Carpinteria Senior High School

The great thing about Carpinteria High School is that it is a small traditional High School. The small size is an advantage in that it is difficult for students to fall through the cracks. The faculty, staff, administration and counselors know the students. Having two students with completely different interests attend CHS, I can say that there is something offered for everyone. There are an abundance of sports teams, a very active Future Farmers of America, opportunities for performing and fine arts as well as clubs such as Junior Statesmen of America where students are encouraged to take on leadership roles. Under the direction of Superintendent Cordeiro and Principal Cornejo the school is improving in the right direction, adding new and more interesting classes to engage students. One suggestion that I have for the administration is to communicate even more with the parents so they can support the educational process.
--Submitted by a parent

The new administration has greatly improved school morale. It's a shame the school will be losing good faculty to retirement over the next few years. The teachers are the glue of the school that has kept it together in spite of administration problems. There still needs to be a true sharing of parent, teacher, school board and faculty with regard to priorities of the school.Decisions tend to be top down and geared toward creating the impression that the school can offer more course selection than is possible, while not always supplying the necessary materials for existing courses. Compared to other schools in the area, the classes are small and students receive grade checks every six weeks.
--Submitted by a parent

New Administrators (as of August 2006) have brought about a more professional, personal and positive environment at the school. Faculty and students are happier. Classes are challenging to all levels of student achievment. We are very happy to have two students attending this high school.
--Submitted by a parent

Carpinteria High School has had a huge turnover in principals. There are some very good teachers but pay in the district is very low. Football is big at the school. Academics take a back seat in the community to football.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is poor, so it does not have as great programs as it could have. It is pretty much an average high school, with average students and average classes. I rated the principal leadership very low because that man does not do anything; the vice principal is the guy in charge and everyone knows that. We have had 4 principals in the last 6 years. There are some really bad and really good teachers; they are almost all white even though the school is mostly Hispanic which I think is a problem. The school is pretty safe; you're not going to get jumped or anything, but there are quite a lot of drugs on campus and when kids act out in class it is not usually enforced.
--Submitted by a student

Administration does not communicate with staff, treatment of students are poor. Principal is not doing a good job, staff and administration are behind in the times. More Vocational programs needed.
--Submitted by a parent

Not a big school in size, but a big school in spirit. Has no major problems and a relatively safe environment. Enjoy specially the science faculty.
--Submitted by C.A. Orona, a student