Beverly Hills High School

BHHS is an excellent school if you are willing to work. If you are lazy or decide to concentrate on socializing, obtaining good grades will be difficult. The good news is that because so many of the children lack a work ethic, you can do anything because the school and faculty offer a great variety of programs and support. If you carve out the top 20% of student, my guess is that BHHS would be on par with the best high schools on the planet. People who whine about having to be on time or require the trappings of private schools really should not go to BHHS. If you (student or parent) are afraid of the impact of a strangely diverse student body, BHHS is also not for you. If you are focused on having friends like you in a country club setting, you should go somewhere else. BHHS is not the real world, but it does represent a subset of that world -- those who are financially successful either because they are smart or they are connected to wealth.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great. I as a student know possibly better than the parents here, so please hear my plea. This school is an extremely strict school and demands much from all the students. Tardiness, sluggishness, and disruptive behavior causes all the teachers to be bent out of shape. As for the foreign students, the majority of this school is Persian and/or Jewish. But, generally, racism and vulgarity rarely consists in the school's daily talk. In fact, I haven't seen drugs or any of the typical day high school sights. "Snotty rich kids" is a terrible cliche to the extent that I find this school rather filled with average wealth students that are a bit more babied than other high schools. There ARE ,however, some rich students who simply borrow their cars from their parents. But, it's a school, not a place to measure wealth and criticize people about their stature, so why should ANYONE care? The teachers can be a handful and the insanely busy hallways with strange people can seem a bit unwelcoming, but once one gets the hang of it and learns how to use the school to their advantage, they're really ready to succeed. This is overall a great school.
—Submitted by a student

Before you send your child to Beverly Hills High School, be sure to read the "Attendance Policy" under the "Parents" tab on the website. They deduct more than 1/2 a point from your grade each time you're a 1 second late. They also refuse to allow students to make up classwork, if say, someone steals their book. The math teacher refused to allow my kid to use a calculator from the school for a math test when my kid didn't have their own calculator. When another kid lent my kid a calculator, the teacher took it away from my kid. When you are reading the reviews on this school, notice how many of them sound like they might have been written by the same source. BHHS isn't about helping kids get into college or academics. My kid was an honor student when we started at BHHS and because of unavoidable absenses and tardies, mean kids stealing books and bullying, my kid is lucky to be coming out of this year with a "B" average, even though my kid got good grades on tests and assignments. And since most of the kids at BHHS are from another country, not America, your kid will be dealing with all the richness of cultures that really don't like Americans. Good luck.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughters first year at BHHS. She is entering the 10th grade. I was a little concerned about my child fitting in considering we are not rich and minority. I was suprised that for the most part, the students are pretty friendly and my daughter joined a sport team and met even more friends. The staff is very helpful and accomodating at well. My daughter is transitioning very well!
—Submitted by a parent

Once in a while you get a teacher who expects the student to learn the subject himself. A lot is on the student. This school is meant for brilliant children. Courses are amazing! Honors everything. AP everything.... prepare to get high scores on the SAT and ACT.
—Submitted by a parent

Having been to both a private high school and Beverly, I can tell you that public school (for me at least) has not been a very nurturing, welcoming or fun place to go to school. The administration takes weeks to do anything. My counselor has been very hard to reach. They have such strict policies regarding attendance and turning in work that I honestly feel like it is a prison. At Beverly, most kids drive mercedes, BMWs, audis, range rovers and i have even seen a few porsches. If you are considering private or public high school (from my experience) i now 100% feel as though private school is worth the money. They are smaller, more nurturing and an overall better place to grow as both a student and person.

i sendt my daughter there last year for her freshman year. At fisrt we were a little worried she might not fight in as we are not "of money" But she fit in well. The students were nice and the staff were excellent and helpful whenever I had a question or concern. This year she goes to another school and doesnt do as well. We will be sending her back to BHHS for her next 2 years of H.S.
—Submitted by a parent

When my child has two inspiring teaches I'm feel fortunate. Last year she had three!
—Submitted by a parent

