Shabazz-City High School

Not all students attending Shabazz were failing or truant in their former school. My son chose to attend Shabazz because he was uncomfortable with the environment at the large high school he was attending. He was doing well academically, but the stress of witnessing violence and disrespectful behavior took a toll on him. His main concern (and mine) was that the administrators at the school would not take action to create a hospitable climate. At Shabazz, my son is treated as an individual. The teachers nurture his creativity, respect his opinions, and appreciate his unique qualities. There is no tolerance for violence, bullying, harassment or disrespect. Since he started at Shabazz, my son's stress level has been lowered. He plans to attend college, and eventually graduate school.
--Submitted by a parent

Students who go to Shabazz are students that have failed the 4 traditional high schools, or the school have failed them. They are behind academically due to poor attendance and Shabazz uses creative curriculum and dedicated teachers who believe all students can succeed. Rating students by standardized testing shows how the other schools have failed the students. Shabazz hasn't even had a chance to work with the kids much by the time they are in 10th grade. ACT tests are high showing that once at Shabazz student success soars and students go on to College and the workforce, vs continuing on the 'drop-out' path they were on before going to Shabazz. Any parent would be proud of what their child can accomplish here.
--Submitted by a parent

I hated school, now I love it. I love learning. If forgot learning can be so much fun. I get to have opinions. I help organize activities and meet at lunch to create and review how we do things. This is a great school. I am going to college. I have my applications in. Before Shabazz I'm sure I would never have graduated.
--Submitted by a student

As a parent of two students at Shabazz I have come to have a lot of respect for the skilled administration, the really dedicated teachers and the sense of love and community that the staff tries to build. It is such a toxic, materialistic, and spiritless culture that kids are growing up in these days that an alternative school like this one is swimming upstream in floodwaters of substance abuse, racism, sexism and homophobia. But they change some kids' lives there and it should be looked at seriously by parents who have a child not doing well in regular schools. It won't work for all disaffected but look at it closely if you need an alternative for your child.
--Submitted by a parent

Shabazz is an Alternative School for students not making it at the larger, traditional schools. 68% of students enrolled were truant b4 coming to Shabazz. 97% of students graduate. Shabazz makes up for academic losses of previous years and brings students up to grade level. Individual instruction, Service Learning and strong relationships are cornerstones for success. Misrepresentation of this school by comparing it to larger traditional schools with large budgets and many teachers is a common mistake. Shabazz succeeds with students who are failing, students who were failing before arriving at Shabazz (from other high schools in the area). Any student in Madison can come to Shabazz. Shabazz students are resilient to life's challenges and value education enough to find an alternative that matches their learning needs. This school is not a traditional high school and should not be compared in traditional ways. Talk with a Shabazz student and you'll see a vast difference.
--Submitted by a teacher

This school is small and focuses on students who struggle in traditional schools. Strong AOD and anti harassment policy maintains safety so students can make learning a priority. Small staff and individualized attention make a strong partnership for optimum success of students. Students feel invested in community and take leadership roles. Academic rigor is constantly reviewed along with policies. Many students attend University and Tech schools after graduation. Teachers are dedicated and work very hard from different approaches for every student. Weekly staff meetings and Service Learning curriculum offer unique scaffolding for student opportunities and successes. Shabazz is a great school doing great things.
--Submitted by a parent