Barstow High School

i love it it rocks i luv my school i would be honored to have my kids (when i have some) to go there
--Submitted by a student

Barstow may be rough around the edges but all in all it is a great place to be. You just have to surround yourself by good people and you get what you put in.
--Submitted by a student

I am a parent of 3 who have attended or are attending BHS currently. 2 of my children are graduating with Bachelors Degrees This Summer (2009). One will go on become a Teacher in the Barstow Unified School District, and the other will go on to get their PHD. My 3rd child is looking to attend UC Berkley Next year. ALL were approached by their counselors but they too had to make the effort.They have done VERY well for themselves thus far which can all be attributed to their Instructors, Parents, and themselves. I strongly suggest that if you have a problem with the school you look at yourself and your child before blaming the school.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a current student here at BHS, and this school is amazing! The teachers are great, with the exception of a small group of 'OUTSIDERS' Ive learned alot throughout my high school career (Im a Senior) and made alot of great friends, our athletics program is great, our cheerleaders went to nationals this year. My counselors DID call me in and talked to me about my future, and whenever I was falling behind, I would get called in only to be motivated, and be pushed to do better in my school work. I WOULD DEFINIETLY RECOMEND YOU SEND YOUR CHILD HERE!
--Submitted by a student

I could not recommend sending a child to Barstow High. Very unorganized. Children are put in out of control classroom. Good teachers are let go. They bring in Sub's who tell students to sit there because they do not know what to do, because they do not have a lesson plan? Counseling staff and Administration will not return phone calls. Students are unable to see their counselor. My daughter does have 4 teachers who inspire and motivate her. Not one time has a counselor spoken to her about her future, plans, if she wants to go to college. Counselors are unavailable to students?
--Submitted by a parent

This school has an exceptional band program and cross country program. However, that is as good as it gets! The discipline is a major concern as it directly affects the education and safety of the children. This school needs major reform.
--Submitted by a parent

Parent involvement is not what it should be, you have the same parents who are always involved, their students are high achievers. Band parents seem interested, but in general it is hard to involve parents who don't seem to have time. There are quality teachers, but without 'quality' parents, students seem to 'slack' up. We are looking for ways to involve and eductate more parents as to what the students and school are doing. Parent parternering would increase the quality of education, and the overall rating of the school.

The quality of teachers at Barstow High is amazing. There are always a few teachers that stray from the norm at Barstow High but those are few teachers. I am fully confident that Barstow High prepared me for college and for life. The music department is the best in the High Desert and is able to compete with the state of California. The sports teams are fair and do well through teamwork, heart, and determination not through talent.
--Submitted by Scott Fender, a former student

Great atmosphere, teachers there call you by name and recognize you as more than just another ID number! I felt pretty safe there, and I grew up with most of my senior class from Kindergarten to eighth grade!
--Submitted by a former student

The academic programs are geared towards conformity and busy work with a few exceptions of a few of the teachers. Counselors and teachers seem only to be aware of a few students. Many gifted students are lost if unknown in the community and are judged based on appearances. When descrepancies are brought to the attention of higher administrative authority, not much is done to correct it. Music program is great but the art, sports and other activities minimal or lacking proper direction. Parent involvement often criticized by staffed but then again not always welcomed either.
--Submitted by a parent