Clawson High School

The school is small and everybody knows each other which is great. Teachers know their students and the principal knows everyone too which is rare these days. The technology is right up there but not used to its full potential. The biggest problem? Poor class selection. No options and no diversity Have to go off campus to get AP, foreign language, upper math and science classes that are standard in most other schools. Example? They have the basic english class for each year that you need to graduate. But no english electives. Creative writing, Composition - nada. They really are unable to fully provide preparation for a good college. You need to be self driven and find it yourself.
—Submitted by a parent

School seems to be very community bases, where everyone knows everyone. The lack of diversity in presence and curriculum hurts to prepare students for the real world outside the sheltered suburban Detroit community.
—Submitted by a parent

Clawson is one of the GREATEST Schools in Oakland County. Yes it is small however for the kids I think it is nice. Each teacher knows most of the kids by their first name and they are not just a number in a sea of kids. Because it is small our kids cannot get away with to much because you are sure to hear about it. They do a great job making our kids have a decent self esteem. They are encouraging and sincere. I could not ask for a better environment for my children to be in. I choose to not move into a larger house because I love the schools and the close nit community. It is a modern day Little house on the prairie.
—Submitted by a parent

The problem with Clawson schools is poor curriculum.
—Submitted by a parent

Clawson is a small school district where teachers, parents and school adminisrators alike work together to graduate exceptionally bright and eager young adults. Clawson graduates are ready to take on college or trade schools with a vengeance.Students throughout high school take an active part in providing any necessary help to underclassmen.Clawson has a program to aid children with Autism and is supported not only by professionals but also cared for by our students.
—Submitted by a parent

I would like to address two issues here. My name is Kevin E. Phillips and although I am flattered that someone would take the time to post in my name I must point out that there is one simple discrepancy between the post from October of 2004 and today s post. Those of you who know me know that I always sign with my middle initial. I am also flattered that whomever post earlier must have been listening to me quite intently. They reflected my sentiments and opinions quite well. The school is in good shape. My colleagues are very skilled and they do care about the kids. I know this because my son attends as a school of choice student. He likes his teachers, the administration, the physical plant and most importantly the other students. All the test scores in the world can t measure the wonderful environment that Clawson has provided. And yes, we do have one of the most successful band programs in the state. Sorry, I m not bragging, just being truthful. -Kevin E. Phillips
—Submitted by a teacher

My daughter is in CHS. She is in band, the Optimist Club and on Student Senate. If your child applies him/herself they will succeed. The school is great. I also have 2 other children currently enrolled. I'm not moving simply because I don't want them in another school. Stop blaming the school because your child is not doing well.
—Submitted by Joy, a parent

Students have NO options at Clawson High School. There is one teacher per subject... and that's your only choice! If a student is struggling the majority of teachers will do NOTHING to assist. Many of these teachers have lost their ability to connect and do their jobs properly and effectively. Time to retire and let in the 'new blood'.
—Submitted by a parent

I have nothing but good to say about this school district. My (2) children attended schools in this district for almost 3 years. The schools not only provided a good education, but made the extra effort to address the issues that many children face today. We have been out of the district for almost 3 years and are in the process of relocating back to that area so that my youngest can attend Clawson school district again. I, as a parent of 5, have dealt with MANY school districts (in state and out) and Clawson is BY FAR the BEST district I've come across. 'School' is about more than education; Clawson DEFINATELY recognizes that.
—Submitted by a parent

Clawson High School is one of the smallest schools in Oakland County. If offers quality programs and extracurricular programs. Students have options, if they choose to take them. It is a safe place for any student. The administration and teachers help all students. No school is perfect. The parent involvement is the highest at sporting events and performing arts performances. Hopefully, it will increase at parent conferences and PTSA meetings in the future. I plan to attend the next PTSA meeting. As a parent, I haven't had any problems with the administration or teachers that weren't solved. For my child, the high school seems to be suitable and I know that it is working for many others. I would think that anyone that thinks the school is really bad, then they would not send their child to school there. Most people I know are satisfied.
—Submitted by a parent

