wear camouflage caps. Students can't sag pants with shorts underneath, but females can wear mini skirts and cut off shorts. I have already made complaints to the County. Its is a shame that the middle school is excellent and treats kids with respect and dignity and the high school is such a disgrace!!

The principle treats the students and parents like elementary school kids. Understandably because that is her background. She is teaching the students to be cattle and sheep instead of strong Individuals.

This is an agricultural-focused high school with a complete lack of regard for anyone who does not fit into the school's culture. High school seniors looking to go to university do not receive any assistance from counselors (there was no mention of applications, dates, or discussions of a career/education path at any point during the 4 years spent) and the counselor we got stuck with actually managed to hinder the application process due to not completing necessary parts of the work (such as getting the transcript mailed to us in a timely manner). In addition, every single year there has been issues getting switched out of useless courses such as foods or parenting into sciences or math courses requested specifically for university preparation. The principal didn't even bother to get back to us about one switch after a scheduled meeting where we were told we would be emailed with the decision. Source - a family with a 1.8k SAT student and a 2.2k SAT student whom were denied application to out-of-state schools based on a lack of adequate preparation during senior year.

I have two kids (9th and 10th graders) at this school. It is SO MUCH BETTER RUN since Principal Coates arrived. She actually enforces the rules, doesn't put up with any monkey business and makes people accountable. The last principal was a lame duck. Mrs. Coates is making a difference, which is probably the reason so many students complain about her. She doesn't let kids talk on cell phones, hug or hold hands. Please, this isn't a club, you know. I find the same at any school, some teachers care, and some don't. Involved parents have better students. School is not a babysitting experience. Just because a student fails a class doesn't mean it's the teacher's fault.