Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute

I am a teacher at GPCI. We are an extrememly competitive school and a school that is driven to be the best in the district. I can not believe that any teacher here at GPCi woud encourage a student to work below their level. It is preposterous. While the waiver days are a reality- much of that has to do with the district decisions. Our students are involved with a variety of activities, competitions, projects etc. For example- every student particiapted in the National History Day by researching projects over a variety of subjects. We expect a lot from our students, but we also expect a lot from the teachers. It is important to add that GPCI received all 7 distinctions from the state last year (a feat that is not to be shrugged off). GPCI is a comeptitive, academic environment with an amazing principal at our helm. I'm sorry the reviewer had such a negative experience, but I assure you- we would never encourage a student to perform below his/her ability for a curve.

My experience at this school for the 2015-2016 school year is leading me to look at new schools already within the first half of the year. My son has been encouraged to reduce the quality of his work by the teachers so that it would not negatively impact the grading curve. When I discussed this with 3 different teachers he has, I was informed that his grade was removed or placed as an outlier so that it didn't affect the students averages. My son is also given "free days" where he is allowed to stay home when they are taking tests because his scores are already above the school average; this is a policy I have never seen before at any school. On multiple events I have also had to have discussions with teachers because religions has repeatedly seeped into the classroom. While I do not had a strong issue with religion being discussed I do have issue with a teacher directly telling my child evolution is not fact and creationism is fact. While I understand that in Texas, Christianity is held in a high regard I don't feel it's the right of a teacher to disregard the potential other religions or teachings parents may have instilled at home regarding religion or scientific fact. I would caution new parents to be careful, the school does cater to "at risk youth", this is directly viewable on their charter website. While my child has not complained of bullying, racial slurs are constantly utilized on a regular basis and he has complained that the environment is unhealthy in that regard.