From a student's point of view, Beverly has pros as well as cons. The school's various activites and programs are good and the counselors are very helpful. But I feel that many teachers at the school are not as strong in their academic teaching as I hoped. Another problem is the cultural and learning environment. There are less cultural backgrounds than most schools. I believe the school could work on improving the learning environment. Students should feel that they are part of the community, but the community is not that strong.
—Submitted by a student

This school is a tremendous disappointment. As a resident of BH, I send my daughter to BHHS. But frankly, this school is just as bad as most of the failing schools you hear about in LAUSD, and for the same reasons: apathetic teachers whose only goal is retirement (and a union that supports them); figurehead principals who really don't know much about instruction (focus on 'management' rather than vision/leadership); kids who are allowed to function as little adults; zero accountability for teachers/district brass. The only difference is I know the likelihood of my child being victimized (like students at Manual Arts, Crenshaw, Dorsey, etc.) is virtually '0.'
—Submitted by a parent

Beverly is probably has one of the most cosmopolitan, sophisticated, open minded student bodies of any public high school in the United States. It is a liberal, predominantly Jewish school where a high majority of students not only go on to college, but to some of the best universities. The staff doesn't live up to the quality of their students, but these students are so self motivated it is only an annoyance.
—Submitted by a parent

If you get a teacher you don't like it is either drop the class and don't achieve in the higher class, or man-up and face failure. The only thing that is good about this school is that if you need help from your counselor they will give it to you. Otherwise, everything that is said about this school is a complete lie. The most important thing about going to the highschool is what school you came from. On the outside, parents see hugs and kisses, but what they don't know is that they are from the same school and they are doing that from their original school. If your child went to Beverly Vista especially, i would suggest you change them to another one of the schools. The vibe that one sees of the kids from the other schools is important when you want your child to remember their highschool.
—Submitted by a student

I am a student that goes to BHHS. All i really want to say is that people judge me when i say that i go there. It is really ridiculous. Beverly isnt like the television show. There is no drama like that, and people generally get along. All the teachers are friendly and eager to help their students. People need to look past the fact that we live in Beverly Hills and that we are just trying to earn an education like every other school.
—Submitted by a student

Very mediocre, absolutely over-rated, social support for the students is poor, counselors are generally inaccessible, many teachers are passionless, students are rude and arrogant. My daughter has finished school this year. I am very disappointed from this school.
—Submitted by a parent

my daughter will be a junior this year and so far has loved the school. I on the other hand would like more 'school spirit' there are not enough dances or events that keep the school a community. It seems a lot of the kids don't attend the dances because they are 'lame'. I think they need to figure out how to get the kids involved and excited to attend these things because they will regret it when they are older. I know a lot of high schools where the kids all go to the dances/proms etc.....You have to be a self motivated child to get the most out of this school. I guess it is a good experience for college but it would help if the teachers kept a little better watch over these very young kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I go to this school becuase I didnt get into Palisades High and its a good school but really rich & material like. I like Palisades better though because it is more diverse and more fun. B ut Beverly is still good.

I am currently attending BHHS and it's great! Although the school is very materialistic (not suprisingly, come on now, it's beverly hills) the education here is phenomenal!! The teachers are great. Although the only thing i'd say is a disadvantage is that, since it's very materialistic, some kids that don't come from a 'wealthy' family might not fit in as well. That's the only concern of mine. But otherwise it's a great school! I love it here! =]
—Submitted by a student

My Children are very fortunate to attend Beverly. The resources are plentiful and the API score is high. I greatly disagree with the parent's opinion of the school being poor. I think if she was to visit less fortunate schools she would change her opinion. The Math and Science building is very spectacular. Every time that I'm on campus, the children are well behaved and I see hugs and smiles. The school aslo has a zero tolerance for drugs and violence with a firm strategy for controlling it. This is my Child's 4th year there and I'm extremly satisfied.
—Submitted by a parent

Good School, but very overrated. I sent one kid there and one to Palisades High. In my opinion, besides the extra-curricular activites and programs, it is a poor school. The teaching is terrible, and the Beverly Hills community isn't that great because the kids are undisciplined and very materialistic.
—Submitted by a parent

Good school. A few teachers are sub-par (everyone I talk to hates them), but that is to be expected in any public school because of the Union. Nevertheless, above average.
—Submitted by a student