Mount Zion High School

I think this school and this school system has made great improvements, there have been some issues in the past years, but the administrators have really tried to make all the necessary changes to improve the quality in Clayton county for our kids. I had two daughters graduate from Mount Zion High and they both agree, there were good points and bad points. Overall, they both were top ten percent graduates, one year apart and they both went on to go to college. This school was not bad to me. I also think they have an excellent magnet program. We were satisfied overall with this school.
—Submitted by a parent

As an eleven year employee of Mount Zion High School and in reading these comments over the past few years - I believe there is a little truth in every comment and quite a few exaggerations. Mount Zion got a bad reputation more from the media than the truth. Moving forward - Mount Zion has made leaps and bounds, and if you dig a little deeper, will find that Mount Zion since 2003 has consistently grown upward. All high schools have problems and issues; however, if you ask those with negative comments how involved they were in school activities or volunteering or making regular visits, you may find that they were not an active part of the school community. It takes a village - and our village within the building has pulled together and made a stand. We are constantly having to weed out many non-residents because given a choice, parents would rather their child went to Mount Zion than their zoned school. I've heard this firsthand. We've had a strong principal for over 4 years. Now, we are under new leadership (again); however, 2011-2012 is looking promising. The strength of a school is based on the commitment from the community. Ask yourself, how can you help?
—Submitted by a teacher

What a joy it is to teach at Mt. Zion High School! I'm a veteran Educator, but new to Clayton County Schools and am delighted to discover that the school system is so much better than the media would have you believe with the negative press. My administrators are extremely supportive and most professional. Love my classes: my students are cooperative, polite, and engaged! Dr. Heatley has hit the ground running, quickly establishing a precedence of leadership and commitment to raising the proverbial bar for excellence. No, I am not a paid promoter - just a happy teacher with a positive perspective!
—Submitted by a teacher

My daughter loves the fine arts and it is a great program.
—Submitted by a parent

even though the school's adverage was horrible i still rate it a five because of the excelent students and teachers at Mt.Zion High School.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is awesome. i dont care what anyone has to say about that school.At first it wasn't such a good school but since the freshamn academy started it has become much better.
—Submitted by a student

i feel like many people judge mzhs for something that it is not! mt. zion is a great school and if you really try you can make it! many parents have a problem with the school because of what their children are telling them. but the fact is that 50% of the time its your children... behaving as if they have no home training!
—Submitted by a student

I am a top 10% graduate from 2007. Since leaving MZHS, I ve come to finally experience education as it should be. The time I spent at Mount Zion was a waste of energy. There were a few good teachers, but for the most part, I received little instruction of value. The counseling department was a nightmare. Every year I had to fight to make appointments and was treated with disrespect and belligerence, as I am sure many students and parents faced. The various principals that came and went did little to improve the overall quality. Yes, the students had a lot to do with the school s problems, but the situation is little helped by the futile faculty and administration.
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at this school, and although many say that it is a bad school, they must see how their child is acting in the environment. In most of my classes it is not impossible to get distracted, but the school should be for the students that are dedicated to their school work. Most of the teachers are wonderful, but just be sure that you talk to your child about how important their education is.
—Submitted by a student

Clayton County has become a terrible school district and if you want your child to have any kind of decent education, you should not move here. This school riddled with behavioral and disciplinary problems and has become as bad as an inner-city school in the middle of an urban housing project.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the other comments that have posted. There are so my discipline issues, that teaching the children to behave is the focus rather than education! If your chold is there, take them out, do the research and put them in another school. It is not enough that mt. Zion has improved their schools, or is one of the better high schools in clayton county. I would not recommend moving to clayton county if they were giving away new homes for free if you have children still in school!
—Submitted by Ms. D, a parent

Hi, I am a straight-A student at Mount Zion High School and even I feel like I don't deserve it. This school doesn't challenge me at all. I am learning nothing. I walk through the halls each day feeling absolutely discouraged. I have nothing to look forward to, except graduation in June.
—Submitted by a student

When I first came to this school, it was alright, then it became outrageous. I can only think of about five teachers throughout the school that do not tolerate the children's behavior. As a rising junior, I already wanted to graduate in my freshman year because the students are so insane. It's ridiculous, and do not recommend this school; as a matter of fact, I do not recommend any school in Clayton County, because they dont give a lick.
—Submitted by a student

My son was a student at MZHS. Couple of teachers were very good, some average ones, and rest were VERY INADEQUATE. 'Bad' teachers he had: too busy on their tax-funded laptops surfing/emailing/playing games to teach. Most just slapped assignments on the board without lecture/instructions. Had teacher/student/counselor/parent conference with one teacher that admitted she didn't grade assignments for correct answers...just that something was marked...for which my son got low grades/0's because he refused to be graded that way, and was reason we were meeting. Same teacher said he was very intelligent but shouldn't 'buck the system'...if he didn't like it, drop out and get GED. Guidence counselors: oxy moron here...except for a couple. Safety&Discipline: Barely non-existant! No enforced dress code; truency; violence; drugs; gangs; bullies; deliquents; criminals. School board=gang of idiots. Took son out. Graduated private school with A'/B's & DIPLOMA! Now University honor student - no thanks to ClaytonCounty or MZHS!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a former student; started in '97 and graduated in '01. My first 3 years there were outstanding. I had wonderful teachers, and the school was doing above average academically. The various programs were strong, and students seemed to have pride in the school. At that point, disturbances such as fights did occur, but were infrequent. With each year the school became worse in that area, as well as academically. Wonderful teachers began to leave. After my graduation, a HUGE number left. As I understand it now, most teachers from my time there have moved onto other schools. The school is a beautiful facility, but today, the students really don't seem to respect it, or others, or themselves, really. The majority of the freshman class that came in my SR. year were completely out of control, and it looks as though it's only gotten worse. It's trully sad.
—Submitted by a former student

This school has some serious problems. Teachers cannot keep their students in line. A constant problem or disruption in the classroom. Unlike many of the surrounding schools, this one has a low expectation level of its students, which makes the students feel they have free reign. Yes, the school has gotten better over the years in some sense, but in others, it is only on a downward spiral. There needs to be many changes before there is a serious threat. Not all students however are 'thugs' but yes, many try to think they are, the ones who are unruly. There are still the FEW who believe in and deserve a quality education. Maybe they should be allowed to go elsewhere, where that is actually a goal of the school as well.
—Submitted by Tiffany, a student

I am a junior here at Mt. Zion. I do not recommend this school at all!Administrators barely have a control on the students. Test scores aren't that high either. Ever since freshman year things have improved but somethings have gotten worse.
—Submitted by aimee Lee, a student

After reading the comments of the 2003 graduating senior, I was very discouraged. I have a child attending this school and I was never impressed with it from the beginning. I never wanted my child to go to this school, but because the town I live in is on the border of two counties, clayton county was the one we unfortunately got stuck with. I would not recommend this school to anyone. I was told it was the 'party school'. What does that mean? I will be removing my child from there very soon. I can't even find the school rating!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a junior at this school and I totally disagree with the comment made earlier. The school has changed drastically since my ninth grade year and even though a lot of the students appear as thugs everybody studies and gets decent grades. Look at the statistics. If your child goes to a school that has low test scores send them here. It won't be a total culture shock, but they'll snap back into reality quickly.

I'am a junior this year,and I've grown to accept Mount Zion. From moving across the country, I felt uneasy. As the years went on,the counselors,teachers,and my peers, have made me feel very welcome. I recommend Mont Zion High School.