Minarets High School

1. Minarets High School Year-End Feedback

2. here is what our students had to say:

3. students rate their overall experience: 84% said their overall experience was as an 8 - 10 on a scale from 1 -10 with 10 being the highest.

4. students rate treatment from teachers: 95% rated how they were treated by their teachers as an 8 - 10 on a scale from 1 -10 with 10 being the highest.

5. students rate their growth this year: 88% said their growth as a person was as an 8 - 10 on a scale from 1 -10 with 10 being the highest.

6. student rate their improvement this year: 90% rated their overall improvement as a person as an 8 - 10 on a scale from 1 -10 with 10 being the highest.

7. students compare Minarets to other high schools: 96% rated Minarets, as it compares to other high schools, as an 8 - 10 on a scale from 1 -10 with 10 being the highest.

8. students discuss progress in many areas: 90% and more said they made new friends, learned new skills, became more confident, and became more professional.

9. student quotes “I like all of the amazing opportunities I have here. I can record, write and perform. My career is already being fulfilled here. I'm so happy to say that.” - Jamin Baker “I appreciate everything; from the computers to the students. It's a unique school with a unique staff and student body to match. Whether you're an athlete, musician, artist, aggie, or a self-proclaimed geek, you are accepted here. Because of people's constant habit of surprising us, we do not judge what we first see in a person.” - Jessie Evans “I appreciate that our school welcomes the new age and the future. I appreciate that it values our ideas and opinions. And I appreciate that our school teaches us skills that are honestly relevant to our future, rather than meandering over old concepts and continually hammering the same useless ideas into our brain.” - Jack Sanders “The students here are all great. We all want the same thing for this school. We want this school to be different from others; technology wise and the way we treat each other. No body here wants bullies or drama. It's just amazing!” - Rachel Olivas

10. student quotes “I love how all of the teachers and students are really friendly. I also really appreciate the freedom that we are given. The teachers trust us enough to let us have laptops and work on huge projects.” - Emma Delk “It's not the laptops that makes Minarets special. It’s the staff and the students and how everyone treats people. Everyone is professional and ready for college because the way the teachers teach is way different then how other teachers teach.” - Eddie Martinez “I believe Minarets is special because it gives us opportunities and listens to what we have to say. I have really enjoyed being here! I'm so happy because we are so lucky! We are lucky for this beautiful campus, staff and support.” - Effie Velasco “Most people would say that just because Minarets has laptops it is unique and special. But there is so much more. Minarets has a great staff that is extremely supportive. They encourage us students to try new things and enjoy what we’re doing. Minarets is a different kind of high school.” – Heather Reichard

11. student quotes “I really appreciate how the students here are treated by the staff members and how we are treated by the other students. I also love how everybody knows your name and who you are. I also really enjoy the interesting projects that Minarets provides for us.” – Katy Prather “I really like the fact that the teachers take time out of their day to help us individually. I also like the fact that our principal does pretty much everything possible to make sure your are okay and doing well even if it gets on our last nerve. It’s appreciated.” – Kylie Sherman “The teachers here are actual people, not just Charlie Brown characters saying ‘wah wah, wah wah wah wah. Wah!’ They aren't just these people that come in, teach, give us homework, and go away, only talking to us if we're being loud or off task. They actually have a presence and I don't know if they know how much we appreciate it.” - Lindsay Soares “I appreciate EVERYTHING. The teachers are respectful and they care. Trust. This school is all about trust and I really appreciate it. Most of all, I appreciate the teachers and students and their wonderful happy faces.” - Natori Hatfield

12. student quotes “You can really be you here at Minarets. Everyone here is so accepting, it’s amazing. This is so unlike all the other high schools out there. It’s an overall amazing place to get to come to school everyday. I don’t dread getting up and going to school anymore. It’s now something I look forward to. It’s not just a school either, it’s a family.” - Ashley McSwain “There are so many thing about Minarets that are unique it would take days to write them all down. There is the technology, the community, the student run aspect and so much more !!!!!!!!” - Anne Marie Spencer “The laptops make it so that it's more research related on a much wider scale than other schools. We can be assigned to give a report on something that we don't have in a textbook and finish it in class. It is very efficient.” – Albert Vela “I appreciate how they embrace your dreams and how it is a safe/fun environment here. They want you to be yourself here and work hard, but still mix in some fun.” - Caitlin Porter

