Bay City Western High School

I am a graduated student from Western High School and think that it is a really good school. The teachers and all other staff are there because they enjoy being around the kids and helping them out not only academically but also with turning them into better people in general. Sure, everyone has their bad days and some staff there are just there so they have a pay check, but most of them are there because they like seeing the future generations mature and learn right in front of their eyes as parents enjoy seeing their own kids do day to day. I personally, am glad that I went to Western from 6th grade all the way through my senior year of high school. There are teachers there that I still have contact with and still have questions for them both academically and life questions even though I graduated with the class of 2011. If I had a kid right now that was about to finish 5th grade, I would send them to Western Middle and High school with the confidence that they will not only get the respect that I had from the teachers and staff but also a very good education as well.

I love this school but sometimes teachers could be better to explaining other things.
—Submitted by a student

Many of the parents writing these reviews only have limited data. They only see the bad side of the school, and that is what they're spreading. Yes, sports are important at our school, but that doesn't mean that's all that matters to the staff and school board. The school is getting more and more crowded, but it is also getting expanded. So hopefully that issue will be withdrawn. And yes, we do have some teachers who need to go back to school themselves. Some are not as 'brilliant' at the others teaching there, but you can't expect them all to be great. And if the parents can't teach it any better, then they should just try to help their child.
—Submitted by a student

As a student at Western I believe that most of these reviews are wrong. The students definitely over populate the school but we are doing the best we can with the money & school essentials available. If your student has come home an said that their teacher doen't care about their learning then that is completely wrong. Most of the time it's because the student won't take the time to ask for the help that is needed. There are after school & seminar tutoring opportunities available done not only by the teachers but also by upperclassman. Any school you come across will have bullies but anytime someone is bullied it is asked that they go to an adult so punishment can be made.
—Submitted by a student

My son attends Western Intermediate. I am concerned about my son's safety if Western (High School/Intermediate school) is allowing locker rooms to be left unattended and open. The middle school/high school blend is also a concern for a parent of a younger child.
—Submitted by a parent

I think what the biggest problem is at Western is the lack of parent involement. I think that if more of the parents were aware of what was going on at the school, it would open their eyes. I also think that some of the programs in the schools are allowed to do whatever they want and do not really care about any of the other programs and how it looks. The teachers are doing the best with the curriculum they have. I have two children that are going through Western and they are doing fine and getting good grades. I do take an interest in what they are doing and talk with them all the time about school. Keep up the good work at Western.
—Submitted by a parent

As per reading the reviews posted about Western High School, it seems most of you have your facts incorrect, and completely out of reason. Of course, the rumor has it, that sports do come before education here, but this does not mean it shuns the educational value. In fact, the education is still highly efficient. Of course, as you may have heard, there is a 'no coats in class' policy, but this does not exclude varsity jackets. During the previous review stating the suspension of 'bullies' during playoff games, there is a reason behind that. I'd say that, because of how far Western actually made it into the playoffs, which is as far as it's ever gotten in ~20 years, they could probably use the help. Of course, the budget cuts are a nice obstacle for the schoolboard to overcome, and they are working on that situation.
—Submitted by a student

The education in the school is second to the football program, many say sports but it is all the football. It's about time the school made all sports equal and bring the teaching level up to par. The school is way over crowded and nothing is being done about it. Never enough money, but we can come up with a weight room for football. Why not use that money to build a second gym for all the students instead of a weight room for football. Think about it, sure makes sense to me.
—Submitted by a parent

Quality leadership at this school is absent. The previous review stated that 'sports come first at this school'. I second that. I know of instances where innocent kids are being bullied by football players to the extent that these football players have been suspended. However, that was during playoffs and these football players, even though suspended, were allowed to play in the playoff games. Leadership is severely in question, and certainly sports are the most important element in the minds of the administration. Shameful. You should see how some of the papers from teachers come home with blatant usage of bad grammar and misspelled words. Now there are drastic budget cuts, but sports are still protected. Again, shameful. Is this what education has become? Apparently it has at Western.
—Submitted by a parent

I am curious as to where the other reviews are coming from, or more specificly where they are getting there information. It is quite possible that they may be getting information from 'hear-say' because I find the other reviews to inacurrate. It it the class size that should be of concern: the teacher to student ratio in the actual classroom setting. We've moved a bit and at times, in other cities certain classes don't even have enough desks for the students. There are numerous oppertunities for one on one help at Western, and sometimes without even having to ask. If the other children aren't getting help, they aren't accepting the help that is so redily in front of them. As far as the funds, there are different accounts for sports and educational costs, which is determined by an elected school board. You have a say in how these funds are appropriated.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is way too overcrowded. The school district also has too many budget cuts. Sports come first in this school district. There is a rule, 'No coats in class.' But the football players are allowed to wear their varsity coats in class whenever they please. Students have to use books that are falling apart, but they can buy $300,000 lights for the football field. This school needs to know what comes first, and that is EDUCATION!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is too overcrowded and drastically under-funded. It was build to house only the high school students, but now also holds the Middle School as well. There are some great teachers (especially in the English department) but many poor ones as well. This school is well known in the area for below-average state test scores and drastically needing expansion.
—Submitted by a parent