Bates Academy

Bates Academy is an excellent school that has gotten better recently. We are recognized as a Reward School by the state, and have been listed as one of the top 20 schools in the city. Our teachers and administrators really care about the students. We have a very active parent group that works well with the administration. We have had our library made over by Target, a new gymnasium floor, upgraded technology (interactive boards in every classroom), and a new computer lab all this year. Our principal, Mr. Kirkland, has led all of these efforts over the past two years. I believe that great things are ahead for us. I am proud to be a student of three Bates students!
—Submitted by a parent

im a former bates parent. the bates staff dont care and i dont want to send my child to an enviornment where they dont care about the students. my child is in their care until i can come pick my child up from school. i took my (3) kids out of bates and had them attend burton international academy. i'm proud to say thay that was the best desision that i made for my kids. there happy and love it there. they are all on the honor role and i couldnt be more happier. thank you Burton Staff esp. Dr. Wilson
—Submitted by a parent

I LOVE Bates Academy. I switched my two students from Detroit Merit Academy (eastside charter school) to Bates Academy (DPS) this past Fall 2011 and I am so very pleased with the difference. My first grader is learning rapidly, because the bar is very high. Her reading level jumped significantly. My 6th grader is no longer the top of his class, which is a great thing, because he's being challenged significantly. He has some classes with 7th and 8th graders who raise the bar by questioning his responses in class. The expectation is very high. The principal Mr. Kirkland is very busy, but extremely attentive and personable. Excellent extracurricular program, excellent music program, Bates raises a very high bar compared to the Charter school my children attended. And the teaching staff better reflects the student population. There is a good mix of races within the teaching an admin staff, which I cannot say for the other school which had a predominately caucasian staff with about 3 teachers of African American descent. I am very pleased with Bates and I have done a lot of research. Still the BEST.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a current (and soon to be former) Bates parent. If Bates is supposed to be the best that DPS has to offer, then its best is not good enough for my children. The building is old and dilapidated and the administration is horrid and the office staff has not one ounce of professionalism. Any and all complaints fall on deaf ears--from the building level to the district level. I have sacrificed the education of my child for too long by sticking with Bates/DPS, but give the steady decrease/decline in test scores, I refuse to do it anymore! This school needs a complete overhaul--especially the administrative staff. There are some great teachers, but they need the support of their administration in order to truly enact change and impact the lives of their students.
—Submitted by a parent

My son just finished his kindergarten year at Bates and is about to begin 1st grade there. He is doing good there. This year I want him to get involved in bible club and sports. I however am concerned that his Spanish class did not go too far beyond the Spanish he learns on Dora and Diego and that the children don't have gym or recess everyday and that they rarely painted in his art class. Also the school asks for so many school supplies and the supplies are specific. I'm on a budget! But, my biggest concern is the school has went through 3 principles in 3 years! I believe a principle can help to make or break a school and the fact that Bates can not seem to find the right person for the job concerns me. This year I want to be more involved at school so maybe I can help address some of the issues that concern me.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended Bates since the Kind...had the Wonderful Mrs. Mihalski! She is tough and cares. She told me my child might not make it his first week, but I told her I will help my child....I did and he was one of her top students and in has been reading 3 grades above his level since he had her. Bates is not for parents who think the teacher should do it all. I helped my child all day with his work to help at home so he can achieve. Parents do us a favor and if you don't discipline and help your child...take them out due they interrupt the children who are being molded for excellence.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to Bates since 7th grade I graduated class of 2011 I hate this school so much and I never want to tell anyone about it. The school isnt really isnt all that like how people brag. Though the students are kinda smart the teachers arent doing their job. The science teacher Ms.Finley makes mad because I felt like she gave out grades based on her realtionship with the student on a friendly basis. I did all of my work all the time and I still got a B in her class but people who have been there for 8 years got A's and they dont do anything but talk. Bates need to step their game up if they claim to be the best. The staff is really un professinal no activities just a horribe school.

The new principal need to be given time to prove himself, this is his first year as actual principal. He is very straightforward and accessible and it is clear that he trly cares about his work and the kids. I think it is too early judge him. Bates challenges their children and more often than not as long as the parent truly team with the school and are involved with their child - the kids rise to the challenge. My only complaint is that they need a better facility. This is the cream of the crop and I feel that they deserve to be treates as such. I feel that with the very low budget and tough condition that these detroit public schools have to work with, this is a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

I have been at Bates for many years. This year has been the worst. The new principal is rude, unprofessional, and distrespectful. He has no clue on how to run the school. He has taken everything fun away from the students. I have observed disrespecting the teachers. I remember when he was the assistant principal and he was like this. People fought to get him back and now they are disappointed. He is really bringing the school down. I have a child in 3rd grade, 5th grade 7th grade. They will not be back next year if he is the principal.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to this shcool from 3rd grade to 6th grade and after moving to an actual school I realized how horrible and wretch this one was. All of the adminastration were completely rude and had no regard for respect for students and parents. There were certain teachers who wouldn't even teach but talk on the phone to their friends all hour and gossip while demanding students to read sections in the book. After my mother constantly went to the school and complained, nothing at all was done. This school is all about who you know. It's horrible, and I would never send my child to this unorganized establishment.

