William J Clark Middle School

I am so glad I no longer teach there. There was a lack of respect by higher level administrators was very unprofessional. The students lack of discipline or manners made teaching very difficult. There were fights everyday, discipline problems in the classroom constantly. It did not matter if an administrator was in the room or not no amount of training by Wong would have made a difference, most of these children lacked little or any sense of proper conduct in a school setting. When I would contact parents about academic issues the response was always the same, I will talk to him/her tonight. But if the call was about a cell phone or personal property, the parent could not get to school fast enough. The grade level administrators did what they could under the circumstances faced at Clark. They received little help and for the most part, their hands were tied on making decisions by the upper level. Their are very good teachers at Clark, but they are unable to preform their at best due to the lack of discipline and school ethics. The failure to enforce discipline and a code of ethics, and to encourage advancement without accountability is the failure here, not the teachers.
--Submitted by a teacher

My child had a horrible experience trying to attend this school.The fights, no discipline and lack of authority is outrageous. Everyday I picked her up from school she was in tears. I had to withdraw her and now she goes to school online. Orangeburg Co schools in district 5 are a disaster!
--Submitted by a parent

This is the best school in the world and I really enjoy the magnet program that I'm a part of.
--Submitted by a student

Thank god my child is in the honors program. She does not have to intermingle with the general population of children that distract others due to misbehaviors of not wanting to learn and not wanting to be there. If feel sorry for those that are in the general population who don't meet that criteria but are stuck because of their academic weakness.
--Submitted by a parent

My child attended Clark last year and my child came home every telling us about the fights at the school. It seemed as though the adults had no control of the children. I feel that children misbehaving should be sent home and let their parents deal with them. When children are acting up all day, how can anyone learn ? The school administration should contact the parents of these children, after missing time from work I bet the parents will get their children in check.
--Submitted by a parent

I feel that the school has improved greatly over the last two years. You can tell that the school has a sense of purpose and more direction! If you truly want to know what kind of school W. J.Clark is you should ask the current student body. They seem to be happier about the kinds of things occurring at Clark!
--Submitted by a parent

The one thing about clark that I do not like is that there really is not a sense of love there. The teachers really dont know each other, and there is no support for each other. How can the teachers love their students when they dont love each other?
--Submitted by a parent

I am currently a student at clark middle school it is an awful place. When you walk in there is no feeling of love there. Everyday there is somthing negative happening. Clark is not a place for a child.
--Submitted by a student

It is my 4th year as a student at Clark and I personally do not find it very appealing. I feel that there are not a diverse group of extracurricular activities, and the principal has practically no involvment with the students. I have been in the Magnet prgoram for my entire attendance at Clark, and it can be very stressful at times. I feel that the teachers give an obscene amount of work all at once. I was also exposed to a mass amount of violence and profanity. If you are looking for a good school for your child, I do not suggest William J. Clark Middle School!
--Submitted by a student

I went here. I was a part of the Magnet Program. That has been the best school I've gone too. Because I went to that school I became more involved with school and am now going to the Arkansas School of Mathematics and Sciences, a residential school for high school students.