eStem Public Charter High School

Posted: February 21, 2024

Posted: February 21, 2024

Posted: February 21, 2024

Posted: February 21, 2024

Posted: February 21, 2024

Posted: February 21, 2024

Posted: February 21, 2024

Posted: February 21, 2024

I taught at this school for several years. I loved the team I worked with, but there was some definite lack of structure from lead administration. The school offers a great amount of AP and advanced courses, and the students on that track are typically very motivated, well-behaved, and successful. However, the rest of the students do not exhibit the same level of behavior. As a teacher, I dealt with severe disrespect and disruption daily. I loved my students, and we typically reached a point of mutual trust and respect, but the road getting there was very unpleasant! Administration did very little to discipline students. Bad behavior typically received a slap on the wrist with no real consequences. I would write up students for violent behavior and have them in my classroom again the next day. Many students used drugs regularly throughout the day - my classroom often smelled like weed. Again, I would report these students with no consequences. Communication from administration was abysmal. Teachers would be informed about schedule changes or events at the same time as students.
Despite all its flaws, eStem's teachers genuinely care about students. They do strive to create a positive, healthy learning environment, but it is an uphill battle!

Posted: August 27, 2022

Both of my sons attended eStem, and both of them communicated how awful the teachers and staff can be. Teachers that don't teach, administrative staff that could care less; these are observations about the high school. If these people don't want to teach and don't care about the students, why are they there? It's been frustrating, to say the least, to watch my child struggle, with no support or concern from the staff.

Posted: August 27, 2022

Posted: August 27, 2022

Posted: August 27, 2022

Posted: August 27, 2022

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Posted: August 27, 2022

Posted: August 27, 2022

Posted: August 9, 2022

Estem High School is awesome. We moved here from out of state and I was worried about the environment for my scholar. It is spic and span clean, central air. Up to date curriculum. Modern technology that allows scholars to compete with schools that may get more funding. The teachers are great. The atmosphere is the best. No disruptions, or unruly activity. I've only known this high school since it has been under the direction of Maurice Guest. Mr. Guest sets high expectations for the children and they love him. As a mom, I love him. My daughter has taken AP classes the 2 years she has been here and has/is excelling. There are clubs that help the kids not feel alone in their journey. Any time I have a question for a teacher, administrator or counselor, my email is replied to fast and my inquiries are addressed. I can go on but I'll stop here. Awesome job, Mr. Guest and staff.

Posted: August 9, 2022

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Posted: April 29, 2019

The teachers are VERY effective, however, they often do not get their contracts renewed because their administration will not back them up.

Posted: April 29, 2019

Spend one day walking through halls and sitting in classrooms.

Posted: April 29, 2019

Posted: April 29, 2019

The administration (Johnecia Howard) will not expel students even for repeated offenses because it hurts her graduation rate.

Posted: April 29, 2019

Do NOT send your child to this school. Don't even think about it. Hasty actions are made without thought, consideration, and carry heavy consequences. When teachers write up multiple students, it is THROWN BACK on the teachers for having a "lack of control over the classroom." The children are LOUD, Disruptive, DISRESPECTFUL, defiant, awful students who will do everything they can to make sure you have an awful day. Do not send your child here and if you do, GET THEM OUT.

Posted: April 29, 2019

Posted: April 25, 2015

My two children have been attending the school since it opened 7 years ago. Just like any other new organization they have had a few growing pains but I would not want my children going to any other school. Students are held to very high standards and are taught to their potential not to the "average" of each class. My children are a year or two ahead of their friends in the same grade that go to different school in Math and Science. I have also noticed that the high school has graduates getting an average of $35,000 in scholarships or more each year.

Posted: September 4, 2014

Poorly taught or small offering in the stem classes. Lacking in good teachers. High turnover of teachers with many leaving mid-year or after only teaching a few weeks. Few activities. Poor communication about/from the school. I gave it a star since one can graduate from there and because the it seems like a safe, small environment. for kids that need that I have three more kids and none will go there though.

