Hamilton Junior/Senior High School

I graduated here and transferred in from a very poorly staffed and massive school. Education is what you choose to make of it, when you are given the right tools it is substantially easier. HCS gives students access to so many options and facilties that surrounding locations could never fathom. This school changed my life in and the only negtive thing I can say is that I wish hadn't tranferred in and that I had began here from day one.

HCS has turned into an exclusive Stepford-like school for Colgate faculty children, children of other wealthy professionals, or star athletes, but there is a bias against anyone else that begins in elementary school with tracking in math and science. As someone said before, teachers are hit or miss and getting stuck with the wrong teacher can drag a student down for a couple of years. Teachers and administration side with elite students increasingly to make life unbearably miserable for students who don't fit their mold in order to pressure them into withdrawing.

Access to the best teachers is key, as usual.
--Submitted by a staff

Hamilton Central School could be the leader in test scores in the Madison County area. I have four children, three who have attended HCS, one graduate who attended the Career & Tech program. If it were not for the C&T program my child may not have been able to get into a college of their choice. I am disappointed with HCS and the reputation it has earned over the past decade. Athletic programs, clubs, and organizations are available for students, new music teachers have helped! The resources here are wonderful. HCS's new Superintendent will have their work cut out for them!
--Submitted by a parent

Many children of Colgate professors boost the ratings here, 10% or more of each class. Parents are very involved. Beccause of the small size of the school, students are generally engaged in sports, music, plays, and academic clubs all at one time. The best students can take classes at Colgate for a very nominal fee. Some excellent teachers, but it is hit or miss, and the same teacher will teach many grades through high school, so if you happen to get a dud for math...not much will change unless you get over to Colgate. Strings available through 8th grade and band and chorus through 12th. The art program is excellent but emphasized by the administration. Sports are 3 offerings per season, and top athletes can try out for varsity in 8th grade. Better athletic opportunities for boys than girls. Ice hockey, soccer, basketball, football, softball are the most emphasized sports.
--Submitted by a parent

Very good public school in a college town. The university adds significantly to the school, with professors helping out in the school, coaching, etc. Many juniors and seniors in high school also end up taking college classes at the college which turns out to be crucial since the small school is not able to offer a huge variety of classes. The school tends to be more sports oriented than arts/music oriented, but again, there are other opportunities available at the college.
--Submitted by a former student