13. student quotes “This school is just a pure gift from God. I am treated so well from everyone and I love how I don't have to worry about what other people think about me.” – Danielle Reimer “I like that all of the teachers actually help you when you need it. This is just an amazing place to be and there’s nowhere else I would rather be..” – Aaron Allen “All of the teachers are great and the staff are amazing. Since I came to this school, things have been going great and my grades have improved big time. I love the way that the teachers act when they teach the students and the trust that the teachers have for the students.” - Austin Deardeuff “I like the fact that the staff respects that we are teens and individuals. They treat us as a friend/family. It means a lot knowing I can talk to a teacher about things that seem impossible to talk about.” - Amber Kelleher

14. here is what our parents had to say:

15. parents comment on academic growth: 83% rated their student’s overall academic growth as an 8 - 10 on a scale from 1 -10 with 10 being the highest.

16. parents comment on overall experience: 96% rated their student’s overall experience as an 8 - 10 on a scale from 1 -10 with 10 being the highest.

17. parents comment on overall happiness: 94% rated their student’s overall happiness and enthusiasm as an 8 - 10 on a scale from 1 -10 with 10 being the highest.

18. parents comment on teachers’ customer service: 90% rated the teachers’ customer service as an 8 - 10 on a scale from 1 -10 with 10 being the highest.

19. parents comment on the principal’s customer service: 96% rated the principal’s customer service as an 8 - 10 on a scale from 1 -10 with 10 being the highest.

20. parents comment on how unique and special we are: 94% rated how unique and special Minarets is as an 8 - 10 on a scale from 1 -10 with 10 being the highest.

21. parents comment on opportunity for input: 90% rated their opportunity for input as an 8 - 10 on a scale from 1 -10 with 10 being the highest.

22. parents comment on connectivity with the staff: 97% rated their students relationships and connectivity with the staff as an 8 - 10 on a scale from 1 -10 with 10 being the highest.

23. parent quotes “The excitement I see in my son James' eyes EACH AND EVERY DAY -- when I am taking him to school --- is priceless!” - Deone Gonzalez “I greatly appreciate the ‘forward thinking’ of the Minarets staff and students. As a freshman, my son has been contacted by universities and, therefore, he is already thinking about his college and career goals.” - Therese Righter

24. parent quotes “Marshall has been given some wonderful opportunities this year that he may have not received anywhere else and that has been most gratifying. We hope that he continues to grow.” - Kristine Lewis “I appreciate the genuine interest the staff takes in each student. Nobody is a number and everybody has value.” - Melissa McCrery

25. parent quotes “I’ve enjoyed watching my child thrive through the care, attention and respect the staff have shown her. I love the longer classroom time, while the approach to less homework is always a good thing. Finally, I really like the atmosphere on campus, these kids are really enjoying their time with you. It shows in attitude at home and the smiles around campus. ” - Sarah Goodfellow “My daughter gets to spend each school day with fellow students and faculty who are all happy and excited and inspired to be there every day. I like being able to give and receive feedback from all the levels of administration and faculty regarding my daughter, her progress and the development of the schools programs.” - Nina Powell

26. parent quotes “I am so impressed that the students are given the opportunity to have imput in their education. When my daughter said that she was concerned about what college classes were like, a field trip was arranged for her to go to Fresno State and sit in on some classes. We've experienced other schools where they claim to have the students best interests as the top priority, but at Minarets, it's TRUE! I do not believe that we would have found a better school for our children to attend anywhere. ” - Marti Parodi “The strong philosophy of the school is that the students are encouraged to take ownership of their high school experience. I like that this important time is for them to develop the knowledge and skills they will use very soon in life.” - Kim Soares

27. parent quotes “It's always a blast to see people's reactions when we explain how Minarets works. Most are in disbelief and amazement. It's awesome to share in part something so revolutionary and unique! Our family had planned to move but opted to stay because our daughter felt so strongly about attending Minarets. It is a decision we have never regretted.” - Sadie Wilson “The students have a voice and are heard in this enviornment. The students feel like they are an individual person and not a number. I appreciate they family feel of the school, where the staff and students are very close, caring and respectful of one another.” - Carla Baker

28. parent quotes “I think it’s great the kids are given time to be creative. Also, they are expected to be responsible and entrusted with tasks that will help them as an adult. They are being trained to present themselves in a professional manner. ” - Christy Knight