Blake High School-Magnet

Just recently discovered that one of my kids attending Blake High School was on the School Teacher s intranet web site. He did not know that I was watching what he was doing. He was updating all the grades. He gave himself all A . For all his classes. I also discovered that all the kids are passing the password to the intranet web site and updating all of their grades. Many kids are graduation this week have done this and are all an A grade students but not really, they are all cheaters. How can a teacher be so careless and not keep a log of the password property. I also discovered that the password has been passed around for a while. So, many of the students are on their way to graduation next week. The school system needs to stop the graduation and analyses the grades. It s a shame to call Blake High school a Magnet school. Not really proud of the education in this county any ways. I give Blake High School an F
—Submitted by a parent

I was (sadly) a student of Howard W. Blake High School for all four years of my high school life, graduated in 2008. I was actually looking forward to learning about all of the wonderful things that musical theatre had to offer, and hoped to make new friends. None of these things happened. Every single magnet student thought they were Gods gift, and the teachers refused to teach because of disruptions from the neighborhood project kids. Because I didn't want to follow the cliques and do my own thing, I was rejected from my fellow classmates. And the segregation was horrible! There would be debates on whose rights were more important: Black or Gay. I actually refused to go to my graduation and walk with my class because I was so fed up having wasted four years of my life there. If your son or daughter has an interest in the arts and they want to further their education in it, I highly recommend your local community theatres, music teachers who know what they're talking about, and actually going to college to major in their study of interest. There they will meet people with the same goals and they can better your child's talents and gifts.
—Submitted by a student

If your kids are in to any kinds of art this would be the school for them! This is a great school thats why I have my two daughters going there for fashion design and photogragh. This is one of the best schools ever!!!
—Submitted by a parent

When I went there a couple years back, I had the time of my life it's a pretty cool school and its very clean too!!!
—Submitted by a student

I was a student at Blake for three years and I have to say if it wasnt for the dumb gangbangers at the school and the projects across the street this would have actually been a pretty good school. Sadly though there is alot of segregation amongst the students. The preps, performing arts, and magnet kids thought they were gods answer to cancer nothing was ever blamed on them and the administration treated them like little angels. There were also the gangbangers, ghetto, or blame retarded students that ruined everything for everyone. Due to them fighting every single day over stuff as stupid as a stolen chair (when there were hundreds of empty ones around them) and fighting over jelly packets. Bottom line dont send your kids there unless you want them to suffer for four years.
—Submitted by a student

All of my children are the products of the Magnet School program. My third child is attending Blake, following in the footsteps of his siblings. We have had a few less than ideal experiences with some teachers who 'didn't make the grade,' but the staff and faculty have always been very open and welcome to my concerns and have taken immediate steps to address them. My biggest disappointment with my children's education has been having to split the campus between teh Liberal Arts and Performing Arts Magnet program. This caused the school to move from 'Block' classes, where the students got a year's curriculum to the standard 8 classes. This has forced some of their Magnet and Performing Arts focus to be diminished. It also caused the shcool's over-all grade to fall, something they are still driving to recover. Unfortunately, this is all the product of 'school choice.'
—Submitted by a parent

I loved Blake High! I was always welcomed there and I still consider it my second home. They can't be beat when it comes to their Arts program.
—Submitted by a student

Our fourth child is now attending Blake following in the footsteps of her 3 siblings. We have been very pleased with each of our children's experiences. Those who have graduated over the years have all represented the top of their classes, graduating with honors and going on to achieve great things at major universities in Florida. The magnet program is solid, and while a few of their educators have been inferior, most have been outstanding in their academic fields. The smaller class sizes are a real advantage, allowing for more interaction with classmates and teacher. Nothing can compare to the Performing Arts Dept - they are above all else! However, if you think you can send your child to Blake and not enroll yourself, then Blake is not for you, your child or your family. Going to Blake is a family affair.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Blake is a great school. A lot of people are saying the academics are bad, but I have more AP classes available here than I would've had if I had gone to my traditional school. I have only seen one minor fight, and I feel safe at school. My classes all run smoothly and the teachers are great. I think I'm doing a lot better here than I would've done at a traditional school, especially within my major. I am learnin a lot more than my friends who chose to go to a traditional school. Blake is a great school, but I think it has a bad reputation because of it's location. It is getting better every single day.
—Submitted by a student

