Hercules High School

Run to another school. The administration is a farce.The students unruly, the security guards part of the problem and the teachers aren't getting paid enough to care. Generally speaking of course. My experience with this school is totally negative from beginning to end. I will never encourage anyone to enroll their child in this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school really needs to refresh on how to keep kids safe there. There are always fights and the new principal just doesn't seem to have a handle on things. I preferred the previous principal, things just seemed not so hectic.
—Submitted by a parent

There is a consular who is not there for the kids just a pay check and it shows. Not happy with her at all. There is a lot of talking down to the kids and the parents as if they have some kind of power over you. She does not trying to figure out what really happen or how it happen. she just wanted to be right when she was clearly in the WRONG and didn't listen to my son at all
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended in 2007 & 2008 and hated when she had to go the office. Employees were very very rude! Gave no respect.
—Submitted by a parent

As a previous student of Hercules High School I would not suggest you send your child here. The lack of connection with the teachers/students is disheartening. The environment was disrespectful, at many times violent, and left much to be desired. It is unfortunate that such a nice neighborhood has such a disappointment for a high school. I strongly feel that this school does not prepare students for college either. In my opinion, there are only a few positive things to say in regards to Hercules High. As many have said before the drama, dance, and music departments shine. There are a handful of teachers who genuinely seem to want to make a difference in your child's life. Beyond that Hercules High needs a lot of improvement. I would look elsewhere if I was trying to give my child the best I could for the future of their education.
—Submitted by a student

The teachers are always absent when the kids try to catch up with the material the teachers just jump to another chapter without reviewing where they stopped. The teachers are overwhelmed, they give out homework, but they hardly return it back to the kids. When I ask the kids how they did on a test they don t know until the progress reports come out if the kids get a C or a lower grade the teachers always answer it s because low test scores. The administration is also a mess, when a child needs to speak to a counselor or someone in the office, everyone is always rude, there is no politeness or manners. My kids will never return to this school unfortunately that leaves an open spot for an outsider to come here instead of our own children.
—Submitted by a parent

The administration doesn't listen to the kids and what they have to say and they dont let the students know or teachers know when there is changes in policy. Hercules High needs new administration. Specially they need a new principal who knows and interprets student hand book as they are written. The person need to be able to admit the mistake they make.
—Submitted by a parent

We pulled our son out of Hercules after 2 years...just too many problems. While Principal Zak seems to be 'in touch' from afar, when you speak to him one-on-one with specific concerns, he falls flat. None of our (rather simple) concerns were dealt with, and he supports the teachers without fail. While loyalty is not a bad thing, it is necessary to admit when a certain teacher is getting many, many complaints and some change needs to happen. Discipline is a huge problem, even with the recent changes. My son was witnessing fights almost daily.
—Submitted by a parent

my favorite school, i just switched out of pinole valley and this is way better. i heard administration just improved this year. bye
—Submitted by a student

My son is new to this school this year. He is a good student getting a 'B' average or higher. I hear about so many kids in his class failing or barely passing with a 'D'. So many students not applying themselves. I think it is a reflection of their parents participation and lack of discipline with their child. The school is very good at letting partents know when their student is tardy or absent to class. It appears that most of the teachers grade on a scale as opposed to a curve. This requires the student to try even harder just to pass. My son has a friend that has gone to every class every day last quarter and is getting all 'F's' except in gym. He has students in his class wearing their iPod or playing with their PSP. Will parents change when they see their report card?
—Submitted by a parent

This school is basically an average or below average school. The racial diversity is really big in this school and some of the facility equipments are really old. The maintanece is just ok. It would be much better if all the people in that school care about their academic.
—Submitted by a student

This is school is alright in academics but really need more extra extracurricular activities, police is there but only safeguard the outside the teacher need to be taught how to discipline their students cause most of the classes is outrages completely terrible and for an upper middle class city i expected better from the community please reconsider to send your teenager to another school.

the administration doesn't listen to the kids and what they have to say. and they dont let the students know or teachers know when there is a cancelation of something. Hercules High needs new administration.
—Submitted by a parent

Police are at most schools in the district. They are put there to protect the school from outside troublemakers. They are rarely needed as order is well kept by the faculty. About the academia being mediocre, I invite that parent to go and visit Richmond High School, Kennedy High School or De Anza High School to see their curriculum there. HMHS has challenging programs if a student actually tried to seek them out.
—Submitted by a student

Personally, this school has had it's shares of downfalls, and negative happenings, but under Principal Zak, the school has improved. Students are now wearing their I.D.s (an occurrence most wouldn't think would ever happen), and the fight number is lessening. However, the school is lacking heart and some sensitivity from its administration. Nevertheless, HHS is home to some of the talented educators in the district. The music/drama department is also one of the best in the district.
—Submitted by a student

I go to this school the only good ratings I beleave are here are from the teachers trying to make our school sound better then it is acting like they are aprents. Our text bools are old and our classes are slowed down so the students causing trouble can catch up. The principle tries to maintain order but thier is much to much racial unbalance and anger, and fighting. My gosh we have active on duty Police station in the school what does that tell you?
—Submitted by a student

Horrible first impression. Disorganized, lack of leadership. Academia is mediocre at best. The one bright shining spot, apparently, is the drama/performing arts department
—Submitted by a parent

Bad plain bad,so disappointed in an exspensive area to live yet the fighting and racial problems galore. Books out dated and old,Principle is trying.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an okay school. It has a great music program! Many of the teachers here are top notch...the main problem is the supply of books. I am currently using a 20 year old Algebra II book, thus I didn't do as good as I could have on my District test for the subject. All in all, the school isn't so bad. The new principal Mr. Zak has helped improved our school discipline wise.
—Submitted by Spiderman, a student

If you want an overwhelming sense of racial separation, then attend Hercules High. The minority of students (around eleven percent and below on the graph) are the students that get picked on by the majority. The school is overcrowded. The teachers are average, but the music program is fantastic. There are different levels of orchestras, bands, choirs, dance programs and play groups. The new principle has improved the school a lot by making and enforcing rules. There have been a lot less fights. Hopefully the few good teachers, the great music and art programs and the new principle will pull the school together in the future.
—Submitted by Tiffany, a student