Yellow Springs Middle and High School

Posted: May 17, 2018

Eh. Some of the teachers are excellent but they are masked by the stupidity of our school board. Also pbl sucks

Posted: May 17, 2018

They take up too much time with pbl

Posted: May 17, 2018

Ewwwww. They try way too hard and don't understand how to do that.

Posted: May 17, 2018

No it really is not effective. They push for pbl.

Posted: May 17, 2018

I have not experience with this facet of the school.

Posted: May 17, 2018

I have no experience with this facet of the school.

Posted: April 19, 2016

Serious issues in so many categories. There is a huge bullying problem for such a small, formerly tight knit school. Many, many have left to go elsewhere. Problems (truancy, drug abuse, severe depression) are often not dealt with according to many parents here. Not to mention the basics (failing courses, lack of credits toward graduation, dress code, etc.). Basic issues like knowing where the students are at any given time are not a priority like at any other school I've ever seen. There seems only to be a concern about having good statistics. That's why kids with no possible chance of graduating on time still manage to graduate year after year according to many parents, students and faculty.
The administration is also piloting 'Project Based Learning' which is stripping kids of their education. By the way, those are the direct words of many upper level students themselves who have missed valuable course content and preparation for college coursework to spend days, weeks and even months 'making' a visual representation of something that would take a day or two to teach otherwise.
Couple all this with a faculty that seems to no longer enjoy working there. Half the teachers at the ms/hs have either resigned for undisclosed reasons, sought jobs in other districts, been forced into changed careers (teachers with years of experience don't often get called for interviews because of budget restraints) or retired early, including many excellent teachers. There isn't the zeal for education that was once in what was a National School of Excellence (17 years ago). Students say teachers often ask them about where a classmate might be or what happened with a fight or to a student that has not been in class for days because the administration doesn't communicate with the teachers.
I recommend you choose what many families in the community are already doing or wish they could... do not send your children here.

Posted: April 19, 2016

teachers are at the mercy of the administration. They are given assignments and curriculum where as they used to do much more designing their own. Students claim they know more of what goes on at the school than the teachers because they often are told what is happening by administration before the teachers are.

Posted: April 19, 2016

Posted: April 19, 2016

Students see how easy it is to get away with issues. It, unfortunately encourages more problems instead of teaching life lessons.

Posted: May 21, 2015

Posted: May 21, 2015

Posted: May 21, 2015

The Elementary School in Yellow Spring does. However, these qualities are diffiult to find in a consistant manner at the Junior High & High School levels.

Posted: May 21, 2015

This shool district ranks high in the state, however they maintain these results by eliminating the "bad" kids throughout the Junior High & High School years. Nearly half of the parents withdraw their children from the YS district at the end of 6th grade, which is the end of the elementary years, to avoid the situation in the upper class levels. Bullying from students is a prominant issue and teachers take no qualms in participating, while in the classrooms. The school quickly profiles students and once a child has been labled, it is difficult to live beyond that. Those who do not perform well on tests are left behind or hidden, even pushed out. Not only have both of my children experienced some form of these treatments, but several families in my childrens' age ranges, as well. The sports, music & art programs are all but nonexistent, as the school system doesn't put much value on what can't forward their state & national educational ranking (they claim that, even in a town of very well-to-do & with a school district tax in place, the funds simply are not available).

Posted: March 4, 2014

We have come to this school this year and are amazed at the wonderful quality of the staff, students, and even the parents we have encountered. Previously we were at another school in the same county where we had the WORST experience ever. My children were bullied, harassed, even sexually harassed and no-one in the staff, school board, or even the state board would do anything about it. Here at YS Schools, my children are free, not bullied, have made many friends, are accepted for who they are. The teachers and staff are always involved in the kids and what they are doing. They are offering many programs for anti-bulling, teen intervention, and always available for any parent or student who needs anything. We really love the new PBL program they are putting in place. It is a great way for the students and parents to be involved with their studies. They are also constantly putting on free events that help to involve students, teachers, and parents. I am very proud to say we live here and feel my kids are getting the best education and now a true chance at being a kid!

Posted: February 25, 2014

I have kids at both schools in town. The schools are great if you want to give your kids a real challenge, like incessant bullying and faculty and administration that will blow off concerns about bullying. My children have gone to other schools in the county and never experienced any bullying of the type, degree nor pervasiveness that they experience at Yellow Springs schools. Your tax dollars at work.