Coppinville School

One came over here to EPA and caused some problems. Do not send your bad child to the private school!
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the previous reviewer in regards to violence, the lack of respect among peers, the lack of control and just the lack of caring for the most part. The nurse at the school, however, I give credit for taking care of my daughter on several occasions. The school is too small for the volume of students and I would encourage the city to explore other options than putting ALL 7th graders from Enterprise and some from FT. Rucker in ONE school. If I had to do this year again, I would NOT send my daughter to Coppinville.
—Submitted by a parent

We are a military family that moved to Alabama last year from Alaska, where both of my children were honor roll students in the public school system there. My son attended Copinville this year, and has almost lost all respect and confidence in his educators. Put aside the fact that the school is located in a very poor socioeconomic neighborhood with a high crime rate, and the facility itself is old and in disrepair. Disregard the fact that security in the school is almost nonexistant. I know this because I walked through the front doors and wandered the halls for nearly an hour before being confronted by a faculty member. The school has a bad gang and drug problem, and mind you these are 7th graders. Violence between students plagues the school and often ends in police envolvement. A few of the teachers with "seniority" have completely lost touch with why they became teachers and now just lose their credibility with their pupils and parents. In one year my son has gone from admiring and respecting teachers, to all but lose total confidence and respect for them. Thank God it's only a one year school. Please exaust all possible options before subjecting your child to this experience.
—Submitted by a parent

Our child went here, last year. She's a great student & got A's all year, but couldn't wait for school to end! There were fights just about every week (usually girls) with injuries & police intervention more than once--teachers were not always quick to break up fights. Our biggest issue, was with a few of her teachers, specifically her science, math and technology teachers. I've never seen such unprofessionalism! Teachers are there to TEACH and facilitate learning, not mock/ridicule/humiliate students in front of the class (there's enough of that amongst their peers without teachers adding to it!), tell stories mocking obese people, complain about how bad their childhood was or how bad the students are or have been in the past, tell students how to correctly slash their wrists, remind students they were struck by lightning 4 times, sit at their desks & play computer games, simply read a fill-in-the-blank paper & call it teaching. Unreal! How can one expect students to be respectful, when teachers aren't?! Discipline in science class was minimal, while disruptions from a few students was constant. Kudos to the principal & 3 teachers our child had that acted like teachers!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been one of the worst schools I have ever dealt with. From not having enough books for each student to lazy teachers. If students do not have books to bring home and study for tests, a quiz, or just to do general homework then something should be provided in its place. We are a military family and this is my third child so I have dealt with many other schools in different states, and this by far is the absolute worst. If I could I would do what other military parents have done and pull my child from this school and home school.
—Submitted by a parent

I would give this school zero star rating if possible. There are a number of issues with this school. Safety is not a priority here. My child was made to sit on the floor of the bus due to overcrowding. There are daily fights and the school doors are wide open for anyone to walk in. It is acceptable for teachers to be late, to not teach, to take cell phone calls, and text in class. It is acceptable for teachers to not help students if they are busy on the computer. My child has a teacher that teaches one day a week and has the students take notes from the book the rest of the days. The administration in less then competent on issues that I have brought before them and defensive rather then helpful. My child has been harmed emotionally at this school. Beware!
—Submitted by a parent

II had only heard negative comments about this school. But, it's the only 7th grade school in the area, how can the attendees be troublemakers every year? What I have learned is the children who were disciplinary problems in elementary school, will continue to be problems. Principal Seals is an awesome person during a phenomenal job. Ms. Jessie, the school counselor, is what a counselor should be, unbiased, compassionate, fair, and decisive. If a parent has an issue, she should be their first contact. The teachers and some of the support staff have taken on the "whatever" attitude of some of the 7th graders. Very few teachers attend school events, such as the girls & boys basketball games. Some of the teachers don t appear to put in an extra effort to help students achievement beyond what is expected. The Assist. Principal needs to step up too. They all could learn to smile more. The school itself is old and dirty. There may be more than one housekeeping person, but the only one I ever see is Mr. Edwards. It s unacceptable to think he can keep that building immaculate by himself; with one person it s going to get as clean as it going to get.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attends Coppinville & the only reason he is still there is we cannot afford private school & ther eare no other options in Enterprise. We move here last year at the end of his 6th grade year. Prior to attending Coppinvill he had only received 1 B in his life & that was on a homework assignment. He was invited to The National YOung Scholars conference in 4th, 5th & 6th grades & the National Leadership conference in Washington D.C. in 5th & 6th grades. Since starting Coppinville we have struggled to keep him with C's or better. My children have never attended a school that is so impersonal. If you wish to discuss something you have to E-mail the teachers & wait for a response. There are fights almost daily. The school itself is dirty, the bathrooms are disgusting & the overall appearance is just horrible.
—Submitted by a parent

