Clarke Central High School

Clarke central high schhasvbumped very positive experience for my children. Our daughter is starting University of Georgia this fall ,she has taken 11 AP classes at the high school and has definitely had a very challenging experience with those classes. The students who enroll in AP classes are self-motivated students who are willing to put in a lot of extra effort for the reward. The benefit of this is that the classes tend to be small and like minded students attend his classes for the most part. My son is just about to start his sophomore year at Clarke Central high school and he is experiencing the same challenge of AP classes, orchestra, band and athletics Our youngest daughter will be finishing private school eighth-grade and starting Clarke Central ninth-grade and my wife and I are confident that she will have an outstanding experience as well. Clarke Central serves a very diverse population students and I was worried that my children would not be challenged in this environment but when students enroll in the more difficult AP classes it becomes a sort of school within a school. They are forced to do a lot of extra homework and writing
—Submitted by a parent

The school is focused on preventing dropout. There are lots of AP classes. However, kids who are average have difficulty earning attention from the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Im currently a senior at Clarke Central and I can honestly say this with pride and without regret. CCHS has given me the opportunity to gain knowledge that other schools couldn't provide such as a large list of AP courses. Central is filled with competitive students and staff members that are determined to prove negative stereotypes and rumors associated with our school wrong. These same students are playing on the football team for the 3rd round of the STATE PLAYOFFS, others are writing and publishing articles and works of art for our HIGHLY RECOGNIZED Odyssey and ILLIAD, some are singing with the choir, marching to their on beat with the marching band, and some are dancing up a storm on the danceline and step team. There is truely no end to what CCHS students can do. I will never forget my amazing teachers and the great experiences ive had at CCHS
—Submitted by a student

It has great teachers and a full array of AP courses.
—Submitted by a parent

Three of my four daughters graduated from CCHS, and I couldn't have been happier with their teachers and their level of preparedness for college. All were on the dean's list at their respective colleges and one is now teaching. Who says you can't get an excellent public school education. I've always felt parent involvement is a MUST, and found myself very involved in all aspects of my children's learning experiences, from bringing snacks for the cheerleading squad and track team to shuttling kids to AP exams. There is no substitute for letting your kids' teacher know that you are fully invested in your their academic success.
—Submitted by a parent

i think that clarke central is a fantastic school to be at. the learning environment and everything.
—Submitted by a student

My child, a senior, asked to attend CCHS after 8 years of private school. We were skeptical -- the local newspaper rags on public schools -- but agreed that she might. We couldn't have asked for better. In four years, she has had few teachers whom I do not think to be of the highest quality. There were a handful of EXCEPTIONAL teachers, incredibly bright and dedicated, who've engaged her and others in their studies and who've served as guides through some rough teen life passages. She has benefited from well-coached sports programs; wide extra-curricular choices; diverse environment; vigorous AP program; and superb counseling staff. The hardworking, caring teachers and counselors seem to be saints! She and many classmates are quite well prepared for the most competitive liberal arts colleges and universities where they will matriculate this fall, ready and eager as can be.
—Submitted by a parent

As a recent graduate of CCHS, I can honestly say that there is no other school I would have rather attended. The AP program at Clarke Central is unmatched, and I find myself extremely well prepared for the rigors of a Top 50 Liberal Arts College (US News). Unlike many suburban schools, there is not overbearing parent involvement; students must seek out their own opportunities. In four years I might have had one sub-par teacher.
—Submitted by a former student

The quality of the AP courses is exceptional. My son had a U.S. History teacher that was better than any teacher I have ever seen. The Advanced College Placement courses are uneven, from exceptional to mediocre, ot unusual. The math department is unusually strong and well-monitored. Spanish courses genereally good. Other departments seem uneven. There are many opportunities for kids to participate in AP courses and your child doesn't have to be a genius to get into them, just reasonably motivated and well-behaved. I think that's how it should be. This is an enormous economic boon for parents. The extra-curricular opportunities for kids interested in the arts are not as strong as for kids interested in sports. Although I worried about the poverty issues associated with the school at first, my kids have been enriched by having contact with the broad scope of American life, good and bad.
—Submitted by a parent

