McCallum High School in Austin, Texas

“Diverse, engaged, passionate, fun!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“intelligent and concerned teaching staff”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Caring, smart teachers, accepting of all students, small enough so that students know almost everybody; great administration.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I believe you get out of school what you put into it and McCallum provides excellent opportunities for all students. My daughter is in AP classes and is a dance major in the Fine Arts Academy. She has wonderful teachers that are grooming her for college and teaching classes that I wish I could attend. The arts aspect of the school keep it funky, diversified, and more culturally advanced than any other school I know of in the area. I love McCallum.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My 2nd child to go to McCallum just started and loves it. Both boys were in the Fine Arts Academy and pre-AP/AP classes. They've had some outstanding teachers. Thanks to Ms. Adamson, Mr. Ferguson, and 'the Wiz'!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“McCallum needs a makeover! it is a very dirty school, and it feels uncomfortable to be there...”
This review was posted by a student.

“We moved here from a small town where teachers call you right a way if there is a problem or if your child creates one, also they will call you if your child seems to have difficulty in a subject and try to correct it with after school tutoring I don't see anything like this at McCullam High. I am a bit disappointed in this school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The Fine Arts academy is underfunded, but of the highest quality. Academically, if your children are not interested in the Academy or are not willing to take pre-AP classes, I'd look elsewhere. Discipline and substandard teachers are a problem in non-pre-AP classes. Good variety of extracurricular activities. Some great pre-AP teachers, others on the edge of burning out or focus mainly on state test scores. They stress diversity, but the fact is that that only happens in sports, the rest of the activities and academics are segregated. Communication with teachers and academic staff is slow and difficult. I fully support the Academy, I'm sorely disappointed in the rest.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“My daughter has been disappointed by the low quality of language instruction (Spanish). A number of the tests were multiple choice so they can be graded by 'Scantron'. She has been happy with and more challenged by her classes in English/literature and sciences. The Fine Arts Academy is a draw and has good programs, although the electives that would be in any high school - band, orchestra, dance/drill team - get more equipment, support and recognition than do the fine arts programs unique to McCallum, such as dance, classical guitar. It is the only fine arts high school program in the district. Some support staff are very helpful, while there are a few who do not treat students or parents with respect.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“McCallum is not only good for its diverse student body, but also for its wonderful teachers and staff.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I am ok with McCallum. It is not the best or the worse. It needs cosmetic help but what city school doesn't. I am not cool about some of the teacher who take student comments too personal and this leads to unprofessional behavoir from both. I feel that if you are going to teach then you have to be able to deal with the change student psyche and adjust to make a greater effort to help our young minds to achieve their goals. They are pressured enough and scared of the world lets not make them feel this at school. More math and science is truly needed here. I am 50/50 on McCallum and can wait to see how next year will unfold for my student.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“McCallum in a great school. It needs a little help as every school does, but the teachers care about students and work hard and the programs there are extremely varied. Any student can find a ton of things to be involved in and they have to be willing to work. I am proud of my school, I commute from three cities over to get there, and I wouldn't go anywhere else. This school has everything I need because I am willing to work.”
This review was posted by a student.

“This school is absolutely terrible. While some of the teachers do excel in their areas, others do not. I moved here from Alaska to attend the fine arts academy here at McCallum, simply to be disappointed by the terribly dirty facilities and unhelpful staff. The first day I was at McCallum, my first thought was 'this school smells terrible'. I realize that it is not well funded, but you would think we could afford some lysol! Personally, I think the parent-student communication is terrible as well, because many of the parents who have written here are sadly mistaken.”
This review was posted by a student.

“McCallum has a great fine arts academy and a wonderful english/social studies program. It's math and science are not as strong.”
This review was posted by a student.

