History Main / SuckySchool

** The staff isn't much better, with a principal who places bets on fights between the students and drags his personal problems into the school. The faculty openly allows bullying and the gym teacher requires his female students to kiss him at the end of class.

* ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'': Tom Landry Middle School shows budget and policy issues that reflect the real-life public school system whenever it's brought up by Principal Moss. Examples include a shop class converted into a study room when the school couldn't afford a substitute teacher or equipment, Bunsen burners that aren't hooked up to a gas line, and newly published Texas history textbooks that tell nothing significant about the history of Texas.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheMightyB'': Honeybee Academy is led by Mrs. Gibbons, who makes budget cuts, encourages bullying (especially when [[ButtMonkey Bessie]] is involved), and is barely able to perform her duties.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'': Lawndale High School, where the paranoid principal, Ms. Li, regularly siphons off funding intended for education into elaborate, expensive, and unnecessary security and surveillance systems. She then attempts to make up the shortfall with dodgy get-rich-quick schemes and bogus sponsorship deals. All new pupils are psychologically screened, the teaching staff tends towards being either sugary idealists or burnt-out basket cases with deep-seated personal issues, and extremely bright pupils are mistrusted as they tend to ask awkward questions. Daria Morgendorffer fits as well as a fish on a bicycle, and everyone, including her, knows it.

** Pearl Bailey High School is run by a perverted, psychotic, drug-addicted mad man who among other things encourages his students to fight, carries guns on school grounds, drinks, and openly asks for sex from his subordinates. While he is the worst example, the teachers themselves aren't above having sex with frogs and gang-attacking students. The football and baseball coach got the wrestling program cancelled by raping his athletes. You'll notice the program is gone ''but the coach isn't.''

** Groff Community College was always treated as a joke school (tuition is less than $50 a semester) but as the series went on, it became this to the nth degree. The computer lab is a small room with one outdated 90's era desktop, it pays so low all staff and administration need second jobs, some of the professors don't know what class they are teaching until they look at the syllabus, and the most famous alumni is a serial killer.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': Springfield Elementary is regularly noted to be on a shoestring budget, mostly due to Principal Skinner (a Vietnam vet who still has flashbacks of the war and lives with his [[MyBelovedSmother controlling mother]]) slashing the budget to the point that the kids drink "malk" and the meat is "Grade F". The teachers also run the mill between apathetic, incompetent or otherwise very controlling; the few good teachers tend to either be temporary substitutes or get driven out one way or another. The occasional substitute teacher that is a [[TyrantTakesTheHelm tyrannical asshole]] also tends to arrive. Skinner also believes that almost none of the students have any future whatsoever and constantly tries to maintain discipline by [[HopeCrusher bringing down their spirits]] and moulding them into a future of mediocrity and conformism.

* ''WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy'': Peach Creek Junior High, where the staff not only ignores bullying but [[SelectiveEnforcement punishes students]] [[FelonyMisdemeanor over minor offenses]] [[MisplacedRetribution beyond their control]].

* ''Literature/{{Carrie}}'': Ewen High School is fucking horrible. All of the popular girls are [[{{Jerkass}} quite vicious]] and like to [[KickTheDog make Carrie's life miserable]] [[FeelingOppressedByTheirExistence just because she's weird and uncool]]. That said, [[AlphaBitch Chris]] seems to be the most responsible for all this, and it's implied not all of the other girls are horrible people and are mainly just afraid of what Chris will do to them if they dare stand up for Carrie.
* ''Literature/DiaryOfAWimpyKid'': The unnamed middle school Greg attends, which is so inadequately funded that it lacks heating systems. The teachers also tend to be either overly strict or straight-up incompetent. Due of the stupidity of the students, the playground equipment has been recalled. The rules are so tight that it forbidden to simply ''sit down'' or play tag during recess.

* ''Literature/DiaryOfAWimpyKid'': The unnamed middle school Greg attends, which is so inadequately funded that it lacks heating systems. The teachers also tend to be either overly strict or straight-up incompetent. Due of the stupidity of the students, the playground equipment has been recalled; the rules are so tight that it forbidden to simply ''sit down'' or play tag during recess.

* ''Literature/DiaryOfAWimpyKid'': The unnamed middle school Greg attends, which is so inadequately funded that it lacks heating systems. Additionally, the instructors are frequently overly strict or straight-up incompetent. Due of the stupidity of the students, the playground equipment has been recalled; the rules are so tight that it is not permitted to simply ''sit down'' or play tag during recess.

* ''Literature/DiaryOfAWimpyKid'': The unnamed middle school Greg attends is this, being underfunded to the point of a lack of heating systems. The teachers are also typically overly strict or straight-up incompetent. The playground equipment has been recalled because of the stupidity of the students and the regulations are so strict that it is forbidden to simply ''sit down'' or play tag during recess.

* ''Literature/DiaryOfAWimpyKid'': The unnamed middle school Greg attends is this. The teachers are typically overly strict or straight-up incompetent, the playground equipment has been recalled due to the stupidity of the students, and the regulations are so severe that it is forbidden to simply ''sit down'' or play tag during recess. Not to mention that there is no funding for heating systems.

