Mountain View High School

I am hoping that the Mesa School District hires us a good Principal that cares about students is what we will get. Mr. Luketich is retiring, and I hope we get a young up and comer in MVHS that will inspire our students to be the best that they can be. Here is hoping from a parent of 3 future MVHS students that we get somebody who cares about all students learning as if it is all that matters.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school, too bad our Principal is retiring. I am hoping they recruit that Mr. Buechers, the turn around Principal from up near Superior or Miami. My sister lives up that way and this guy holds many of the same philosophies as Westwood's new Principal, and boy has that placed made a change for the better! I guess these guys worked together in the past and have created a whole system of success for schools, that really works! Mesa needs young, dynamic and courageous leaders if we want to be able to compete in the east valley!
—Submitted by a parent

I would say mountain view high was a excellent school. Yes it is highly populated by the LDS faith but they are Christians and they will accept you for who you are even if you are not of there faith. The teachers are all nice and they know there stuff and they will help you succeed in this world.
—Submitted by a student

Topnotch teachers in all areas...rigorous curriculum, high expectations made college a breeze for me. I participated in the Academic Decathlon program which continues to be one of the best in the nation.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from this school several years ago. Although I must admit it does have it's cons, I wouldn't say they outnumber the pros. After all, what school isn't the same in these regards? I would have to agree that it is highly populated with students of the LDS religion as much of the City of Mesa is. Sometimes, I did realize that certain people did only want to befriend those that they also attended church with every Sunday, but it was also the same in jr. high. It's not JUST a Mountain View "thing". I didn't have any problems with students with my religious differences and felt very at ease while at school. I do agree that it takes an outgoing type personality to blend in well with those if you are not LDS though. I would recommend this school to parents as well as LOVE to go back and re-live my high school days there! Call me crazy!
—Submitted by a student

My child is enrolled in this school. Yes, this is a mostly LDS school. We aren't LDS, but if you child is strong and confident enough, he/she will ignore the 'clicks' and create their own success. Most clubs are run by LDS, so forget about any leadership position if you are not one of them. A few clubs, however, have no/little LDS students, and thank goodness! Sports participation can also be a problem, as LDS rule the majority. Some coaches aren't LDS, so do your homework before enrolling your child in any sport/club/activity. The LDS have their seminary across the street--I often wonder why in the world those of us of Christian, Catholic, Jewish or any other faith can't have the same thing across the street!! MVHS is, academically, a good school & our experience has been favorable because our child is confident & outgoing & is successful in a club/organization, but this isn't a campus for the meek, weak and the indiviudalist/bohemian...you'll be treated like an outsider. In retrospect, if we had to do this over again, I would've enrolled our child at Red Mountain HS (nearby), it would've been a more diverse, welcoming campus, and still offer wonderful academic opportunities.
—Submitted by a parent

If you are close-minded enroll ! This is the sanctuary you've been looking for ! On the other hand , if your courages enought to create your own path to understanding & happiness then you are not welcomed at this school . You will be dehumanized and looked upon as an outsider . From not only the students I might add but from the staff members as well . This is a educational institution for the weak & lame .
—Submitted by a student

Academically, no school is better in the Mesa Unified School District. Socially, you're not allowed to think for yourself. They even offer a session for students to leave school property for seminary teachings at an LDS site while others have no option to use the same hour for self study or other personal educational interests. I regret sending my summa cum laude children to this school. I hope they forgive me and appreciate how the school's reputation may help them with scholarships and college placement. We all look forward to a college life that doesn't discriminate and doesn't show favoritism to students based on their theological beliefs.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has proven itself even nationwide academically, in sports, and in their years of decathletes in high level decathlons. Most important- as I attended and graduated from Berkley, I I felt very prepared. Other Mtn. View friends, grads, alumni, even stated easing through their Universities. Friends attended Notre Dame, MIT, who also felt extremely prepared. Many were transfers from other Arizona High Schools. Admitted the work was more difficult but best prepared and assisted them in a way that could be understood. If you want a top High school for University/ post grad life, even in Nat'l rankings, it's the easy call. It was great!
—Submitted by a student

As a graduate of Mt. View I would have to say this school provided the best academical program any aspiring student could ask for. I've read the previous reviews and do agree that cliques make it socially challenging. I would advise, if ever a student is in serious need of help or protection from harassment - this is NOT the school where those needs will be met. Security guards would rather be 'buddies' with the students rather than keep them in check and in line. If you cause a fuss (i.e. you make several reports and want something done about a fellow student) you will more than likely be forced to transfer (I would know). It is definately something to >seriously< consider for a parent/student looking into enrolling.
—Submitted by a student

