Monta Vista High School

Reading these reviews are shocking, I never felt miserable and stressed. I took my share of AP and honor classes, took math+science each year. I had time for music, dance, reading and volunteering. Stress was occasional, usually around finals week. I had fun with friends outside of school. It's academically rigorous, but not too so. Obviously if you're a failure who can't handle the pressures of learning, you're better off going to Fremont or Cupertino High. I didn't see any racism, maybe those crying foul mistook contempt from their peers for not trying harder as racism. I got into UCLA, majoring in Anthropology/Archaeology. Doing museum and field work over the summer. So much for a high school that only churns out doctors and engineers. It was my Humanities teacher who inspired me to go into the humanities instead of science too. Parents, if your child is bright enough, send them to MV. High school isn't forever, focus on the future. I was well prepared for college, courses were a breeze thanks to MV. The only thing I was unprepared for was the widespread drinking, drugs and sex on campus. But that just reinforces how disciplined and secure the environment at MV is.

This is a continue of my last post: (i am new to monta vista and last attended cupertino high) I feel that this school is to focused in books and lacks a lot of knowlege to become someone like a lawyer, president, ceo, arts, actor, a lot of fields in science, real estate, business, doctors and these type of professions require more then getting A's high schools. an many more but this school does help one become a engineer, computer science, physics major. Away from education The schools enviroment is horrible! Sure there is no problems like drugs, bulling or violence, but one should understand that these problems do happen in real life and that hiding children from these issues are not going to help them bring up their full potential because in the future one may run into these issues. In this school I have made no friensds because lot d the students here are way to worries about their grades and many are not fun to talk with. Friends I have made are new students that just entered monta vista and they agree too about the enviroment. Personaly I like the enviromen better because I found nice people who share the same hobby as me and are dedicated, but this may not happen to others
--Submitted by a student

There is something known as "White Flight" going on in this school, as in caucasian families leaving because of the overwhelming amount of asian families and the pressure culturally that asians put on their children. Being asian myself, all i can say is this school is not a good place for teenagers that are not academically inclined. I always felt stupid going to the school and had a terrible time in math classes as people would scoff at my literal failing of math tests. I've retained absolutely nothing from Monta Vista, and now go to an art college because i'm a failure at every other subject.
--Submitted by a student

I go to Monta Vista and I LOVE IT. Sure, say that we're all nerds, you're stereotyping us because you don't go to our school. Although mostly everyone here strives to do well academically, we do know how to have "fun." Academics are a great reason to go to Monta Vista though, my teachers work really hard to help, and though some classes are challenging you learn a lot. You can go to any teacher for help and they will go out of their way to make sure you do the best you can. There is pressure, but in my opinion that just pushes you to succeed. You choose who you hang out with, so don't make competitive friends. We have a lot of BULL SPIRIT *and* we're going to college. Monta Vista is worth it.
--Submitted by a student

This school has fantastic school spirit, and a nice environment, but all the students are incredibly bigoted and convinced that MV is better than any other school because of their high API score, which is incredibly closed-minded. Also, their drama department is terrible because they learn out a textbook and spend more time reading then they do acting and expressing themselves.

Academically challenging. I know it is tough, but consider it tough love. Some of the kids may not like it right now, but when they grow up, they will thank their high school for teaching them how to make it in real life.
--Submitted by a parent

Having had 3 children pass through Monta Vista all doing very well scholastically, I must say none of them enjoyed the high school experience. All complained of Liberal teachers blatantly pushing their Political views no matter what the subject. Principal leadership is extremely weak, allowing student protests (taping mouths shut and not speaking) for Gay Rights? while suspending kids for being kids. Found the boys athletic department extremely weak especially the coaching.I That being said 2 have gone on to do quite well in college.
--Submitted by a parent

With one child attending Monta Vista, I must say how much it reminds me (for better and worse) of the elite private high school I attended only safer, more flexible and with more resources as befits its large student body. Really, that s the only real comparison that can be made Competitive Top Class College Prep, with all the upsides (and yes, downsides) that go along with that. Given the difficulty of getting a child enrolled in MVHS and the price premium of living in this section of Cupertino, can there honestly be any parents who accidentally discovered that their scholastically average, hoping-to-squeeze-by-on-athletics student wasn t a good fit? It s time to get real. And as to the students' No. Cal politics, (not that this stands out in particular) with a lifetime ahead to become cynical and conservative, may their optimism reign for as long as it can.
--Submitted by a parent

It's a physically safe place with a fair amount of great teachers, but the crux of MVHS is this: It's a four year marathon of work, grades and work. Everyone around you is motivated, which is wonderful in its own way, but the problem is that it's difficult to feel accomplished among peers that succeed so often. What good is being better than the national and state average if 'excellence' is the school's norm? It's remarkably easy to feel overwhelmed and inferior in that environment. Of course, you can say that school is for learning and a little stress is expected from all students; it helps prepare them for the 'real world.' You could say, 'You only have one childhood, so why not spend it preparing for the future?' It's a dog eat dog world. I just hope there's still something left of us kids at the end of the
--Submitted by a student

Monta Vista is the definition of academic pressure. Prepare to self study and compete a lot. Everyone is a nerd, even the jocks. On the other hand, the only gang fights are between FBLA and DECA.
--Submitted by a student