Crystal Springs Uplands School

I have no idea where these negative reviews come from. I am currently finishing Junior year at CSUS, taking all honors/AP courses and participating on 2 varsity sports and leading numerous clubs. While the academics are challenging, they are both rewarding and riveting and I have found myself blown away by the quality of the teachers each and every day at Crystal. I do not believe the school lacks school spirit; while we may not have the reputation of a "sports-school," the Homecoming day and dance is and amazing time for school spirit to shine. We have yearly lip synchs and snow days that greatly lighten the mood. In case you are wondering, I am not an "anti-social weirdo" as another student labeled us as. Even with Crystal's curriculum, I believe I lead a very normal life outside the classroom, one that is comparable to most public high schools. Ms. Richards is an excellent principle and she has really been leading the school in the right direction. Wonderful school and an excellent investment.

This school is all about money. We have apply for financial aids which this school highly recommend but the truth is they do not want poor students unless you're the lucky one. If you are not rich, super smart or Micheal Jordon, don't bother. It's wasted of time and application fees.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a student here, and although I love my friends here, and I also enjoy learning and the classes here, this school pretty much sucks. Yes, it's a great school with great teachers and I've had a good time so far, but all the good things about this school stop there. Seriously, no one at this school actually likes it. The majority of the people here were forced to go here by their parents and only go here to get into college, while a few people who actually enjoy this school are anti-social weirdos who have no life outside of school. If your child has no life outside of hours and hours of studying and would enjoy being at a small, uptight school, then send them here. If your child is a normal well rounded kid who wants to go to a normal school that would help him with other things besides studying and tests, then send him to public school. Seriously, this school needs to get its act together. There is no spirit at this school, barely a football team, just lots and lots of rich kids who do nothing but study. If I wasn't lucky enough to have such great friends at this school, I would definitely transfer.

Honestly, this school is just..no comment. They do nothing to make learning fun, and its all stress and freaking out especially if you didn't come from a private middle school. Some of the teachers are unreasonable and just teach badly and do not offer you the "help" the school is known for. If you are involved in after school activities, I would suggest quitting your extra curricular activites because you will be so tired and beat by the time you get home and then you have to start a ton of homework, and almost always preparing for a test since there's so many hard tests. The education part is really overrated and the parents don't see it because the school depicts themselves as perfect and ALL THAT when it so isn't. And if your looking for some sort of social life, your not going to get it at all because the school does a great job of accepting one personality type which is bland, really smart people. The kids are really smart (which is good) but it makes everything extremely competitive and it sucks. Parents...I would recommend you think more than twice about sending your child here given the ridiculously high tuition and the stress your child is going to face... good luck

I'm a new parent to CSUS, with my son entering freshman year. I am impressed with so many aspects of the school. Yes, it has high expecatations of students, but the caring, warmth, and understanding of student needs is amazing. Not only are the kids smart, but they are polite, well-behaved, and are the kind of students you can see going far in life. The Crocker 'mansion,' steeped in history, is breathtaking, with it's European marble, ancient tapestries, parquet ballroom and Dumbledore headmistress office. I told my son that college will never look this good!
--Submitted by a parent

It is simply the finest school in all aspects. Extremely caring staff (teachers are the students' friends, close parent/child-support). Teachers and staff are very caring. Lots of hands on class activities. My daughter simply LOVES it and is thrill in such supportive, motivated, and engaging environment. It is an amazing place. You can't go wrong when selecting this wonderful school for your child.
--Submitted by a parent

Highly overrated. The selection of courses pales in comparison to other Bay Area High Schools (public and private). The excuse that 'Crystal is just too small...' is getting very old. Right now, Crystal is running on straight reputation. Eventually, it will run out and the school will have to take a look at its issues (of which there are many). Maybe then Crystal will become a respectable institution.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a small, top-notch college preparatory school with excellent teachers, lots of opportunities for growth and exploration, and a warm and supportive community. It has all the advantages of a place where everybody knows your name and all of the disadvantages which are inherent in smallness. Both my kids adored their time at CSUS and are now thriving young adults.
--Submitted by a parent

We have a daughter at Crystal who is just thriving. She is challenged and motivated by all of her teachers. The administrators are completely focused on the quality of the students experience. The parents are extremely involved. i just hope my son wants to go there.
--Submitted by a parent

csus is a great school. Has lots of friendly students and teachers. I recomend going there for middle school to get your child prepard for high school, and then send them to a public school so they can get all A.
--Submitted by a parent