Pulaski High School

SAD! SAD! SAD! Our children need to be challenged and our schools are failing them on all levels- What is up w/ the new homework policy? It's totally unacceptable! If students are to be successful in college they need to buils a strong fondation in high school. I think the district really needs to rethink this ridiculous homework policy.
—Submitted by a parent

This year, the school has instituted a districtwide policy that all teachers will be forbidden to give homework grades. They are only allowed to check off whether it is complete or not. Although only students with all homework turned in will be allowed to take the test, I'm sure they'll be forcibly allowing make-ups for the kids who turn it in late (or do it all the last week of the quarter). This is not a best instructional practice here. This school used to be one of the best in the area when I attended it a decade ago, but it's gone far downhill. This is only one example of recent unacceptable changes.

I agree with the previous comment. Extracurricular activities are great. The band program is very strong and Mr. Jennings, the band teacher, is great with the kids and expects a lot from them. Sports are very good too, with devoted coaches, althought not very knowledgeable ones. Most teachers are somewhat friendly. On the academics side, it is definitely lacking a great deal. Students have too many opportunities to repeat an assignment, seldom with penalty for tardiness or failing on previous attemps. It seems they care more about final scores, but I don't see students graduating with a strong academic base. Except for a couple of teachers, there is no real check on kids' grammar and proper writing. School officials and teachers alike often give out handouts with major typographical errors.
—Submitted by a parent

The extracurricular activities and small town atmosphere are great but the academics are lacking. Teacher teach to a minimal regents curriculum, esp in Chemistry and Math. The school is test score happy at the expense of acceleration and meaninful learning. All students take the MathA and English regents exams TWICE. You read that right, twice. Also the smoke in the bathrooms is terrible.
—Submitted by a parent