Madison Central High School

This school year is my second year of experience with Madison Central. I have seven more years to deal with this school with my children coming up. There have been vast improvements over the past few years in the structure, appearance, academics and parent involvement. The programs are of tremendous help in preparing our children for college and the teachers are willing to go above and beyond for anyone willing to ask for help. The band program is awesome and has taught my daughter discipline, leadership and self worth as a team member. To help ease the upcoming freshmen, there is an academy attached to the high school that teaches the transitions into high school while keeping the younger kids secure in their environment. Great lengths have been taken to ensure the safety of our young adults. Parent involvement is strongly encouraged and much needed to keep our programs running!
--Submitted by a parent

During my high school career, I attended several different schools throughout the country and Madison Central High School was by far the worst school I had attended. The environment at this school consisted of violence, drugs, alcohol, and discrimination against students with disabilities and minority groups. In addition, the faculty and staff at the school was unknowledgeable and difficult to work with. As far as academics go, the test scores may be decent but it is only because the school curriculum was not at all challenging and consisted of only 'busy work'. The school didn't even have enough school books for the students to take home. From a former students' standpoint it's safe to say that I found no aspect of this school satisfying and I would never recommend that any parent send his/her child to this school.
--Submitted by a former student

As a parent of a recent graduate from Madison Central, I was pleased with the education my child received. Unlike a few of the reviewers, I feel the teachers do care about the students and do their best with what they have to educate the children. It's hard to hold a teacher responsible when the state of Kentucky has some problems with funding for schools. One nice program is the KEES scholarship fund. If your child were to carry a 4.0 all the way through high school, they would receive $2500 per year to attend any university in Kentucky. A lower grade point average receives less money, but at least it gives the students something to strive for. Central has recently been renovated and is much more pleasing to the eye and lets the students feel even better about their school. I have no complaints and neither does my child.
--Submitted by a parent

Madison Central is the best high school in Madison County and becoming one of the best in the state of Kentucky. They offer a variety of college prep courses and do offer Jump Start and Upward Bound programs in conjunction with Eastern Kentucky University. With this school year, 2005-2006 they have implemented a recovery credit course for those students who need it so they have an opportunity to 'catch-up' and graduate with their class. The MCHS band won the state marching band competition in their class in the fall of 2004. Central offers clubs geared towards community service and those related to academics such as a strong Junior Classical League which is for Latin students.The sports teams are strong in their district. For the past few years, a monthly newsletter has been mailed home to parents keeping them up-to-date on all Madison Central has to offer. Three alumni are currently students at Harvard.
--Submitted by a parent

I disagree with the person from the last review. Students are not forced to use their social security number to get food, we are given id cards, that do that for you, or you can give your name. Only people who are careless and loose their cards use their SSN. Restroom breaks during lunch are not needed. Students are given enough time between classes and any student who says they have no time, obviously can not schedule their time well. MCHS offers a ton of excellent academic courses, including many AP courses (those are college level for those who dont know). Parents are involved all the time, how do you think they can do all the things they do, with adult volunteers. Obviously the person who wrote this, knows nothing about the workings of MCHS.
--Submitted by a student

MCHS is an awful school. They do not allow parents to be involved. They offer low quality academic programs. Teachers do not even encourage you to succeed. They also make mistakes as to the identity of the students, and you are required to give out your SSN in order to pay for food. It is a horrible environment for any student to be in. You never have a tension breaker, and you are not even allowed a restroom break durring your 25 minute lunch.
--Submitted by a former student

Good school for KY, but compared to the nation-lacks in several areas.
--Submitted by a student

This past year was my first year at Madison Central, I attended a high school in Louisville, Kentucky last year, but I love Madison Central, and over just one year I know that they have changed outstandingly, and made great progress. I can't wait to go back next year, and finish off my wonderful experience. At this time Central is under construction to make our school larger, and a more apt place for us as students to grow.
--Submitted by Shana medley, a student

Like many secondary schools, Madison Central does a very poor job of preparing High School Juniors and Seniors for college. Too many students are not advised about college programs such as Jump-Start and this is sad because this program is designed to prepare high school seniors for college life and gain actual college course credits. Not only are the students ill-informed but their parents as well. As the parent of a high school junior, it's important that my child is better informed and able to make a smooth adjustment to college life.
--Submitted by Adrianna Behn, a parent