Research Christian Alternative School public Schools in Birmingham, Alabama

“WJ Christian School is not the way people say it is. Can you imagine coming home and doing homework that takes 5 hours worth of completing? Well, i first attended wj christian in the 7th grade and the work load was horrible. We had projects from all of our 5 teachers, plus homework due from them also. Sometimes the projects from the teachers were due at the same time. Also, the majority of the middle school students, including me, were involved in school sports as well. How could we manage school sports, a ton of homework, and projects at the same time?”

“All 3 of my children went/go here, elementary thru middle, and I am pretty well-pleased with the education they have received here. [As a parent, former teacher, administrator and University instructor, I am no push-over.] Teaching staff is well above average, with some notable exceptions. They actually care about the kids, and are motivated in their teaching. The administration is competent, and the school very safe. If you are lazy (as a student or parent) you won't like this school, because it pushes students to learn (as a school should). I too believe students should be taught in class, and not have mounds of homework dumped on them for their parents to teach them at home. However, I find this to be a problem in general, when schools have poor teachers [not WJC] or huge class sizes. With some recent System problems, class sizes have risen here -- something to watch.”

“This school is unsatisfactory in every way. I might as well be home schooling my children , with 3-4 hours of homework every night and even a couple of 6 hour nights put in during the school year. The classes are over filled with students, so the teachers are running croud control all day instead of teaching and the ones that do teach are pulling their hair out and leaving. There are only two good teachers in this school, Mrs. Cammack and Mrs. Berry. God Bless”

“Both of my daughters attended WJC, one on the middle side and the other on the elementary. For both sides to be ran by the same administration, there were too many differences that led to miscommunications and problems. I think the school needs more qualified, caring teachers on the middle side. For them to be servicing the most 'gifted' middle schoolers throughout Birmingham, all of the teachers are not even qualified to know how to deal with gifted children. Some of the teachers where a disadvantage to the children. I'm glad that I sent them but, if I knew then what I know now, I would have pulled my children from the Birmingham city system.”

“I think the school is not what people think it is. This was my first year at Christian it was alright. even though the students are smart, the work seems unbearable. A sixth teacher, no name, gaves you tons of hard work, only not to grade it. Im going to 7th grade in August and the work is going to be even harder. I hope Christian gets better before school starts again.”

“This school is so far the best and still improving. They will be building a very needed gym soon. There are teachers like Mrs.Cammack that make that make students want to learn. Unfortunately more and more of the dedicated middle school teachers that keep hope alive are leaving and the school is left with even more unqualified teachers. The middle school has its problems but the elementary students are brilliant.If they want to maintain that it is best not to return to Christian Alternative.”

“Possibly the best elementary school in the City of Birmingham system, unfortunately it is underfunded and poorly managed by the current administration. There are some wonderful teachers left still teaching there, but others that are awful and causing top students to leave and go elsewhere. Very few parents are involved, but the ones that are are dedicated and do a great job. The library is totally inadequate, as is the gymnasium. Perhaps under better leadership Christian will make a turnaround and become what it once was.”

“This is a very challenging school for my eigth grade girl, but a great one. The teachers give trmendous support for the students, parents, and the school. It is great!”

“This school is not what it used to be. I attended from 2001-2004. This school has lost most of the best teachers in the middle school, though the elementary is good. Although this is your best bet in the city. It is just better to send your kids to school outside of the city. I guarantee you that this school dosen't offer an unforgettable education.”

“The education a child receives at Christian is something that he or she will never forget. There, you receive the proper care and comfort that is necessary to foster a productive learning environment.”

“One of the best public educations that a child in this state can receive!!”

“I know someone who recently graduated in 2003 and will gladly miss being at Christian Alternative. It was really a great experience for her being there.”