W H Council Traditional School

Posted: August 9, 2025

Posted: August 9, 2025

Posted: August 9, 2025

Posted: August 9, 2025

Posted: August 9, 2025

Posted: August 9, 2025

Posted: August 9, 2025

Posted: August 9, 2025

The teachers at this school are truly exceptional. Many of them go above and beyond to support their students, and it’s clear they care deeply about helping every child grow, learn, and succeed. Their dedication is the strongest and most valuable part of this school community.
However, the administration, particularly the principal, is a serious concern. From my experience, she has created an environment that feels unwelcoming and dismissive, especially toward families who don’t fit a certain social or professional status. Unless you are part of a small group of parents with specific titles or influence, you’re unlikely to receive the same respect or attention.
Even more troubling is her clear lack of care or support for African American boys at the school. It is disheartening and painful to witness how little effort is made to uplift or invest in these students. There seems to be no concern for whether they succeed, feel connected to school, or are given the same opportunities as others. This kind of leadership sends a harmful message that no child should ever have to internalize.
To prospective parents, the teachers are the reason to consider this school. They are passionate, dedicated, and doing incredible work in the classroom. But it’s important to know that the current leadership does not reflect the same values of equity, inclusion, or genuine student support.

Posted: May 10, 2024

The problem I have is their carpool. It is awful! Some days it's a little better depending on which teachers are out there. But it should be consistent. Council"s carpool is the worst in Mobile.

Posted: May 10, 2024

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Posted: August 10, 2023

This school is not what it use to be. I had a child go from K- 5th and it was great. The administration changed during Covid and it has only gone downhill. I pulled my other children and placed them in another school. I wish i would have pulled them sooner after seeing the difference. So many parents have pulled their children from this school. No matter how many times complaints were made to the district, nothing was ever done. The school feels likes a prison and you can feel the tension among the teachers due to the micro managing of the principal. The teachers are wonderful and I can't imagine working in that environment. All the principal cares about is testing. The PTA all resigned because the principal does not support the PTA nor its teachers. It's her way or the highway. It's a shame that this school has gone downhill at the hands of this principal.

Posted: August 10, 2023

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Posted: August 6, 2023

After having a child there every year for 10 years, I pulled my youngest. This school is not what it once was. It’s like a prison. So focused on tests scores that no one seems to remember they are children. My youngest was bullied relentlessly because he is white. He was made to feel like an outsider who was not welcome by the teachers or students. They have silent lunches, punished in PE by sitting instead of moving around for one of the very few times they were allowed to get out of their desks. They aren’t allowed to socialize. Parents haven’t been welcome since the new principal took over. The PTA is miserable because everything is a no. Very limited field trips or playground time because those test scores are #1 priority. Top school in the state for education but at the sacrifice of their emotional and social development. It was a truly awful experience emotionally for my child.

Posted: August 6, 2023

Posted: August 6, 2023

Posted: August 6, 2023

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Posted: February 2, 2023

This year has been the worst. The teacher doesn't communicate with parents especially when failing. Your not informed about what your child needs to work on. Communication is rated a 0. When I reach out it's not a concern vibe from the teacher, it's more of well it is what it is. I don't feel comfortable going to the principal bc the energy given in the past, nothing would be done. Its very frustrating when there is no communication about your child's grades from the teacher.

Posted: February 2, 2023

Posted: January 14, 2019

The school's faculty and chief administrator are very responsive to inquiries about the school. An operative word would be "transparency". They appear to want to be open to criticism so as to continue to improve the schooling and educational environment of the school.

Posted: January 14, 2019

State rating of the schools' performance suggests significant teacher involvement and teacher motivation.

Posted: January 14, 2019

Observe the mentors in the school. Custodians, cafeteria workers, clerical person then teachers, administrators, parents and school boosters - considerable teamworking makes it probable.

Posted: January 14, 2019

Teachers respond and functionn best in collaboration with effective and supportive leadership. The school functions in an exempliary fashion because the schoolmleadership is exempliary.

Posted: January 14, 2019

State test scores are normed. These student population has surpassed state averages, suggesting that atypical students are being effectively served, as their scores are included in the school's scores.

Posted: January 14, 2019

I have not information on the extent of bullying conduct but would hasten to note that civil conduct is maintained at the school suggesting attention to decorum proprieties.

