Kealing Middle School

(Kealing Magnet) Many of the teachers are good but quite a few are unrealistic in their expectations of 11 year-olds and treat them sadistically. Only one review from a couple of years back said that the teachers were supportive and kind, but they must not be there anymore. We've seen some possibly grumpy, unhappy teachers who've been mean to our child. Or maybe they just don't like Asians. Most of the teachers are white.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a 7th grade magnet student at Kealing Middle School, and overall I would have to say Kealing is a great school. It's great for any child who is looking for a challenge, yes there's a lot of homework (it decreases as the year progress) but it is a great experience and a great advantage in their future. Kealing makes sure you are ready for life coming ahead and will make high school and college a breeze if you are successful. Don't freak if your child's grades than normal, it's normal the curriculum's are harder and challenging but overall it's a great school and highly recommend it for any bright child looking for a challenge!

I cannot speak to the quality of the regular/CAP program, but as far as the Magnet School I can't say enough great things. My kid was utterly bored the last year of elementary school and Kealing completely woke her up. Yes, its tough, but all the kids in her group are completely supportive and devoted to making it. The classes are interesting and challenging. You MUST stay on top of the homework every day or you will sink, guaranteed, but if you can set the right rules for getting it done, its super worth it, and my kid takes a perverse pride in knowing she's in the toughest school in the city. The orchestra is amazing, the electives fun, the core classes challenging. Our kid immediately made new friends who were also eager to learn. I am so impressed by the level of smarts at this school. There are downsides: friends are scattered all over town and hard to see after school. The cafeteria is dysfunctional so plan on taking lunch. Really, my kid never had time to eat after going through the line, so we gave up. But overall, Amazing school. Demanding but brilliant.
--Submitted by a parent

My child is now in the 7th grade Kealing Magnet program and it is far more sane for him than 6th grade was. He only has 1 hour homework a night and no longer has huge projects due every 6 weeks in multiple classes. I have not had to help him with any subjects other than some linear algebra they touched on for a week. That was hard core, but thankfully a short chapter. This has been a very easy year for the family. Nothing like 6th grade. My son is holding a 92 average in most core classes, 95 in English and history. He is a smart child but loves to goof off and play. He is still a child at heart. 7th grade is not crushing his spirit like 6th grade almost did last year. I no longer drive him so hard either. 92% in math and science are fine. He is 12. KM 85% is like A plus in other schools. Don't freak if your A+ baby drops to the 80's in a class or two. That holds double for 6th grade. Best of luck!
--Submitted by a parent

Our 6th grader in the Kealing Magnet program is having a great time. He is finally getting academic instruction and challenge at an appropriate level for him. For years we paid extra for math instruction through the Stanford EPGY program and now he is able to take math at his level. His other classes are also very high caliber and interesting to him. The coordination between English and World Cultures is great. And science and band are both fun and challenging. He spends about 1 hour on homework during the week and just a couple hours on the weekend. I think this is very acceptable. I think some kids at Kealing may not have good preparation for scheduling their time but it's a skill they WILL eventually have to learn to get into a great college. Being a Stanford graduate household, this is what we want for our kids and I think this is the way to prepare them for that caliber school. Kealing isn't for every kid and some kids will mature later and not be ready for the responsibility and work yet. But if your student is really motivated and is aceing their elementary school work then Kealing may be a good option for them.
--Submitted by a parent

It has good teachers, really! And it should be, considering its' a magnet school. YAY!!

People complain about teachers being too harsh or the homework being too hard, but as a 7th grader at the school I can say that that's the point. You sign up knowing that you will be subjected to a heavy workload and possible stress, and you deal with it if you are actually interested in receiving superior education. If you don't then the consequences are your fault. Students at school are happy and supportive of each other and there is a strong, positive community. The curriculum is rigorous and covers much more ground than regular schools. Kealing also has great orchestra and band programs and a huge selection of fun, engaging electives that aren't offered at any other school. It's really a personal matter. You will hate the school if you can't handle the workload, but if you can the academic and personal rewards are great.

I am a current 8th grader at Kealing in the magnet program, and it is one of the best learning experiences I've ever had. The curriculum is rigorous and difficult, but fun to learn about and gives you good study habits. There is a lot of homework but I enjoy doing it and I still have time for extracurriculars and friends. The orchestra program is also amazing and in the top ten middle school orchestras in the state. You make friends with kids in both programs and people from all over the city. The teachers are excited about teaching and we want to learn.

I would strongly encourage everyone to stay away from Kealing Magnet School. They screen kids to get the smart ones but heap so much homework on them as if they can't comprehend! Three hours of homework a night is routine. There isn't any room for other activities. Kids learn best when they are having a positive experience, not being punished. They need to explore other interests and be well rounded. Administration ignores these issues and is difficult to work with. Don't be surprised if they don't return your calls. Teachers impose their own liberal views of life/religion on kids and parents aren't usually aware unless you follow homework carefully. You are far better off to have your students in local middle schools. They have student support and factual curriculum. Their music and theater teachers quit last year due to no support from the administration. One teacher told me she felt she was being set up by the administration for failure. The students I spoke with weren t happy at Kealing Magnet. They hated the bars on the windows, the homework, the teachers and the many fights between CAP kids and Magnet kids. We have one chance to raise our kids. Beware .
--Submitted by a parent

Well after looking at all of these reviews i see that most of the Magnet parents and students still look down apon us CAP students. I went to Kealing all through middle school and it was great i had friends in both programs but i noticed that each side hated the other. Sports at kealing are the best we have alot of competion in our zone. But over all a great school i went there from 07 - 09