Spain Park High School

The school has really gone downhill in the past four years; the administration could not care less about the students, and they run it like a prison. They don't care about students' opinions and input. For example, the cafeteria food is awful, but the students are not allowed to leave campus for lunch. They probably can't afford good food because they're buying iPads for the students. Just like at any school, there are some great and helpful teachers and many that are unhelpful and care only about getting work graded. The theater and arts programs are good, but some departments, such as science and English aren't very strong. As for the students, many are shallow and judgmental, so being different is hard. Bullying is an issue that the faculty and staff fail to address, especially when you don't fit in.
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at Spain Park. This is my fourth and final year and I can confidently say that the school has been in decline in the last four years. All they care about is beating our crosstown rivals, Hoover. This is a feat we almost never accomplish, academically and athletically. Having spoken to several of my Hoover friends, it is clear that their course offerings and general mood in school is much better than ours. The school almost has a military state feel to it. We are not even allowed to bring our phones to school! The teachers don't spend extra time helping you and you will be completly ignored if you don't fit in with the preppy crowd. Bullying is a constant problem here, especially with girls. Having seen both Hoover City Schools, I strongly urge you to send your kids to Hoover and not run into the same problems I have faced.
—Submitted by a student

I would just like to say that Spain Park, with the exception of a few awesome teachers, does not like originality. If you don't fit the mold or if you are an original, they will attempt to squash you like a bug. Also, despite the fact that Spain Park teachers (most, not all) act and say that they care and want you to succeed, they do not care as long as they get their grades in. If you fail, it is not their problem. It appears good on the surface, but be careful. Bullying is a huge problem, especially for the girls. They get picked on all the time by other girls. To everyone who is different: there are other people that are different, you just have to know where to look. However, Spain Park has excellent theater, band, and art programs.
—Submitted by a student

Excellent school. Both of my sons graduated from Spain Park and continued on to college without any problems. Spain Park prepared them well with rigorous academics and top quality athletic programs.
—Submitted by a parent

Ask anyone in the area about SPHS and they will tell you it is incredible. People, Administration, Students, Teachers, its all great. I love it.
—Submitted by a student

Great school! Very tough classes but will pay off in the long run
—Submitted by a student

Spain Park High School is a great school with emphasis on academics. Spain Park won two national Blue Ribbon Awards in 2008, Beautiful facilities. I couldn't ask for a better public school.
—Submitted by a parent

this school is awesome and i love it go JAGS
—Submitted by a student

An excellent school by far. Our principle tries his hardest to make this the best school possible, and so far he's done pretty good. He got us two Blue Ribbon awards!
—Submitted by a student

I am currently a freshman at Spain Park. At first I will have to admit that i found the school to be extremley boring and got home tired each day from running around the school so much, but now as the year has gone on I am beginning to enjoy it more and more. I feel safe at Spain Park and I know that it is a great school for academics as well as athletics.
—Submitted by a parent

Spain Park is a good school. Students feel safe and receive enough attention from faculty to learn. Academics are tough and students must put in extra study. The only drawback is when a student is unlucky enough to get a teacher who also coaches football. The teacher puts Football first and teaches a lack luster class.
—Submitted by a parent

Spain Park is an overall good school. Most teachers are at least nice, although some do not teach well enough so that every students understands. The principal, as like most principals in this area, is a bit obsessed with football. The arts at Spain Park are fantastic. The choir and band both compete and do well in competitions, but still are under-financed due to sports getting an abundance of money. AP classes tend to be OK, but some classes require self teaching. I wish the administration cared more about students and interacted more. Overall, the Spain Park experience can be good, if not great.
—Submitted by a student

I think Spain Park is the best school in Alabama. My daughter is a senior and she loves it. This is despite the fact that she has to struggle to keep up in her classes. Before, my daughter was in the Birmingham City School system and it was a nightmare. She learns more at Spain Park in one class than she learned in nine years in the Birmingham schools. The difference between Hoover schools and Birmingham schools is night and day. Spain Park is safe, clean, and has a beautiful campus. There my daughter shines. Spain Park treats all kids the same. I get upset about the way people criticize Mr. Broadway when they should judge him by the school he runs. Spain Park is the Best!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a current student at Spain Park, and I love it. I enjoy the majority of my teachers and classes, but as in any school there are exceptions. The administrators are fairly nice, but do a very poor job of being administrators. I find Spain Park a very safe and comfortable environment, but there are quite a number of ludacris rules that students cannot reasonably be expected to follow. In spite of its problems and administrator's outlandish decisions, I love Spain Park and enjoy the time that I spend there. I consider myself lucky to attend a school with such an incredible campus and am very grateful to have access to the outstanding facilities.
—Submitted by a student

Excellent academic programs. Some truly amazing teachers. Some not so good. Fine arts program is superior in both performing arts and visual arts. Strong athletics programs and facilities. Parent involvement is strong in some areas, weak in others. Prinicipal leadership is pitiful at best.
—Submitted by a teacher

I graduated last year... and it was horrible. When the school started the teachers were amazing and the climate was fun. Now however, they focus on things like dress code instead of actual learning. Most of the excellent teachers have left for better jobs. The only administration that attempted to help the students left. The school still has some amazing teachers but the atmosphere is extremely unpleasant.
—Submitted by a former student

I am a current freshman at spain park and to be real they dont even really care much for their students......Because once a student does anything wrong they most of the time just send them to crossroads instead of helping them, they are just trying to get rid of them to make their school look good and well displined........But it really isnt.......I hate going to school each morining....... And the adminstration is soo stressful they are always on somebodys case......So what im trying to say is that they need to inter act more with the students.....So we can help them find ways to make the school a better more enjoyable place to be!
—Submitted by a student

As a senior at Spain Park this has to be one of the worst years there. Spain Park is one of the most strict public schools in the state of Alabama. Some of the teachers are great, but most are terrible and usually have know idea how to teach or know what they are talking about.
—Submitted by Distraught Senior, a student

I am a current student at Spain Park, and I love all my teachers. The bulk of the teachers are really good. They are all ready to help any student that needs help.
—Submitted by a student

This is the 4th school year for the school The administration doesn't communicate with the teachers well. Most of the teaching staff are outstanding,intelligent,and caring men and women. Afew of the teachers run a class and interact with the students like they either hate what they are doing. My Student is in her 4th year and has had a very rewarding sports and academic experience.
—Submitted by Fletcher, a parent