Catalina Foothills High School

The school has excellent students and teachers in Math and English. The quality of Science teachers has declined markedly- the best ones have moved on- as shown by declining test scores. The academic focus over the last year or two in particular has markedly diminished, with the departure of quality teachers. Some of the remaining excellent teachers have been reallocated apparently against their wishes- from subjects they taught extremely well to assignments they are unsuited to and are clearly unhappy about these remaining few first-rate teachers will inevitably leave and add to this continuing slide. Standards are clearly slipping and there appears to be a lack of leadership- the Board needs to step in and fix the rot. My son has just graduated this year and I will watch for positive developments in the immediate future, but am not optimistic- we may be forced to send our younger child to a different school in the future. The District Board needs to step in.
—Submitted by a parent

Changing demographic of student population due to increase in open enrollment has made this school feel less safe and friendly--fights, kids with piercings, crowded classrooms. Lots of teacher turnover in Math and Science. Some excellent teachers and beautiful campus. This school seems to be trending downward and will probably soon become average. Too bad--was once a great school and a nice community.
—Submitted by a parent

Most beautiful campus in Tucson, as well as a challenging and diverse education. Without saying, Foothills has the most beautiful campus in Tucson. The curriculum here is without doubt the best in Tucson as far as public education goes. You also have a wide variety of choices when it comes to picking classes (6 english courses are available per grade). The teachers are very engaging in class and are always willing to assist with anything from academics to personal issues. The administration is also very experienced and credible, and keep the school together. The only negative about the school is that most students do unfortunately act the typical Foothills stereotype. Most people are white and rich, but they are mostly friendly and very nice. Foothills also has the most expansive, credible, and highest achieving fine arts program when compared to any other high school in town. The band is the largest in Arizona, and has traveled the world; traveling to Disneyland, the Beijing Olympics, Australia, Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, Prescott, and more. The theatre program is very well known in Tucson as well.
—Submitted by a student

Not the best, not the worst. This school is constantly crying poverty while its administrators spend loads on "educational trips"
—Submitted by a parent

This is obviously a good nice school. The facilities are and building are great, the kids are smart, the teachers seem very engaging. On the downside, language programs have been cut. For example, you can take Chinese but not French for entering freshmen. But Chinese is too difficult for most students to do well in. The sports program (for girls at least) seem to be in need of cash all the time. Finally, there is of course the appeal to snobbery. One of the "selling" points of the school is that the students generally come from privileged homes... so they have better material to work with ... something a teacher told me. This implies that we live in a pure meritocracy and that people who are poor are so because they lake certain mental gifts. I think that attitude is prevalent but misguided at CFHS. Try to get beyond the snobbery and send your child here anyway... it will be a good experience.
—Submitted by a parent

Academically, CFHS is an excellent school. I have taken both standard and honors level classes, and in every subject except for Math, I have had amazing teachers who have provided me a plethora of information and useful skills. Unfortunately due to budget cuts and retiring teachers, the extracurriculars has taken the worst blow. If your student is art driven, do not enroll them at CFHS. AP Art has been cut, Ceramics is always packed, and CFHS fails to offer orchestra. However we do have one of the best band programs in the nation. In terms of other extracurriculars, there are few PE classes offered. If you have a child who struggles in such courses, do not enroll them at CFHS. Socially, I find CFHS to be much like a small community. It is true, most of us students have known each other since kindergarten, and it's sometimes difficult to merge into such a place. However, there is a spot for everyone and anyone, and most people are open and friendly. In terms of drugs, yes, there is a problem especially with weed and prescription drug abuse. However, the only way for someone to stay out of trouble is simply to practice self control. Drugs are a problem everywhere, not just at CFHS.
—Submitted by a student

Catalina Foothills High School is a great school for all students. There are courses offered to challenge every student. There are AP classes, Honors classes and Standard classes. Each student can choose how much they want to challenge themselves. This school is non-selective, yet competes with schools that choose their students by their academic ability. This school and the district are top notch.
—Submitted by a parent

This place is good. No drugs, everyone helps. Good classes, nice principle, nice parents. I think it is a great place to students.
—Submitted by a parent

