School of Science and Technology

I have three students in the School of Science and Technology (SST) now. I have a child who graduated last year after attending SST from 6th thru 12th grades. My child just finished the freshman year at a local university with a 3.53 GPA. SST is a great school and I cannot believe the comments by some parents and one student. The parent who states that SST "has no clue" has been rating the school the same way for 5 or 6 years since her son could not make it at SST. She is the one without a clue about the school. The writer who says he/she is an ex-teacher could not have taught at SST or he/she would not have rated it the way he/she did. He/she is probably an ex many things because he/she cannot succeed in any position. Please note that the raters who are uneducated (cannot write well or spell correctly) are the ones who rated the school other than the excellent learning facility it is. The "student" who rated it did not attend SST or attended it for a short time. SST students write much better than that. If any student or parent is considering attendance at SST, then please ignore the negative and untrue comments. SST is an excellent school with ouystanding afculty and students.
—Submitted by a parent

As a graduate of SST in 2012, there are many flaws within the school, especially in the administration. They focus more on having their school look amazing, rather than focusing on having their students excel. During my high school years there,due to the numerous mock TAKS, and now STAAR testing they implement, those who took an AP Class(es) suffered the most for losing class time to participate in mock testing. However, the teacher staff is superb. I can not say though its the same for all the staff, however the teachers I had were amazing in wanting us to excel and do well in school, and life. There is is a strong language/cultural barrier, and I wasn't too exposed to it due to having mostly teachers that were native English speakers. However, because of them it made the last four years worth going to the school.

Minus the several glaring flaws in the administration and educational options, this school has one thing going for it and that is the teachers. The vast majority of all the teachers, can't say all of them, are absolutely wonderful. My child has come home many times praising several of his teachers. Because of the disorganization of the administration I asked my son if he ever wanted to leave his school. He told me he didn't want to leave because of his teachers and his friends (as most kids feel). I've visited the school multiple times and was able to talk to most of my son's teachers. They were wonderful and I can see that they work hard to give their students the best education that they can offer.
—Submitted by a parent

B4 dis skewl i was dum. i started frm d botm nao im here we space now mayne. we space now

I have kids that attend this school. My daughter has had three teacher changes and school is not even in summer. First let me say that if you move your child will suffer because you can not register or move themto another SST. Which I think is a stupid idea. Now I drive almost 50 minutes both ways because I cant transfer them. Lunch is 3.50 like really what are they eating? My daughter is very active and was told they only provide learning for quiet non active students, who says that? My son was told that American kids are not smart and being turkish was better, shaking my head, really? Overall I think its just a nice break for them and a rip off. My kids learn but the sacrifices are crazy. Not to mention the aftet school care does nothing it says it will provide. False Advertisment. They don't even have counslors so how are you able to help kids whose loved one may pass? I would rather have put them in public school.
—Submitted by a parent

As a former teacher (among a list of MANY), I have seen what happens behind the scenes in the SST system. They do not value their teachers as professionals and treat them as workers in an assembly line to build their "reputation" as a great school. They try to get as much work out of their teachers as they can so they can get their money's worth; it is not uncommon for at least one or two teachers to resign mid-year. The overall teacher turnover rate has always been high for this reason. The favoritism and nepotism that goes on is disgusting. Kids don't get the wonderful education they need, especially when they have teachers whom the kids literally cannot understand because of language/culture issues, so they fail their class or grades are falsified. Just look at standardized test scores for the school--low scores in science & math. Ironic. Girls and boys are treated very differently by the all-male administration, with boys getting the more preferable treatment. Parents may love this school, but are really kept in the dark about the realities of how things truly work. Just look at how often administration and teaching staff changes every year--that should be a clue.

I have an 8th grader and a 6th grader at this school and I drive 45 minutes everyday to get them to SST. I do this because I feel this school is excellent and is the best environment for them to receive an excellent education. My 8th grader has been at the school since he was in the 6th grade. My expectations are very high and I did my research before enrolling my children at this school. We are zoned for NISD schools but in my opinion the smaller more personal environment this school offers is a better fit for my children than the "mega" schools that the local middle and high schools have become. This school focuses on academics and college and excelling past high school. The standards are high and parents are expected to be invovled and contribute in their children's education.
—Submitted by a parent

