East Literature Magnet School

My daughter is a 7th grader at East, this is her first year here. We were so excited for her to get the opportunity to attend a magnet school. Unfortunately this school has been a disappointment. Academically she is doing the same type of work as all the other public schools, she is very bored. The school has very little parent involvement and the teachers dont seem to be to concerned with what the children are doing or learning. The school is very ghetto, by far more than the school she is zoned for. This will our last year here.
--Submitted by a parent

This is NOT a good school! My daughter has been going to East since 5th grade. The middle school was fine but the high school is HORRIBLE! The current principal has let a lot of the older teachers go and has brought it a lot of young teachers who cannot control the classrooms. My daughter has had money, textbooks and other personal items stolen from her locked backpack. She was unable to leave these items in her locker since her assigned locker was on the opposite floor as all of her classes so never had time between classes to even use her locker. We are so tired of the disruptive classroom environment and the thieving ingrates that go there so we are pulling her and homeschooling instead. I would not reccommend this school at all. There are a few core parents who support their children and the school programs but the rest seem to be MIA and don't care at all what their kids do. The only time these parents are seen is when their kids are in trouble and then they refuse to believe that their kids did anything wrong. This school is full of thieves with the entitlement mentality and the leadership does nothing to help prevent this.
--Submitted by a parent

Who is really reviewing this school? You have got to be kidding! Every student I've talked to complains of the confusing schedules, tremendous amounts of busy work, and teacher's attitudes. My children withdrew because they were not learning anything in this environment. It is not ok for any child to fail, but E Lit offers no help to succeed. Bullying is daily. These are children not miniature college students.
--Submitted by a parent

I am an alumni, and I found this school to be far too liberal as students are constantly forced to show a secular, relativistic tolerance to others. Academically, this school is really no better than any other non-magnet public school in Nashville. The subjects taught are often divorced from one another in thought and students learn information, essentially, to pass standardized tests. Some teachers (e.g. Szklany-Brown) do encourage substantive thinking and learning, and expect it from their students, but this is the exception. You will not learn how to learn, so don't waste your time with East if you want your student to be a life-long learner. The literature emphasis is only in name alone as it was rare that, again, this connection was made and subjects were integrated. Behavior was a definite problem. Look at one of the academic magnets (Hume Fogg or MLK) for better quality.

Great teachers and a great learning environment. I have 2 children enrolled at East and have watched them learn and grow so much. The teachers and faculty care about each student.
--Submitted by a parent

Even though the school has had shortcomings, I have seen much needed changes. We all grow and mature when we have the courage to face the challenges and make adjustments. I've seen this happen and East Lit. I am a proud parent of this school. Thanks to all the behind the scene efforts from staff, PTSO, parent volunteers for making it happen.
--Submitted by a parent

I love East Literature because the staff loves the children at East and provides them with the best teaching skills and they show each student that they are special and that they care about their future.
--Submitted by a parent

East has dedicated teachers and staff! They strive to ensure each child succeeds.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been a student at East since the 5th grade. He is now a Freshman at the high school and will be there until graduation. I have seen great growth in my son. He is an athlete with wonderful grades and I attribute great leadership in encouraging the teachers to help the students along the way.
--Submitted by a parent

My nieces are fantastic and they all attended East. Also the PTA pres is pretty great too.
--Submitted by a parent