Tesoro High School

The level of commitment by the teachers compounded by an outstanding extra curricular activities and programs to ensure academic excellence in a global environment. Performing arts dept, Orchestra, and athletics are outstanding. The academic programs are challenging and the expectations are high. I consider this a must towards success in the long term.
--Submitted by a parent

Academically, they seem ready to teach and challenge students working at a more advanced level. Many great teachers who really add the personal touch (and a bad apple here and there). But not a lot is offered to help students who are struggling. They should put together some teacher directed peer study and tutor programs. Also, until School-Loop, it was very difficult to keep current on student progress in classes - teachers don't communicate with parents very well. Extra curricular activities abound and are excellent. They tend to be very demanding time hogs, and you better be prepared to fork over the cash. Our experience with parent organizations (boosters) has been mostly negative, some of the key people forming exclusive cliques in order to control, rather than lead. As noted in other reviews, traffic and parking are lousy.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent that has experienced two kids go through in 8 years and would like to share that my overall experience at the school has been outstanding. Of course, for the nay-sayers, their under performing kids are never to blame. Of course it's someone else's fault. I have found that the teachers kept my children engaged and displayed a sincere interest in my child. The support staff has been tough to deal with at times, but I understand that the rules are in place to ensure all kids are treated fairly and the enducation and safety of the kids comes first. The performing arts department is top notch. The athletic department is solid. The Principal is a hoot! Probably the only high school administrator in the State that still pulls traffic duty before and after school. Only pitfall is access to the school (one entrance).
--Submitted by a parent

Im currently a student here and I couldn't be more unhappy. If your child has a hard time in math or foreign language, this is the worst school to send them to. I'm not a bad kid, iv'e never gotten a detention, I know all the supervisors personally, I'm involved in numerous extra curriculars however the academics department is slacking, if your not an advanced student it feels like they just stick you in the corner and they give you nothing to help you succeed and learn. On a positive note for the school, the history and english department are satisfactory.
--Submitted by a parent

This school may be serving the needs of ap students but falls terribly short for average students. The guidence dept is either disinterested or overburdened. The same can be said of most of the teaching staff.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers, administrators and support staff are wonderful. The school offers activities for students with diverse interests.
--Submitted by a parent

Tesoro is the gem among the CUSD school district high schools. This has been accomplished by the leadership of a caring and involved principal and for the most part, outstanding teachers. The school population is extremely large although decreasing with the opening of San Juan Hills. Tesoro has an outstanding PTSA and a school foundation, Education for the Children (EFC), totally involved in the school's success. The AP/Honors academic programs and teachers are tremendous. The real accomplishment for Tesoro is the choir, instrumental music programs, marching band, and the drama department, all award winning, led by talented, dedicated teachers. The 'Knowledge Center', the Library and Computer Lab, is an innovative combination of technology and books, staffed by an exceptional Librarian. Parent involvement is a key success, although too much emphasis is placed on the athletic programs. The weakest area at Tesoro is it's guidance department.
--Submitted by a parent

i love this scool it is the best! its fun to lurn there and there are so many veriatys of classes you can choose,the games are great and so are the dances.its to crodded though,thats how good of a school it is.:) everyone i now loves it there and would not want to go to another school.wen i have kids i hope they can go there! its better then sm the cathlic school becuz i went there for a year and hated it! but then i went to tesoro and man is it the best?:D
--Submitted by a student

I was in the first full graduating class at Tesoro. It has gotten really crowded and the student parking situation is definitely not complementary to the number of students. However, the teachers are really helpful and the school is very safe. Most classes are challenging, which is great. I was also in the IDEA honors program, and I felt that it was not too different from the regular honors program. I was also in the WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) Committee, and I remember that THS received the best optimal ratings a school can get. Overall, the school is amazing and I had a really good experience.
--Submitted by a student

Although crowded, we have been very pleased with Tesoro. The office staff is helpful and courteous, the teachers always respond immediately when you contact them, and the principal is more involved than any I've seen. This is a staff that really cares about the kids. We attended an honors ceremony last year and were astounded at how many exceptional students there were. 100% were moving on to schools such as MIT, Yale, Harvard, Chapman, Cal Poly SLO, Annapolis and Stanford. The only areas that need work are overcrowding, not enough student parking, and only one access road in and out of the school. Everything else has been an exceptional experience.
--Submitted by a parent