Mare Island Technology Academy

As a parent of a middle schooler for the past two years I have mixed feelings about the school. One the one hand some of the teachers are amazing on the other, not so much, and definitely not responsive. The administration, although new and has good ideas, i have not seen any progress. There are absolutely no activities for students: band, athletics, choir, drama, anything for students to be involved in middle school. At the high school level they have the option to participate at another school in the area. Unfortunately, as my daughter tells me there are fights between Solano Middle School and MIT off school grounds. When there is a lockdown, parents are notified HOURS afterwards, not immediately. The ever changing dress code policy is ridiculous, now a patch has to be purchased to iron on the polo shirt. I thought sending my daughter here was a better option than Franklin or Springstown but now we are looking at American Canyon as another option...as we are not as satisfied as we thought
--Submitted by a parent

As a new parent at MIT, I am extremely happy with this school. The administrators are new (about 2 yrs now), the school is safe and the staff seems excellent. Of course every school has a few not-so-excellent staff/teachers but overall I have been very impressed by the curriculum, safety, dress code and improvements to the school. Last year, MIT tried to get the school moved to a better facility but were turned down by VCUSD and are stuck at a sub-standard facility. Hopefully, Vallejo Unified will make this right soon so MIT doesn't have to spend another 10 years in a temporary facility.
--Submitted by a parent

When I first came to this school in 2006, I thought I was coming to a school that valued the student and was technology based, which is what I believed I needed. Since then, I have been disappointed. The computer system that MIT is famous for is older than I have been here. The whole place is made of portables, which is especially horrible when it starts raining (e.g., mold growth, window and ceiling leakage). The bathrooms in the high school portion are absolutely horrible, and the only real way to get water is to trek all the way up to either the middle school, the cafeteria at lunch, or to buy it from student stores here. The entire system of school dances are orchestrated by two of the high school teachers, which will be leaving this year. The school doesn't have a high school feeling, either. We don't have an official sport or club system other than the After School Program. However, the whole place does have a small-town feeling and fighting is virtually nonexistent. But that is probably the only good things here.

One thing I must argue, that a previous reviewer talked about, is dress code. Yes, the students despise it, but there were several occasions, if not most of the time, when students violate the rules about what is appropriate to wear on "free dress days." It's a great distraction, more so when students are sent down to the office to call home and ask a parent for a change of clothes. I am an alumni, and trust me, students get used to the dress code. Self-expression is essential, but that can be done at other places. After all, isn't more important to focus on schoolwork than what so and so is wearing? Also, it would be nice if reviewers take a minute to check for grammar or spelling errors. It's quite embarrassing, especially if you're bashing the school.

I am very pleased with MIT. The teachers are excellent, I feel my child is in a safe environment, she has made many friends, and is getting a good education. Way above any Vallejo schools!!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

This school is fine... well the teachers are, but the food, campus and other things aren't so good. I wish that we had a better lunch system, and even a better homework system. We also need to have a more enclosed campus... and more supervision!!!
--Submitted by a student

At first I had high expectations of this school. I had thought that this was a school where children can both have a learning experience and a fun time, but no. Students are not allowed to express theirselves by clothing and the staff are not doing their best for it to be a great learning experience. They also made their rules less fun for the students this year. I am very disappointed with this school and expected better. I hope they change their rules again to make it more better for the students and for their learning.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a teacher at this school. This school dedicates more time to each individual student than any school I know or have worked at. The curriculum is project-based, relevant to students, and challenging. All issues that existed before 2008 are now gone, and a new staff at the top is in place and making huge strides forward. MIT Academy was recently voted 'Best of the Bay Area charter schools', and is currently featured on TV as such. Any attempt by students to discredit the school and it's value is truly disappointing, and I would have to say that any students having problems here are going to have problems at any school they attend- Behavior counselors on site are proactive in working with kids and any issues they may have. I love it here and want to work no place else.
--Submitted by a teacher

I hate this school! we dont even have real buildings or good lunch. i've been going to this school for 3 years now and i have not seen any improvements or even any attempts to make any improvements ever. i have wantded to leave this chool for awhile now and i am an eighth grader and i cant wait until i leave this school.
--Submitted by a student

Inexperienced teachers, substandard facilities, photocopied textbooks, computers that hardly work and an uncaring administration make MIT a poor choice for Vallejo parents who have to commit 60 volunteer hours to keep their children there. It was a great concept on paper....too bad that it does not live up to its potential.
--Submitted by a parent