Vernon Barford Junior High School - Edmonton, Alberta

Red1269 _.

School administrators are not transparent in the slightest when making decisions affecting students (i.e. implementing new rules). I also have reason to believe that they have spread misinformation to the student body and they refused to answer my questions when I reached out to them via email. Very little has been done about bullying at this school, as racial slurs and other overly derogatory words are commonplace, and backpacks are soon to be banned during school hours, so that's just great. The school itself is not particularly exceptional, there are only two options for language classes (French and Spanish) and there isn't even a student council. Do not send your child here.

Here L. T. N.

the situation at this school is genuinely so bad. socially it's in shambles - rampant and constant bullying, which, while prevalent acros schools, the problem here is that NO ONE DEALS WITH IT. at all. one friend of mine reported bullying incidents four separate times in the span of a few months and not a single one was resolved.

staff also have no regard for student well-being, especially regarding the recent backpack ban. they are refusing to hear students out, and refusing to even be clear on why things happen - they are literally lying, claiming things like "students brought in illicit substances" or that "all high schools have the ban", when neither are true.

also, teachers show pretty blatant favouritism, especially the gym teachers. ms park, i'm calling you out right now. don't talk to me about showing leadership. you can't give me 2.5s when i'm trying my hardest, while my classmates who are trying equally hard get straight 4s

not a good place for kids.

brendan C.

"Out of Odrer Due to Valdalism" (no that is not a typo). The sign that was posted on the male washrooms for almost the entire year. You basically couldn't use the washrooms while I was here, because the students were miserable individuals. Hopefully this changes. The teachers were all amazing though, but a few of the best have left already.

Also Mr. Wong taught us so much in half a year as a substitute, that I made it through grade 10 with a 98% without learning anything new.

And I think the rest would be the usual teacher shoutouts you find scrolling through the reviews.

Anastasia

This school is not a good place to enroll your kids and I would definitely hesitate sending your kids here. The cleanliness in the school is horrible, washrooms, hallways, classrooms, everywhere. The washrooms get vandalized often, I mean, can my kid even use the washroom without being grossed out? Teachers are average and nothing special really. Many bullying instances but nothing helpful or useful done about it. Lack of manners is very common too among the students as well as inappropriate language. And there are no cameras. Lastly there is not even a cafeteria. During lunch kids are sitting on the floor or just benches having to eat off their laps to the point where you can't even walk through the hallways because it's so crowded. This is firstly very unsanitary but also why are they not providing the kids a proper table to sit down with their friends to converse at? Absolutely baffling. All I have to say. Honestly there's even more but to sum it up definitely would not sent my kids here.

bald.armadillo

All schools deal with bullying, but at Vernon Barford it's so normalized that when someone says that you talk too much you say thank you, because that's the closet to a compliment you're getting.You know it's bad though when one of your teachers calls all the brown students in her class walnuts. I'd expect that from a 14 year old but my teacher was 3 times that...I've never been able to look at a walnut the same since, so thanks for that! If you're looking for an experience so traumatizing it haunts your dreams at night I definitely think this is the school for you!!

Sal M.

Horrible school, vandalism, no one listening to student body, everyone being bullied, stolen stuff. It is awful

Idyllic S.

Lack of teachers caring, vandalism, bullying & discrimination, student opinions are not heard, different learning styles are not accommodated well.

Aya I.

In 2014 Both of my twin girls attended this school, and academically, I have nothing but positive feedback. As newcomers to Canada in our second year here, the teachers helped them quickly catch up, especially in English, and excel in other subjects. Now, my daughters are pursuing medical school. While there were some concerns about student safety and bullying, they were minimal compared to other schools. Overall, it's a great school.