“McCallum provides a high quality education”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I've been really impressed with the Fine Arts program here, the quality of the teachers and the quality of instruction. I'm disappointed my daughter doesn't get more one-on-one help when she's having trouble in academic classes, however. Kids who struggle with the basics in pre-AP classes are left in the dust, it seemed to me. Maybe they should have been transferred to regular classes to catch up. Most teachers are willing to give of their time tutoring kids before school and after class. My daughter didn't do as well or avoided group tutoring sessions after school because they replicated the conditions of the classroom environment rather than offering her one-on-one instruction, which I think she very much needed. After school activities are not varied, leaving kids few choices, and what general activities there are are not well publicized.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“One of the only truly well rounded and diverse schools in Austin, McCallum High School and Fine Arts Academy is a gem in AISD. Students from all over the city and state (and many countries) come to McCallum for its Fine Arts program. While not supported by the district financially, the Fine Arts Academy has a high level of success through the talented faculty and atmosphere of a campus that embraces the arts. While the most recognizable part, it's not the only special thing about McCallum. Some of the highest scores in the district on AP tests, a champion sports program, dozens of extracurricular organizations, low teacher turnover, strong parental and community support and involvement, and quality leadership. While often neglected by the powers of the school board, the school continues to be a successful campus through the years because of the students, faculty, and parents.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“The Fine Arts Academy classes are wonderful. The staff at this academy is first class. However, the school district has failed to provide adequate theater, dance, orchestra and art space/classrooms. Facilities tend to be dirty and run down. The regular high school has a top-notch English and Social Studies department 9th-12th. But, the science classes sorely lack rigor and relevance. One of the chemistry labs looks inadequate and sloppy. The technology classes are not adequate. Counselors are nice but not very well informed or willing to use technology to communicate with the community. Their information is sometimes dated. Parent involvement is high. This school does not graduate strong science and engineering or technology majors. Most kids end up loving the English and Social studies and Fine Arts subjects because of our award-winning teachers in that area. Race climate is good with staff and students and community. School size is small.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Fine arts academy, with an excellent focus on music, dance, and the arts.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“McCallum is a wonderful school with something for everybody. It has a reputation for tolerance. The principal is very hands on and accessible. He sems to have boundless energy and attends more extra-curricular activities than most principals in my experience. The campus has had a recent facelift, with an ongoing beautification campaign. New landscaping had made a huge difference. The principal is very goal oriented and works with parents and community leaders - I think that McCallum is already a very strong school but it will be very exciting to see where we are in two more years. We recently won $7000 as a Grammys in the School winner. One of our teachers recently won a $25,000 award from HEB as the top high school teacher in Texas. The English department is the strongest in the district. AP scores are high.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“McCallum High School is a Fine Arts Academy; therefore, a great deal of music and art opportunities exist at MAC that are not offered at most other schools. The level of parent involvement is very high with a group of parents who are extremely involved, supportive, proud of their school and caring with the faculty and staff. McCallum offers many Pre-AP courses and a fine education that is rigorous for all. The teachers are an outstanding group of caring educators who enjoy their students, provide a quality academic base and are motivated to improving test scores and individual progress.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“It is the worst high school in Texas. Very dirty, The teachers only give there studends work sheets and then the techer goes to there computer and sits there...then later gives a test on the pack *after the techer gave out all the answers* The teachers don't do a good job of teaching.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I attended McCallum for all for of my high school years, and found it to be more diverse than most schools in austin. There are many clubs nd organizations to join, too many to keep up with most of the time. The overall enviroment is a safe atmosphere, everyone looks out of each other even though at times it may not feel that way. I was very active in participating in extracurricular activities as a member of the drill team for three years and in marching and regular band of four years, track , lacross and sadd(students against drunk driving). This alone kept me focused on what my goals were outside of high school. The teacher take time out of their very busy day to help students in any and every way possible. They push you to achieve your best, when you feel you can't.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“As a parent I've been very impressed with the quality of the honors-level classes, with the exception of maybe two classes in the past two years. Two things that stand out about Mac HS - 1. that all students are encouraged to be themselves and frankly I think the Fine Arts Academy enhances that openness and acceptance of individuals. 2. the amount of parent involvement, even parents whose kids have graduated are still involved! It's really a gem of an inner-city urban school...”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I went to McCallum for 2 years and found it to be mediocre at best. There is noticeable segregation with most minority and poor students in regular courses and white and upper class students filling the AP and Honors classes. Half of the teachers are dedicated and wonderful but the other half seems to dislike teaching, case in point: the coaches who taught me biology and other sciences. Too much of the curriculum is busy work which consists of copying from books onto worksheets, and teaching to tests such as TAAS practice (a test meant to evaluate what you know, not how prepared you are to take a standardized test.) The counselors are bogged down with schedules and have no time to actually counsel students, outside of what class to take. I did well at McCallum academically but not because of the school itself, I give it 2 stars.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I'm a student at McCallum, and there is such great diversity here. Nobody really judges anybody else so people are free to be their own person without the fear of being left out or something. It's great”
This review was posted by a student.