Samson High School

I have been a part of Samson High School as a student and as a faculty member and find it to be one of the most enjoyable places to receive a quality education. The problem with Samson is based primarily on perception. Unfortunately, the perception of our school has not been very good over the past 20+ years and as such, the respect is lacking. Respect for the teachers, administration, and education of Samson High School is crucial to its success. Confidence/pride from its student body comes from understanding the quality of education they are receiving, despite the school's 'perception' among many constant complainers in the community. One of the problems with small schools is the closeness of the community leads many to feel that their children deserve special treatment and that rules can be bent for the 'good' kids. Give Samson a chance and be positive!
--Submitted by a parent

If you move to this area and have school age children, please reconsider. Samson is rated as one of the lowest educational schools in Alabama. Teachers do not have time for one-on-one with students; teachers will not make time for parents or students to answer questions. My child was very interested in learning but could not grasp some work the first time, so the response of the two teachers were 'if you do not listen in class during the first 20 minutes of my teaching' then you are on your own. There were two teachers who cared and would offer to help with the problems he was having in the two other classes. The couselor is not involved as should be. Our children deserve the best in education. For the sake of your child, talk to parents, research.
--Submitted by a parent

this school does not care about it's kids they just want to push them through they do not have a variety of classes to choose from.
--Submitted by a parent

SHS is a wonderful school. Every school has good and bad, so enough of the bad about SHS because the good far outways the bad. The faculty is warm, small, and personable. I think it is forgotten that the effort to further the education comes from the student. The teachers can only do so much. I have been in a 'teacher' position myself, and I must say, my opinions about teachers changed dramatically when I was in their shoes. It is unfair for someone to judge the teachers at SHS until they have taught there. The teachers, environment, and administration at SHS is a wonderful place to obtain an education, provided that the student wants one.
--Submitted by a former student

I am convinced that Samson High School is one of the most caring Schools in this area. Although there are a few teachers who are just punching a clock, the greatest majority genuinly care about the student and want the best for them. Teachers ,at Samson, are hindered by so many state and federal guidelines that to the lay person it may appear that they don't care but that couldn't be further from the truth. I am a believer that we get out only what we put in. Samson High School has graduated Doctors, Lawyers, Educators, Preachers, Business people and others who have gone on to be successful. There are also Samson graduates in prison. The biggest problem I see with the school is a lack of communication with the public. Many of the things the community wants, they already have. Get involved and support Samson High School.
--Submitted by a parent

I recently graduated from SHS and I must say that I agree wholeheartedly with the prior reviews. I spent three and a half years at SHS. The beginning half of my junior year I went to a private school but decided that it was not for me. The teachers are more concerned with theatrics and drama that is going on in the community rather than improving the overall quality of education. I know a few teachers, and not necessarily enough to say a hand full, that will take the time to offer help to any student. A majority of the teachers 'know' the subject but fail miserably at conveying it to students. Overall, the school could use major improvements and a change in faculty and administration.
--Submitted by a former student

I was a grad. from SHS a few years back and also had a sibling grad. from SHS in '02. I have to say the teachers and staff are more worried about the little things (i.e. chewing gum, clothing) than the big things such teaching the kids what they need to know. In my class there were quite a few cheaters and they passed many classes because of that. I feel that if they would worry more about what the kids are learning than what they are wearing of chewing that the kids in SHS could have a better chance of going farther in life.
--Submitted by a former student

I'm a fairly recent student of SHS. I transferred into the high school. I have an associate's degree, soon to have a BS and begin my masters. I could hand pick a handful of teachers out of the school that really prepared me for college. it's a poor county school in a rural community under Alabama's backwards education program. i agree with the parent's comment on tenured teachers. it was a big problem when I went to school there. if I am still in alabama when I have kids, they will be in a decent school system or go to private schools.

I have a son who is graduating from SHS. Very disappointed in the leadership (more of a 'yes' person to his/her supervisor than to stand up for the students); the teacher interaction with students is poor (i.e., once tenured, the teacher does not have time to interact with students - he/she would rather teach 15 minutes then leave the classroom to take care of personal business - in addition, it has been our experience that the teacher(s) would rather be friends with a student and talk about anything other than the subject he/she is teaching; overall SHS does not appear to have the best interest of the student in mind. Also, the academic guidance is very poor - there is no such thing as working to help further the students education.