Monterey High School

Wonderful high school!!! Great teachers, great campus with a rich history. There are many programs and challenging classes for students. Administration cares about college prep and helping students succeed. The best high school in the district by far!! Amazing academics and athletics and extra-curricular activities to keep the teenagers busy.
—Submitted by a parent

My younger son is a Sophmore at Monterey High and let me begin by saying that this school leaves much to be desired! The teachers we have encountered have put forth ZERO EFFORT in regards to school - home communication. The return rate of response on emails is about a 2% at best. When we called the SORRY counseling office, which most times rings off the hook, we were told that all outside emails go to the junk mail. Are you kidding me?? How do they expect to keep in touch with parents...the answer: they don't. The counseling office is just as disappointing where your concern as a parent is tossed to the side and it's excuse after excuse after excuse. Just this week we recieved our son's progress report and it wasn't what we had hoped. Considering none of his teachers had replied to the MANY emails we have sent, we called the counseling department where we were told that we could make an appointment for an after school meeting, but if it's on a Friday they won't show up. WHAT?? It's disheartening to see such a lack of concern on the part of the school staff when you think that they truely are molding the citizens of our future.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter did her Junior year at this school, We are a military family, and when we went to pick out her classes,the Councelor did not listen to us. We told her what classes would cross over, and what classes would not. She put our daughter into classes, that did not transfer over into her new school. We told the councelor that this would happen, and it did. When we would make appt for conferences, the councelor was late, if she showed up at all. E mail responces from teachers is slow. Luckily we were able to move and get our daughter out of there. Some..are not that lucky. Bad, Bad, school.
—Submitted by a parent

My son, now a senior at MHS, has suffered through 4 years of arbitrary discipline, burned out teachers, disengaged students and impossibly large class sizes. He began in the MAOS program, but after 2 years of ever-increasing class sizes and ever decreasing student quality, he realized he was getting nothing from it that he wouldn't get in the mainstream courses. Even MAOS teachers have quit in disgust. His 9th grade English teacher actually told the class that as long as the essays they wrote were on time and of the required length, they would get an A. After all, she simply didn't have time to read essays from all the students she taught. Thank heavens for his senior physics teacher; he has been an inspiration. Avoiding almost daily fist fights and skirting ubiquitous drug use have prepared him for what? We wish we'd sent him to York.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended MHS for two years and still laugh at how easy and unchallenging it was. The grading system is a complete joke, though that may be more a product of the CA school system in general. I remember more bad teachers than good, most of whom have no business still teaching. The MAOS system is overrated - I was in it but opted out because I was already 'ahead' of their course schedule since I'd moved from the east coast. Other reviewers are right - there is absolutely no push to attend a four year college or university, and most students have resigned themselves to the local community college. It's sad.
—Submitted by a student

Considering the wealth and talent in the Monterey area, this school falls short just about everywhere except the MAOS program. Just look around the corner at Pacific Grove HS or Carmel HS and the dfference is truly astonishing. It can't all be blamed on prop 13 and budget issues.
—Submitted by a parent

Because of strong administrative leadership and dedicated teachers, MHS has corrected many of its past problems. An entirely new faculty has emerged, bringing with them the most current practices in teaching and learning. And the district implemented a collaboration time for teachers which allows them to focus on achieving academic excellence for all students. With the modernization funds, many improvements have been made to the 100+ yr old school. The new stadium and field renovation project came to fruition because the Principal worked with community leaders for 7 years to raise the money. There are dedicated parents, community members and administrators supporting MHS which offers 40 clubs and organizations, and an large array of sports. Their is a Sports academy, an Art Academy, Oceanographic Sciences academy, and NROTC. MHS offers it all for those who want it.
—Submitted by Involved Parent, a parent

The academic competence of some students is no reason to degrade this school. There are competent teachers and smart students at monterey high.
—Submitted by a student

My child was in MAOS(Monterey Academy of Oceanographic Science) program - (for academically gifted students). It is a good program. In my opinion the school encourages mediocrity, even in the MAOS program. The schools goal is to get students to graduate and go to the local community college. If students are in MAOS, the goal is the UC system. Most of the seniors are not nationally competitive for the upper half of the schools in the country outside of CA. (My child attends one of the top colleges, but it is due to efforts from previous school.) Only the first four AP classes are weighed resulting in high percentage of non AP students being in the top 10%. School strongly discourage doubleing up math or science courses. This is a very good school for below average to average students. Above average consider Carmel High or private.
—Submitted by a parent

This school dosent teach alot and the teachers are not fair to the students. This school should not be recomended. I also think that its way too old to function...
—Submitted by Kate Kate, a student

The school is in the midst getting a facelift. The athletic facilities (field) are a disgrace, but the big teams (Football, Basketball, Baseball) are all competitive and usually vie for championships. The faculty for the most part is indifferent towards student success. There is more emphasis on graduating entering the work force than going to a 4 year college. The class sizes are big unless your child is in the Marine Biology/Oceanography Academy. The school district misspends money constantly and is inefficient.
—Submitted by a former student

School is ok. Not enough teachers, classes are to large.
—Submitted by a student

Mixed school with kids of various socioeconomic backgrounds. Advanced programs available including college prep classes.
—Submitted by a parent

Monterey High is OK, the teachers are good. Given the area's high property value, the school does not reflect a higher quality one would think in an affluent area. I guess they all sent there kids to private schools.
—Submitted by a former student

Academic programs are alright... nothing special. Music is alright, art is pretty good, sports are horrible, however. The field looks like a rusted steel plate that's been shot with a shotgun. The technology in the school is fair, with many computer labs. Some of the classrooms could do with an update, and almost all are overcrowded. Parental involvement is minimal, unless it has to do with the closed campus policy, which is stricly 'Seniors only' allowed to go off-campus for lunch.
—Submitted by Robert Jauss, a student

Academic programs are mediocre, school is not geared towards college bond students but towards students going directly into the workforce. Parental involvement is minimal.
—Submitted by a parent

Monterey High School is located in beautiful Monterey, California. The quality of teachers I would rate as above average. There is an ethnically diverse student body. The experience of Monterey High has been a fond one.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has an internal institute (MIOS) in marine studies and it is excellent. However, if your child is not in MIOS, expect large class sizes and an indifferent attitude towards their success. My oldest went to Monterey, and I am paying $8k a year per child to send my other sones to a private high school. MPUSD is a financial basket case, and despite a pretty good teaching staff, it has had a terrible effect on the education of students. They have decided in effect to save the MIOS and let everyone else fend for themselves. Oh, and the athletic teams are weak, too, especially football.
—Submitted by a parent

MH is a great school! I have one child who graduated from this school and another who is currently enrolled. The three academies within the school-Arts, Hospitality and MAOS(Academy of Oceanographic Science.)The academies are schools within the school that offer the benefits of a small school atmosphere. Academy students are still able to take advantage of the many electives that the general high school offers. The best of both worlds. I have never had a problem reaching my child's counselor, he has been most accommodating in meeting the needs of my college bound child.
—Submitted by Kathryn, a parent

School year begins 1st Monday of August! No clear transfer (in) policy. There should be a MPUSD document that parents can download, read, etc. The transition was very confusing. Guidance Counselors have too many students in their charge to be able to help the non-critical cases. There should be an easier way for parents and teens to determine their transfer-in status.
—Submitted by a parent