Posted: June 4, 2018

Wow - my daughter has been at this school since Kindergarten and loved every minute. The level of respect and student expectations is very high, but that is what is needed to be successful in this world. Their IB program teaches students to be global thinkers and it's been a wonderful environment for my child. Go Council!!

Posted: June 4, 2018

Posted: June 4, 2018

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Posted: April 26, 2018

Posted: April 26, 2018

Posted: April 26, 2018

Posted: April 26, 2018

Posted: April 26, 2018

Posted: April 26, 2018

Posted: April 26, 2018

This school is in an awful part of town and most inconvenient. They seem to have their carpool organized very effectively considering their location. The teachers are not the friendliest. Its more work, less play and just get down to business. They push, push, push academics. I worry that they go too far and then its just grueling and not fun. I think its insane that their 5k students dress-out for PE. It's ridiculous! But, children learn at this school, I will give them that. The school does very well with academics.

Posted: April 28, 2017

Posted: April 28, 2017

Posted: April 28, 2017

Posted: April 28, 2017

Posted: April 28, 2017

Posted: April 28, 2017

Posted: April 28, 2017

I completely love this school! My children go here and have so much fun learning! Ever since Ms. Alexander, the principal, came, the school has been amazing! The behavior is so great that the teachers only have to focuse on teaching and not getting the children under control! The I.B program is a good lesson to kids. However, the curriculum is not the best, but my kids learn just the same. All the teachers we have had have been wonderful! I would defenatly recommend sending your children to this amazing school!

Posted: April 16, 2014

This school is award winning and has high standards in academic excellence. Their zero tolerance for behavior problems enables the teachers to focus more on teaching. I am so excited my children have the opportunity to experience an education at Council. I have full confidence that once they leave Council they will be prepared to take on challenging academics and be a well rounded citizen.

Posted: June 12, 2012

There is nowhere better than Council! We just wrapped up twelve years (3 children) there, with not a single sour note. Our girls were extremely well prepared for a challenging middle school curriculum, academically and socially. The diversity of the student body and faculty is an enormous strength. The culture of excellence is genuine and its effects are lasting. No private school in the area could compare.

Posted: March 19, 2012

I feel that I should also mention to low income families that the fees, (classroom, internet, ect) are higher than most schools. The uniforms cost more, as they don't wear polos and the girls have to wear plaid skirts. They are also required to dress out for PE and need uniforms for that as well. They require a lot of supplies and several books that must be purchased rather than checked out from the library, as they must bring them to school with them for the first couple of weeks. They have really nice field trips, which are super educational and fun for the kids. However, while they are optional, they are quite pricey. Just know what you are getting into before you commit.

Posted: July 19, 2011

I love this school. Two of my children have completed Council and one is still there. Every aspect of the school is exceptional. The curriculum is definately challenging. Even kindergardeners have projects to complete! By the time they reach middle school, a project that makes other students shake in their boots is no big deal. Also, the students are required to do public speaking each year. What a wonderful foundation. The parents are very involved and the staff is supportive. Most outstanding is that the student body is diverse slong racial and socioeconomic lines

Posted: May 24, 2010

My son transferred to Council from a private school. He entered second grade this year. While I must agree that Council has some great teachers, I believe the administration seriously lacks what it takes to keep the childrens' behavior in line. We had many instances where our son was called names, shoved more than once, pushed and held down on the ground, and even hit in the eye resulting in him having a black eye for a week! The children who were responsible for this were not punished according to their actions. I should mention that my son never laid a finger on any of these children. It seems the staff make excuses for children who have been attending the school since kindergarten and show favoritism toward children they know from their own community. This school did not live up to my expectations. My son is going back to private school.

Posted: May 14, 2010

This was our first year at Council & we couldn't be happier with the outstanding education they received. Our children attened O'Rourke for 3 years & all I can say is O'Rourke was a joke. My children have always been A students, and at Council they actually had to work hard to maintain their grades. I love this school & can't wait to send our youngest to Council. The teachers are amazing, too!!

Posted: February 23, 2010

My son is in the 3rd grade at Council, so he has been there for 4 years now. He learns alot Spanish, Science Lab, I wouldn't trade it for any other school. Principal, teachers and other staff are great.