Pros
I cannot think of any positives, I left this school diagnosed with anxiety.
Cons
I would avoid this school at all costs. Thousands of dollars of my personal items were stolen from my classroom over the course of my employment because they do not have walls or cameras, and administration could not even be bothered to respond to my email. On top of that, when a student stole my chromebook, they tried to make ME pay for it. This school runs on who they like, not who holds the education and experience for the position, which is why it is the way it is. The students are aware that there are no consequences and behavior is out of control, even for teachers who have decent bonds with students and families. You will start the year with a full staff, and by the second month in you will have received a minimum of ten emails for people who have decided to quit (counselor, principal, family advocate, coach, etc. not just teachers!) You will be extremely underpaid because you have MANY roles: content area teacher, advisor, lunch attendant (no cafeteria, lunch is in your room,) recess supervisor, "quest" facilitator (they pride themselves on Quest... on the website. Teachers constantly talk about how no one even knows what Quest actually is, and everyone is essentially just using it as a time filler.) They are constantly breaking rules and sweeping it under the rug. Every year there is a discussion on how they are committed to improving, then they retreat to their offices and leave teachers to deal with absolutely everything. The school is ten years in and JUST adopted an official curriculum for SOME subjects and grade levels, teachers are expected to plan every lesson prior to that with no guidance, even beginning teachers and no one was checking in on this, lesson plans are not even looked at or required. I was employed with them for more than one year and never formally observed - that's how committed they are to the quality of education provided. The real "lab way" is asking teachers to put on a front for parents, investors, and anyone else that is brought into the building via email prior to the visit, because they are very aware that there is no consistency or fulfillment of the image they portray in this building at all. Not to mention how bullying is dealt with - it isn't, even when it's racial. Did I mention that their grading policy allows for students to have no opportunity to fail, and if you try to hold them accountable for plagiarism or lack of effort, administration will override the grade on the report card to some random number? There is a fear of confrontation that leads to administration giving students and parents anything they ask for, even if that means throwing their teachers directly under the bus.
