Kickapoo High School

We love Kickapoo. We recently moved here and found this school to be an excellent choice for our children academically and in athletics. What a great school!
—Submitted by a parent

We recently moved to this area and my child began their sophomore year at Kickapoo in late Oct. Most activities were not open as we learned that you MUST take certian classes to participate in clubs and activities which was not the case for our old High School. My child found the school extrememly unwelcoming from a student stand point but the teachers have been excellent. If I could do this decision over, I would NOT choose Kickapoo simply from a social aspect of bullying and nasty behavior from students shich seems to be well known thoughout the community.
—Submitted by a parent

Despite having taken a "challenging" course load riddled with AP classes and graduating salutatorian, I was demolished my first semester of college (Northwestern) because most of my AP teachers at Kickapoo haven't gone over the materials well enough. Instead of actually absorbing new materials in college, I wasted most of my time re-learning my AP courses. In addition to the abysmal academics, the student body lacks diversity, and the sports are mediocre at best. The kids at Kickapoo were very bland at best. Most of the student body consisted of semi-decent wannabe athletes who spent most of their time sincerely believing that they could actually empathize with the afro-centric culture of hip hop, and they all came fortified with this undeserved sense of superiority, despite the mediocrity. Also, compared to the kids who play sports here in the coast, I've come to the realization that Kickapoo athletics is a joke.
—Submitted by a student

This school is FULL of drugs. All schools have drug issues, but this one is exceptional. Check out the incident reports on the News Leader web site -- you will be astounded. We've had some very good teachers and some very bad teachers. For a go-getter of a student, I am sure Kickapoo has plenty to offer. However, a student who struggles academically or socially hasn't a chance here. Activities are geared toward winning and being elite rather than encouraging and teaching so make sure your student is already good at whatever he or she wants to do before trying to join anything. Sad. One bright spot was the school counselor.
—Submitted by a parent

The experience we personally had was my daughter who was a Honor Roll student prior to Kickapoo was dropped seriously here. My daughter was on a 504 plan, due to a serious "Brain injury".None of the teachers wanted to implement the plan or follow it, when I requested a meeting we were treated very rudely.And the special education coordinator seem to be upset we were wasting her time.So due to the refusal of the school to give her what she needed, my daughter paid the price with her grades..I am very bitter about the whole experience (never has any school district given us so much grief) we have been in several and they were all exceptional and understanding until we moved to this school dist in Springfield,Mo. What really makes me sad is my daughter took the initiative to speak to her teachers, on her own behalf and they were unaccommodating!
—Submitted by a parent

i am a former student of kicapoo high school this a great school to attend the school enviroment is awsome all staff have great attitudes and do there job very well i would recommend this school to anyone who wants a great education and good high school experience
—Submitted by a student

I've gone to Kickapoo for three and a half years now and all in all it has been the best time of my life. I've met some amazing teachers and have felt I have been given every oppertunity to achieve that I could have been given. The only real drawback to Kickapoo is that it is in the Springfield school system and therefore cannot recieve the financial aid that you may find in a large single school town such as those found around Kansas City and St. Louis.
—Submitted by a student

i graduated from kickapoo a few years ago. and the only reason anyone would ever say something bad about the place, is because they are jelous! they are the best at sports, cheerleading, and clubs!
—Submitted by Julie Miller, a former student

Great school, great classes, great sports teams, and great at everything I forgot to mention! Overall A+
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from Kickapoo and am now in college. I was very disappointed with what I got from KHS. I graduated a whole year early because, with the size of the school, the classes were just too big to learn effectively. Most of all, many of the teachers were not at all what I expected at what is supposed to be a great school. The teachers for the 'honors' courses were interesting and great, but the 'regular' classes were useless. Also, with so many students, I found it easy for people to 'fall between the cracks'. There were still the same 'negative influences' that you would find anywhere. All in all, I regret that I went to this school and strongly encourage one of the smaller area schools.
—Submitted by a former student

