Gull Lake High School

I do not recommend this school district to parents and students. The district may have money to buy things, but there are schools in the area that will put far more into educating your kids. I have two children in these schools and neither is happy with their experience. Being a teacher myself, I previously had the idea that most teachers will work hard to give kids a great education. My two children came in to Gull Lake ahead in every subject, but now they are both behind in math. I work hard to tutor them now in free minutes, but once they are behind it is hard to catch them up. I wish the their teachers would have told me immediately and helped them more, but they do not seem to care much. I have been helping out regularly at both schools. My children have had trouble making friends because of this atmosphere that others have described on this site---the kids manners may range from good to bullying, but most of the time I observe a general rudeness that paid teachers don't address. I am also aware of one referral that was made to the office for behavior that would have been an automatic suspension somewhere else. There are a number of teachers that are not with state standards.
—Submitted by a parent

I have four kids in the GL schools, from elementary to high school. No school district is without it's faults, however, none in the area compare to GL. Don't just listen to the reviews below, but check graduation rates and likelyihood of attending college and being successful. I've had 2 kids graduate from GL and were definately prepared for college. Sure, they may have gotten better grades at a lesser school, but that's the point. They are challenged and the teachers seem to care. Most of the staff at all of the schools are younger and are more engaged. Even the seasoned teachers are good, though we've had a few problems with near retirement teachers, but I think the unions breed that. All in all, if you are looking to move to the BC or Kzoo area, GL is a great place to be and you won't be dissappointed. And remember, people who want to complain are more likely to come to these sites, while those of us who are content tend not to find that outlet.
—Submitted by a parent

My kids have been going to Gull Lake for the last 6 years. Overall I think it is a good school. I think there are a lot of great families in the district. The school does a great job in the areas of academics and preparing your kids for college. I have had great experiences with teachers as well. The school lacks in extracurricular activities. While they have all of the basic sports, a good band program; I would love to see them enhance the school with a swim program and to broaden their theater program. The school has undergone many recent enhancements, such as a new high school, a homeschool partnership and bringing back all day kindergarden. There is definitely a small town feel to the school. Overall I have been happy with the school, but feel like more options in the way of extracurricular activities would be nice.
—Submitted by a parent

I had to move my kids out to a neighboring district so they could get the education they needed. The principal and teachers were not responsive to the needs of my children, nor would they address bullying, which is a huge issue in this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from Gull Lake High School and had an excellent experience there. I will never forget the impact that several of the teachers had on my life and education. Though the lack of racial diversity is indeed apparent, socio-economic diversity thrives in this relatively large district. I frequently found that sports, marching band, or other extra-curricular activities bridged the divide and brought students together from different backgrounds. The A.P. classes that were offered while I was there allowed me to walk into Michigan State University with almost a full semester already finished, not to mention that the teachers of these classes had a huge impact on me. I had all these experiences in the old HS building, which has since been replaced by a brand new one. I still keep in contact with my teachers and though I no longer live in the area, I met many of my all-time best friends at Gull Lake.

I do not care for the Gull Lake district. One of my children has graduated and one is still in high school. Neither of them cared for it due mostly because of the arrogant cliques. Also, the teachers care more about the unions and their benefits rather than really helping the students learn. The head of the high school science department showed WAY too many hours of movies in class three years ago!
—Submitted by a parent

I was raised in the Gull Lake school district. I felt that if a student wanted to be involved, that there were plenty of options available. I was able to both play sports and be a member of the marching band. Advanced classes are available for those who excel, and remedial classes are also available if needed. My only complaint would be the lack of diversity. Well over 90% of the student body is white. Even though this is the case, I feel that minority students were well respected. The class structure prepared me to succeed at the University of Michigan. I had a wonderful experience and was provided a heat education.
—Submitted by a student

Bad school.like somebody said there's a huge divide between rich and poor,black and white,urban and rural.there are some decent teachers but alot are just crazy.
—Submitted by a student

it is an easy school and the home work is not hard but i used to go to a cathlic shool there the work was hard.
—Submitted by a student

