McAdory High School

What is Jefferson Co doing with all the funds to improve education I can't help but wonder? I have literally watched the rating of this school decline year after year. A three? A three out of a possible ten is simply pathetic folks. Both my husband and myself are EXTREMELY involved in our child's academics. When this school dropped down to a four, we started thinking private schools or the IB school in Irondale. We realize that the teachers cannot force education on their students, that parental involvement is a key element, however, to say that this "3" is al based on the students performance "alone" is a false statement. How low do these test scores have to go before something is done to turn things around? ( 2 or 1? ) I wonder how many parents even understand this rating? A 3 is basically stating that out out of a possible ten-which is the best- McAdory H.S. received only a 3 in comparison to other H.S. test scores in our state. I don't know about you, but this is VERY alarming! Sure, the county spent money on a new middle school-great-but what happens on the "inside" is what really matters most and so far we haven't been impressed.
--Submitted by a parent

McAdory is an "Out of Control School!" The class sizes are too large, the students are disrespectful and disruptive, teachers are unprofessional and rude, and administration is weak. It is one of the "wildest" schools I've ever been inside. Most of the teachers have given up hope of being able to control their classrooms, yet they try to control the students instead of teaching the content material. Administration will not discipline the students for their behaviors, so teachers think why even send them to the office. When they do send them to the office, It's more of a slap in the face to the teacher because nothing is done. When a student brings a gun to school, and administration "plays it off," I feel that there is a HUGE problem there. This is endangering the lives of students and teachers alike! From both an educator and a parent's perspective, I would hope that anyone new to the community would explore all school options available for their children before having to enroll them at McAdory. I would only use this school as an absolute last resort.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a graduate of McAdory and a published author. My observations have led me to the conclusion that the child you send to school is the one that comes out. And the success of the student is dependent on the parents and their values. I am not an educator, but I know in this age of entitlement it is not suprising to read the comments listed on the blog. What people do yo you is their karma, how you react to it is yours - education starts at home!

My children attended this school.They made a lot of friends but were unprepared in their classes when they move to a new school. Too much playing around, it's more like a social club and the class arrangements are too stressful for the students and teachers. I agree with the previous comments. I am glad my students moved on.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is poor all around. They don't have enough copies to last the year, the students don't care about anything at all unless it directly involves them, and even then they will let opportunity walk itself out the door. Almost none of them care about their grades, classes are a joke, especially electives. Getting a diploma from there would mean nothing. With the no child left behind laws now taking its toll, the teachers are required to dumb everything down so everyone in the class understands it, but what happens when the person doing the worst doesn't do anything no matter how easy the work? It is absolutely rediculous and nothing would be better than to restaff most teachers the school and students.
--Submitted by a student

Mcadory overall is a decent school for parents that want their kids to be playing all day instead of learning and getting a great education! Too many students in classes, average around 35 per room!
--Submitted by a parent

it is a awsome school and i think the way they put the grades together is great
--Submitted by a parent

McAdory can be a great school. Discipline of students is a real troublesome area. There are disruptive students in the AP/Honors classes now that my daughter is taking trying to escape some of the mishaps in the regular classes. Dress policy and lack of respect for anyone is a real problem. Students rule the roost and some of the teachers have given up on asking for assistance with problem kids because no one steps in to assist. Some teachers are better than others in controlling the classroom and hallways. However, normal activity shouldn't be students running and screaming as they leave a classroom. Most quieten down when asked, but some keep doing their own thing having no regard for anyone but themselves. The Band of Gold is picking up in numbers. The FFA regularly wins district competitions and places at the state level. Good school, could improve!
--Submitted by a parent

Mcadory is a good school, its not always under control though. Some teachers don't know how to handle middle school and high school kids. Also, the block schedule is hard to be able to pay attention for that long. But i wouldn't leave it for the world:)
--Submitted by a student

I agree with other parents that the dress code is not enforced, it makes it really hard to make my child dress correctly, when others do not. Also my child has had several great teachers, has also had several not so good teachers, I do recommend that students take the AP classes, seems to have better control in those classes, the 11th and 12th greade principal seems to be very concerned about the students. It really concerns me that the students are not encourged more,with a school as large has McAdory it should have a very large band, I am not sure what is going on in this area, I did not attend McAdory as a student, but the school I attended would play football against McAdory, I was amazed at how large the band was. It is really sad at how small the band is now.
--Submitted by a parent