Shadow Mountain High School

Shadow Mountain is one of the worst schools in the history of puplic high school facilities. The staff, faculty, and administration lack in all areas. The students have no drive academically, and lack in work ethic. Those who do not wish to receive and education in a very poor environment would do well to not attend this school. My parents are both high school educators, and they hold the same opinion as I.
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at Shadow Mountain High School, and there are many things that I wish could be done to make this school better. Many parents have complained and had a hard time with the administration office, for the faculty that works at that office are often times unbeleviably rude to parents and students. Also, many things in this school should be taken more seriously, such as grades, school work, sports, student council, school dances (there's only two a year), and dicipline on the kids. It's disturbing in our classes to see that other students will swear at the teachers or other students and there's nothing being done about it. Also, there's many fights and students who start trouble right in the middle of the hallways or class and there's never anything done about it. I really think that this school could really improve in many different criterias, being that the majority of the people I talk to that have attented or are attending this school agree with.
—Submitted by a student

The school has great teachers that care about the students by working with students after hours, even over the phone and e-mail!! They really go out of their way with teaching.
—Submitted by a parent

There is nothing special about this school. Whatsoever. Myself and my 3 siblings graduated from this school...and none of us was truly prepared for college at the level really necessary. that being siad, I doubt that it is any better or worse than other area valley schools.
—Submitted by a parent

SMHS is a great school. My daughter's transition to this school from out of state was better than expected. Ms Peroutka in the counselors office made a positive impact along with all her exceptional teachers
—Submitted by a parent

SMHS is an excellent school for any parent and child who wants to recieve a great education. The teachers are great and the sports programs are outstanding
—Submitted by a student

I loved Shadow Mountain High School and even though I only went there for 1 1/2 years I fell in love with it. I wish I could go back but I can't because I have already graduated. The ROTC program was the best part of Shadow for me. I love Cheif Master Sargent Gatewood and Lt Col Ribarich. They were like second fathers to me and I love them both.
—Submitted by Aimee DuBois, a former student

I had the please of attending SMHS this past school year. To tell you the truth, I would'nt trade it for the world! I met some of the best teachers and friends. I learned things that I never thought I would and did things that really made the school year great. Im now a senior at Davidson High School in Mobile, Alabama. Its horrible...Im always talking about SMHS to all my friends and telling them how wonderful it is. I wish I could go back and enjoy it for my last year. I hope that if any other student out there gets a chance to go to SMHS, do it! It was my best year!
—Submitted by Michael Martinez, a student

High level of academic skills. Athletics are improving with the change of new coaches and administration. Parent involvement is to intense.
—Submitted by a parent

Shadow Mountain has most things that all high schools have, the basics...no more. Many of the schools sports programs have been cut over the past years. After school clubs and activities are lacking. The thing that bothers me the most is the schools approach in setting the students up to succeed. I, as a parent of four, one in Shadow, two at Shea, one at Desert Cove and a former student of all three schools myself, find myself wondering if my children would do better in a different educational setting.
—Submitted by a parent

Shadow Mounatin High School overall is a great place of education. The only thing that would strike against them would be their principal leaving mid school year and allowing a vice principal who has only been there one year to take over.
—Submitted by a student

I think Shadow's discipline of students leaves a little to be desired. These are teenagers and they still get put in 'timeout'. Also, instead of sending students to 'SWEEP' when they are late to class; instead they should use the 3-strike rule and after three tardy's, give the student detention. From what my son tells me, the students are ruling the class -- not the teacher. Change the disciplinary procedures in this school and you'll see a difference. Additionally, marginal learners at Shadow are apparently being overlooked as well. From what I can tell, the educators don't really care if a student passes or fails.
—Submitted by Mike Smith, a parent

While sports are important to the well-rounded development of children in school it's my opinion academics should be the number one priority. Most schools are as good as the teachers it has on staff. My child has been in the special resource curriculum for the second year now and is extremely happy. She is learning, albeit at an appropriate level, increasing her self-esteem, feels safe and is enjoying school at SMHS. This I attribute to the school employing excellent teachers for the program.
—Submitted by a parent

I find the teachers at Shadow to be overworked and underpaid. I would like to let them know that we, as parents, are doing everything we can to allieviate this unfortunate circumstance and ask that they try not to allow their circumstance as victims to be projected on to their students who will have more than enough opportunity for this as they enter the real world. May I suggest that this is the very best time to go above and beyond for the sake of our future as a community.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall, Shadow Mountain has a lot to offer, ROTC, a vast sports program and a vocational program. The music program has gone down hill and the quality of the football program leaves a lot to be desired. As a former student, I have seen very little be done to improve these aspects since my tenure (graduating class of '96). However, the swimming, basketball and wrestling programs have produced world class athletes.
—Submitted by Stephanie Russell, a former student

Shadow mtn does not have the student in mind and i believe kids 'slip thru the cracks' at this school. When you have a compaint they seem to address it with you but not take any action on it.
—Submitted by a parent

Very well done, very pleased.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is very prejudice, there are no extra-curricular activities for kids of minority races. The office staff also looks down upon people of color. There are no teachers or staff members of ethnic origin to at least give student the ease of going to if help is needed. As far as sports are concerned, if you a make a considerable financial contribution your son/daughter will not participate!
—Submitted by a parent

Shadow Mountain is great for medium- to high-achieving students who can get through the system on their own. Shadow Mountain is not a place for students who have special needs, such as ADHD. Neither administration, counselors, nor teachers are particularly attuned to or interested in assisting such students. Shadow s average class size is 30 40; teachers really can t deal with individual student issues. One counselor told me that my son shouldn't bother with a special learning plan; he should figure out how to cope on his own. Another counselor gave a 'pep talk' about staying at Shadow, as if this was all it would take for him to succeed. The principal happily admitted that Shadow is not for every student, never thinking that the school/she might have responsibility for the success of unconventional students. We found a school with smaller class sizes and a different approach to teaching.
—Submitted by a parent

Overall I have been happy with the school. My daugher is a freshman and her first year has gone well. The teachers she has had have been great, with the exception of one. Even this was handled in a great way by the department head and the issue was resolved. I do see some opportunities for improvement, especially in the area of administration/parent communication.
—Submitted by a parent