Ironwood Ridge High School

IRHS is a good school but one that is developing a culture of clicks, good old boys and racist. As a parent of a minority student, I am deeply concerned about the lack of diversity and/or multi-cultural programs. Outward acts of mean spiritedness and bullying are becoming a heavy burden and one where the administrators don't seem to want to proactively address.
—Submitted by a parent

To read the prior review I could perceive my son attends a different HS as our experience holds sharp contrast to this. We have found that high standardized testing scores (PSAT and others) together with high GPA, consistent student/teacher collaboration and diversity in club involvement is a successful combination in bringing college resources to us. Admittedly, it has been my son who has outwardly pursued these achievements and understandably his initiative, or lack thereof, will be the primary factor that makes his goals attainable. We always hope that the bridge between HS and college counseling and resources toward those goals is cohesive, but understand that our role as parents may increase in working through the deficiencies.
—Submitted by a parent

The only reason I rate this a 2 is because it has some AP's. Other than that, it is one of the worst high schools to have your child go to unless you want him to directly feed into UA or Pima. We have no resources to get your child in to a top University other than his or her own merit. The counselors never help, but pride themselves in becoming "good friends" with all the students to give the illusion of helping. Certain AP classes are taught by the worst teachers who have no clue what they are doing. We spend SO much money on athletics. Athletics does nothing for your child unless he is Lebron James or Ben Roethlisberger. There are seriously NO opportunities for extra curriculars other than these sports that our school prides itself in so much. Clubs are taken as a joke and our NHS chapter is filled with inactive students merely in it for the star on their diploma. Even our top rated students can't get into tough schools. If you want your child to be successful, spend the extra gas and travel time to openly enroll him or her into University High School or BASIS Tucson.
—Submitted by a parent

My girls did/are doing very well there and have/are going on to great colleges
—Submitted by a parent

Im going to be a junior this year and have many mixed feelings about this school. The athletics are not as great as everyone might think of them to be. Most of us have to do it on our own because the coaches either have no idea what they are doing or they just do not care. The academics portion of the school is lacking in quality too. Many of the teachers do not prepare their students for the finals and while some of them are easily approachable, most are rude and do not want to help when you ask them. Dress code is also a big issue at this school. Many girls come in too tight or revealing clothing but never get dress coded. On the other hand, girls who come to school with a tank top with straps just a tad too thin are sent home to change.
—Submitted by a student

In regards to the coment from 1/19/08... I disgragee. Two of my kids are students of IRHS, the oldest graduated in 2004. We are not rich, white or evangelical.. although we are straight. Just like our family there are many other that provide diversity to the school. It is a great school... my kids like their teachers, the teachers care about their students and all extra-curricular activities keep them busy and out of trouble. I don't think that IRHS is preppy at all.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm sick of the negative reviews of IRHS. The teachers, while occasionally biased -only inclined to acted positively toward students that actually care about school and about doing well-are, for the most part, superb. Ap/Honors courses are challenging, for those who care to do the work, and though no, we do not receive a lot of money- AZ is the lowest educationally funded state in the country- our school, student government, and the administration are able to do a lot with what they are given. My experience here has been great, with our sports teams being top notch, and the list of extracurricular activities that goes on forever-Japanese Club, Tae Kwon Do-the only high school in the nation that offers it for credit-an amazing culinary arts program, etc., which many students are involved in. Lastly, IRHS is NOT preppy-its incredibly diverse. 5/5
—Submitted by a student

This school doesn't have much diversity. Everyone is pretty much white, straight, rich, and evangelical. It is one of the preppiest schools I've ever seen, even on television. While I say this, IRHS still is a good school with good teachers. It has a flourishing extra-curricular program, with everything from culinary arts to Japanese Club. It has an extensive fine arts department - it has three choirs, concert band, jazz band, orchestra, drama, visual art, photography. It has some great AP courses. My only other complaint is that the general classes are way too easy - students underacheive so the teacher's definitely dumb the classes down.
—Submitted by a student

Ironwood Ridge has it's ups and downs. It's new and still learning. I went there as a student and saw numerous accounts of drug use right in the back of the classroom, fights, and discrimination. Partying and drinking are fondly acceptable throughout the school. Academics are chalenging and teachers do a fine job. Girls dress inappropriately most of the time. It's so big that there's so much that can go on behind the teacher's back. Its an alright school. Typical high school with the typical people.
—Submitted by a student

Ironwood Ridge is most likely the greatest school in Arizona. The teachers care for you, and the new principal is excellent with kids. He is always helping everyone.
—Submitted by a student

My son has attended IRHS from 9th grade and he is now in his Sr. year. I think that the Culinary Program is great and has taught him a lot about what he will encounter in the 'real' world kitchens. Chef(the teacher) is not traditional but that is what made him so appealing to my son. My son has positive as well as negative experiences with his academic teachers but overall I must say that I have been pleased with what I hear coming from him. While it may be true there is a lot of money in this school, I do feel that a majority of the classes that my son has an interest in; culinary, digital art, martial arts has all required that we pay for them.
—Submitted by a parent

Ironwood has great extracurricular actuvities for all the students to be involved in, and when they are involved in a sport they have to maintain a GPA of at least 3.25 to stay on the team. I belive this makes them study harder, and strive in their education. I would rate this school a 10 out or 10.
—Submitted by a student

This school, still being very new, is in need of much further development. Despite better than average test scores, there is a very low level of achievement expected of the students. I have had classes in which students can pass purely on the basis of arbitrary extra credit. Honors classes are hardly up to par. Certainly there are exceptions to the rule, but there are too many teachers who only perform well when being evaluated by an administrator. Extracurricular activities include a very small population of the school, and there is a very narrow selection of activities from which to choose. Parent involvement is very limited. I feel safe at this school, but discipline seems to be somewhat biased. This school has potential because of all the resources available to it, but it has been a highly disappointing experience having to attend it.
—Submitted by a student

Good acemdemics, activities are not available to all students, parent involvement is a 9.5 out of 10.
—Submitted by a parent

Ironwood is a middle of the pack school that I believe will be a good school someday. Certainly not at this time. Academics are okay and the atheletics are about the same. Lot's of money which means lots of parent involvement, unfortunately not all of it is positive.
—Submitted by a parent