Santa Rita High School

I believe that as time passes, with the new principle. Changing the school from a low rated school, to a high rating school takes time. Being a graduate from there I was happy that he has taken over a poor excelling school to work with the educators to make it an excelling school. I know when I was a student he, as well as the educators pushed us to do our very best. I believed he made it a much safer school with the difficulties he was left with after the principle left from before him. I think that the teachers have learned new ways in having more teacher student interaction, with tutoring. I cannot wait to see what it is like when I get my educational degree, and become a teacher there.

This school has no parent teacher communication. My child ditched a lot and I was never called by anyone, just a machine. Its like the kids just get lost in the system and no one cares.
—Submitted by a parent

i love this school. everything is great about it. no complaints. love love love love love love love love.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been here since 2003, and I love it. The school has been through a lot of changes, and many of the former comments were under former leadership - prior to our Small Learning Communities Grant. We now have 3 academic academies based on student interests in Science & Engineering, Business & Entrepreneurship, and Fine Arts & Media. There are also 2 academies designed to meet the needs of Freshmen and Sophomores. Students choose their academy based on their interests and elective course choices. The faculty is incredibly resilient and resourceful, and has learned to accept change. Over 90 minutes of tutoring is built into the schedule every week, and teachers teach in a modified block that prepares students for the post-secondary schedules of college and the work place. 3 of the faculty members are former alumni, and several teachers have brought their own children to Santa Rita High School.
—Submitted by a teacher

It's not the prettiest school in town. It's not the richest or fanciest school in town, but the staff and faculty really care about the kids. I graduated from there in 1979 and now my youngest child is a senior there and will be graduating in May. We are a proud Santa Rita legacy :)
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a student at Santa Rita High School, and I find my school to be one of te best schools out there. Yes, I do agree with some of the other reviews about a lot of ditching going on here, but there's ditching at a lot of schools, not just S.R. The teachers do care if their students are failing or falling behind in their studies. They offer tutoring after school and during lunch time. It is true we are not allowed to go inside the buildings at lunch, but we are allowed to go in to see teachers or to get something from our lockers. The teachers do allow you to use the restroom when you need to go, but if you go everyday in their class...they most likely won't let you go during their class any more.
—Submitted by a student

Some of the staff at the school do not care what happens to the students, there are a mulitple number of fights there and it is a all around unfriendly school. You are not allowed in the building at lunch and if you need to go to the bathroom during class most of the teachers do not let you go
—Submitted by a parent

Don't willingly move to an area where your child would have to go to this school. As a former student, I have found this to be one of the worst schools I have ever attended. A lot of ditching went on, it was too easy to get lost in the shuffle of kids, the teacher's don't have time for the one's that need it the most, if you find yourself failing it takes a long time for them to notice or care that you need help. The teacher's could care less about the student's that fail to show up or even fail the class. My experience with this school has been extremely negative and would never recommend this school. They have school monitors all around, but that has never deterred student's from jumping the fence to ditch, or to go smoke around the bulidings. The solution for 'trouble' kids is weak.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful School! Teachers, Staff, Coaches, and students are just wonderful! My three Children graduated with AP class history, with a 4 year scholarship to U of A. My children loved this school so much they want to work there in three years! Im very happy and overall satisfied with this school.
—Submitted by Jenine Fuller, a parent

Some excellent teachers, more average teachers. Coaching is average with one or two standouts. Students very average. Can't learn much in classes unless you take AP or honors and those are sparse.
—Submitted by a parent

Terrific school. It is challenging enough and the curriculum employed allows for creative and fresh teaching in all subjects. My kids love the extra-curricular activities and wish to go no where else for high school.
—Submitted by a parent

Being that this was the school I attended for 4 years, I was excited to have my children go there. Only to be let down many, many times. Three calls to the counselor went unanswered for months, many e-mails went unanswered and most of teachers (not all!) are just there for the 'good' students and athletes and paychecks. If your child looks 'different' they are often overlooked and ignored. There are many reasons why my children will now be attending a charter school.
—Submitted by a parent

Academic programs are a seven out of ten, there are many extracurricular activities (DECA, agriculture, sports, great drama program). I see a sufficient amount of parent involvement, but it's not outstanding.
—Submitted by a student

This is a wonderful high school. I should say the best kept secret in tucson. The leadership at this school is great and so are the teachers. They offer a lot of different classes and it is a safe campus.
—Submitted by a parent

Experienced knowledgeable teachers with a equally knowledgeable and supportive administation (i.e. principle, school board. etc).
—Submitted by a parent