Irvine High School

I go to Irvine High school and I'm going to be a sophmore next year. The school, is outstanding. maybe not as academic las University High, or as high of performing arts as Northwood High, but it is a equal balanced school with a lot of opportunities. The science program is fantastic, being able to take Biology in your Freshman year. Even though there are not as many foriegn languages offered as in other high schools, but the languges at Irvine High can be placed into solid Fourth period, finishing 2 years of foriegn language in actually one year, unlike how other high schools make you actually take it in two years. To tell the truth, I live in the University High School area, however, i chose to go to Irvine High, because i had friends that went there, and I new it would not be as competitive as Uni. I
—Submitted by a student

My daughter attends IHS and loves it! They make it very easy for kids to be involved and the families that are involved with their kids are wonderful and friendly. They do have a program for introducing new Freshman students, my daughter was a peer this year. Parents that are worried about the block scheduling, don't be! My daughter loves it and it has made even the difficult classes easier because she had time to question if she needs to. There are a ton of AP/Honors classes and the counselors are always available to help out. This is the best of the Irvine schools!
—Submitted by a parent

IHS is an amazing school and sincerely made my high school experience a wonderful one. The diversity of the school makes everyone friends. Anyone and everyone is accepted. The teachers are so intune with each individual student. They consider their profession their passion and their goals as teacher is to change their students lives for the better. Although some parents may not agree with the block scheduling, (coming from a graduated student) it's so helpful when applying to colleges and having enough time (90 minutes) in the class room. It allows the students to get as much done as possible in the short four yrs they are there. IHS teachers are nothing but caring.
—Submitted by Tuck ;), a former student

This school has the world's greatest teachers. They are interested in the whole student, not just the test score.
—Submitted by a parent

I cannot recommend Irvine High School under its current leadership (2007). The principal is very involved in fundraising, but frankly she does not belong anywhere near young people. She presents quite an impressive figure publicly, but her private persona leaves much to be desired. I have absolutely no confidence in her. The quality of the academic programs at IHS is unfortunately mediocre. AP programs are characterized principally by the homework burden (which my son has described as 'useless busy work'). Parents' participation is welcome in extracurricular activities, especially sports, and especially when volunteer work is needed. However, if there's a problem, parents' input is not appreciated. There are some really terrific faculty members that make extracurricular activities definitely worthwhile. (The wrestling program is particularly impressive, largely because of the coaches.) If your child is on track to becoming a star athlete, IHS is fine. Otherwise, it's not a great environment for kids.
—Submitted by a parent

I've had 2 children graduate from this school and have no complaints. Both have gone onto college and done very well! The staff and faculty are extremely helpful to both parents and students. As with all schools, parents need to not assume, stay involved - no matter your child's grade level. Every HS has some sort of problem - unfortunately that's kids get this from peers, and lack of home discipline.
—Submitted by a parent

Block scheduling is not as bad as the other review makes it sound. In fact, block scheduling allows your student to have more classes and more time to do homework if the class is every other day. This type of schedule allows students to have more than just one elective. This is a very good schedule, and works very well. Most of the students, including myself, that go to Irvine agree that they like it very much.
—Submitted by A Student, a student

Irvine High is a great school, safe and academicly one of the best in orange county. Music and Sports activities are plentifull, and it's art program is outstanding. Parents invollvement is the most that I have seen.
—Submitted by MOE DERGHAM, a parent

I'm a student of IHS. I play sports, clubs and have a 3.0 gpa but parents who are we kidding. Kids do that on their own. With not much help from the teachers. The parents that think this is a great school aren't really aware of what goes on. No drugs? Wrong. The school just doesn't talk about it. How many kids do you know of that sneak off campus, don't get caught and go to Heritage Park to do drugs. Your child skips school. They just don't get caught. I mean IHS doesn't have the best security. I transfered from another school my sophmore year.
—Submitted by a student

Warning to all parents! My child attended IHS her freshman and sophmore year. She managed to skip school for 2 weeks and I had no way of knowing. 2 weeks went by and I received no call from the school or any of her teachers. The school is block schedule and only has 4 classes a day. It was nearly impossible to get any help from the teachers or staff regarding her credits being transfered to another school. In fact a few of the standard classes that she took were not even eligible to be transfered to other districts. Now that my daughter is at a new school she has a 3.8 gpa, and the teachers and staff are very helpful.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my second generation of girls to attend Irvine High. I consider it to be a premier school. I have enjoyed the band and pageantry a lot this year. The Captain of the pageantry team looks like a future leader to me. All the girls are beautiful and talented. E. A. Holmes
—Submitted by a parent

Well, I'm not a parent, but I currently attend Irvine High School. I wouldn't say it's an incredibly good school, but the academics are great, the campus is kept clean (no graffiti and the likes). I have never seen a fight on campus, and I have never seen any drugs being done either. After all, it's Irinve, the 'bubble'. Block scheduling is not as bad as the other review says. Yes, transferring in mid semester is most likely a pain, but it's really simple and if you ask most students at IHS they would say it's great. As for feeling welcome as a new student I really don't think it's that important.
—Submitted by a student

Irvien High School is a great environment for any high school student. There is something for everyone. Some of the greatest things they have are their clubs and sports teams- they really make the kids feel good. The Color Guard team has done a great job this year. One thing this school has that I have not seen anywhere else is their 'Unity Week'- an entire week dedicated to celebrating diversity and embracing unity, the kids love it and it's a lesson we all could learn from. They really work hard to make it better every year, keep up the great work!
—Submitted by Mave Jacoby, a student

A warning to parents of students transfering to this school. It is a block schedule. If transfering between semesters, make sure this is the school for you ahead of time. They make it very difficult, if not impossible to transfer credits. Calling the district ahead of time is of no help. They're very disconnected from the school. If you are coming from a standard schedule school, be prepared to give up music and/or foreign language for their mandatory basic classes. It's a 4 period school day versus the standard 6. Once here, you are stuck. It isn't like the rest of the country where it is much easier to transfer to another high school in the same district. There are no measures for making new students feel welcome which could including having another student introduce them to fellow classmates, or even show them around. It's horrible.
—Submitted by a parent

Irvine High is a well-rounded school with strong academic profile and great diversity. The students are nice and actively involved. The programs promote outstanding academic and social growth for all students and prepare them well for their future endeavors.
—Submitted by Phuong Vo, a parent