Belleville High School

I am a parent of a 2012 graduate. I think Belleville High School is a wonderful school with very caring staff members. I really love Mr. Niner and how he challenges his students. I will be sending my youngest child to the NEW Belleville High School. GO BELLEVILLE!
—Submitted by a parent

I don't understand why the schools just can't go back to the way it used to teach basic,general and advance give the kids who struggle a chance.I think the schools put to much pressure on the kids today.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this is overall a very nice school. Its obviously not erfect, but what school is. The only issue is that its so overcrowded and students sometimes cause too many traffic jams in the halls. However, our marching band, athletics, and numerous extracurricular activities are the great things about BHS. Go Tigers!!
—Submitted by a parent

The district schools of Van Buren are really a mess.I have two children in elementary and one in high school .My elementary students have experienced three teacher lay offs in mid-year.The whole district does not have the ability to give these kids what they deserve!Parents please give your children a start that makes a difference,do what you know is best for them-it is so obvious they are in big trouble.
—Submitted by a parent

They care about their students!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student who attends the school. I personally love belleville. Its fatal flaw is that students in the school are not disiplined well. The teachers are great and care for the students alot,and want to help but the students only care about having fun all the time and not taking things serious. Its really sad. but i know that when the class of 08, and 09 have left belleville will be fine. Belleville has all these programs students can get involved with and one of them is about getting your associates gegree when you graduate. Also its bands are terrific.they played at the haltime at the outback bowl and did wonderful. but really the school needs to be built again desperatly.
—Submitted by a student

My child is a ninth grader at this school and this will be her last year in the district.It is unsafe,the teachers don't care about the students and the students themselves have no respect for others.
—Submitted by a parent

The best things (or former things) about Belleville High School are (or were) the Belleville High School Marching Tigers at 265 strong, this band is the best in the state. They recently attended the Outback Bowl in 2008 and did a wonderful job. Thank you Mr Taylor and Mr. Campbell. I cannot think of more dedicated band directors (and I was a former band 'geek' student). The second best (former) thing about Belleville High School was Mr. Michael Van Tassel. He was the former band director for many years and recently was the class principal of the class of 2008. First, Mr. Van Tassel should have been named the school new principal after Mr. Kelly left, period. No one had a better understanding of the student population at large (rich, poor, middle class, black, white, other ethnic backgrounds) than he did. Mr. Van Tassel will be missed, always!
—Submitted by a parent

Its so crowded had to transfer classes because it was so packed.The school is also very poor we need to raise money alot just to get buy.
—Submitted by a student

I was a student at Belleville last semester and now I go to Saline High School and my opinion on Belleville High School is that its a good school, it just needs a lot of help and updates. If parents think it needs help and want their kids to be able to learn out of books that arnt out dated and have a nicer building, they need to get over the taxes for moving the school and think about the students and their education. Belleville will always be my home and my favorite place to be, it should look and be better then it does.
—Submitted by a student

I just graduated from Belleville High this year and yes I admit, the High School needs help. We learn out of text books that are out of date and cant do anything that might damage the floor or ceiling(chemicals). The third floor is of no use because it burned down. The heating and AC does not work correctly, you melt in the summer and freeze in the winter. The bond for the High School wont be passed because its not just the school district thats poor, its the whole city. Even with all this wrong, the acedemics are still on the top. In out graduating class of 350+, a majority of us graduated with honours, i myself with a meap scholorship. Belleville may not look that good altogether, but its school, its there to teach, and that is what it does. I am proud to call myself a Belleville High Graduate.
—Submitted by Amanda Griffin, a former student

The academic programs are good but, their system of putting students in certain academic studies because of their grade point is not fair nor does it gives the students a chance to be redirected into a field of study that they may want because of a low grade point. I believe each student should be able to choose any class they want. I would like to see or know if there is a parent association and if it is they don't contact new parents with any information. The school is not warm to new students or parents. You don't feel part of the school atmosphere. I would like to participate but I really don't know what is available to volunteer for. We need to support a new school millage for improvements and space for our childrens.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently the parent of a soon to be junior at Belleville High School, as well as a 2005 graduate. I have found the school to be a great success inspite of its lack of educational facilites and size. I have never seen such a group of teachers and counselors that have put so much time and energy into both of my children. Neither of them were the 'stand out' student in a classroom, but also didn't get into trouble either. The teachers they both have had have been involved in making sure they not only learn, but become better individuals as well. I have friends that have children in other 'higher rated districts,' and when we speak of what our kids are doing and the quality of the teacher student relationship, they wish that thier kids could have attended BHS even with its desparate need for new facilities.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a current junior at Belleville High School and though are school is over crowded, the teachers at our school really care about their students and the progress we make.The sports teams at Belleville are the cream of the crop from a boys basketball team who was 6th in the state to a district winning girls volleyball team. Yes, I will admit that our school does desparetly need a new building but when I get my diploma next year I will be proud to say I am a graduate of BELLEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL.
—Submitted by Ariel Hails, a student