You can tell you graduated from Clawson. 'And they really care about THERE students'. Guess you didn't have a very good grammar teacher? Band is no big deal. When you go to write your resume and misuse the English language that will tell more about your 'great' education than how hard you can blow a horn!
—Submitted by a parent

I will be a graduate from Clawson High School in 2005. One of the things I noticed about this school was its incapability to make kids think outside the box. Only a handful of teachers were able to maintain piece and environment needed for learning and study. Over the years, I spent more time either watching irrelavent movies or listening to immature conversations between teachers and students. Teachers always seemed not to care about anybody's future. Half the time teachers spent more time worrying about their personal issues, than on how to teach the class. Of course I wasn't taught by every teacher at Clawson High School, so I can only descibe you my experience with the one's I had. There are however few good teachers in this school. They are Mrs. Conaton, Mrs. Mglinchey, Mrs. Kienman, Mrs. Lempke and Mrs. Dulong.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a graduate of clawson high school, while I was there I had special needs and the school was able to help me and my sister with it. I was also in the band, Mr.Phillips is the best band teacher around. I had him for 8 years, how many people can say that about one teacher. He cares about his students and wants them to succeed! He has every right to pat himself on the back if he feels like it. He has done great things for the band and for clawson. Clawson always does great in competition.Clawson is a safe and friendly school, teachers do care about there students. If your child is having problems in school, then the parent needs to step in and try to the child out and talk with his/her teachers if the student can not do it themselves.
—Submitted by a former student

I'm a graduate from CHS, and I think it is a perfectly fine school. There is no crime or major violence. Sure, some teachers were bad about controlling the class room, but that was because of students who purposely caused chaos. Maybe you should find out what your kids are really like before blaming the school and its teachers. I don't know much about the current principle, I graduated under Mr. Jennette, who was excellent! and there are plenty of extracurricular activities to choose from. its just a matter of wanting to.
—Submitted by a former student

It sounds like the person talking about the kids and 'poor parenting' is making alot of assumptions. Maybe he/she is suffering from extreme brown-nosing while overlooking the many inadequacies of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree that it's pathetic that the music teacher is patting himself on the back about what a great music program he provides. By the way, music is one of life's details. It certainly won't pay the bills.
—Submitted by a parent

The one 'parent' review I believe, is tooting his own horn. I believe this guy IS the music teacher... gee, no wonder he's bragging about 'what a great music program' is offered at Clawson. And, believe me, this school again, does nothing to help a student achieve success academically. If they have learning disabilities, you are out of luck. That's why so many parents have been forced to put the kids into Royal Oak and other neighboring cities, or their kids would be kicked to the curb.
—Submitted by a parent

I can't believe the person that said 'don't blame the school because your student fell short'. Who should be blamed? Are the parents expected to come in do the teacher's job to make up for their incompetence? This was probably written by one of the teachers that's been there way too long!
—Submitted by a parent

The school met AYP for the year. That says a lot. Many schools have not met AYP and soon will be suffering. The staff cares about the students and provide a safe learning environment. Students with special needs are also helped. The administration will not let discipline problems interrupt learning. Children suffering form poor parenting are dealt with in a caring and supportive fashion but bad behavior is not tolerated be either child or parent. The school offers much in the way of extracurricular activities and boasts one of the states strongest music programs. I have no reservations in sending my children to Clawson Schools.
—Submitted by kevin phillips, a parent

This school has teachers who do nothing to help your child succeed. Most of the time, the learning environment is chaotic, which they don't seem to be able to control. Their superintendent does nothing to solve any problem the student might have, and their principal will never be on the student's side. She will look for reasons to expel your child instead of ways to help them excel. The curriculum and books are very outdated and leaves very little - no choices in subjects. My son needs extra help which they are aware of, and none of the teachers were in favor of lending a helping hand. I would not recommend this school, whose enrollemnt is continually declining, to any parent.
—Submitted by a parent