Deer Valley High School

I was very nervous to send my boys to this school with such a bad reputation but both have done very well becasue they have made the effort themselves. In the end it comes down to the individual student. The teachers can only provide the tools and environment. Both of my boys have found some of the teachers to me very inspiring.
—Submitted by a parent

Teacher quality is random, some good, some bad (that's normal), it takes leadership from the top to direct teachers to create a higher performing school, until that happens, DVHS will be a low performance option.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has a 4.0 GPA from Deer Valley, but his weighted GPA is 3.22 (!) This is unfair to the students that genuinely achieve academically. Our weighted scores are due to grade inflation and substandard test scores. What impact can I make as a concerned parent against the apathy of the staff and the ignorance of the student body? What can I do?
—Submitted by a parent

I have attended this school for all four years of my high school career and am a senior (Class of 2012) , so I may be bias in my review. However, Deer Valley High School is an excellent school offering a large variety of classes, clubs, and programs preparing students for their next step in their road to a career.

DVHS is a good looking school with way too many students. The school has done a great job of turning this monster into smaller schools, but good administration does not mean good students. My kid, in all honors or CP classes, 9th grade, has had only homework in Spanish, nothing else and still above 4.0 GPA (4.3 with CP)...how is that possible. I speak to friends in other districts that seem to actually have homework almost daily. The core classes need to be enforced and everything else dropped until they get money for it. A school this big requires a very strong core first.
—Submitted by a parent

Upon reading the most recent reviews, I have to wonder exactly how involved the complaining parents are. My child had a very difficult start to his academic year. The reason....pure laziness. Teachers cannot teach a child that is not interested in doing his/her part. After the first report card, my husband and I stepped in, cracked down on ALL freedoms, and basically treated him like the first grader he was acting like. Strict expectations were set, and his grades improved. I am a teacher and I am so tired of parents that do nothing but complain and feel that the only person responsible for their childs' success in school is the teacher. Wake up parents, YOU are the parent and the MOST IMPORTANT teacher your child will EVER have! When your child knows you are disparaging a teacher it is a free ticket for your child to blame everything on that teacher and not look to the real source of the problem, which is like their own behavior or lack of motivation.
—Submitted by a parent

I have to say, this is my fourth year with students at Deer Valley. I have a soph and a senior. And while yes, there are some problems with some of the student body, the teachers are the best. In all these yeasr there was only one very poor teacher, Ms. Sharpe. The adminisration does what it can to deal with the problem kids. When the parenst won't cooperate, unfortuanelty, their hands are tied.
—Submitted by a parent

This school's foolish deregulation of student transfers has made it become one of the most desolate overcrowded schools in the Bay area that has similar student body and liberal agenda as Oakland schools. A bulk of the teachers are assumed positions they are less specialize for i.e( Chem teacher Morgan Olk). And its not hard to infer that they disregard student' s success; leaning toward the notion, " Just passing them and moving whether its the grade they deserve or not." The irony is appalling considering that the teacher would be less motivated to instruct diligently than the students motivation towards school. Overall, the school is very public and generously admits anyone offering free lunches and . Astonishingly enough, this approach can admits unsuitable students that belong in other areas out of range , from alternative schools to penitentiaries. Either case, decide cautiously in Antioch schools. Chow
—Submitted by a parent

The one problem I have with this school is the fact that I, along with the other student body and staff, are not prepared for emergencies. The two lockdowns we've had were not done correctly and we NEVER have earthquake drills, shelter in place drills and intruder drills. The only time we have a fire drill is when the system malfunctions. The administration needs to realize that We need to practice this and as a student there, I know there would be much panic when the big one hits.
—Submitted by a parent

The principals and vice principals are exceptionally accommodating and always accessible. Most of the teachers are excellent and ready to help. All my children have had great experiences and they have got admitted into their preferred university.
—Submitted by a parent

