McEachern High School

I attended Mceachern and Graduated in 2005. It truly is a one of a kind school. it provides a safe environment to study in. The outdoor campus is amazing and truly brings the school together.The Athletic programs are outstanding and provide some of the best teams in the state. Being a former football player I will always be proud that i graduated from Mceahcern. The Teachers and Coaches are amazing and will do what ever they have to, to help your children.
—Submitted by a former student

My two children are graduates of McEachern. Although a large school, I always felt that teachers were available to offer help whenever it was needed. I found the administration to be caring and concerned. I met Mr. Benson at the funeral of one of my child's classmates. Our best experience was with Commander Sudol and the other instructors in the NJROTC program. My daughter loved her experience so much that she decided to enlist in the military after graduation.
—Submitted by a parent

McEachern is a pretty good school. Fun is truly in the hands of the student body. Pep rallies and assemblies use to be common place. However, a small portion of the student body had become more defiant and aggressive, so having large gatherings was a little unsafe and unproductive. Not to mention, the test scores dropped. I personally beleive it is the lack of community involvment and parent interest in the children that has hurt McEachern. McEachern is VERY good at providing extra assistance and guidance to those who are willing. McEachern is a good school with a few bad eggs.
—Submitted by a teacher

McEachern is not a good school at all! Violence is horrible and teachers could care less. My child went from being an 'A' student at his previous school to barley being able to pass. My oldest child attended McEachern and graduated 5 years ago, and that school has done nothing but go down hill ever since the past principle has left. The only reason why i left my son in that school for his full 1st year was because of the AMAZING band program. He will be attending a new school this fall.
—Submitted by a parent

As a former student of McEachern High School (Class of 2003), I must say that the years that I spent there were wonderful. Yes, there were the usual high school complaints of the halls are too crowded or that the lunch food stunk; but looking back now I realize how petty these complaints were. The open air lay out of the campus is so much like the college that I now attend that there wasn't the culture shock of being at college. I also had teachers who pushed me for more. My Chemistry teacher, Ms. Keel, was the best I've ever had. She helped me with my college level Chemistry even though she didn't have to. All my french teachers were wonderful and encouraged me all five years I took french. The tradition and deep history that is behind the school also makes this an outstanding school to attend.
—Submitted by Candice Buis, a former student

Relocated from Maryland with 6 children. Mceachern is our 1st highschool experience. We and our son are very pleased with this school. I love the way the school is like a college campus and because of the many courses that are offered, I feel my son will be well prepared for college. All staff, teachers and administrators I have delt with have been great with resonding to my e-mails and phone calls. I appreciate the guidance in preparing my son for his academic and future career goals. The school makes the parent and the student aware of what curriculum needs to be followed. It is competive to make a sports team. My son loves basketball and soccer. He made the soccer team. Large # of students tried for basketball.
—Submitted by a parent

I attend Mceachern how school currently and i think that it is a real good school. Of course there are fights here and there, what school doesn't have them.Also there are over 3000 kids in this school and i think the teachers do an overall good job at keeping track and making sure you get the help you need.I'm doing better in school now than I was before in my old high school. The lunches are crowded and so are the hallways but i think thats what makes a high school and thats what makes it fun and you're friends with most of the kids. So, i think that Mceachern is a real good school.
—Submitted by a student

The facility is wonderful. The teachers are all caring and enjoy what they do. The administration is helpful.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 3 children there at all levels and all are excelling. All three are in Marching band. I cannot say enough good about Sonny Petway. Band has kept all my children on the right track and the Parent involvement is tremendous. The acedemics are excellent and the teachers have always kept me informed before truoble occurs. The only thing I would like to see change is the Principal give more support to the band. It is obvious where his support is and it is with the football team.
—Submitted by a parent

We have one son t hat graduated this past year from McEachern and another one that will start there in 2 years. Our son that graduated could not have excelled more than he did at McEachern. He graduated with Honors and that is due to the great teaching at this school. During his 4 yearsthere we had no problems with bullying or fights. McEachern is a great school for any child to attend, I should know, I graduated from McEachern!
—Submitted by a parent