* ''Literature/DiaryOfAWimpyKid'': The unnamed middle school Greg attends is this. The teachers are typically overly strict or straight-up incompetent, the playground equipment has been recalled due to the stupidity of the students, and the regulations are so severe that it is forbidden to simply ''sit down'' or play tag during recess. In addition, there is almost no funding for heating systems.

* ''Literature/DiaryOfAWimpyKid'': The unnamed middle school Greg attends is this. There is almost no funding for heating systems, bullying tends to be unregulated, the teachers are typically overly strict or straight-up incompetent, all of the playground equipment is recalled as a result of the stupidity of the students, and the regulations are so severe that students are forbidden from ''sitting down'' or playing tag during recess.

* ''Literature/{{Carrie}}'': Ewen High School is fucking horrible. All of the popular girls are [[{{Jerkass}} quite vicious]] and like to [[KickTheDog make Carrie's life miserable]] [[FeelingOppressedByTheirExistence just because she's weird and uncool.]] That said, [[AlphaBitch Chris]] seems to be the most responsible for all this, and it's implied not all of the other girls are horrible people and are mainly just afraid of what Chris will do to them if they dare stand up for Carrie.

* ''WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButthead'': Highland High School. The principal is an [[TheAlcoholic alcoholic]] NervousWreck who abuses his power by threatening the lives of a couple of his students and even humiliating them. The teachers also tend to be either abusive, indifferent, or very misguided. Not to mention that the school is constantly vandalized by the titular duo, either [[ChaoticStupid by accident]] or [[ItAmusedMe for their own amusement]]. In fact, it is revealed in the episode "School Test" that their stupidity and poor performance has brought the school into significant debt.

* ''WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButthead'': Highland High School. The principal is an [[TheAlcoholic alcoholic]] NervousWreck who abuses his power by threatening the lives of a couple of his students and even humiliating them. The teachers also tend to be either abusive, indifferent, or very misguided. Not to mention that the titular duo frequently vandalize the school, either [[ChaoticStupid by accident]] or [[ItAmusedMe for their own amusement]]. In fact, it is revealed in the episode "School Test" that due to their stupidity and poor performance, the school has suffered significant debt.

* ''WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButthead'': Highland High School. The principal is an [[TheAlcoholic alcoholic]] NervousWreck who abuses his power by threatening the lives of a couple of his students and even humiliating them. The teachers also frequently exhibit aggressive, intolerable, or very misguided behavior. Not to mention that the titular duo frequently vandalize the school, either [[ChaoticStupid by accident]] or [[ItAmusedMe for their own amusement]]. In fact, it is revealed in the episode "School Test" that due to their stupidity and poor performance, the school has suffered significant debt.

* ''WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButthead'': Highland High School. The principal is an [[TheAlcoholic alcoholic]] NervousWreck who abuses his power by threatening the lives of a couple of his students and even humiliating them. The teachers also frequently exhibit aggressive, intolerable, or very misguided behavior. Not to mention that the titular duo frequently vandalize the school, either [[ChaoticStupid by accident]] or [[ItAmusedMe for their own amusement]]. In fact, it is shown in the episode "School Test" that due to their stupidity and poor performance, the school has suffered significant debt.

