McKinley Middle School

McKinley is now an IB world school, which may sound good on the surface, but it does come with it problems. First, it is extremely expensive to maintain an IB school (staff training, additional class requirements, yearly certification costs, etc.). Second, mixed ability levels within classrooms does not seem to be working. For example, when McKinley was a Charter school with the Lighthouse Program, upper level students performed at a much higher level (check standardized test scores before 2010 compared to after 2010). Parents seem to be very happy with the success of the Charter (notice comments on this page before and after 2010 when the Charter was dropped in favor of IB). Ability level classes does not mean that you have to lower expectations for some, quite the contrary. It allows teachers to focus on the present level of students in their classroom to move them forward more successfully. IB may be the wave of the future, but as of now, it is only a ripple at McKinley.

There is NOTHING GREAT about this school!...not sure why it's even listed on this site. 2 out of 10 is a horrible rating! The day i went to register my child at the school, 2 parents were removing their children because, and this is a DIRECT quote..."they HATE this school!" (with emphasis added!) I should have taken the hint! the administrator is non-attentive to parents needs, our child has been bullied on 3 separate occasions and the principal didn't even return our calls. not until her supervisor got involved did she even consider returning the call. and of course...ALWAYS with some excuse attached. You know...my rant could continue and fill the page to let you all know that this school REALLY isn't worth it (we can also say as much OR MORE about the racine unified system) but suffice it to say, as my former PTOites..."I REALLY hated this school!!!"
—Submitted by a parent

We were so disappointed in our sixth-grader's experience at McKinley that we (along with a number of other families) are pulling her out for seventh grade. She was not at all challenged academically and was actually afraid to go school because of the sheer number of incidents at the school last year. From her discription of her classroom time, this is glorified babysitting. In one class of 30, her teacher moved the four students who wanted to learn to the first row of the class and only attempted to teach them for the semester! In the times I was present at the school for anything, I was shocked at the level of disrespect the kids have for each other as well as for teachers and any other adults!
—Submitted by a parent

The school has dropped the Lighthouse program and is no longer operating under a charter. All classes have mixed ability groups. The school is not offering a special GAT program; instead they are opting for inclusion using a middle years IB program. This means that a science class has kids that can't read the textbook or understand the math as well as kids in algebra that are advanced readers. Very democratic, but does it help bright kids?
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the 9-23-10 review, but the move away from skill level correlates, but is not the real issue at McKinley. The real issue is that this move produces a move away from division based on classroom behavior. This produces no benefit for the unmotivated, uninterested and poorly disciplined at home students. This is being done at a much larger expense to the highly motivated, engaged, and well behaved students. These are the students being harmed by subjecting them to the classroom conditions and penalties implemented by the staff due to the disruptions and poor behavior of a few bad students. Punish the poorly behaved, not the masses. A well behaved, but under performing student can benefit greatly from being in a class with higher performing students. Why is Racine Unified so intent on placing obstacles in the way of those middle school students with the ability, motivation, and discipline to excel. Remove the well behaved students from this integrated environment and RUSD would have shinning jewel that the community could be proud of again. Turn Gifford into a K - 8 neighborhood school, sit back and watch what happens.
—Submitted by a parent

School faces a real hurdle given that more than half of the students fall under the poverty line. Moving away from a skill level division of students to an integrated approach in order to implement the IB Program. We chose to remove our child from the school due to this change. Security and Safety is a concern too. In fact most people who can find a way will send their kids to private schools in Racine.
—Submitted by a parent

McKinley has a great community of staff, students, and families that work together to create a positive learning environment.
—Submitted by a parent

It has the best staff I have ever worked with. They really work hard and care about the students.
—Submitted by a teacher

It the best school in Racine for middle school student. The teachers always make sur that the students understand their work and never leave any student behid
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful school, I have really enjoyed watching the transformation over the last few years! There is no better school in the city! I have one more child to go though middle school and I am confident that Mrs. Pelk will welcome him as much as she has my other two...
—Submitted by a parent

Presently I have a 7th grader at McKinley and will have a 6th grader in the fall. I think it is a terrific school. They offer FAR more opportunities than I ever had in junior high at a Catholic school. The teachers are first rate. For the most part the kids are typical middle schoolers. Do I wish some of the kids behaved better and some parents were more involved- yes. However, if you're an involved parent your child can get an excellent education at McKinley while learning to make appropriate choices in his/her life.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had chikdren at this school for the last 3 years and will have one student for 2 more years, and am very happy with the level of education as well as the amount of teacher involvement. It is not always easy to find a school that has caring teachers and teachers that will give you a call back when you request it. Awesome job to the staff and administrators!!
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a student at Mckinley. I like this school a lot. I like that it is a charter school, so we get different privleges than other schools. I also like that McKinley is broken into teams. There are three sixth grade teams and four teams with seventh and eighth graders mixed. Overall i like this school, and will be sad to leave at the end of this year.
—Submitted by a student

This is a great school for my son. The staff is wonderful and very attentive toward the children's welfare. Thank you.
—Submitted by a parent

Unified School District has magnet schools that include McKinley Middle School. Both our son and daughter attended McKinley and we were pleased with their education and the extracurricular opportunities, including music and theater programs. John Barry Stutt, Attorney
—Submitted by John Barry Stutt, a parent