I've found GLHS to be a pretty tightly knit community in terms of...just about everything. The teachers are just as involved as one would expect out of someone who comes in every morning to do their job, with few exceptions. The Vice Principal takes care of all disciplinary action, except when it's necessary to bring it to a higher level. There's plenty to do at all times, and I love this place. It's pretty much my second home.
—Submitted by a student

My children have attended Gull Lake Schools for the last 3-4 years, and they love it. My daughter attends 9th grade and my son is in 8th. They both are enrolled in the advanced classes. I find the homework very stimulating for their ages and the sports that Gull Lake offers is outstanding. It is a little tougher to get accepted onto a High School team as the coach seems to favor those kids who he has already worked with, but overall I as a parent am very happy with the school and will be very proud of my children graduating from Gull Lake.
—Submitted by a parent

What a terrible school. I graduated from here a few years ago and have mostly negative memories. There is absolutely no diversity or culture here. If you want your child to be raised in a radically religious Aryan bubble, go for it. This school did absolutely nothing to prepare me for the real world. I want my four years back.
—Submitted by a student

I currently attend Gull Lake, and I love it. Everyone is very nice, and I will be a senior this year. I have had nothing but good experiences at Gull Lake.
—Submitted by a student

I'm a former graduate of this school and I thought the school was great. Overall the students at this school were kind and I felt very safe here. The teachers were nice and helped whenever you asked. My only complaint would be the lack of principal involvement.
—Submitted by a former student

My oldest child is in his first year at Gull Lake High School. He is in many of the advanced classes and I can not say anything negative about it. Most of the teachers have been very supportive, and will often meet after school if more help is needed. There has been good communication between parent & teachers for parents who request it, and some teachers have e-mail notifications for class assignments, happenings and special projects. It is beneficial to the student to understand that THEY are the ones that need to make things happen when things do not go as hoped. The teachers and guidance staff respond positively to students that RESPECTFULLY challenge the status quo. Unfortunately, as with many districts, Gull Lake High School has its share of students that are disrespectful and expect a free ride through school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a graduate of GLHS and I hated it. I felt the teachers favored certain students as did the coaches in athletics. The principle while I attended school was non-existent; the vice principle did everything. Teachers did not go out of their way to help students learn or get them involved. I was glad to get out of that school. It used to be that Gull Lake had this great reputation for a good education and athletic program, but the time I spent there was a joke.
—Submitted by a former student

I have had two children graduate from Gull Lake. Even with the 'Kalamazoo Promise', I would not choose to change schools. I feel the safety is very important and competing with peer intelligent students is benificial for college. I am disapointed in the English curriculum. Very little paper writing was required. Every week a 2-4 page paper should be required. As with all schools there are social, ethnic and other demographic groups. Usually when someone does not fit in they should look at their individual attitudes.
—Submitted by a parent

I have not had very good experiences with this High School. My oldest child was bullied for nearly two years with the Aministraton doing absolutely nothing to stop or help the situation. Only one teacher stood up for her, and the others seemed to have choosen to ignore it. My chld ultimately made the decision to leave Gull Lake and move to a Private School for the last year and a half. What a tough choice, but the right one. Now I have a child back in the High School facing similar issues because he is Asian. He has made the choice to tough it out because of the accelerated academic program he is in. Otherwise, I would not hesitate to remove him from this horrible place. Wake up Gull Lake and DO something about this hostile environment.
—Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately I don t have many good things to say about Gull Lake High School. There is a large divide between rich and poor and the elements that those situations create help no one. The Administration had little to say and couldn t really help much. I m glad my son had a chance to go to college, realize his potential and later graduate from Kalamazoo College but I can t give any credit to this high school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had four children graduate from GLHS. They were all prepared for college and the work world. My oldest returned to teach in the district. The system is in the process of building a new High School. I am very satisfied.
—Submitted by a parent