Harlan Community Academy High School

I've read most bad reviews versus good ones....my son applied to harlan for the fall because they offer web and game design. It's not our neighborhood school, but I do want my son to learn something that he's interested in, while in HighSchool...do you recommend this school?
—Submitted by a parent

Harlan's rep. Is bad but in reality it's really good school. They have caring teachers, and great programs such as the engineering program and academic center,

Even though the school has a reputation for being violent, its probably because the school is poorly funded. I talked to a senior today and asked where there going for there senior trip, I was told there going to an arcade place. Also while i was there I asked how does it feel to be a senior, an I was told that it feels no different from all the other grade levels.

This sound like a great school I would to get more information on it.Thank you
—Submitted by a parent

Harlan has educated some of the best and brightest in the Chicagoland area. It is probably the only school in the city, perhaps in the country that can claim 8 Circuit Court judges, a host of teachers and principals, musicians, physicians, clergy, etc.
—Submitted by a parent

Initially, my husband and I were apprehensive about our children attending Harlan. I had heard so many bad things about the school; basically the administration was not about academics, only sports, low test scores, etc. However, our youngest daughter got accepted to the Academic Center & subsequently joined one of the sports teams. At the end of the year, Harlan put together a beautiful athletic banquet. I was impressed with the program, the students were tastefully dressed and orderly, but what really sold me was listening to the GPAs of these students - 3.5s and above! I was blown away! Here these students were playing a sport and maintaining these GPAs! The new principal, Reginald Evans, has made many changes at Harlan to further academic excellence, such as the new Engineering Program beginning this Fall for selected Freshmen. Look for Harlan to soon be one of the top highs in Chicago.
—Submitted by a parent

My son went to this school. He was suppose to graduate class of 09. He went and talked to his teachers, mother contacted schooled and making sure he was going to be ok for this special day and they called him 2 days befog to tell him that he was not. I went and talked to his teacher and he was cold and displayed and very none caring. He took no responsibility of being a teacher and shifted blame from 1 department to the other. I was shocked of the answers that he gave and and the lace of comment he showed.
—Submitted by a parent

When I first arrived at Harlan I was shocked at the shape the school was in. It was in fact one of the worst schools I had attended. But through-out the course of 2 years, all the way up until I graduated in 2008, I must say that the school in a way has gotten alot better. My main concern for the school is the way the teachers dicipline the students. Some of the teachers make it aware that they do not care. Harlan has under went a huge turn around. I went from a student embarresed to claim my high school, to a proud graduate and frequent volunteer. Harlan is just a little bruised rose...with some watering it will blossom. -Kiara Goodman (Harlan 2008 Secretary & Graduate)
—Submitted by a student

this school is the worst school that i have ever been to.i am appualed at all of the fights that happen here.this school should be knocked down IMMEDIATELY.
—Submitted by a student

The school does not offer enough rigor as required for these students to be successful in college. It is sad that upon graduation these students are whollfully unprepared to enter into the real world and able to compete. There are too many people just collecting a check and not providing quality service. It is even sadder that the parents seem so unconcerned about their children and do not demand a better education for their children. There is no technology, books and the organization of the administration is even sadder. It is as if they do not communicate and are reactive rather than proactive. Leadership has hired their friends rather than competent people. It is a frat and soro house not a school. Those that could make a difference stay hid in offices all day and run out at 2:55. It is who you know not what you know.
—Submitted by a teacher

My time as a parent of an Academic Center student was depolable. Unlike the other Academic Centers, the students do not get gym, they have little or no access to the internet, the school has a severely limited library, there is little or no opportunity to develop powerpoint or other media projects as the school is not equiped. I found several teaachers to be unprepared for the level of instruction and interaction. There were others that were extremely unprofessional in their teacher student and teacher parent interactions. This includes discussing student concerns and progress in publis areas and belittling & demaning students in front of and to other students. Two classes of which I am aware did not get books until the middle of the second marking period. The office staff was unprofessional and the administration unresponsive to call, messages, letters and emails.
—Submitted by a parent

this school have the best wrestling team i ever seen. the best player Tyanthony Bain
—Submitted by a parent

This school is an excelent place to be at it has taught me and so many others so much
—Submitted by a student

I am a LSC community rep. My daughter graduated in 2007 from Harlan. I participated on the NCLB. There is no PTA as of now which I think can contribute to the dvelopment and give support of Harlan students. Principle Reginald Evans has made major changes at Harlan. A Lean on Me Principle he is always looking for new ways to keep the student s engaged in learning and being competitive. Mr Evans is always trying to safeguard these students and this makes me pride to have him as Harlan Principle. Mr. Evans can't do this along this school needs more parents participation and involvement. We need the support of the school and encouragement from the parents both to do a good job in education our children
—Submitted by a parent

I am pleased with the new principal, Dr. Hill's, efforts to make Harlan a school we can all be proud to have our childrend attend and also in the community. Some of the teachers are eager to teach the children, while others are there to collect a paycheck. I attended 'Shadow Day', which is when the parents follow their children to their classrooms. The parental participation was extremely low. It was dissapointing. 6 of the 7 classes were OUT OF CONTROL. If the teachers are afraid of the children, then the other children will be too. The children cannot concentrate in a disruptive environment.If they get rid of the BAD kids, Harlan would be a better place to learn. We need more parents to attend the new, strong and improved NCLB PAC, P.T.A., and LSC meetings.
—Submitted by a parent

The quality of instruction is improving. A new principal has been hired and new programs have been introduced including a nursing program and the AVID program. One major problem is the lack of parental involvement but a strong LSC and PTA afre now functiong at Harlan. A Drama Club has been started and the Band program has been restarted.
—Submitted by a parent

The quality of education at Harlan is poor. The teachers for the most part are not motivated and underqualified and a lot of the students are unruly and once again, not motivated. If the students are late, they are put in a room called a 'hot box' which I do not think is legal. There are rodents in the school. The school should be 'closed'. I will say that my daughter is getting all she can out of the school because she is motivated and her parent is concerned. The counselors 'will' work for you only if you work for yourself. The area taxpayers should pay a lot more attention to where education is headed at Harlan. Colleges think Harlan is a joke.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel Harlan scores low because counselors do not inform students about pre-tests and practice test exams. If they do, it is not in a timely manner. For example, my child is a junior andasked her about the SAT. After reviewing test dates, I discovered we were already too late to take 2 of the practice exams, without paying a late fee of $16 for one, of which there was only a week left to study. How absurd! My child should have been informed before school let out for the summer as a sophomore that there was an August registration deadline in order to take the test in early September. The counselors are inadequate (receiving paychecks only), and students suffer (poor grades, poor preparation, poor future) and parents suffer (anxiety, paying $42 for a test vs. $26). I'm trying HARD to remove my child from Harlan. This school should be CLOSED.
—Submitted by a parent