Some teachers are overwhelmed by students, not caring that the ones that go [to]learn are not taught.
—Submitted by a parent

Blake High School is not for everyone. My child has thrived there. She is in AP/Advanced classes. The teachers really seem to care. Many have PhDs. There are lots of AP classes available for the college bound students. Going to a magnet school is a huge commitment for the entire family. If your child gets involved in the extra curricular activities, transportation can be a challenge. However; if you have a child who is creative and artistic they will be surrounded by kids who appreciate their uniqueness and talent. Kids at this school are not expected to fit in to some social label like at a regular school. I would appreciate a little more help from the guidance department as we start to make college decisions.
—Submitted by a parent

The quality of the teachers of gone up gradually as far as academics, however there is still need for much improvment. Now, when it comes to the actual performing arts techer - top of the line!
—Submitted by a student

Great place if all you want to do is concentrate on performing arts. However, my daughter decided she also wanted a strong academic experience. Unfortunately, with the exception of one or two classes, Blake was not even close to fitting the bill. Almost everyday she came home with stories of kids fighting, or disrupting class (in what were supposed to be honors and AP classes), lax teachers, and just a general atmosphere of random chaos. There were always safety concerns as well. Eventually, she decided that although the performing arts emphasis was great, she was falling behind academically so she had to get out. I didn't try to influence her decision but was fairly happy about it as I was definitely underwhelmed by the administration as well. Blake is not the place where students motivated about academics are nurtured.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student currently attending Blake. The pros of Blake are having the best arts program in the county(orchestra, band, theatre etc.) while the cons are the lack of discipline of the students and almost zero parental involvement(most likely due to being an inner city school). All in all, Blake is a great school if you have yourself or your child enrolled in the magnet program.
—Submitted by a student

Howard W. Blake High School, located in the West Tampa area, is the best school you can send your child to. The administration staff is great... Principal Haynes is the nicest lady you can meet! Both the Traditional and Magnet Program is great too...
—Submitted by Tha B.G., a student

Amazing experience there... though it had some ups and downs, the magnet part makes up for it. I think the only reason I attend Princeton University right now is because of the preparation and well roundedness I acquired while at Blake.
—Submitted by V P, a former student

To begin with, I am a current senior at Blake at the top of my class. As with most experiences in life, high school is what you make it to be. Certainly I have had my fair share of unpleasant experiences, but that is not what defines this school. While I am very excited about moving on to college and the new experiences I will have there, I recognize that I am lucky to have gone to Blake instead of my local high school. I have had some very inspiring teachers, both academic and artistic. I also feel fortunate that I was able to go to a school that fosters individuality. This is not a school of cliques and superficiality, but one where you can feel free to explore your interests and express yourself within a loving community of diverse individuals.
—Submitted by Regina, a student

Weak administration, lack of discipline, poor teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a senior in the visual arts program. Blake High has been an excellent experience, and I know that it was the right choice for me. Some of my best classes at Blake have been the academic classes, and I love the diversity of my school. Though we had difficult years, the administration has stepped up the discipline, and the change is noticeable and appreciated by the upperclassmen. The atmosphere at Blake high school is a unique one, and I highly recommend attending to anyone who wants to get away from the typical high school mindset.
—Submitted by Kate B, a student

Blake High School is one of the worst schools you can send your child to. First, the academic grades in classes are horrible since their is ALOT of skipping classes and the students interrupt classes everyday, and not only that their are PLENTY of teachers who don't know their subjects they are teaching and to make matters worst, many teachers have to rush to teach the rest of a subject, leaving other students behind. Second, though Blake has plenty of extracurricular activities they often get cancelled or we quit as punishment due to the many students who skip class during clubs or the groups of kids who start fights during these extracurricular activities. The Safety and dispiline is horrible. Kids skip, fight, cuss out teachers, and even through things at them. There is no parental involvement in Blake High, otherwise maybe students would show more respect toward the school and teachers.
—Submitted by a student