Adena High School

I graduate from Adena several years ago, and now am graduating with a Bachelor's in Education. When I was in high school the teachers were incredible.... they wanted us to succeed. There were less than 100 students in my graduating class, and most of us went straight into college. I feel like I was prepared. I look back and see I was really missing out. When they built the new school they put televisions in every classroom that the teachers couldn't use. If you wanted to use a computer you had to go to the library, but many times the librarians wouldn't let students in to do research. There was a computer lab, but there were so many classes that we rarely got to go there. There is a definate lack of technology there. Also, the counselor did nothing for us. Students with IEP's were catered to, gifted students were not.

Adena Schools are doing the best possible job with the amount of resources involved. For the most part, students are prepared for high school. When they are not prepared, it is usually due to factors such as less than desirable attendance, punctuality, and attitude. Adena Schools are not unlike any other school in the nation. We are all doing the best we can to fight a less-than-desirable attitude in society, while using limited resources that we are given. Some may say, giving more money to school is not the answer. I give to you this: With a special education rate of 25% plus, wouldn't more money benefit all students by allowing the Board to hire more teachers? Consider this: Teaching a year-long course which includes the Class Valedictorian and many Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) students sitting side by side. Who benefits?
—Submitted by a teacher

This school has been a challenge and a blessing. I have 3 children who are going through and 1 who graduated from this school. One child is in the special education program. The spec. ed. unit has been wonderful. My older son who graduated in 2004 and who is now attending college had some difficulty in his freshman year at school because (I believe) that the guidance at Adena was somewhat deficient. He struggled through computer programming because he NEVER had this available to him and in fact had to change his major due to this fact. Now I do not totally blame the school, however it is just due to being a poor rural district . They have a beautiful new building , but perhaps they needed to sink some money into more programs other than sporting clubs. OK for exceptional stundents. Not for those who need extras.
—Submitted by a parent