My first impression of Bates is not good. The office staff lacks professionalism and is not very friendly. I went to drop my son s application off and waited 5 minutes before being acknowledged. One secretary was on the phone and the other sitting at her desk. Finally, the principal walked in the office and offered to assist me. Everything just seemed very unorganized. The telephone etiquette was also terrible. When I called to ask basic questions, the person spoke improper English and was not pleasant. Bates really needs to address this issue. The administrative staff is your front line and represents the school. I am really having second thoughts about sending my child to a school where administration does not speak proper English. Several other people had the same experience.
—Submitted by a parent

Wow, there is a culture at Bates....some of the comments indicate that adapting is somewhat of an issue for either the parents or the children. Have any of the parents taken the time to review the Meap test scores. Certainly test scores are not the only criteria for making the grade, but the scores speak to the dedication of teachers and the school to keep out children in the main stream for competing in academics. To get an understanding of what's required, I help check papers. I see first hand and realize childern that are new to Bates don't have the same foundation for writing, reading and math, unless they come to Bates by 1st grade. I suggest that any parent having a problem have a conversation with the teachers, and I'm sure you will get the assistance you need. Finally, weekly progress reports are available to re-direct any problems you may have. I check my daughter's back pack daily, homework before it is due, and have her take any opportunity to make-up missed assignments. TDB, parent of a 3rd grader.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughters first year at Bates and I regret even sending her there. The the principal could care less how your child is treated and feels it is ok. My daughter will never attend DPS again and I would never recommend this school to anyone because children should be respected as well.
—Submitted by a parent

Beware! First timers at Bates. I asked the staff what is expected of 1st graders for fall 2010, they said to pass the test. He did. My son can read but not profiently. He gets A's except when he has to read the instructions himself for phonics. Mrs. Michalski (his great teacher) told me 1st graders are expected to read independently. I told her no one told me. Now my son has to be moved to a regular 1st grade school in the middle of the school year or fail. The regional superint. Dr. Colbert said nothing will be done except she'll get him into another school. My son has to suffer starting over at a new school because of adminst. incompetence. Make sure your child can read everything themselves before attending this school. No more Detr. public schools after this year for my son. Now he'll gets A's in everything.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers and school administration really care about the well-being of my child. They provide means for me to communicate with them after hours and are constantly trying to find ways to improve upon the communication system. The parent participation is awesome too!
—Submitted by a parent

Bates is also big on Grammer. They allow the children to use spell check as well before submitting assignments.

It saddens me to write this review. I currently have a 6th grader attending this school since kindergarten. The school needs a complete makeover from the administration to the teachers and also to the parental involvement. Since my child has been going here, the quality of education has been going downhill. This is no longer a gifted and talented school. The children rarely are challenged and there are few teachers who even give a damn about the kids. There are still some gems of teachers there but most are over worked and stressed from the administration which has a negative impact on the staff. I pray that the new principal can shake it up and make some profound changes. Dr. Pope was an assistant principal but now is the Man. who can hopefully make a large impact on the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I agree that with 'gifted and talented' in the name, more is to be expected, not only of parents, but the school and the district as well. I'm very active, and most Bates parents that I know expect high quality. They also deliver it! Currently, the school is operating under sub-standard conditions, and for that parents have a right to voice their opinions. The school lacks sufficient coverage in the cafeteria, on the playground, and in classrooms. Fights are common, and so is theft among students. You can smell the stinch of the restrooms from a distance, and they're rarely clean. Bates parents, I say keep up the good work, but by all means continue to voice your opinions so that prospective Bates parents won't come in oblivious to the issues!!!! Sometimes your voice can bring on change.
—Submitted by a parent

I love Bates Academy! I've been reading reviews about bates academy and I am shocked. Yes, the children have lots of homework, but, as a parent you should help them. You should be proud and willing to help them to excel. It is not the teachers responsibility to be the only teacher. When you decided to have children, you accepted that task. Parents, it is your duty to assist you children in excellence! There are so many schools out here that don't send the children home with homework and don't care. When your child gets homework regularly and you assist, you can better understand how to help your child. You also get to learn there weaknesses and further assist in those areas. Come on parents, this school is great and if you don't think so, why are your children there? Some of us parents appreciate Bates Academy and you should too!
—Submitted by a parent

Bates Academy challenges the students and prepares them for the next step which is High School.
—Submitted by a parent