George Washington Carver Academy

I love my school and anybhody who disagree can just get off this site. they dnt belong on this site

My children has been at GWCA since kindergarten and they love their school. They know who their prinicpal is by name. They can go into her office and ask her anything. Most kids can't tell who their prinicpal is. She expects a lot out of the students and staff. She truly wnat these children to succeed. She believes in teaching to master not to memorize and important. It is a global economy that are kids are going to have to compete in.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a teacher at this school who has been asked to return in the fall. If I could find another job, I'd walk out the door and never look back. Most of the "issues" at this school are caused by the incompetence of the management company and the administrators. This school is run on personalities and numbers, it has no heart and no brain. If you're one of the "in" crowd"and your salary is not too high, then you'll have a job and get good reviews. But, if you speak your mind as a professional educator and point out problems or suggest other ways of doing things, and/or you're getting paid a proper salary, then you're history around here. I kept my poorly paid mouth shut, but as a teacher I'm just "phoning it in"-this place is a terrible school.
—Submitted by a teacher

Kids are great....It's a tough world...Yes our kids are tough...parents are tough, but somehow the kids come together and get things done. All those bake sales were for the kids. This school year marked by far the most field trips ever taken by this school. Ask the kids who their principal is and if she cares about them and they will tell you Ms. S. Ask them about any other CAO/principal and they won't be able to tell you.
—Submitted by a teacher

Two other schools with the same mismanagement style of the CAO/principle have been closed for this reason. It's obvious to staff the great potential to bring the school to its final demise. Unfortunately whoever runs the school does not know how to run a school effectively! More teachers were laid off in a cruel manner on the last day of school/ budget cuts(soon you'll see more new teachers to replace them) . But, it is never understood how these selections are made (not seniority,not poor performance. Teachers are dismissed people that the CAO does not like, have opinions and are seeking further advancement for their careers. A "real" leader would embrace these employees, but not exhibits diabetic up)/diabetic down) attitude. Favorites are selected and pitted against each other depending on their skills, just to keep morale low, i.e., against experienced teachers. CAO/Principal is also severly distorted.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am a substitute teacher @ GWC and I enjoy my assignments there. There are problems just as any other has, but the difference here is that the teachers and administration genuinely care about the students. I believe more parent involvement would make the difference. Parents volunteer in your child's classroom and observe what the teachers and administration have to deal with on a daily basis with YOUR CHILD! I think you will leave with a different perspective.
—Submitted by a teacher

I love the teachers at GWAC, however they are not appreciated or given much incentive. These are people who are teaching our children and need the support of administration and board members. I volunteer frequently, and have one child enrolled at GWAC. I don't think he will be back in Sept of 09, which is sad because I really care about the students and the teachers. I served on the school improvement board with disappointing results. Mr. Gordon is a very sincere, hard working principle who greeted the parents and thanked them for bringing their kids to school, I sure hope he stays. He is very compassionate and caring. The management and board members need to listen to the teachers and the parents.
—Submitted by a parent

GWCA is the worst school ever. When I first put my child in this school was when they had trailers outside of the school and they were building to look as it does now. But they have had may of people come and go teacher and a principals and the whole I care for students have gone down. There may be some who care but some whom don't. I'm Glad that my child is leaving the school this year and she been there since K-8. This school needs lots of work with Teachers and students learning. I will never tell anyone how good this school is. Due to it's not.
—Submitted by a parent

Not a good school. They have the lowest score in Michigan. The teacher sat around and talk all day. They can not keep a pripincal. Parking is crazy. These charter schools need to do better. Now my daughter is attending a new school this year and so far we love it. They have more things for the students and parents to do.
—Submitted by a parent

I think it is a great school! They have a lot of new programs for the students there!
—Submitted by a parent