this school has a very poor learning scale! the location of this school is in a bad nieborhood
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended coppinville this school year, and it was a challenge at first,but with constant communication and checking up on my child she was able to complete her year without any major complications.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this school is great and the falcuty is just wonderful. I like that the principal will take the time to speak with you about any matter concerning your child.
—Submitted by a parent

My child just finished Coppinville this year. Overall this is a wonderful school. Having every 7th grader in the city in one school presents its own challenges. Some of these students were very tough and frightening; however the Principal and Assistant Principal did an outstanding job of maintaining discipline and trying to keep a safe learning environment. My sons teachers were knowledgeable, and able to motivate my child. The schools advanced math, and social studies curriculum is good. I would have liked an advanced science class. Most of my childs teachers posted homework on the website and kept homework up to date on the telephone hotline. This was excellent to let me monitor assignments. There was a good selection of clubs that met once a month. Parent involvement was not discouraged. Official parent days were scheduled a couple of times each semester to watch the student activities.
—Submitted by a parent

The education my child is getting is disppointingly average, Alabama schools are known to be some of the worst. There needs to be sweeping reform in the Enterprise school system. They are archaic in so many ways and seem to ignore the fact that children are individuals who need inspiration. I would challenge the staff to actually challenge themselves. What can you do today to inspire a child to LOVE learning?
—Submitted by a parent

I find the school lacking in educational diversity. If your child is average the school is great. If your child has areas that they have excel in, the school is archaic. We move a lot and he took advance classes last year in a middle school. Here they offer only two advance classes, pre-algebra and advance social studies. He took pre-algebra last year, so the only choice was to take pre-algebra again. With over 500 students, they should be able to keep up with the needs of bright students. Also, there is only one level of band - beginner. There are clubs (no chess) but they meet during school once a month. My son has an IEP and the school would not review it because of his IQ and grades. There no gifted/accelerated program.
—Submitted by a parent

I was pleased with the year my children spent at Coppinville. It is a unique situation with only seventh graders at the school. This seemed to me to take some of the pressure off of my children. I found the staff very helpful and thought that some of the teachers who had 'been there forever' were actually some of the best in the school and favorites of my kids for both their enthusiasm and knowledge. Both of my children did very well academically and their SAT scores were excellent. The school report card issued from the state gave the school an overall A-, I believe. There was an open house at the beginning of the year, a Parent Visitation Day, a day in the fall set up for conferences and PTO meetings. All the faculty has email addresses and I was able to communicate with indidual teachers easily.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two children attend this school. The new principal is much better, but the teaching staff is not the best. There are too many teachers who have been there forever and seem to be tired of teaching. The math program is particularly lacking in quality instruction, and the only extracurricular activity is basketball. On a positive note, they do not seem to have many discipline issues. However, they do paddle the students for misbehaving which I find archaic.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two children go through Coppinville Junior High School. I have been very pleased with the curriculum, the teachers, and the opportunities. The school offers band, technology, choral music, art and home economics. There is an extra-curricular basketball program. They also offer advanced placement in both math and social studies.
—Submitted by a parent

I was very pleased with this school. The principal (new in 2002-03) was excellent. The guidance counselor and office staff were very friendly and helpful. I found the teachers to be competent and concerned with the students.
—Submitted by a parent

Very disappointed with the quality of education my daughter received at this school last year. The extra-curr. are very limited, teacher communication is very poor and Administration lacks in all areas. Not high on my list.

I have a student, which is for the moment at CJHS, she has had some of the best grades I have seen since the 5th grade. If you are not to sure about Coppinville, plan a visit with the principal and ask to sit in a couple of teachers classes. I am personally glad my child is going to this school. I wouldn't, and couldn't have chosen a better school for my daughter to go to. I very rarely hear her speak of violence, and foul language. There is a little 'cutting up' in the classes, but that is all to worry about.