S.W.H.S

 

Southwest High School opened in 1976 in Jacksonville, NC. Now, in 2024, the school, like plenty of other schools around America, faces extremely problematic situations on a daily basis. I am here today to tell you about the problems with this school. Either between the students, teachers, or the quality of this school, there are plenty of things that are wrong.

 

Teachers

Just like every student, every teacher is different. I’m here to tell you about the teachers who represent Southwest High School. On March 17, 2022, a teacher disrespected a student and threatened her. Camiayiah Josey recorded the teacher threatening her. That is not the first or the last time this will happen at Southwest High School Onslow. 

Source:ENC teacher resigns after classroom outburst, student who recorded it speaks out (wcti12.com)

There are plenty of cases of “accidents” like this that happen at Southwest High School to this day. Students are being cursed at, students are being threatened by ADULT, TEACHERS, who feel they have the authority to do so. Multiple students and parents complain almost daily, and still, NO change has been rarely shown by the staff members. Teachers act IMMATURE towards students, joking about their situations, and acting like BULLIES towards their students. Some have even gone as far as being perverted, making very NSFW comments towards students. Teachers have also threatened students, and some have PHYSICALLY touched students, assaulting them. Teachers disrespect students AGAIN and AGAIN, and students are defenseless. Even if the admins have been told about these occurrences, they say it will be dealt with “privately”, but most of the time never was. Teachers and Staff have their favorite among students and seem only to be willing to help certain students that fit into their standards. Even after watching a teacher get fired for such actions, they continue to do it.

 

Racism.

There are 702 students at SW, with that being said 42% are minorities. Every day, some of the minorities have to deal with racism, bullying, and derogatory terms just because they’re a different race, something they can’t control. Even then, Some teachers have made racist comments towards students, and will say “It’s just a joke”. Students have no one to turn to, the admin will say they’ll talk to the aggressor, but these comments and jokes never stop. Hard Rs being written in the bathroom stalls, and students calling other students derogatory terms daily. There are plenty of students who feel uncomfortable going to SW, just because of comments being said to them by other students that isn’t ok. 

Source: Southwest High School in Jacksonville NC - SchoolDigger

 

Academics.

Southwest High School is also falling behind academically, with 702 students, 54% are academically disadvantaged. Some students feel overwhelmed by their work, or not understanding it. Once you fall behind in class, it starts getting harder and harder to catch up. Teachers also complain about grading work daily, but continue to give out assignments a lot of students struggle with. Students now don’t want to learn about the subject they’re in, but just want to get the work turned in so they don’t fail. The school even had to “remove” some teachers because a lot of students were failing in their classes. A lot of students have also been failing tests, struggling, even while they're trying their hardest. Southwest has below 50% test scores in all math, English, and science. 

Source: Southwest High School Test Scores and Academics - Niche

School Quality.

The quality of the school is just as bad. Roaches are in every classroom, and desks randomly breaking and falling apart. Lunch tables are old, one broke while a student was sitting on it in 2023. Students and Parents are paying these fees, but where is the money going too? Equipment in every part of SW seems to be falling behind. Eventually, the school will have nothing left. It also seems like the budget isn’t very high for the school, mostly due to its poor quality.

Students.

A Lot of the students are struggling. Some have to deal with bullying they’ll know that’ll never change because the staff does NOTHING to enforce certain rules, they care more about phones and hoodies, over fights and bickering. In 2024, a student got into an altercation which led to their head being split open, and her being rushed to the hospital. A lot of students end up falling asleep in class with no engagement. A lot of students are fighting mental problems, and some teachers take note of this but do anything to help them out. Students have complained, and complained, and rarely anything has changed. Students are TIRED of the way they’re being treated as if they’re not even human.