My eldest child graduated from SST in 2011 and is now at UT Austin in an honors program. My middle child is still at SST and is a high school student. I feel that SST prepared them well for the SAT and AP exams. Now that the school is more established, there are more experienced teachers and I feel the quality of teaching has improved every year. So too has the organization and the communication. SST is a close knit school with teachers who know the students. It's a very friendly campus, and socially, an easy place for kids to make friends and be involved. The school does an excellent job of encouraging every kid to apply to a 4 year college. The 2011 graduating class sent kids to MIT, Columbia, Rice, Univ. of Pennsylvania, UT Austin, A&M, the U.S. Naval Academy, and other colleges. Having had kids at SST for many years now, I'm very proud of how this school has improved over time, and how it has grown into one of the best schools in the area. It's very safe, and students are welcoming of newcomers. As a parent, I've loved our experience with SST!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has no clue what it is doing. I am sorely disappointed as I am the only one involved in my child's education. The academics are not as fantastic as some of the other reviews would suggest. I just think some people have absolutely no standards or point of reference when writing a review. From a parent that does have standards, this place tanks. They talk up a good game and fail on delivery. This place is a dumping ground for kids who have been expelled from surrounding public schools, bullied out of public schools and teachers that are not licensed to teach and would not be hired by a traditional public or private school. Those are the questions I would ask before enrolling your child, unless of course the only reason you are here is because you have no other choice.
—Submitted by a parent

All around good. the kids were well behaved, the teachers were nice. As I said just all around good!

It's really great school. It meets standards as a public charter school serving with very dedicated staff and administration. I would recommend this school to every parent who wants their child to succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

Great environment for middle school/high school kids. The teachers are committed and engaging. I disagree with the poster that complained about the intermingling of High Schoolers with the younger students. My child enjoyed this aspect completely. The older children are respectful and friendly. We have never experienced any bullying or tormenting of any kind. SST is wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

As a middle school I say that the school is great, the classes, the atmosphere, the teachers; they all contribute to the great learning environment. It is great for education, but if your child is not focused on learning, and was looking forward to band or other electives that might be offered at another middle school, well SST just doesn't do too good a job with those. Every person will have a different school experience... There is also a slight problem (in my opinion) with getting credits ahead of time. I received an algebra1 credit, while some people I knew from different schools received more credits for different things which I felt I could have received as well. How well you did in the class is of course a different matter... The teachers are great, the classes are great, and you learn well.

We are very excited and happy with SST. Our children was behind in the Public School System and they could not offer any help to design a learning program to fit my childrens needs, they were just too busy. At SST, the environment is less busy, small classrooms and each student has time to meet with their teacher. And the teacher has time to understand each individuals needs. Since our children has been enrolled in this program, their confidence increased as well as their performance. SST has a lot to offer a child who wants to learn and to be understood as an individual.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. The teachers care about the kids, the administration takes some getting use to, but they do a great job keeping the atmosphere at the school friendly. This school actually teaches character education, that didn't happen in the Junior school in the 78209 area. They wear uniforms, which is a great stress reducer. My kid always knows what to wear! I disagree with the comment about the kids not being social. As a parent I can walk in at anytime, see my child at anytime, and be allowed to walk around the campus if I want to. These kids are friendly, spirited in a good way, and happy.
—Submitted by a parent

Horrible school. the academics are fantastic and the teachers keep in constant contact with the parents on student progress. The issues we had there are the fact that they let the 6th graders intermingle with the high school students. There are things high schoolers do and talk about that arent appropriate for younger children...like an 11yr old 6th grader. On the dicipline side, this school seems like a dumping ground for children who dont have the social skills to get along in a public school setting. My son told me that there were fights all the time...in the bathrooms and the gym locker room. The children fight there because there are no cameras. There is no audio on the security cameras so verbal threats and bullying cant be caught. My son was tormented for months by other boys in his class. Not a safe place for your kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Still loving SST. In our second year with two kids at this school. My high school student (along with several others) is doing science research with a professor at UTSA. This was arranged by one of the SST administrators. My daughter would not have gotten this opportunity at any other school. Also, the National Honor Society students took a trip to New York and Boston to visit Ivy League colleges this fall. Also love this school for no bullying and high % of nerd students means that kids tend to be nice and even the socially awkward kids have friends. BTW, the Great Schools info is incorrect. This school serves 6-12th grade. SST is graduating it's first high school class spring of 2010.
—Submitted by a parent

First, to the parent who submitted the coment about taking his child back to the public School system- a charter school is a PUBLIC School. SST receives the same money from State and Federal agencies, but does not follow a specific core curriculum. Your tax dollars are better spent here than any traditional public school in San Antonio. The Principal is also the District administrator, because SST is it's own LEA (Local Education Agency). If you feel that there are kinks to be worked on, don't just take your children out of SST, become involved in how to improve the school climate. I have not had any bad experience with staff or any of the cirriculum that my active invlvement did not solve. They are open to parent ideas and concerns, and are offering more opportunities for us to do to improve our children's education.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is going into the 8th grade. Last year was her first year. The academic program is great. Teacher and staff are wonderful. She will return the new coming year. Thanks SST for such a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

A really great place to learn and be educated!
—Submitted by a student