Cactus High School

The school has done a moderate job of protecting it's students. my teenage daughter had been threatened and bullied on several accounts and very little was done about them. the district and office continues to have some outrageous ideas about dress code and recently, i was told that my daughter (junior) would need a vaccination while my other daughter (senior) would not need one. giving us only a week, we got my one daughters vaccination. then a month into school i am verified that my senior daughter will be kept from school until she receives a vaccination. ridiculous! the school needs to get organized. i am not a stay home mom, these unexpected requirements are not easy to accomplish.
—Submitted by a parent

I was bullied and abused by fellow students and the school administration did nothing to help. Class of 79-83.

As a previous student, class of 2000, I have to say this is probably the best school in the area. Teachers there are/were amazing. They care very much about individual student progress and push them to reach for the stars. If I didn't live 3000 miles away now, my kids would definitely go there!

The teachers and administration can't even enforce the dress code. That an easy thing to do and they can't even do that. LAZY!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Amazing, I love Cactus High School! All the teachers are great, and I always have a ton of fun.
—Submitted by a student

They have a great music and arts dept., My daughter is becoming and amazing musician from the teachers there and the chorus is professional in my opinion-like a broadway show. The academic programs are super and teachers communicate well by email and take interest in students. Classrooms are not overloaded and I feel the campus is safe and well supervised. There are plenty of choices to introduce kids and prepare them for college or life career choices.
—Submitted by a parent

this is the best school ever
—Submitted by a student

I am a student here and i moved from a different school, and let me tell you my old school doesnt even compare. the althletic program is one of the best.... ....varsity football 08 4-0........
—Submitted by a student

i am a student at Cactus. and it is by far the best school to go to. We have a great athletic program and the teachers really care about the students and what happens to them. The teachers want the students to suceed in life and go for there goal.s
—Submitted by a student

As a student at Cactus, I believe I have a very worthy point. The main problem at Cactus is that the students and teachers alike, seem to only care about the minimum. The teachers don't push their students for excelling grades but for what is expected of them. The curriculum is rushed through and no true knowledge is taken from any of the core classes.
—Submitted by a student

I love this school. I have a daughter that attends. The staff seems very focused on providing a quality education to the students and seem to care about them.
—Submitted by a parent

I myself have a daughter that goes there and does amazing it is a very good school. my daughter has had so many disadvantages and to be honest you would never know she much out of school I especially like there focus on post graduation they seem to take a lot of intrest in childress with disabilitys they are a great public school
—Submitted by a parent

This high school is the best so far I have ever seen the teachers respect the students while the students return that repect back. the students work hard in their studies doing their best to uphold the schools excellent reputation. the students and teachers have a special relationship that every parent likes to see.
—Submitted by a parent

I have nothing but rave reviews for CHS. My daughter has a learning disability in math and from day one everyone has been extremely involved in getting her the help that she needs and has been immediately responsive. I have seen concern and genuine caring from every single one of her teachers and for the first time in her whole academic history, my daughter loves going to school. I could not be more pleased than I am with Cactus. We specifically moved into the Cactus district so that my daughter could attend there and it was the best choice that we ever made.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a teacher at this school and I have been continuously disheartened as to the disintegration of the programs, staff, and quality of education. Fine teachers are leaving; students are not being prepared for the real world. There is little adminstrative support, including at the district level, to administer discipline, attendance policies, or to provide proper supplies, such as textbooks or trade books. It is a rare classroom that has a set of dictionaries. Students cannot learn if they are not there; they cannot study without books; yet the teachers are held accountable for progress. The principal and assistant principals are weak and treat teachers as if they are replaceable. It is a real shame that a once very vibrant school is now one where teachers are too frustrated to function at their best.
—Submitted by a teacher

Cactus HS (CHS) has had a great reputation in the past for strong academic programs and accessibility to and availability of music, arts, sports & other activities to participate in. However, due to teacher buyouts and early retirement incentives over the last 3 years, a huge turnover of teachers and administrators has forced many veteran, quality teachers to leave Cactus to teach elsewhere. Some strong educators have stayed and impact the school and kids positively--if your kids seek out these quality teachers and are willing to work hard. Students are not strongly encouraged to pursue higher academic goals; many are content to get the credits they need, earn their diplomas, and leave. Self-motivated kids who want to achieve more or who have very involved, hands-on parents can be successful, but often have to take upper-level classes at other PUSD campuses or at the community colleges.
—Submitted by a parent

Cactus High has been a historically great school that has provided a top notch education to students as far as local public highs schools go. However, in recent years, it's standard of education has lowered greatly. For parents, if your student is remedial or average, Cactus High will provide them with the best education possible. However, if your child is gifted, send them elsewhere. I have seen the major changes that have taken place over the past six years at the school with their gifted programs and how they changed between when my brother attended the school and when I attended and graduated. I find the educational opportunities provided to me at Cactus to fall short of those of many of my college classmates.
—Submitted by a former student

Cactus High School has always and continues to be a great school for students to gain an education and show what they can do not only in the classroom, but in fantastic extra-cirricular programs as well. Many of these students are recognized state wide and nationally for their achievements, whether it is in or outside the classroom. The teachers always lend a helping hand to ensure the best result possible for the students. I know that Cactus will continue to be a standout for high schools across the state.
—Submitted by a student

I am a mom who lives in california, because of the great internet system cactus high has I was able to see how my son was doing, if he was late, and talk to his teachers if there was a problem. I was able to stay on top of my sons grades and see if they were slipping and keep my son on track. The school works with the kids to find what they truly excel in. I can't say enough great things about this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school because of great teachers who are always willing to help. There is nothing truly remarkable about alot of the qualities of the school, they're all simply a little above average. When it comes to what effects your student most though, the teachers themselves, I've never experianced better.
—Submitted by a parent