Mountain Ridge High School

Two of the greatest aspects of Mountain Ridge High Schools are its committment to excellence and the wide variety of clubs and activities available to students. Each year, the school holds a club rush event so that students can learn about all the clubs on campus. Some groups are academic, some involve community service while others are related to sports. The overall campus feel is safe and inviting. Additionally, both the rigor and content of the honors and AP classes are wonderful. Students are fully prepared for success in college and beyond. Having worked in two other schools prior to coming to Mountain Ridge, I can honestly say that MRHS is a truly outstanding school.
--Submitted by a teacher

My son transferred from the Peoria district where he failed almost all of his first semester classes his junior year. His mother and I were resigned to the fact that he would not graduate. As a senior at Mountain Ridge, my son developed the discipline to achieve his academic goals. The administration and counseling office went out of their way to help him be successful and as such he graduated in the spring of 2011. He has since become a U.S. Marine and this probably would not have occurred if he had not gone to Mountain Ridge High School. Our family owes a debt of gratitude to Mountain Ridge s staff and administration for working with us and him.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is too big... if your student is an A and loves to be involved in extra circular activities, they will like it if they like crowds. If you student is average and struggles, they will not do well. With only 50 min classes, it takes 10-15 min to settle the students down, then the teacher only has time to give out assignments, no time for real lessons or walking thru and helping a student understand. The teachers and staff may have cared but without resources and so many students, the kids that can't stay before/after school to get the help drowned.
--Submitted by a parent

I think that Coach Jack MacDonald is an excellent summer league baseball coach. I hope that he is maintained as a solid staff member of the sports program. Our grandson is on the summer instructional league and is learning so much. He learns how to develop into a fine and respected young man as well as a great ballplayer. Thank you Coach Mac, and thank you Mountain Ridge for staffing such a fine man

MRHS is outstanding! Our children have the advantage of selecting from a variety of great academic programs as well as extra-curricular activities. Their teachers are passionate about their subjects & caring of their students. Of course, we as parents are very involved & have found the staff & administration to be helpful & competent. Positive direction from the top provides great direction for students & staff. This is truly an excellent school.
--Submitted by a parent

I worked for this school and now work for Peoria. I can say MRHS does not challenge students but rather babies them along. AP and Honors classes are the level of regular academic classes at most other schools. The accounting/business classes are a complete joke. In fact the entire CTE department needs an overhaul. Admininstration has lost touch with reality. Its time to clean house MRHS.

Mountain Ridge is an amazing school. Our daughter has only had the benefit of two years, and we are so sorry that we didn't move her sooner. We cannot believe the difference in education and opportunities found between the 2 schools less than 5 miles apart. Mrs. Durazo is absolutely amazing, and a HUGE benefit for the school and their arts program. We cannot thank the school enough for what they have done for our daughter. If you live anywhere near Mountain Ridge, and your child is interested in Music, there is NO other choice.
--Submitted by a parent

I would strongly recommend Mt. Ridge High School to any parent who is willing to participate in their child's education. Both of our sons graduated from Mt. Ridge and both received multiple scholarship offers from not only ASU and Univ of Arizona, but also scholarship offers from several out of state schools; including the college they both choose to attend, Pepperdine University. The teachers and administrative staff are very dedicated and work hard to provide the best education possible. If you don't want to participate in and support your child's education, and you only want to complain about what you are not getting from a school, then go someplace else.
--Submitted by a parent

I would like to offer parents considering Mountain Ridge some advice. Send your child to Mountain Ridge because it is an excellent school, but you should know that your involvement is still crucial in your child's development. While browsing through other posts I saw a lot of parents blaming teachers and administrators for individual failures. Teachers in every subject and at every level offer the help students need, but often students refuse that help. Parents need to encourage their students to seek knowledge and to succeed, not blame the system or the teachers. Mountain Ridge has great teachers, and I would highly encourage parents to send their children to this high school.
--Submitted by a student

We were very unhappy with this school and the faculty. They are not at all equipped to handle students with special needs.
--Submitted by a parent