Corona Del Sol High School

Finsihing up the year with my daughter, a senior and delighted that we chose our neighborhood school over the variety of choices - prep schools, charter, private etc. The teachers are dedicated and energetic, and she learned critical thinking in science and english, history was awesome too. Could list her favorite teachers, but more important we didn't encounter any problems and communication was better than expected at this large school. Variety of activities so lots of opportunities to find a smaller niche. It helped that she was in Honors & AP classes, perhaps, but we saw tremendous parent involvement and teacher committment at all levels. Need more counselors and more money and focus in Arizona for public education, but we have no regrets. Great school, amazing neighborhood, especially if you get involved.
—Submitted by a parent

If you have money and would not like to be in a diversity area, this school is for you. The school only cares if the parents have money - if you are a single parent, they wouldn't stand up for your kids. .
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school! One of my boys was in the gifted program and the other two in the Honors program. I was impressed with the parental involvement, extra curricular activities and great teachers. My boys were involved in sports, music and other clubs They have all graduated & received full merit scholarships. I expected more from the counselors but overall my boys state they had a good experience at Corona.
—Submitted by a parent

Wow, what a great school! The faculty at Corona are serious about education, keeping the standards high instead of just babysitting the kids. The math and science departments could be improved, but English is on top of their game! A few too many silly electives detract from Corona's stellar reputation. Tons of sports and club opportunities as well! The absolute best is the school's gifted services coordinator. He is so friendly, knowledgeable, responsive, and funny. He welcomed our children to the school, explained anything and everything they were concerned about, and followed up with them regularly to ensure their experiences at the school were challenging, rewarding, and fun. He made all three of them feel at home and cared about as individuals even though the school is on the large side. If you have academically motivated children who want the best all around high school experience, you cannot find a better school than Corona del Sol. My kids have graduated now, but they say the same.
—Submitted by a parent

It has good academics BUT the kids here all horrible. They are mostly all stuck up!!!! WAY to many cliques!
—Submitted by a student

Excellent parent involvement with great programs for band, tennis, soccer, competitive government, and overall academic studies.

My son is currently a junior and my daughter will be starting at Corona next year. The academic achievements at this school are comparable with a private school with a 5-figure tuition, but you have to be in the Honors classes - the regular classes get dumbed down too much. There are many really very good teachers, but also some who should not be doing this as their main profession. The trick is to talk with parents of older students to find out who the best teachers are and target getting your student placed with them. It doesn't always work, my son is batting 500 right now, but the good ones he's had have really made the difference. He's in the running for National Merit and it is in no small part to the efforts of teachers like Grow, Morgan, Nissly, and others. Oh and the band program is awesome!!
—Submitted by a parent

Horrible school. There are so many cliques and if you arnt popular, you will be picked on my the teachers. Thats how bad it is. Never go to this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent teachers, administration and staff. I love this school. My student loved this school too. It was a great learning and social experience.
—Submitted by a parent

I miss Corona so much. It was the best experience of my life thus far. Make the best of your years here, they will go oh so quickly.
—Submitted by a student

Spectacular emphasis on the truly important things in life...EDUCATION and a well rounded high school experience.
—Submitted by Christi, a former student

I am 2007 graduate now attending ASU on scholarship, and I can safely agree that attending Corona del Sol was one of the best experiences of my life. The teachers and administrators for the most part are excellent, and all of them actually care about his/her students' well being. They make a large school seem much smaller and more personal. The athletics are great as well, and there is an large amount of student support (and school rivalry). Overall, it is truly a great place for young adults to grow up and make friends and a school that will open up many opportunities for those that want to be successful.
—Submitted by a former student

Attending Corona del Sol was one of the most rewarding experience of my life. That being said, the school offers many pros and cons. For the ambitious student the academic program can prove challenging and rewarding. Relative to other public schools, Corona will provide a strong academic base, allowing those who seek higher education the opportunity to pursue so. However, the quality of teachers can be inconsistent, particularly in the Math department. Extracurricular activities is where Corona shines. The active student can choose to participate in over 100 clubs, sports, and performance groups. With state-championship caliber teams, an intensely active student council, and a nationally recognized band students have a myriad of options to choose from. Corona is a large school, and if your student does not thrive in social situations this might not be a good fit. Also, private schools may be a better option for Ivy League academic preparation.
—Submitted by Chris Pham, a former student

hello, My name is Brooke faith and I'm currently a freshman at corona. I think it is such an awesome school it definitely prepares its students for the future. To all the jr. high students who think high school is scary its so not! I love the freedom you get at corona and how much the teachers help you out! Especially Mr.schilling!
—Submitted by Brooke Faith, a student

As a student currently attending Corona, I believe that this school has a very good academic program and also offers many honors and AP courses. However, they seem to be lacking decent math teachers, particularly for the higher level math classes. Overall, the teaching quality is high but there are a few below average teachers. The music program is excellent and the marching band is undoubtly best in state. Corona also offers a variety of clubs and has a very good sports department. But overall, Corona is a fine school to attend.
—Submitted by a student

CDS has an excellent administrative staff, they are truly concerned for the pupils. The baseball teams are amazing! The choirs are top notch. Our family has had an awesome experience at CDS, we will miss CDS when we move.
—Submitted by Elizabeth Jones, a parent

I believe that Corona is an excellent school and that students get a well rounded education. There are many extra curricular activities. One area that does concern me us the Spanish program. The school is aware of this concern by several parents but nothing seems to changing. The language is geared toward the Spanish of Spain not Mexico. That does not make sense to me us our proximity to Mexico. We have been told that successful studentds from the Corona Spanish program go on to win awards and competitions but we feel the program needs to be geered to the majority.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent high school whose academics are superb. The honors program is unlike anyother.
—Submitted by a student

Great programs for our kids. Daughter and son both excelled at Corona. Music and honors programs among the best -- probably best in the State. Certainly the band program is the best without question. Good level of parent involvment. Met many and engaged ourselves
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a senior at CDS High School. She is academically gifted, and has great support in the offering of advanced (AP) and Honors courses, and in college/career counseling. CDS ranks very well in district tests. I have also met many teachers and administrators at CDS who have been teaching or working there for 15 - 20 years. That says something positive about the principal and the academic/behavioral climate of the school. My only complaint would be the school's huge size - which is not CDS' fault. They manage almost 3,000 with great aplomb.
—Submitted by a parent