How is the life on Hazelwood, MO?? (St. Louis, Lemay: crime, neighborhoods)

[WalnutPark829]

Originally Posted by aragx6

They score consistently far below acceptable rankings, and both parents and students are unhappy. I guess your definition of "perfectly fine" is different than mine.

do you know anyone from that school? or are you basing this all off of what you read on some online school message board or whatever you posted. and can you back up your claims of scoring consistently far below acceptable rankings for haz. west? any links to that statement? im not talking the whole haz. district, just west. i know plenty of students at west who are perfectly happy and doing fine. you act like its some war zone or something.

[aragx6]

I posted the link yesterday read it.

My cousin goes to Hazelwood West.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

Walnut, I think you need to chill out and read the link before you go off on her.

Thank you.

[la_missourienne]

I teach at Hazelwood West and love it there. I will say it is not perfect, but I haven't been to a school yet that is (I have taught elsewhere). The best thing we have going here is the diversity--kids get to meet people from all different backgrounds and from different places.
As for that link posted, I went there and began reading. Did anyone pay attention to the dates of the posts? There are only 2 that can actually be considered recent (2008)--after that, the next recent is 2006. Why is this important?
1. One of those 2 recent posts has to do with a graduate from the 80's, thus rendering it not current, so we are now down to 1 recent review.
2. This school got a new principal just last year. She has really taken charge and changed a lot of things for the better. This means that reviews prior to that are essentially irrelevant (if you want a current, up-to-date perspective).
3. Given these things, 1 person's current review does not a good sample make. Better to go straight to the sources, which is probably why the original poster came here rather than there.
This district, unfortunately, is suffering greatly because of its newest superintendent. This year, redistricting was imposed, along with a slew of other changes that are causing havoc and headaches for many teachers and students alike. Does it make it all bad? No, not hardly. Most of us (teachers) care very much about our students and want to do everything we can for them. We are just riding out this super's term in the hopes of a replacement that will do better (hmmm, seems to be on par with the country as a whole, eh? :P )
Please also keep in mind that this district is HUGE. I could not believe the first time I saw a map of it! It really should be divided in two IMHO. Hazelwood West is far different from the other high schools in the district, which are also different from each other.
I recommend Hazelwood West as a place for getting an average, good public education. I love my students, colleagues and principal, and hope to remain here as long as I can. Remember, every district needs good students, not just the 'best' ones. If you have a truly good student, they will excel in spite of district, environment, etc.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by la_missourienne

If you have a truly good student, they will excel in spite of district, environment, etc.

I think this is very very true. I do tire of this feeling that every kid has to go to the best high school in the state; plenty of kids with perfectly average high school educations go on to do great things.

But even you must admit Hazelwood West's test scores are well below average.

[Bobster]

The fact that there is such a spread from one district to another makes me think that there is something wrong with the way that school districts are funded. If you're a 3rd grader who's folks "happen" to live in a particular district, should you pay the price in an inferior education?

[la_missourienne]

Yes, the figures do show that we have scores below average for the MAP, but that test is soon to be eliminated anyway. We have more than the state average number of non-native English speakers, which impacts our scores greatly, too. (i'm not saying this excuses Hazelwood, just makes an impact on the numbers)
I don't think the ACT rankings should be counted simply because many students don't take it and don't need to take it (or they take SAT instead, for that matter). Plenty of people, as was stated, go on to do great things with just an average HS education. That is easily obtainable at Hazelwood, especially at West, and I hope people will come to realize that, that's all

[la_missourienne]

Bobster, you have hit the nail on the head. I completely agree that MO school funding is in SERIOUS need of an overhaul. Heck, the current system probably just needs thrown out! Schools should NOT be paid based on how many 'bodies are in chairs' each day, much less should one district's monies/taxes vary so greatly from another. I do NOT advocate trying the 'bussing to other districts' plan--KC has shown why that is a bad idea. Districts should not be as big and spread out as Hazelwood, either--this is just not manageable or practical, especially on the financial scale. Sadly, I do not know how or where to begin even trying to bring about a change in this because I don't really have a fantastic solution. I, and many educators, could easy tell you what needs to be changed, and maybe even have solutions, but we are seldom listened to. Or what is most true-- we're just too busy surviving and doing what we can on what we are given with time and instructional materials.

[NoCoGirl13]

I've lived in Hazelwood, MO for all of my 23 years, born here, grew up here and now I'm an adult and still here. Unfortunately... Not by choice!!! I will be completely honest... I've been STUCK here. I'm trying to get out now but with the economy, not gonna happen easily... The schools, especially Hazelwood West, are not good... They were so bad my parents would not allow me to go to highschool in Hazelwood. The neighborhoods aren't "good" or "bad" but dont think it's really a good place to raise a family. If you're just gonna have a house for a few years maybe and then leave yeah... Hazelwood is great. But honestly... I agree... I recommend St. Charles, St. Peters, or even parts of Maryland Heights and Florissant. Do not rely on pictures of homes/apartments, I live around here and even I am shocked by the differences between the pictures and the truth!!! Sorry for the long message but... I wanted to cover all the bases.
Goodluck hun!!!

[DinsdalePirahna]

I've only been through it, no really opinion except that it looks 1950's old.
But My brother-in-law thinks the schools and area are so bad that he is considering a move to O'Fallon.