Posted: March 29, 2014

I am In my junior year at eStem .I started at eStem my freshman year and I was really scared and nevous,but it turned out to be for the better.Pros:The teachers are great and understandable.They even offer after school and before help.Foods not all that good but off campus lunch is offered to qualifying juniors(3.0 per quarter) and all seniors .LOVE how drama/fighting is not tolarated.We're all like a big family everyone talks to everyone.If you have an average of at least a 90% after 2 quaters at the end of the semester you don't have to take the exams.The Dean of students don't just believe in siding with the teachers.makes sure he listens to both sides of the story.Cons:Dress code (jeans/kakis/blue,yellow,white,or gray collared shirt) Not really that bad ,but I came for a school where you could wear anything.

Posted: January 7, 2014

My daughter has been at e-stem for 3 years. We have had nothing but the blues. The bullies are treated like victims and kids are not encouraged to report bulling. I had to visit with Mr. Guest many time because of his disrespectful comments to my daughter. I've made appointments to speak with Mrs. Walls. When I show up for the meeting she never there. A lot of the teachers act like they're high school students. We were going to send our daughter to another school. She told my wife and me that this is her last year and she will just ride it out. My youngest daughter refuses to attend e-stem.

Posted: January 4, 2014

We were very happy with the middle school, but my child's first year at the high school has been nothing but problems. The freshman math and English classes have had a ridiculously high teacher turn-over. The high school is going downhill because of the lack of knowledge and experience from the administration. They don't follow their own policies and rules are made up as they go along. The high school desperately needs the same competent, knowledgeable administration that they have at the elementary and middle school.

Posted: December 13, 2013

I don't think the school is all that bad, yet it isn't perfect. The food is usually not that good, so I avoid it when I can. Also there are way too many announcements throughout the day, which I have seen to annoy several of my teachers. As far as LGBT inclusiveness goes, I'm actually amazed. I am transgender-openly so-and I am called by my preferred name. Some teachers forget, but they do try to make an effort. The only problem is that, after the teacher who sponsored the GSA left, the GSA didn't go back to being up and running. I have a teacher in mind who may get it back, yet I will have to ask him. So pros: Awesome teachers, great environment, Very LGBT inclusive so if you had a kid who was harassed by bullies you could bring them here. Also everything is within walking distance so field trips are easy and fun. Also we are working on designing a creative incubator, which is like a cool room built for encouraging creativity in a spot that isn't distracting. We're redesigning one of the old bank vaults. Cons: Too much announcements on the intercom, the food isn't quite good, dress code rules are confusing, no GSA (yet, but I will try to get it back), and we don't have a gym.

Posted: November 17, 2013

We have loved Estem for a few years. However, now that my son is at the high school, he has been through at least 7 teachers in his math class, 3 in English class, teachers have done complete 180s in curriculum and syllabus, and the teachers don't take the time to help the kids. (I say this after listening to other parents and kids in his classes, too.) The kids definitely don't eat the food. Parents have stopped receiving edline updates. Until the HS gets their ducks in a row, pull your children out after 8th grade.

Posted: September 29, 2013

My son has been at Estem 6 years & is a junior in high school. This school is by far a much better school than any other schools around. It strives on personal assistance & training for real-world experiences. The student body as a whole, is very exemplary in behavior & respect & manners. The staff & faculty at the school have a virtually zero-tolerance policy, which is wonderful. Security is tight & education is even tighter. It's a good example that is being set for other schools. I am a proud parent & would never want to change to a different school. Other schools focus on sports & extracurricular activities but forget to focus on more important basic education & critical thinking for students & their future. My son is taking for AP classes, preparing for higher education learning. At the current rate he is learning he will be far more advanced than his co-students when he enters a university. This school also teaches its students that they must earn privileges not just expect them. My son's behavior is far greater than what I expected. There is a lot more I can say but I think that I have highlighted key points in the benefits of this school. It truly is a GREAT SCHOOL!

Posted: August 25, 2013

TOO MANY students in classrom; the whole school is crowded! NO PARKING available for students or parents. Academically, estem is ok. they offer no tutoring!!! kids are starving daily Catered lunch is nothing but corn dogs, flavorless spaghetti, dry hamburgers, and a small cartoon of 2% milk that rotates every other week. No space for physical activity; specially for highschool students.