Freshman Center - G. Baker Building

As a current student, I'm finding the Freshman Center to be a very enjoyable and unique experience. The faculty here is willing to bend over backwards to help you succeed, and a good 95% of the teachers are absolutely wonderful. They use all the resources they have to make class enjoyable and definitely make class fun. All of the complaints about overcrowding are certainly not true. They're older, but there was a new addition a few years ago which gives an alternative pathway to classes, so it definitely lessens the crowding within the halls. My only complaint is about the janitorial staff. You never really see them anywhere outside of the cafeteria. So while the cafeteria looks amazing, the rest of the building gets dirty and is not very appealing. But other than that, it's really a great learning environment with many great teachers, administrators, and other activities. What a great school!
--Submitted by a student

I'm currently going here. If you're having problems with overcrowding, there's something wrong with you. It's really not that bad at all, you really do get used to it. The teachers are great (mine, at least) and they do the best they can with their resources. It's annoying when a parent says that there aren't enough teachers for us all, it's just not true. There's plenty, a lot of my classes don't have the full amount of students! There's no issue with impersonal teaching, it's just a fact of life. If your kid can't deal with that, send them to a private school. No one I know has a problem with it. Certainly already the most memorable school year after only a few weeks.
--Submitted by a student

My child has really struggled in this particular school environment. Overcrowding in the halls between classes is overwhelming. Continuity of student teacher relationships either from middle school to freshman center or from freshman center to high school is largely missing--you will need to have a gameplan for helping your child deal with that. Great teachers at this school who seem to have a passion for this age group...but with so many kids, there is not much opportunity for developing closer relationships with teachers. If your kid is a 'just go with the flow' kind of person, he is likely to get lost in the shuffle at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

i love the freshman center with all the nice staff that works with you and a very good special edd progam
--Submitted by a student

I am currently a student at the Blue Springs Freshman Center. To all you 8th graders coming in...don't be alarmed! It looks like a big school..but it is real simple. There are three floors, but there are so many ways to get to different classrooms. But take it from me if there is a less populated way you can get to the class...take it! I am late everyday to my second hour because people sit in the halls and talk! After about the first three weeks, you will know the whole school like the back of your hand. The teachers are very nice. Everyone tells you that it is going to get very difficult, and it will but if you have the teachers on your side, then the school year will be a breeze. Respect the teachers, and they will respect you. good luck!
--Submitted by a student

My son is currently a student at the freshman center. I think it is a good idea to segregate the freshman so that they can beome better acclimated to the 'high school' environment before being thrown to the wolves with many more students in a much bigger building. BSHS's campus is equivalent to the college I attended! It was overwhelming to me as a college student so its got to be mind boggling for these teenagers. I love the fact that the staff appears to be genuinely concerned about each student that is trying to apply themselves to getting an education. They will bend over backwards and extend every opportunity for the students to acheive. I am happy to be able to have my son attend school at the freshman center as well as being able to get an education in a top rated school district.
--Submitted by a parent

I go to this school. It's really nice and the teachers are really kind and helpful. The hallways are a bit confusing at first (there are 3 floors) but after the first day, you can figure them out really easily. Also, the new addition is very nice!
--Submitted by a student

Many parents don't seem to care for the freshman center and I have a friend who's parent took her out of blue springs south and forced her to go to a private school in the lee's summit to avoid it. Her daughter will be going to south next school year, but taking your child out of a school for one year just so they won't have to be in the freshman center 'environment' must say something. I personally attended the freshman center last school year and thought it was a very nice school. The school could use some remodeling and touch ups but the teachers, students, and counselors are amazing. During my first semester there, they did add a new wing that looks very nice. This wing was equipped with many new classrooms and a new bathroom. Really gives kids an idea of what to expect next year. Loved it!
--Submitted by Michaela, a former student

I personally have had a great time at the Freshman Center. I love being with the whole community instead of being grouped into people that are going to South and people going to Blue Springs. I believe that if you want to get a good education from this school you can, as long as you are in class and paying attention. I have loved all my teachers but one or two. I think this school is so unique with the two high schools and it is a good experience.
--Submitted by a student

I have had 2 daughters go through this school and hate the thought of sending one more there. The school has two many kids in the hallways for the teachers to have control.
--Submitted by a parent