I am currently a college freshmen who graduated from Kickapoo last spring. I feel when attending a High School, especially one the size of Kickapoo, you have to keep an open mind, and be willing to adapt to what you wish to become. As a freshmen, I entered high school timid and shy with very little friends. Many see the size of Kickapoo as intimidating at first, but with time you will realize that it is a benefit. In my case it allowed me to find those people who I felt most comfortable with and the groups that expanded my envolvment. It took me from a timid freshmen to Student Body Vice President by senior year. The only criticism on my part is the lack of diversity, everyone comes from the same mold. Yet overall Kickapoo has something for eveyone and I can only hope to send my children there aswell.
—Submitted by Kate Balisle, a former student

Dr. Ridder noted two areas under AYP that need immediate attention: Four of five district high schools did not meet AYP under a new graduation indicator. Kickapoo High School was the only Springfield Public High School to meet the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as stated by the Department of Early and Secondary Education under the new graduation indicator. The lowest drop out rate also belonged to Kickapoo High School.
—Submitted by former khs & hhs parent, a student

The problem with Kickapoo HS is that there's a consenscending atmosphere in the school. They've ALWAYS ranked below Glendale in terms of test scores and other academics, yet they claim to be better. Why? They're the rich school and their sports teams are amazing, and they know it. Sometimes it seems as if more emphasis is put on the sports program then the academics. Also, the hallways are confusing at Kickapoo and it may as well be a maze. In regards to the arts, Kickapoo has an excellent marching band, but their regular concert and symphonic bands are found a bit lacking in terms of comparison with Glendale and Central High School. Their choir and orchastra programs are also dismal.
—Submitted by a student

After having my daughter transfer to this school from another state I think it is one of the worst schools she's gone to. The councelour wouldn't let her finish algebra 1 in the last semster, and they didn't have german as a language there too. Now that we're moving again, she won't be able to get full credits for her classes 'til her junior year now.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a 15 year old that goes to Kickapoo and i am a sophmore, I find that, while i am a good student, discipline is certainly lacking in dealing with some children. Teachers are not as involved as i would like, the things that some of the kids get a way with would suprise you. Not only that but the facilities and resources available to staff and students are certainly limited.
—Submitted by Sarah Byrd, a student

After having three children graduate from Kickapoo High School, I find that it is one of the most outstanding schools in our nation. It has been chosen as a 'School of Excellence' by the U.S. Department of education TWICE, while no other schools in town haven't gotten the honor AT ALL! This year alone, we have placed three students in our military academies and many more into the most prestigious universities across our nation. The offerings of this school will prepare its students for the future. The only thing holding back the students is the lack of attention by their parents. Parents do not take part in the lives of their own children. They need to be a part of their education and not just sit by and let the schools babysit for eight hours a day. Kickapoo has many parent volunteers and it really makes a difference.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall I am finding Kickapoo to be a wonderful environment for my daughter. There are high quality teachers and ample opportunities for any student who wishes to get involved as well. There are a wide variety of courses, including challanging honors courses, to meet the needs of a wide variety of student. Any high school is what you make of it, as long as the administration and faculty are fair and unbiased. Kickapoo so far seems to meet and exceed that benchmark. So far I would say that Kickapoo offers more to its students than any school with which I've ever been involved, and as a teacher (who teaches elsewhere) that is saying a lot.
—Submitted by a parent

Too many politics in the Springfield School District. Money has been spent without thought and too few will stand up againt this incredible situation. Your children must walk 1 1/2 miles to school. The bus will not pick up any closer to your home...not even for Kindergarten. POOR money handlers which leads to poor moral and lack of learning and desire on the part of our kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Both my son and daughter graduated from KHS. Academically it's the top one or two high schools in Springfield of the five public high schools. I feel the teachers were skilled and qualified. The curriculum offered is large. The school itself is aging and in need of some update and repair. This is an ongoing issue for the entire school district. School security could also use improvement. Overall, Kickapoo is a good school located in the most economically advantaged and growing area of the city.
—Submitted by a parent