The opposite of ElaborateUniversityHigh, a school that isn't very good at teaching because of budget issues. Expect the textbooks and the technology to be massively out of date and have Cold War-era information at best. It may or may not be an AssimilationAcademy. The school is often full of [[SadistTeacher ridiculously mean teachers]], [[TheBully bullies]] of [[EqualOpportunityEvil all races, colors, creeds, and social backgrounds,]] [[FoulCafeteriaFood practically inedible lunch food]], and it's all run by an [[DeanBitterman even worse principal]]. The trope is often used to satirize or dramatize how horrible the public school system is (especially if this trope is used in an American work, as parents and adults worrying over the quality of children's education is a major issue). JuniorHigh in particular is a common target of derision, leading to the idea that MiddleSchoolIsMiserable.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': Springfield Elementary is frequently reported to operate on a shoestring budget, largely as a result of Principal Skinner (a Vietnam vet who still experiences flashbacks from the war and lives with his [[MyBelovedSmother domineering mother]]) slashing the budget to the point that the children drink "malk" and the meat is "Grade F". The teachers also range from apathetic, incompetent, or otherwise very controlling; the few good teachers typically end up being temporary substitutes or being driven out in one way or another. It also frequently happens to have a [[TyrantTakesTheHelm tyrannical asshole]] as a substitute teacher. Additionally, Skinner believes that almost none of the students have any future whatsoever and constantly tries to maintain discipline by [[HopeCrusher bringing down their spirits]] and moulding them into a future of mediocrity and conformism.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': Springfield Elementary is frequently reported to operate on a shoestring budget, largely as a result of Principal Skinner (a Vietnam veteran who still experiences flashbacks from the war and lives with his [[MyBelovedSmother domineering mother]]) lowering the budget to the point that the children drink "malk" and the meat is "Grade F". The teachers also range from apathetic, incompetent, or otherwise excessively controlling; the few good teachers typically end up being temporary substitutes or being driven out in one way or another. It also frequently happens to have a [[TyrantTakesTheHelm tyrannical asshole]] as a substitute teacher. Additionally, Skinner believes that almost none of the students have any future whatsoever and frequently tries to maintain discipline by [[HopeCrusher bringing down their spirits]] and moulding them into a future of mediocrity and conformism.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': Springfield Elementary is frequently reported to operate on a tight budget, largely as a result of Principal Skinner (a Vietnam veteran who still experiences flashbacks from the war and lives with his [[MyBelovedSmother domineering mother]]) lowering the budget to the point that the children drink "malk" and the meat is "Grade F". The teachers also range from apathetic, incompetent, or otherwise excessively controlling; the few good teachers typically end up being temporary substitutes or being driven out in one way or another. It also frequently happens to have a [[TyrantTakesTheHelm tyrannical asshole]] as a substitute teacher. Additionally, Skinner believes that almost none of the students have any future whatsoever and frequently tries to maintain discipline by [[HopeCrusher bringing down their spirits]] and moulding them into a future of mediocrity and conformism.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': Springfield Elementary is frequently reported to operate on a tight budget, largely as a result of Principal Skinner (a Vietnam veteran who still experiences flashbacks from the war and lives with his [[MyBelovedSmother domineering mother]]) lowering the budget to the point that the children drink "malk" and the meat is "Grade F". The teachers also range from apathetic, incompetent, or otherwise excessively controlling; the few good teachers typically end up being temporary substitutes or being driven out in one way or another. It also frequently happens to have a [[TyrantTakesTheHelm tyrannical asshole]] as a substitute teacher. Additionally, Skinner maintains discipline by constantly [[HopeCrusher working to lower kids' spirits]] and shape them into futures of mediocrity and conformism due to his belief that virtually none of the students have any other kind of future whatsoever.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': Springfield Elementary is frequently reported to operate on a tight budget, largely as a result of Principal Skinner (a Vietnam veteran who still experiences flashbacks from the war and lives with his [[MyBelovedSmother domineering mother]]) lowering the budget to the point that the children drink "malk" and the meat is "Grade F". The teachers also range from apathetic, incompetent, or otherwise excessively controlling; the few good teachers typically end up being temporary substitutes or being driven out in one way or another. It also frequently happens to have a tyrannical asshole as a substitute teacher. Additionally, Skinner maintains discipline by constantly [[HopeCrusher working to lower kids' spirits]] and shape them into futures of mediocrity and conformism due to his belief that virtually none of the students have any other kind of future.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheMightyB'': Honeybee Academy is run by Mrs. Gibbons, who encourages bullying (especially where [[ButtMonkey Bessie]] is concerned), makes budget cuts, and is barely capable of doing her job.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'': Springfield Elementary is regularly noted to be on a shoestring budget, mostly due to Principal Skinner (a Vietnam vet who still has flashbacks of the war and lives with his [[MyBelovedSmother controlling mother]]) slashing the budget to the point that the kids drink "malk" and the meat is "Grade F". The teachers also run the mill between apathetic, incompetent or otherwise very controlling; the few good teachers tend to either be temporary substitutes or get driven out one way or another. The occasional substitute teacher that is a [[TyrantTakesTheHelm tyrannical asshole]] also tends to arrive. Skinner also believes that almost none of the students have any future whatsoever and constantly tries to maintain discipline by [[HopeCrusher bringing down their spirits]] and moulding them into a future of mediocrity and conformism.

* ''WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButthead'': Highland High School. The principal is an [[TheAlcoholic alcoholic]] NervousWreck who abuses his position by sending death threats and even humiliating a couple of his students. The teachers also tend to be either abusive, intolerant, or very misguided. Not to mention that the school constantly gets vandalized by the titular duo, either [[ChaoticStupid by accident]] or [[ItAmusedMe for their amusement]]. In fact, it is revealed in the episode "School Test" that their stupidity and underachievement have resulted in the school going into major debt.

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The InnerCitySchool is often the victim of this trope. The BoardingSchoolOfHorrors is even worse, especially because you have to live there. A DustbinSchool often overlaps with this. Contrast the CoolSchool, where even if it's not all sunshine and rainbows, it's well worth it. See the PhonyDegree trope when the Sucky School is a college that's little more than a diploma mill. Faculty may include the SadistTeacher, SternTeacher, ApatheticTeacher, EvilTeacher, EvilPrincipal, DeanBitterman, and CrustyCaretaker. See also DaycareNightmare, for even younger characters.

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* ''WesternAnimation/BeavisAndButthead'': Highland High School. The principal is an [[TheAlcoholic alcoholic]] NervousWreck who abuses his position by sending death threats and even humiliating a couple of his students. Teachers also tend to be either abusive, intolerant, or very misguided. Not to mention that the school constantly gets vandalized by the titular duo, either [[ChaoticStupid by accident]] or [[ItAmusedMe for their amusement]]. In fact, it is revealed in the episode "School Test" that their stupidity and underachievement have resulted in the school going into major debt.