Mission San Jose High School

I am a current student right now at Mission San Jose High School, and the one word to describe it would be competitive. I'm in all honors (I'm only a sophomore and have not had the chance to get into APs yet) and I still feel as if I'm at the bottom of the pack because of the high pressure at this school. This school is only good for kids who want a high GPA with no social life.
—Submitted by a student

There is not enough ethnic diversity in the school.
—Submitted by a parent

The overall learning environment of the school is too competitive and challenging that my student felt stressful. Most teachers are good, but some of the honors/AP teachers are too demanding to the extend that it's almost impossible to get a good grade in their classes. Administrators and teachers expect parents and students to comply to their 'demands' without complaints. On the other hand, the school does offer a great variety of courses to meet students' academical need. I wish that honors/AP teachers can treat their students as high schoolers and not college students. Overall, most students do really well, but some students have to rely on heavy tutoring to keep up with the pace or get ahead.
—Submitted by a parent

As an alumni of this high school, I cannot agree more than the only reasons that scores are so high, is because of the drive, and precociousness of the students. The teachers are hit or miss, and the administrations (principal, vice-principal, school-resource officer) are lackluster, at best. If you want your children to get A's, send them here, but if you want them to be better people when they grow up, you'll have to take a much more vested interest in raising them because this school and its administration won't have the students' best interests in mind. They only care about MSJ's reputation. Other schools with a wider breadth of programs (wood shop, ROTC, more challenging sports programs), offer more choices for a student, with a better chance that he/she will find his/her niche in life.
—Submitted by a former student

I am a graduate of this high school and am now in my third year at university. I can honestly say my years at mission were much more academically challenging than my years at UC. The challenging environment was difficult. The teachers at MSJ are better than my professors here, and Im paying 20K a year. It's almost ridiculous how motivated the students are. It's great for people who are motivated and do well under pressure, but not good for people like me who don't. I'm smarter than most of the students here at my college who earned higher GPA's at their high schools due to grade inflation. My point is that it is great for some, not so great for others, but I am proud to be an alumni of such a prestigous high school.
—Submitted by a former student

Im a current student here at mission san jose. The honors program have teachers that often assume that their students are already smart and don't offer a lot of help. The school also has too many cliques in which it is hard to find the 'right' group of friends and also hard to even meet friends. On the plus side the best teachers, are the teachers who are involved in sports and in music. The school looks awful and the bathrooms need serious repairments. Overall..This school is well for those who want to achieve in academics, but other than that..You may need to think twice.
—Submitted by a former student

This high school is the best school in northern cali, academically speaking. Its #4 in the top scoring schools in the sats in california. The other top 3 are in southern ca. Graduates of this high schl have gotten scholarships to harvard, berkeley and stanford
—Submitted by a student

MSJHS is great academically but it is the worst looking high school in the entire state. DThe principal is awful. He's never lifted a finger to improve the facilites of the school. All he cares about is the high scores which would come with or without his help. The counselors are no help either. The PTA has to hire an outside social worker to help with the problem kids. Think twice before sending your children here.
—Submitted by a parent

Mission San Jose is an excellent public school. I am an alumni, and I credit the excellent teachers there is a lot of my success in college. They have only gotten better, with more resources, since I graduated.
—Submitted by a former student

Strong academics, but as a result not as well rounded in everything else like wood shop, sports, etc.
—Submitted by a former student

Mission San Jose High is over rated. The only reason why this school has high stats is because the ethnic majority there is academically inclined. The facilities are in poor shape, the teachers lack exceptional teaching skills, and the staff lacks concern for the students overall wellfare. The staff is extremely rude and seldom has time to address students' concerns or academic troubles the students may be having. If the teachers and staff would realize that the only reason this school has good scores is because of the inherently driven children who go there and not because of the work they do, then perhaps there would be some change for the better. As a side note, the staff is especially rude to those parents who do not speak English very well. 'You can get all A's and still flunk life.' ~Walker Percy
—Submitted by a parent

As a student at MSJ, I can say that it is a very competitive environment. I am currently taking two APs and the work load is probably about four hours a day. I have to admit, however, that this environment is for the better because I am pushed work to the best of my ability and in turn, I will be better prepared for college.
—Submitted by a student

The academic programs are amazing and they really help the kids prepare for their next educational step.
—Submitted by a parent

Too high achieving, high pressure environment. I prefer a balanced education rather than one that is strictly academic.
—Submitted by a former student

We like this school very much. The kids seem real motivated, probably because most come from Asian back-ground. We do feel though, that it's the kids that make this school better insteard of the faculty.
—Submitted by a parent

School emphasizes strong all around learning! The teachers provide a solid background for the eager students, more than preparing them for college prep courses!
—Submitted by a former student

Academically speaking, MSJ is one of the best schools in the state, and certainly one of the best in the bay area. It consistently tests in the top 10 in the state for student test scores, with some years even in the top 5. The students are all very self-motivated, and the entire culture of the school pushes students to succeed. In terms of opportunities, just about every activity is available at MSJ, and if an activity is not, the administration is generally very flexible in allowing students to start an organization. Teaching quality is what you would expect out of top notch school. Some instructors are lacking, but generally the quality is good. The only downside is the immense pressure that often results from the goal-oriented, success driven culture at MSJ. This often takes a toll on many kids, and may not be the right choice for every child.
—Submitted by a former student

Excellent School academically. Football team attrocious.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school for academics. Almost a private school academic surrounding. Great for aspiring students to ivy league schools. Extra curriculars aren't that great; more of a focus on academics. Parents are extremely involved with funding activities for the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Highly charged competitive students environment where the average GPA is above 3.20. Regardless who will teach them, the majority of the students are very motivated to succeed. The current principal is riding in the success of its student and irresponsive for correcting behavioral problems and lacking of courage to enforce the policy.
—Submitted by a parent