Arcadia High School

I love AHS, I really do. Sure you do have to push yourself to try your hardest, but isn't that a positive trait? I am a lot better off than some of my friends who went to MHS or TCHS who are now struggling in college because they were never taught to push themselves to take APs or higher level courses. Honestly, college is a breeze for me because all the classes I've taken have for the last 12 years has prepared me for what I'm experiencing right now. I'm glad I pushed myself because all the work that I've done in volunteering, clubs, and academics earned me nearly $20,000 in merit based and academic scholarships from multiple schools. Schools fought to have me join their ranks because they see my school and know what I am capable of the work I can do. Everyone has heard of AHS because of our strong academic and performing arts teams, and they know our dedication and our abilities to go above and beyond what we're expected to do. Talking to the Dean of Admissions at Harvey Mudd made that apparent when he told me that the AHS kids are some of the hardest working students he has at the school, and they never want to pass them up.
—Submitted by a student

An okay school! I like all the people and most of the teachers at the High School! But some don't teach at all. The High School could improve a little bit about firing the teachers that don't teach. Well at least most of the teachers still teach though.
—Submitted by a student

I worked there for many years. There is much chaos and little accountability for both the administrators and the support staff. I felt that they were doing an injustice to the students and parents.
—Submitted by a teacher

Teachers do not encourage students to work, while most of them resort to private tutors to understand the lesson. That's why their test scores are so high. The high test score is absolutely not a results of the so called guidance counseling staff, AP nor the teachers. Students have to seek knowledge about colleges and AP information by themselves. The school fascilities are horrible. Football players for instance has no water to bath after practice in the morning. Can you imagine the kids have nowhere to eat at lunch? They eat with chipmunks on the dirty lawn.
—Submitted by a parent

While current programs are aimed to help students, high competition between particular students leave struggling students behind. Teachers are able to work with students, but counselors are inexperienced and do not take complaints seriously.
—Submitted by a parent

I sense frustration in some of these postings most of which can be resolved with proper communication with the school and its leaders. The best way to do this is to get involved, understand the system and have an intelligent dialogue with the school and parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a recent graduate of Arcadia High School and can provide an accurate critique. I played four years for the football team and took a wide range of classes in which the majority of students were motivated to learn. Most of the negative comments draw attention to FACULTY shortcomings and not, in comparison, student faults. That is because in terms of academics Arcadia High School consistently scores in the top tier for Southern California! Although some of the staff do not excel at their, undoubtedly, monotonous and overlooked positions, parents should generally be assured that there is virtually no bullying and that the surrounding affluent community is relatively safe and nurturing to students' intellectual pursuits. These qualities are considered luxuries for inner city students. Furthermore, any problems occurring with faculty can be quickly resolved by a responsible parent with concise correspondence, so unfair administration should not be an issue. Overall this school has competitive athletics and top quality academics. Overall it is "Above Average" in comparison to other public schools; private and preparatory schools must be weighted monetarily.

This school was a lot better decades ago when I went there. There are many contraversial topics parents are talking about this school. The leader there does not take parents seriously. Teachers are usually quite supportive of the students and parents. Other than that, parents have so much complaints but they just don't want to bother to bring it to the superintendent. nothing will change and parents have given up. over-rated over-hyped for nothing so good about the school. Thanks to the supportive parents and the extremely hardworking kids in Arcadia. The counselors department don't do their job right. can they show some respects to parents and kids once and for all?
—Submitted by a parent

