Pros
The campus I work at is Tier 1 & the community definitely shows that. The students are rowdy, kind, and curious kids. The adults are dedicated and hard working. Nearly everyone is willing to lend a helping hand in some way. This is definitely a data-driven school that is dedicated to doing well and seeing their scholars succeed. Some of the most rewarding moments were during the Tier 1 celebration, during spirit week, in school-wide assemblies, and in classroom incentives. The great thing about this school is that many students care about each other and they care about you too. Parent involvement is very high
Cons
Friendship is a highly rigorous school for students AND staff members. As a teacher, I have spent many hours tracking data, modifying work, tailoring instruction, assessing the students, and more every week. It is a method that has yielded results, but its also a method that relies on a constant appraisal of the situation and changes to reflect that. It a ton of work & often piles on top of the teachers' shoulders. There is an incredible pressure to see student success & incredible focus on reaching and remaining Tier 1. This is not necessarily a bad thing but can be daunting when first joining a campus. Friendship, while an excellent school, is incredibly cliquy as a staff member. There are definitely niche groups that individuals can have difficulty joining. Coworkers and leadership often expect a certain response without being absolutely clear on what they expecting. Orders and requests are often phrased as suggestions or advice. Parents are very involved, which can be both good and bad, depending on the day.