Mountain is a good school academically. Although, like most schools, even the accelerated and AP courses are tailored to meet the needs of the slowest kid in class so everyone passes. I moved in at the start of my junior year, and it was very challenging socially. The school is extremely cliquey, and it is true that it is harder to fit in if you aren't Mormon. However, once you prove yourself to be an interesting and worthwhile person, regardless of your religious affiliation, friends start flocking to you. The religious domination isn't all bad either, the majority of students are polite, modest, hard working, kind, and fun precisely because of their religious upbringing. The school is overpoweringly politically conservative, and is absolutely dead set against acknowledging the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual community. To succeed at Mountain View, you have to want to succeed.
—Submitted by a student

This school gives it students the education to think critically and analyze what is being presented and make good decisions
—Submitted by a parent

My brother and I both graduated from Mt. View. If you want your kids to be in the popular crowd in high school, this is probably not the place for you. It does have a lot of cliques, emphasis on sports, etc. However, if you want your kids to be prepared for college, this is the best place to be. It's not a perfect school, but the resources they can provide are unbelievable. My brother and I both got full ride scholarships, and I know that is mostly thanks to the teachers and resources at this school.
—Submitted by a student

Outstanding school that prepared my children to excel in their university studies. Academics, athletics, activities are of the highest quality. The teachers are dedicated and hard-working.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Mountain View. It is a great school with many opportunities, both academic and extra-curricular. I was not from a particular religion nor did I have personal sports training but I still played varsity basketball and got along well with the all the students and teachers. Mountain View as a school does set high expectations but it is up to the student to succeed and it doesn't matter what religion or training level they have. The school is what you make it. If you want to believe you can only succeed at this school if you are a certain religion that's fine but I think you are sadly mistaken. I have since moved out of Arizona but I do wish my children were able to attend a school like MVT. The teachers and staff were genuine and caring. The school offered many opportunities. I would definitely recommend it to anyone!
—Submitted by a student

Mountain View has a very talented fine arts program ranging from band to theater to choir and much more! I have had the pleasure of meeting almost all of the instructors who teach in this category and they are all strongly educated in their field and care deeply for what they do, but it seems the higher ups do not. I have observed very little support from the office administration for their fine arts program. I have seen the principal attend every football game, basket ball, ect.. but I can't seem to recall him at a competition for band, orchestra, and what not. Music is an important experience for children because of the positive influence it has on them. It is widely known that music helps expand the mind and those individuals who are involved in these activities are the ones who score the highest the SAT's. Help keep music alive!

Mountain View is overall a good school.....if you are of a certain 'clique' and social class. If you are not of particular religion, you do not fit in with the crowd. And if you have never had personal sports training/coaching, you will not play on varsity sports no matter how talented you are. The teachers definitely play favorites with students. It is a respectable school on paper, but as a former student and speaking from experiance, it is not a place I would send my own children.

Our three children attended and graduated from this high school. They had teachers who cared and an administration that made a positive difference. Our children were able to surround themselves with friends who had high standards of academic performance and personal behavior. Not a perfect school -- which would require perfect teachers AND perfect students -- but very close to what one could reasonably hope for their child.
—Submitted by a parent

My child attended this school. I would not do this again. Two issues had profound negative effects on my child, with lasting consequences. 1. Traffic safety, teen drivers. In order to make a well-informed decision about sending your child to this school, I encourage you to observe traffic flow into, out of and around this school during the mornings or afternoons just before or after classes. In particular, I suggest that you watch the east entrance (on Lindsay) to the main parking lot. 2. Institutional culture, socialization. In my opinion, the social environment of this school, at every level, strongly favors those of a particular religion. If you are not so affiliated, I encourage you to personally explore this aspect of the school before sending your child into an environment in which they will likely be seen as an outsider.
—Submitted by a parent

I unenrolled from Mountain View because of the entire attitude of the school. For the few months I went there, I honestly felt like I had learned nothing, and my education was getting no where. The school revolves completely around it's sports, especially football. The students are chaotic, and I never saw any respect for the teachers from the students, they were too wrapped up in the latest football scores. I would not recommend it to anyone, unless you are very, very good in sports and are looking for a place to play rather than learn.
—Submitted by a student