A small group of parents, 4 or 5 meet every few weeks to discuss the quality of this school. Together we have about 10 kids in the school, from 2nd through 7th grade. We make it a point to attend board meetings, visit with administrators and talk with the teachers. The school has many problems; the board and teachers blame the administration, the administrators blame the teachers, etc. There's a new management company and a few new board memebers, they need to do a clean sweep of the anministration and cut loose a few of the teachers. As a parent group we're giving this school one last chance, if there's no improvement we're taking our kids out before count day. Some things are great, but it's taking too long to correct the problems.
—Submitted by a parent

I have three kids at this school and agree that the 2007-08 was pretty bad. The administration promised new books, new technology and new programs-nothing was delivered! The Principal was always in her office, the kids didn't even know her. The Assistant Principal was so inconsistent he was ineffective. There's a new management company taking over now, hopefully they will bring in some professional administrators. Our kids deserve better.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two students at this school; 7th and 2nd graders. The quality of the school really slipped this year. They've had three different principals in the last two years. The current administratiors show no vision or leadership, they seem to be overwhelmed and just going through the motions. Usually out of sight in the office, not out and about the school. This apathy is apparent in the teachers and trickles down to the students. Minimal afterschool programs that only a few attend. Afterschool tutoring is more like playtime. Middle school kids are out of control. Of course the school did not make AYP.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 3 children that attend George Washington Carver Academy. I enrolled my children there because I heard that it was a good school. So far, my children have had academic success far beyond what they achieved at their other school. As I read the other comments, I would have to totally disagree with most of the statements. The change in administration has proven to be a wise choice! The previous Principal was Lawyer, and this administration is made up of seasoned educators. We cannot be swayed by people who have personal agendas against 'GOOD' people. The Administrators have always helped me with any issues that I have had. Mr. W is as stern as a rattlesnake, but the kids know that he genuinely cares about them and their academics! It is OUR responsibility as parents to raise our kids, NOT the schools that they attend.
—Submitted by a parent

2007-08 school year was a disaster. New Principal seems to be trying to recreate the DPS school she came from-No leadership at all. Alot of promises but no follow through. New Assistant Principal seems dazed and confused; one day harsh and strict, the next day he's the kids best buddy. This school needs new administrators, professionals with a vision. Right now, the rough kids are running the school, the teachers are caught in the middle and the best students are loosing out.
—Submitted by a parent

So far my son is doing very well in this school. Compared to the last elementary school he went to which was a public school, he has improved his grades and they seem to be more patient. I look forward to seeing how the rest of this school year will turn out.
—Submitted by a parent

Carver Academy has more successes than failures. During the 2006-2007 academic year, 33% of the 8th graders were accepted into either Cass, Renaissance, and King. That has to say alot for the quality of education that exists at the academy. The % of Highly Qualified teachers has risen drastically over the last two (2) years at Carver. Carvers Robotics and Rocketry Teams have competed in Washington D.C. The only ALL African American Rocketry program in the city! No school is perfect, most people 'downplay' schools by word of mouth without ever stepping foot on the schools grounds! Carver is ACHIEVING!!

Hi, I graduated from Carver in June of 2005, and during the time I attended Carver, to the time I left, the school administrative seemed as if they couldn't accommodate the students. Every year after sixth grade, the school became more deteriorated than the year before. The teachers became unsuccessful at controlling the students, and the learning environment declined.
—Submitted by a former student

This school is really on a downward spiral. The principal is more concerned about keeping the students in the building for the money they get from funding, rather than disciplining students with behavior problems. My child was bullied on a daily basis and the principal did not discipline the child for fear that the parent would remove her child from the school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school does not provide accommodating lessons for all students. My son was required to have special services and the school did not provide him with the services and were not required b/c tis learning institution. The school is 'charter' meaning they are public but privately owned. They have less guidlines than public. I took this issue to Lansing and I had to remove my son b/c they lack the resources, but wanted his head count funds. The school does not have good classroom management skills in any aspect and instead of dealing with the stduents with behavior problems they will let them go back to public who has to accept the students w/o the application process. This school policies and procedures are totally unaccepteble for parents and students within this community or any community.
—Submitted by a parent