North Sand Mountain School

This principal and teachers at this school don't seem to care whether or not the children receive an education, much less a quality education. There are only 3 academic classes per day. The rest of the day is basically free play. My children have never once had homework. Per the principal, it is purposefully not assigned because it's assumed homework won't be completed primarily due a lack of parental support for it. Bullying is common and ignored by the staff. There are no fresh ideas. The teachers were once students here. Based on their biographies, few have ever been anywhere outside of rural Alabama. They definitely have not received any part of their education anywhere else. They "teach" with the same seriously outdated methodology they were taught with 30-40 years ago. If you aspire for your children to grow up and work a manual labor job for low wages the rest of his life, this is the school to go to. If you'd like for your child to have an actual career someday, you'll need to find another school.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is great! Things are so much better now that Mr. Guffey and Mr. Davis are there. The school has moved to the front and people are proud to send their kids to school now. I know people are talking about all the good things at the school now.
--Submitted by a parent

I have been going to NSM sense the second grade and I love it!people may think it's a bad school but it's not. It's some of the thing the kids have do that give our school a bad reputation,and not all of the kids are like that. As for the teachers and principals they are some of the most caring people I've met, including my english teacher who is one of the most caring women that I know!I think our drama program could use a little work tough, but Overall I say that NSM is a good school and If I had the choice of moving to a different school or staying at NSM I'd stay!-8th grade NSM student
--Submitted by a student

All my children have went to North Sand Mtn and 2 have graduated there the youngest is in the 11th grade. All the teachers worked with my children to have them to work to the best of their ability and if they needed extra help they had no problem either helping them or finding someone that could help them. Mr Guffey has been a great asset to this school and I really like what he has done to help the school. The sports program is better than it has been in quite a while as all 3 of my children have been participating in Football, basketball, track and baseball, the coaches have done an outstanding job trying to make NSM #1. The football team was outstanding this year with the help of the Coach. I just hope all will keep up the good work.
--Submitted by Cleva Fitzgerald, a parent

I absolutly LOVE North Sand Mtn., I have been going to this school since Kindergarten and it has changed [tremendously] since we have Mr.Guffey! He has made our school a HUGE success! I hope that Mr.Guffey and the staff continue to keep up the good work! Thanks you guys!
--Submitted by a student

I think that N.S.M. is a wonderful school NOW! The Principal is a parent himself. What parent wouldn't want there child disciplined? I love my child very much and anyone that helps steer him in the right direction is wonderful.He's a really great guy. Stop by and get to know him! As far as the teaching staff; most are there for the reason...to teach our kids for they're future. We as parents know what it is like to face the real world! There are a few there that need replacing though and I'm sure it's not a mystery! The coaches are only trying to win not play favorites! Winning is what puts NSM in 1st Place! My child will be graduating this year... Thank Goodness that Mr. Guffey has been his principal!
--Submitted by a parent

My thought on nsm as being a good place to send your child? There are better schools in the jackson co. distric. ones that dosent put up with teachers acting on the same level as the students, as far as the athletics program? WHAT PROGRAM? NSM has never had one that didnt show favoritsim to a student because of their name are money.I went to school there also but 24 years ago. And its the same now as then! Want a good school? Attend another! Unsatisfied Parent.
--Submitted by a parent

I think our school is headed in the right direction! We now have a new principle and assistant principle who are working hard to make our school the best in the county. We have a great academic and athletic program. We also have a wonderful teaching staff and students. We as parents, teachers, and students need to stay focused on helping our school be the best ever!
--Submitted by william, a parent

I strongly disagree with the statement that quotes 'NSM is a terriable place to send your kids to school at. There teachers don't care about the students cause there to busy worrying about running the halls and do eevrything else but there jobs!!There coaches are not good at all , especially the girls coaches , cause they only play favorites and not the ones who are good,and thats why there girl's team never win nothing big!!Maybe they could if they had good coaches who are better than davis and anderson!! And they really need a new principal.' North Sand Mountain is a great place and the teachers really care about their students. The principal is a great guy and also cares about his students. I belive that NSM is a great place to send your children and a safe place that really cares about their students.
--Submitted by whitney michaels, a student

If you are interested in sports then NSM is the school for you. Athletics gets more attention than academics. This was a problem when I was a student 19 years ago and now my 2 children are faced with the same difficulties. K-6 teachers do the best they can with the rescources they have. Student to teacher ratio is satisfactory. Parent involvement is encouraged and gladly accepted. The seperation of K-4,5-6,and 7-12 was a wonderful idea. Actually, 5-6 grades probably have better facilities than anyone else. In my opinion the science lab far exceeds the high school lab(which was very old when I attended NSM). When my child started high school(7th grade) she had to face the challenges of being athletic AND academic. The school doesn't always make it easy to do both. Athletics is what makes the money and the education of the students is secondary.
--Submitted by Kim, a parent