Damien High School

My son was a 2011 graduate, and he just finished his freshman year at Pepperdine. He made the dean's list both semesters because Damien prepared him for the rigorous expectations he has at Pepperdine. My sons teachers at Damien were awesome especially Mr. Pearsall, Mr. Goldstein, Mr. Douglas, and Mr. Gates. Mrs. Curry is awesome too. She is the reason my son is planning on going to medical school. Damien offers so many AP classes that students should take advantage of them. If you want your son to be prepared for colllege and have wonderful teachers, Damien is the high school your son should attend. My son's memories there are everlasting.
--Submitted by a parent

Its sad when you hear some parents give this HS a bad review and put down such great school. I've had three family members go through Damien HS and every one of them have gone off to an Ivy League College with a decent academic scholarship (one of them is now at Harvard getting a Masters Degree.) One has consider the source when you read these bad reviews. Ultimately, the kid is the one that needs to step up and not the parents. For a parent who has to come on this site to complain, its no wonder your child didn't excel at this school. Damien makes boys out of men, but it hard when the parents want to continue to raise babies. I highly recommend this school. This school is not there to babysit, its there to make a boy a man of value and be held accountable.
--Submitted by a parent

By far I know this school is outstanding in many ways. Sure you can avoid the tuition and send them to a public school where they may not care at all. I have had several friends and relatives attend here. I went to last year s graduation and noticed how many kids went to great schools: USC, Loyola, Pepperdine, Harvard (1)..etc, etc, etc.. Damien has passed a national average above other schools to get students into USC. Call me a nut but that's a "real" University. After hearing this I think Damien is doing its job. At Damien they discipline students to grow with integrity and values. It is discipline which is a huge element to help students in college. Once students graduate and go to college they do fell adequately prepared. In regards to sports, yes if a student can play the sport well he will play.. Best of luck all hope this helps

Save yourself a lot of money. Avoid this school. There are many good Catholic schools but this is not one of them. The staff is indifferent and the teachers are arrogant and hostile to the students. Students having difficulty with a subject should expect no help. The school caters to the top 10%. We chose this school because of it's reputation. It may have been a good school at one time.
--Submitted by a parent

As a Freshmen, I experienced hazing and uncaring teachers. Football players and seniors were allowed to run wild and all Freshmen ("freshmeat") were fair game. I took mostly honors and AP courses until my Junior year, when I decided to switch to the "regular" classes with all my friends. I earned a 4.0+ GPA during my final two years at Damien. This school did not prepare me for college, nor did it allow me to "grow as a man." Unless you are from a privileged background and are going to be driving a brand new BMW on your 16th birthday, you are better off saving your money.
--Submitted by a student

My son started as a freshman and I have to say I was very disappointed. The quality of many of the teachers was very poor. When discussing this with the principal, there was no action taken. I have seen many boys that do not belong to the popular crowd get tormented and bullied. And the school does not appear to care. Needless to say, my son is not going there for his second year. He has transferred to another college prep high school where all the teachers are outstanding and he is thriving! Along with my self, there are other parents that have pulled their sons out for the same reasons. I had discussed with so many people who had sent their sons to Damien, (albeit it was many years ago) and they had nothing but good things to say. But when I shared how the school is now, they are shocked and disappointed. When you talk to people in the community now, all I hear is bad things. So sorry to see what once was an excellent school be such a poor school.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is a senior at Damien High now. There several very good teachers at the school and a large number of very poor teachers. The worst teachers my son has experienced have been in the religion area, but he has had several awful teachers in both the science and foreign language areas. I feel sure the administration knows how to determine which teachers are working up to the school requirements, my question is why don't they act to eliminate the problems ????
--Submitted by a parent

As a practicing national Certified career Counselor, I would like to read more notes regarding the Career Guidance program at this school. Seems like I could contribute some strategies and services to students as well as parents. Please contact me for future group and individual career services in your PTA meetings next year.CareerEase by Mila R. Asperin, M.Ed.,MCC-NCC in Corona,CA.

Damien has well-qualify and caring teachers, excellent school spirit, outstanding debate and sports teams, and a wonderful campus in a safe and quite neighborhood.
--Submitted by a parent

I would have to say that overall I am happy with the school. I would like to see better teachers though. I wonder when I see my son, since his freshman year not given hardly any homework compared to the friends at other public schools in the area. In his JR year I was watching closely what he was doing in English, which was definately not a hard class at all. No books had been read. Not a lot of writing. They need to be prepared for college. I would recommend for sure to take English AP, since I have not seen any improvements in the regular English classes. If they have teachers or coaches that are blood related, l am noticing that they will not let them go when the teaching quality is not up to par. My son will continue, as public school is not an option for us.
--Submitted by a parent