Communication and Media Arts High School

I attended Communication and Media Arts for my freshmen year. It was nothing like I thought it would be. I thought it would have many clubs and extra curricular activities, but it did not have anything! It had a few things. It did not have a chior, or drama club, or dance. It doesnt have a football team or football field! The school is strictly adcademic. It's alright, but it's not my dream school at all!
—Submitted by a student

I have read the numerous reviews and I agree with the parent who was disappointed. However, I am not writing on Facebook, and have no desire to address reviewers personally. My child's teacher was frequently absent and the school did nothing for almost a whole school year to assure my child received a consistent education. In a college prep school, I would expect teacher attendance to be as important as student attendance. Furthermore, it makes no sense why a school can not let parents know of all PTC dates at the beginning of the school year. Parents with demanding careers need to plan for these things in advance. Other schools are able to do this simple task, so why can't CMA?
—Submitted by a parent

To the parent who wrote a rather distasteful review... I am a CMA Alumna and although I admit that I had my hardships in high school, I can assure you that Communication and Media Arts HS is not a disappointment. The disciplinary methods of the school is pretty straightforward. If you break the rules, then yes you can expect to be after school for an extra hour. The newsletters are given to the students every week and has everything about that week (or the following week) including half day and parent teacher conferences. The only reason that these times may be 'sprung on' you is because your child may not want you to know when these days are coming. I don't condone that, by the way. Maybe you can talk to your child.

I am truly disappointed in my child's experience at this school. This is truly a case of a school believing its own press, but failing to live up to the reputation. They call this school a college prep school. However, a college prep school should have more classes to choose from. No student can graduate from this school and claim to have received a well- rounded education complete with the arts, sciences and letters. I will admit. The school has discipline under control, so my child feels safe within its walls. However, the disciplinary policy is to give detentions for absolutely everything. This causes students to be deceptive in an effort to avoid them. They do not provide a calendar for the year regarding important events such as parent teacher conferences, days off and half days. I often find these events sprung on me through the reading of a newsletter.
—Submitted by a parent

I Love communication media arts high school. i surely didnt appreciate it until i left fr another school. the school is excellene tin its teaching. i went to another school and i've found that i knew more than that students that attened my new school. i miss cma i truely do if i had the chance to go back i would!!!!
—Submitted by a student

The only people who don't like CMA are the people who are lazy and can't handle the work load. So if you want to go to high school to just have fun, then this isn't the school for you. However, if you want to actually received a great education and better your future than CMA is the only way to go.
—Submitted by a student

Cma is an excellent school and every thing I expected it to be. Nurturing, active and the community and much more. It is a privilege and an honor to be a student at cma high
—Submitted by happy, a student

I graduated from cma in 2005 and it is not all that it is cracked up to be. Yes, they r very strict, but @ times to strict.
—Submitted by a former student

This high school is a wonderful place if you expect your child to come out of high school safe and fully educated on the university level. My child will be graduating class of 2008 and another class of 2010. I am proud to be a CMA parent, and the staff are great. Ms. Jackson, Mr. Fentin, Ms. Porter, Ms. Neal, Mr. James and Ms. Kalisz are wonderful staff member. The staff at this school really care about the students and give them 99% of their time both during & after school. Being a small school staff are able to notice each and every student by name. 92% of the staff have been there for more than 10 years, by the time your child graduate the same staff will be able to say they taught them. I recommend this school for every child & parent of DPS. Thank you - Signed Happy Parent
—Submitted by a parent

Cma is not all that it was made out to be. Cma does offer a wide variety of classes. They offer the basics. It seems that they do not offer any classes having to do with communication or media arts. Teachers do not really care about the students. They do not pay attention to them. Also my child has had complaints about how the teachers are. I do not reccomend cma to anybody! cma students are being cheated out of their education!
—Submitted by Mad Parent, a parent

i am currently a freshman at cma and one of the most dedicated teachers by far is ms.gillis she has worked with me throughout the school year and has helped me out and cma is a very exellent school i would even say the best in the city of detroit
—Submitted by a student

Teachers are wonderfully dedicated but overworked, often doubling as choir directors and athletic coaches whether they're qualified for these auxillary positions or not. I sauntered out of CMA with a 4.1 GPA (mind you I did not EARN it through any hard work or challenge) and felt, if nothing else, I'd be able to keep up in my choice of higher learning institution. But this school doesn't challenge even the most motivated of students. My AP class was a study-hall. Homework assignments, optional. Grades, negotiable.
—Submitted by a student

This school is an awesome institute for higher education. The students receive one on one attention in their courses from the instructors. After school, there are over 15 activities available for students. In addition to the activities, all teachers are available for one hour to help students in their homework studies. The college related courses offer an opportunity for all students to prepare for their future in college. Most students at this school follow directly to college. About ten percent of students from this school do not go directly to college upon graduating.
—Submitted by Kailii, a former student