As a recent graduate, I have to say that I am surprisingly proud to have graduated from DV. During my first two years, the school was much more crowded than it was during my upperclassmen years. There are a wide variety of AP classes, most of the teachers are great, and the reputation of our sports teams are one of a kind. Although it's true that there are many 'gangbangers' and such at the school, I never felt unsafe and never had a major problem with anyone. If your child has a tendency to start problems or not do so well in school, please don't blame the teachers or the school. If your student tries hard enough and uses all the opportunities available to them, then they'll get into a great college, just like how I will be going to Cal in the fall with three of my friends!! :)
—Submitted by a student

As a student, I like Deer Valley a great deal because of many meaningful reasons. One reason emanates from the Deer Valley teachers. The teachers here deeply care for the success of each and every student. That is easily seen by everyone and anyone on campus. Not only that, but the administration is always there for the student, both principal and house head alike. As a student, I truly feel like I can succeed and I know Deer Valley has the capability in preparing me for that success.
—Submitted by a student

Deer Valley High School and its respective district is rapidly integrating the fundamental pieces that once made this school one of the best in the county. In doing so presently, the school is well on its way at regaining the crown and becoming the pride of the district and jewel of the county. Test scores have consecutively elevated and the overall aura this school emits by way of student and staff alike, has me mesmerized. Having had my children bounce around surrounding districts, and being disappointed, this school fills me with pride. This school is earnestly a keeper.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm alumni from Deer Valley, and I would rate this school two out of five because I did not believe that the people running the school had the student's success as their number one priority. The year I started going to DV was the first year they decided to no longer have counselors at the school. They, however, do have four vice principals and one head principal. Doesn't anyone think it would be more beneficial to have only one or two vice principals and actually have guidance counselors for students? Especially when these are the years that are most important to college acceptance? the faculty said that the school did not have enough money to provide students with counselors. Why is it then, that the year after I graduated, the school began offering bowling as an elective, as well as ipod classes, and other waste-of-money classes? Something to think about...
—Submitted by a student

Deer Valley is at the very least, a school that implements success. The teachers are top tier, and it is given that close to 96% provide avtivities, tutoring, and valuable review (Deer Valley Trubulation). There are also a handful of teachers that are college instructors as well. According to the National Forum on Public education, Deer Valley High School has consecutively scored higher than the surrounding schools in the greater East Bay. They have also been classified as an institiutional powerhouse for their academic excellence (County NEWS 2008). Deer Valley has additionally been classified as a 'gifted school' in regards to class range, test scores, student diversity, and academic rank. Overall, Deer Valley High should be considered by any who wish to attend a school that can compete with the best of the best. California Education Department

There are good after school programs. Many people here are rude. Deer Valley is being filled with many gangmembers. There are many drinkers and smokers that are doing these stunts illegally. Ever since 'Smoke Shop' opened for business across the street, the school has changed dramatically. Our school officer is a great man!
—Submitted by a student

this school just appeared to me as average. i went to dv during freshman and half of sophmore year. i have been to three other high schools besides this one and id say two out of the three are better than dv. dv is too overcrowded, and has too many problems. its not exactly what i would expect from a school like that.
—Submitted by a student

Im a senior at deer valley and honestly each year it only gets worse. I have been a highly involved member at the campus and i still feel that it did not have much to offer and the school officials (not the teachers but the administrators) are more interested in office politics and their own interests verses that of the students of deer valley and the school as a whole. This school is horrible! We complain about money and then hire two principals which is double the money. I would recommend that if you don't have to go to deer valley, don't!
—Submitted by a student

Wonderful so far and looking forward to continued success for both the students, parents and school administration.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a freshman that transferred to Deer Valley in October 2007. At first I didn't like it because my grades fell sharply. The teachers were good at explaining what to do, but I had a hard time adjusting to the school climate and teaching styles. I went to my VP and she fixed my schedule to where I needed it to be so would avoid summer school. I have to go because I failed the first semester of english. I will probably have to do Algebra 1 there too. I had a hard time making friends at first but, I have many now and that boosted my self confidence and my grades as well. I would recommend this school if you want good, quality teaching. The school is very diverse and the people are friendly as well. This school focuses very much on sports. Overall, its an alright school.
—Submitted by a student