McEachern is a great school. I've had two graduate and one is a sophomore. The staff is highly trained and cares about the kids. The sports program and facilities are superior as is the performing arts center and the programs involving that facility. I can't say enough about the quality of the campus. If a child attends McEachern, they can adapt easily to any large university. McEachern is larger than some colleges and certainly has more buildings. A number of parents are involved in the school. It's such a large school, that it's hard to tell what percentage of parents volunteer.
—Submitted by a parent

with 4 children in this school district, 3 having gone through McEachern and 1 starting next year, I have had good and bad experiences. I would like to know why the principal has neglected making a Principal's review. There are a lot of issues that should be addressed.
—Submitted by a parent

mceachern overall is an okay. to me the school administration does a good job in carring out deciplin, but as far as listening to the students they can do a far better job!
—Submitted by a student

Mceachern to my opinion is a great school. People say negative things about Mceachern because of the size of the school. This is my sons second year and he has never had a problem. The teachers keep me informed about his progress. As a parent I get involved as much as I can to make sure my son stays focus and out of trouble.My son takes part of one of the best marching band programs in Cobb county with superb instructors and volunteers. He is so busy with his school work and marching band, that he does not have time to get into trouble. You are going to come across problems no matter were you are. Parents it is up to you to get involved, know who your kids hang out with. To the person who said that Mceachern does not have spirit try to attend the football games.
—Submitted by a parent

My Experience at McEachern: When going to class, you get pushed by hundreds of students on small walkways, and frequent fights send students running, which has caused injuries to others because they push them out of the way or jump over/on them to see the fight. At lunch you can wait 20 minutes in line to eat the unhealthy food they serve, which leaves about 10 minutes to eat, or you could visit vending machines, which offers sugary, salty, and caffeine filled products. In class, with 32 students (28 is the rule) and your teacher, who doesn t know your name, hands you work while ignoring the mass of students. When it rains, you get soaked and have to avoid the giant puddles. It takes 2 weeks to talk to a counselor. You have to be extremely good at a sport to be considered for a spot on any McEachern team.
—Submitted by Cindy Duell, a student

I disagree with the review posted in December 2004. McEachern is an outstanding school. My son is currently a senior and has played Varsity football for 4 years, as well as basketball. The coaches have always been honest and upfront about what commitment is required from the athletes and their parents. I have never felt there was any favoritism shown by any coach, in any sport at McEachern. The principal and the entire administrative and teaching staff actively promote higher learning and individual responsibility in all the students. McEachern has outstanding parental and community support. McEachern often gets a bum rap because it's so rich in tradition that others cannot hope to achieve. I think the parent who made the December comment is in for a rude awakening if he/she thinks their child will be any more safe or treated any better at any other school in Cobb County.
—Submitted by a parent

McEachern is not a good school at all. I'm not a parent but I'm a student so I can tell you how bad that school is. I feel like I'm a military school. The teachers don't care about your education at all. Administrators are too strict on the students. Also, that campus is too to be a high school. We only have 8 minutes to get from one building to the next which is unfair because we have no time to socialize. The lunch period is only 30 minutes but the lines are long so by the time you sit down you have only 15 minutes to eat and socialize which is not enough time at all! If you are even thinking about coming to McEachern, you need to rethink because you will be making a big mistake. I'm glad that I'll be moving soon.
—Submitted by a student

We are not happy with McEachern. We are concerned for our son's personal safety and emotional well being. That says alot when you came from Chicago Public Schools! There is alot of bullying that goes on there seemingly unnoticed by the staff and administration. Character education in the lower grades could do alot to improve the citizenship of the student body. I cannot reccomend this school to transfering students because of the size and the favoritism that goes on there between the coaches and those who came throught the feeder programs. Kids from other places are not given a chance to prove their ability, regardless of their former experience. We are happy that our daughter will be going to the new school when it is completed, and are sorry for having chosen this school for our son. it has not been a good expeerience for him at all.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that the school has the potential to be great, especially with their excellent advanced classes. They have some terrific teachers, but of cooourse there are also teachers who seem like they never wanted to do the job they are in. If they spent just a little less time trying to run the school like a prison and a little more time on the kids who need a little extra help, McEachern could be the best school in the county. Some reforms are definitely needed. The new prinicpal though is very much involved in the academic side of school, instead of focusing on the athletic events. The kids seem to appreciate this, though the amount of athletic school spirit has dropped since I attended years ago.
—Submitted by a former student

McEachern has the potential to be a great school but as of now it does not live up to its reputation. The old traditions are not being lived by the students. Compared to other schools in Cobb County McEachern has little school spirit or compassion. The size of McEachern makes it hard for students to feel like an appreciated individual. If the administrators at this school would focus more on the fun of being in high school and education at the same time instead of outrageous disciplinary actions. McEachern could be the best school in Cobb County but we need a leader that wants it to be.
—Submitted by a former student