I was only looking up the address and I can't belive all the positive things I've heard about this school. After graduating I was not at all prepared for college. Being an AP and ACP and AP student I would have expected a better educational foundation for the next step in the education. The principal cares more about the appearane of the property rather than the quality of education of the students. I remember roaches in the halls, torn late edition books, and a giant football budget for a loosing team. But they have prepared me for a lifetime of backpacking.
—Submitted by a former student

Personally as a graduate of CCHS in 2002, the school overall wasn't bad. My mother was military so we moved around alot. I got quite a bit of helpwith classes and life as a whole. Parents shouldn't be blamed for everything. I personally didn't do so well my Junior year but that is cause I didn't apply myslef. My mother had nothing to do with it. So as i tell alot of friends and random people, don't judge it before you try it. I now have a great job in the Air Force flying GPS satellites. CCHS had something to do with it. Carrington Campan
—Submitted by Carrington Campan, a former student

My daughter is a freshman at CCHS. I have been impressed with the school's principal, my daughter's teachers, the variety of special activities and programs offered, and the rigor of the curriculum (my daughter is in the ACP track). Does CCHS have problems? Of course, as any public school with 1500 students does. It has been my experience, however, that trouble-makers are dealt with quickly and firmly. Those who label the school 'a ghetto hangout' (see earlier posts) are simply letting their prejudices and fears overwhelm their view of what is obviously a quality school. The teachers have been magnificent and I doubt there is a better principal anywhere in the nation.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is now a junior at Clarke Central and it has been a great experience. She is in the AP and ACP classes which are excellent.The sports programs also have alot to offer. The principal there has made all the difference in the world. As with any school a child attends, Parental involvment is essential.
—Submitted by a parent

Clarke Central is a great school. Too many people judge it without knowing about it and assume that it is a 'ghetto hangout' (mentioned in another entry) but people who know firsthand know that it is a wonderful school with great advantages.
—Submitted by a student

As a student of Clarke Central I have found this as an oppurtunity to give some parents an idea of this school. In recent reviews parents have said Clarke Central is a 'Ghetto Hangout' and what not. This is a school not a social club. Althoguh some students find school less atrractive than others and do not succeed does not mean that the other vast majorty who will succeed should be put down. I find this school not only safe but well attented to and well staffed. Never have I seen so many teachers willing to stop their day to day routine to help indviduals. The clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities leave you with vast oppurtunities to make friends and make school more enjoyable. As far as I see it Clarke Central is as good or better than any school in Ahens and I'm proud to be a Gladiator.
—Submitted by a student

I feel that the problem at Clarke Central starts and ends with Parental involvement .You have 1 percent of the parents doing 100 percent of the work and it is reflective in how the student view the school.The Atheletic Program and Academics are a shell of what they once were.If we are to get back to the 'glory days of the past' parents and teachers need to resolve problems instead of covering them up.Clarke Central has a rich history and it is a shame that in the name of political correctness it has to die.Bring back the glory!
—Submitted by a parent

At my tenure at Clarke Central, I, like many of my peers, was itching to get out as quickly as I could. In retrospect, I believe that Clarke Central isn't a horrible school - the teachers are very dedicated to their students and are more than willing to give individual attention. This school does, however, have some inherent social issues because of the proximity to government housing.
—Submitted by Nichole, a former student

Lately, our school has been receiving a lot of bad press because it has not reached some of the No Child Left Behind standards. However, I think Clarke Central is a great school: We have a great principal who seems to care about every student individually. The majority of teachers are not only good at what they do, but they are willing to take the time to help a student learn (like after-school tutoring). Most of the diverse student body are normal, well-rounded, involved, competitive teens. CCHS also has numerous extracurricular clubs, sports, and fine arts programs (like our national-caliber Mock Trial program). With 1500 students, it is crowded, and the building is old. But those who look at our school positively will be pleasantly surprised with how much they enjoy CCHS.
—Submitted by a student

I think this school has the ability to be great because I think its got great teachers. But the school board policies prohibit disciplinary actions to support teachers and support those students who would participate were it not for the academically lost children who play to avoid being labelled as 'dumb'.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is a freshman, and I hope she realizes the best thing to do is let me home school her. When approaching asst.principals, no one knows anything. This school is nothing more than a ghetto hangout, if you want your kids to learn, send them somewhere else, if you want them to have morals and values,without pulling eyeteeth, send them somewhere else.
—Submitted by Christal Senn, a parent