Chatfield Secondary School

As a student at Chosen Valley Secondary, I can attest to the facts mentioned in the previous reviews. Specifically, the treatment of so-called 'outsiders' in the community and the leadership (or lack thereof) in the school. As far as technological implementation, the school does a good job, even bordering on excessive in some areas. One such area would be the obsession they seem to have for 'Smart Boards.' Everyone you talk to will say they are a great learning tool, yet fail to provide any logical answer as to how or why they enhance a child's education. I have had experience with them for 3 years now, and I can say it has been nothing but a waste of taxpayer dollars and at times a nuisance, wasting class time. The test scores here are generally higher than other schools in the area, but I can't see that lasting much longer. continued
--Submitted by a student

Chatfield High School is a small school that has a surprising amount of offerings for students. Teachers and administration are doing an excellent job of providing a top notch education. The new technology with the implementation of Smartboards is excellent.
--Submitted by a parent

As a devoted parent, I cannot recommend this school to any parent outside of Chatfield. My children and I moved into this school district only to find that newcomers were often ignored and discriminated against. Although the English, Math, and Chemistry/Physics teachers are world-class, these faculty members are not going to return because they have been shunned by the school administration for trying to do the right thing. This leaves only a business class department when it comes to intelligence for this district. Although the principle tries to promote some good aspects of education, there is little cooperation between school leaders. Members of the community who have influence often manipulate the school by harassing the faculty or by becoming a member of the faculty. This school has little when it comes to reliable technology or educational options for students. They have much to improve on.
--Submitted by a parent

Chosen Valley secondary covers the basic classes, but offers little in the way of electives, accelerated, or 'gifted' programs. While its teachers seem competent in most subject areas, there seems to be an unusually high 'turn-over' of teaching and support staff. Likewise there has been an issue in the past couple of years with students being able to get the classes that have registered for, and a fairly high level of volatility in terms of the course offerings. Parent concerns are likely to be addressed if you have a long-standing place in the community, otherwise you are pretty much treated as an outsider whose opinions and concerns are to be dismissed. The current principal commands little respect of either the student body or community at large. Not a school I could recommend in good conscience.
--Submitted by a parent

Great teachers, and well-behaved, intelligent kids. Poor leadership from the school board all the way through the two principals in the district.
--Submitted by a parent