Murphy High School

We took our son out of our district just to attend the IB program here. It was the worst thing we ever did to him. No need to bore you with details. Let me just summarize by saying this school is not a school but a big juvenile detention center, and the IB program is basically a pathetic attempt at beautification. The administration is so overwhelmed that they cannot be bothered with the needs of students who are NOT getting into trouble. There are a few good teachers, but not enough to make it worthwhile. Don't waste a single day of your child's youth, as we had. Avoid this school at all costs.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent. My husband and I attended Murphy High School and our four sons have, as well. They were all AP students. We chose not to participate in the IB program because we wanted a better rounded high school experience. The oldest three received scholarships and have completed their college degrees and the third is on a full scholarship (32 on ACT). I must caution incoming students, however, about the lack of concern the counselors and AP teachers have for getting their students the college credits they are promised. Our youngest took English as dual enrollment. When he got to college he was told the school did not enroll him in the first semester of the course. So, the college did not give him credit for that until he was enrolled the second semester. Therefore, he was not given credit for the second semester (ENG 102) and we now have to pay the expense of that course. Instead of taking responsibility for errors, the counselor and teacher have passed the buck back and forth and even went so far as to blame the college where the students were to be enrolled. Disappointing. Now I can't get the teacher, counselor, principal, or board member for the school to respond.
--Submitted by a parent

My Son is a Senior in the IB program. He attended a Christian school until his freshman year. The weak will not survive at this school. To say the IB program takes up all their time has not been an issue for him. He runs cross country and track and is in several clubs. It is a great school in a great location with great students. He made a 32 on his ACT which will get him in to almost any college.
--Submitted by a parent

Murphy is macfreakin awesome. I recently graduated in the class of 2008. If you go to S.S. Murphy, school spirit is almost guaranteed. I participated in the AP and Gifted programs at Murphy and think that the program is so beneficial to the preparation of college. I was more than enough prepared for college. My AP english and economics teachers were part time college professors. I myself made a 29 on my ACT, passed my Government, English, and U.S. History AP exam with 4s. They have a dual enrollment program which allows one to get college credit for high school classes. PLEASE take advantage of this great opportunity because its FREE. Classes that you don't have to pay for in college, credits transfer only and not the actual grade (if they didn't do so well). Extracurricullar activities abound everywhere. I can't go on..but Murphy: 11 out of 10!
--Submitted by a student

I attended the International Baccalaureate Program at Murphy and I can say from experience that the education is top quality. As for the non-IB programs, I can only make a statement about them based on the electives I attended, but they're sub-par. Additionally, the facilities are in desperate need of repair.
--Submitted by a student

I have two kids at Murphy, both in IB. I agree that IB is an extremely good program. However, I also agree with those who complain that IB students are unnecessarily glorified. (The change in the counselor's attitude once he found out my entering freshman was enrolled in IB was absolutely ludicrous, sitcom-worthy.) I don't like to hear my kids talk about the possibility of 'dropping down' to AP or Honors--especially because it's true that IB eliminates the possibility of becoming involved in the many, many electives and other activities Murphy has to offer. There are many examples of high-achieving kids who dropped out of IB before their junior or even senior year because they wanted a more well-rounded experience, and guess what, they made 30+ on the ACT too and got nice scholarships. And yes, the band is wonderful.:)
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been at Murphy for one year, since moving from a rural Alabama public school. Prior to attending the rural school, he was in a Private Christian school and the Montgomery Public School Academic Magnet program. After being actively involved in Montgomery Magnet and regular programs with my three children over the past 20 years, I feel qualified to say that Murphy - even the regular program - is of higher quality. Being involved with your child's education, especially by visiting the school and volunteering as your time permits is the best way to be able to accurately rate a school. Another thing to remember when reviewing any school or reading someone else's review is that your child will get out of any school what he or she puts in. Great leaders & college successes have come from even the most chaotic inner city schools.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a junior in the AP program at Murphy. I feel as though is it very strenuous but is rewarding in the end. The Gifted program prepared me well for AP. The band is also great and gives many opportunities to travel and grow in your music career. Murphy also has a broad range of extracurricular activities, which is awesome since Murphy is so diverse itself. One thing about Murphy, though, is that the hardworking AP and honors students fall behind in the shadows of the IB students. If you decide to do AP rather than IB, you will never have a chance to be valedictorian or a top 10 Scholar all because the IB classes are weighed differently. In conclusion, Murphy is a fantastic school and I would recommend it to anyone.
--Submitted by a student

I am a freshman at Murphy High School. The students there are very nice and welcome you with opened arms. The sports teams are great and very successful. I would recommend this school to anyone.
--Submitted by a student

The academic climate is indeed excellent at Murphy, especially in the honors, AP, and IB classes. There are, however, excellent teachers at every level. Another great plus at Murphy is the band. Students have a great time while learning musicianship, discipline, respect, and pride. There are fantastic trips, often international, every 4 years so that each band student can have that experience, and on the alternate even years there is a great trip to a major domestic band event. The full year is effectively organized to offer a variety of performing opportunities. The band director has a genius for coaching students to achieve their best in music and life. Murphy band alumni have had good success in winning music scholarships, often along with academic and leadership scholarships. The Band Boosters organization allows all parents to help support the band and school, and to share the enthusiasm of trips and half-time shows.
--Submitted by a parent