This was once a great school, unfortunately the changes made by the principal who took over in 2007/08 school year, it has progressively gone downhill. The ego of the community, due to a higher income level, believe it is still a good school. The good teachers have all left. My older child graduated in 2006 when the school deserved its high rating, my youngest child who will graduate this year-2011, left for another district high school and is receiving an excellent senior year! We are grateful to be out of this ego inflated district.
—Submitted by a parent

In a recent post, a person claimed that CFHS has a drug problem. As a senior of this school, i will say that this is absolutly not the case. Like any area, drugs are available to those who seek them out. Due to my upbringing and the attitudes of my freinds, i have never been in a situation where drugs are present. I have had several parents and new students ask me about my experiences at this school, i tell them all the same thing, who you hang out with and what you do will determine how good your high school career is. On a seperate note, the class sizes are getting larger due to some teacher layoffs (budget cuts), but the numbers remain average and the teachers are generally very good at what they do. The school district also has excellent special needs services (7th grade younger sister).
—Submitted by a student

School is overcrowded - this means classes are not always available [my daughter had to repeat a class she got an 'a' in because nothing else was avail] and they are large - with 30 in a class not unusual. The administration is stressed as well as the teachers. The overcrowding has diluted a once great school. Don't rely on this schools' past reputation. Things have changed.
—Submitted by a parent

i have mixed feelings about CFHS. On one hand, they truly do have a good academic system and the band program is amazing. However, drugs(mainly marijuana) are everywhere. But a lot of high schools have that. Still. Also, everybody, and i mean 90 percent of the population, have grown up together since they were in elementary school. Very clique-y so its hard. Overall though, academically its good. Just the students need to be more accepting
—Submitted by a student

This schoool does not have an orchestra or support for students of string instruments.
—Submitted by a parent

As a student here I can say that this school is amazing. Its open aired campus and high-quality teachers makes it feel more like a college than a campus.
—Submitted by a student

Fantastic for academics. Catfoot is a little clique-y but everyone can find their own clique. Campus is large, and Definitely not a place to wear heels above an inch, girls. Lunch is fair, but they have a snack bar where you can get brand name things like Arizona Ice tea and Chex mix. School is personal computer friendly, and you can get on the internet if a teacher logs you in. Drugs are generally low, but people do get into Marijuana, but you are not going to find a school anywhere that doesn't have that problem on some sort of scale. You can sign your students up for random drug tests. A lot of the teachers are understanding, but students will stuffer if teachers don't demand respect, or the kids are disrespectful. Catfoot is good for extra-curricular activities, but a lot of things don't have in-school funding.
—Submitted by a student

Our son is a graduate of CFHS and just completed medical school. He thought CFHS was one of the best experiences of his life. The music program is incredible as are athletics. He was supported and received excellent school counseling. It is an incredible public high school
—Submitted by a parent

I went to this school as a freshman 2006-2007 i loved this school so much everyone is very excepting and great. ya a lot of people smoke weed but thats not bad at least i think it doesnt effect them in a negative way they can still get outstanding greads and have fun doing it. I no longer to to the school but i visit once in a while the teachers are okay but they really teach you and help you but you have to make an effort to. but over all the kids are awesome and you get a great education while having fun.
—Submitted by a student

The lunch program at this school isn't the best, but it can keep inmates alive as well as students. The new principal enjoys keeping the school quiet and lacking in excitement. Due to recent budget cuts, class sizes may increase to around 40 students per class. The school has a great drama department along with science, though the physics department is lacking in good teachers. The students are great people, and rarely are their fights or gang related issues. The school has great extracurricular clubs and activities, including sports. The school has a National Honors Society which provides a place where students may receive peer-to-peer tutoring. The school also offers AP classes along with Honors and Standards courses.
—Submitted by a student

CFHS is a very accomplished school, their academics are the best in town. They are ahead in science along with their languages being excellent.

I love CFHS. The campus is amazing, the students are academically driven, and there is always a place for you to fit in. I graduated from CFHS; and I can say that I was fully prepared for my college work- load... I attend princeton.