As a student at bhs I can speak first hand about the problems in this school. For one, too few of the teachers actually seem like thats what they want to be doing, which yes can be hard when the students dont want to be there and they make it obvious. but why do you think that is? Maybe its because males are stopped in the hallways and asked to lift up there shirts to see if they are sagging , maybe its because if you dont cause problems the principals or counselors dont even know your name, maybe its because you have to almost fight in the hallways to get to class in 6 minutes, maybe its because the students know that the teachers dont care...so why should we? Something needs to be done.
—Submitted by a student

The quality of the guidance counselors is horriffic! I have had 4 of my children attend Belleville High, and the counselors never took the time to get to know any of their students. There were 4 counselors...how much time would it have taken to talk to their students and find out what their goals were, to make sure that they were in the correct class? 10 mins.? The curriculam is POOR! They set these kids up for disaster, you have to be an A student or a behavior problem to get any type of involvement from the teachers or counselors. Sure they have a Band...and sports, but you can only play in sports if you are the coaches favorite other than that you can warm the bench, it all carries on from the middle schools. The teachers don't care anymore, they are underpaid and stressed out from building problems. A disgrace!
—Submitted by Susan Farhat-Williams, a parent

I agree that may of the schools in the Van Buren district are in dire need of either restoration or a total re-build, however I feel for people to discredit the 'tardy' policy is foolish. In fact, I know of quite a number of times that I myself had to stand in class if I was late. This has actually shown me that time is valuable and if I don't want to be let go from an employer (or, in this case, have VERY sore legs!) I learned to value the time I was provided with. I do feel that more time should be given for the new generation of students here to get to classes. It was crowded when I was a student, I can only imagine it being more so due to the economic boom and growing community. I learned a lot there.
—Submitted by Renee Freese, a former student

I am a former Student of Belleville. I experienced the crowded hallways that everyone complains about as well as the meticulous rules that are annoying to any student no matter what. I will not deny that new facilities are a must, not just becuase of crowding but it will allow the teachers to do their job properly. As well as allowing the school district to offer more programs. I think the biggest problem this school district faces, especially at the high school level is parent involvement. Parents that care about their childrens education is essential. The lack of discipline was a problem when I was a student there, I think a lot of students do not face consequences when they should. The teachers in general are very adequate, but a larger facility will accomodate more teachers and hopefully attract those of quality by providing somewhere a person would want to work.
—Submitted by K P, a former student

Oh, for another thought, do you truly feel that as parents it is ONLY the school's interest to invest in your childs education? Yes, it is a teachers job to teach, and a students job to learn, but it is a parents job to guide. The school should not be held accountable for the 'lack of interest' of the student body, but the parents should be held accountable in their lack of interest in their childrens futures. I have family members who still attend B.H.S. and N.M.S., and their parents could not be happier with their progress, despite the 'poverty' the school shows. In condemning the teachers, staff, and building itself, you are condemning those whose presence graced these halls only years before. Attend a board meeting once in a while, and look into the eyes of these people. I guarantee you at least 1/2 of them are former students.
—Submitted by R Palmer, a parent

Belleville High is a tragic display of poverty despite the growing community. Teachers focus so much on the smallest rules and often ignore 20 minutes or more of class to yell at students. The building sadly needs to be condemed. I am a student at Belleville and the hallways are so crowded people have to shove to get to class on time, as a result I have come home with black eyes,bloddy noses,broken toes, ect. It's just dangerous,there just isn't room to be polite if you wish not to stand in class or get a pink slip to the office. There are few dedicated staff members anymore,and I know of some unqualified teachers on staff. On top of all of this a lot of our funds are being taken away due to Bush's No child left behind act,which is nearly impossible to achieve if you know how it works. It's just Sad.
—Submitted by Emily Gumpher, a student