Oscar A. Carlson High School

My two eldest children attended this school and graduated in 2008 and 2010. In 2011 we moved out of state and my youngest child attends school in the Illinois Public School System. The main complaints I noticed from my children and parents who I associated with outside of school activities who had children attending, as well as my own observances was the amount of time spent on frivolous subject matter instead of the core subjects and curricula other districts (i.e. Oakland County) teaches. The school has state of the art athletic facilities on the outside, but lackluster classrooms and learning materials on the inside. Many of the teachers I noticed were still trying to live high school over again. Both my children attend(ed) public universities the fall after graduating and both complained how they were ill prepared for college. The administration is stern and efficient but many of the younger staff especially in the social studies and english fields and elective staff was to absorbed with their own needs and the desire to relive high school. Trickery on multiple choice is not learning. Many students of Carlson are typical products of their Downriver environment.
--Submitted by a parent

Carlson was okay. Quite honestly, when I was enrolled, the classes were too easy and quite a few of the teachers were not great at their jobs. I did not feel that it prepared me well for college at all. Sadly, it is one of the better schools in the Downriver area, so it could be worse..
--Submitted by a student

carlson is 1 of the best schools ever i loved it there it was my favorite place i meet some many friends there every1 was so nice
--Submitted by a student

Carlson is by far one of the best high schools in the area. Grosse Ile is the only one that compares. Mr. Stevenson (principal) is the best ! There is a variety of classes offered at many different levels! I am extremely happy with everything about this school!
--Submitted by a parent

The principal,Mr.Stephenson is awesome! The school is awesome.The only thing I dont like about the school is the attendance policy.My son has perfect attendance but was 5 minutes late on one occasion and was marked ABSENT! That policy needs to either go to 2 tardies is an absent or 15 minutes is an absent!But otherwise very happy with the teaching staff.We have had 1 daughter graduate and now have 2 in Carlson and with 5 more to come through I need to be content with the school!
--Submitted by a parent

Great School, Great Enviroment, Great People.
--Submitted by a student

The counselors are wonderful. In particular, Meridith McNamara. She is helpful, considerate and very prompt in answering questions by phone or emails and is very thorough.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a graduate of Carlson(03) it seems much has been improved since I left. State of the art facilities, additions to accomadate rising number of students and many new teachers. From my experience it was fun, safe, there were activite, and everyone was nice. Once I got to college(MSU) though I found out how unprepared I was. When talking to other students there and listening to their HS curriculum compared to mine it was no wonder I was so unprepared. Carlson - and the school district, need more variety in their classes and tougher advanced classes. I feel I had a lot more catching up to do in college than did other students and if I had a wider range of classes it would have helped for sure. I am doing fine in college but it is from my effort, not because I was well prepared.
--Submitted by a former student

My daughter is a senior this year. She has been in this District since 1st grade. Overall, it has been a good experience. Math and Science programs are very good. There are plenty of outside activities for students to get involved in. However, I am concerned with the English curriculum. There is a lack of basic grammar and punctuation skills being taught. The band program could use more support. It seems like they are always fundraising.
--Submitted by a parent

This year started out very confusing, but certain teachers made it all the better. It is a bit overcroweded, especially in the freshmen class (which of course over crowds the rest of the school) but measures have been put in place to help.
--Submitted by a student