The school doesn't have any sort of good communication among staff and the administrators. With better unity and trust among them, the school could do better. Luckly my kids has transferred to a nice private school where there are good counselors with real knowledge about colleges and AP as well as adequate counseling skills. Most importantly they respect the students and the parents. I love to see some respect from the deans and the counselors. May be that's the culture of AHS and that will never change.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter graduated from this school and we had the most greatest experiences with the teachers, great facilities, library, field tracks, great food.... But not so good counselors and deans. Their work ethics and attitudes towards the parents and students raise many eye browses. Some of them took like 2 weeks off during mid year reports periods which is some time after christmas which led to some students rejected by their desired colleges. May be they are a bit lazy, irresponsible and over paid. I don't know. Great teachers and facilities but not so good counselors.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school overall. Most of the teachers are excellent, smart, and generally understanding. (I say this being an alumni myself so I am a little bias when it comes to disciplinary action.) Safe from gang violence As for the diversity, it is very asian as far as demographics go but rarely is this an issue as Arcadia's many clubs, sports, and programs bring many people together and create friendships regardless of race. Great band and drumline, as for sports; Good baseball, swimming, track, cross country, golf, volleyball, and tennis. Not as good football, basketball, and water polo. Best sport, cross country or track due to the fact that the Nike Invitational is held here. Academics speak for themselves, Gov. Team is nationally ranked (#1) and many other academic teams are very competitive. School pushes students to take APs and get into UCs, very much an academic prone school.
—Submitted by a student

AHS is definately above average in comparison to the LA Unified School district. My eldest son just graduated last year and I have the staff and his councelor to thank for. Unlike most of the negative comments that I read. Maybe we were lucky running into extremly patience teachers, staff and councelor. We do run into classes and teachers that we don't like but it's a fact of life and a lesson that we can't always get what we want,so help your child learn how to deal with it. I'm asian and a small business owner in Arcadia...I do find that mojority of us asian are extremely rude. We don't follow rules and guidelines just to get what we want and can sometime agitate the office staff. The only complain I have is the school is overly crowded.
—Submitted by a parent

Pros : Great class choices + Wide variety Lunch is great Student's are very helpful Cons : Counselors and teachers need WAY more training Schedule is horrible causing teachers not to teach at all Mandatory swimming test Does not had a diverse race 60+% asian
—Submitted by a student

This school is just great! Arcadia has just the best, and most excellent schools! I hope my future generations move to Arcadia where it is highly desirable for the great schools! Especially Arcadia High!
—Submitted by a parent

The school is located in the upper middle class neighborhood and comprised of extremely hardworking kids and supportive parents. Teachers and some staff are great! The school district is still extremely conservative and arrogant. They better stop taking all the credits for the students and parents achievement. It's unfair!
—Submitted by a parent

The school is very big with hard working teachers, the most amazinngly diligent students with great supports from their parents. They came from upper-middle class background and the parents have many resources for the children. On the other hand, the counselors and the administrators are not doing a very good job. They usually take all the credit for what the already great students and supportive parents have done. It' s not fair because they are usually mean and not very knowledgable. We parents are seeking for recources and advise from somewhere else. THese staff need to work harder to help the parents and the students. The more counselors does not show more effectiveness in the office. Actually more complaints which is sad.
—Submitted by a parent

The "guidance counselors" needs more trainning in doing their jobs. They are not working very hard. It's really sad. The office staff in thier office need change their behaviors and attitudes toward new immigrant parents and children. They always show disrespect to them. The students are being treated in the unfair manner. The administrators need to do something about that. However they would never ever care. But the teachers are most very helpful and nice.
—Submitted by a parent

Arcadia high school is ridiculously big in size it should be split to 2 schools. There is no control over students behavior or problems on campus. It's soooo competitive in every area. 90 percent Asians makes others feel odd. I don't recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I really agree with you nothing more than value brand name. I have my daughter attend this school only because one of my Asian friends can help out. I am a single, working mom but my friend is not. The school counselors are not so helpful. The teachers are good. The administration staff is not so friendly; they want you to think that they are so busy to talk to you. The parents (most of them) are educated and hard worker but no self-discipline. I feel like we are not in US but in Asia country.
—Submitted by a parent

It's not the worst school per se. It's extremely over-rated. The counselors are pretty bad. They work so slowly. Very inefficient. The bitter secretary is so rude most of the time. Most of the teachers are nice and responsible.
—Submitted by a parent