Skyline High School

If your children are in AP classes then they are getting a good education. The AP classes are similar to honors classes at a local private school. If your children are in mainstream classes though, you can expect none or almost no homework, and a level of teaching that panders to the lowers abilities. There are not a lot of expectations. Part of this is due to the fact that the level of student ability is fairly low, but it does a disservice to those students who have high abilities and are stuck with the general population, at least for the first two years. There is no differentiation withing the regular classrooms. A child may receive all As at Skyline, not at all hard to do, but will be woefully prepared for college. There are some great teachers but also some really awful teachers and it is amazing that they are still there, with all the talk the school district does about having quality teachers.
--Submitted by a teacher

Hi my name is Mark Bulnes I am a SKYLINE alumni I thought SKYLINE was a very good school. I thought the teachers were vary professional and the teachers did not baby you. When I tell people I graduated from SKYLINE HIGH I say it vary much pride. MARK BULNES CLASS of 1980
--Submitted by a parent

It is still possible to obtain a rigorous academic education and benefit from traditional school opportunities such as yearbook, debate, sports, newspaper, orchestra, band, vocal, dance, and theatre arts in Oakland Unified School district.
--Submitted by a parent

Skyline high is a really wonderful place. I went there for three years, I moved which explains why I'm not there. Skyline is really nice, there are so many nice people and teachers. It has an overall good vibe to the campus. The forest-like environment is somewhat peaceful and calming. The teachers there range from being lazy to incredibly helpful. One teacher I had for French, Madame Dubois, really cared about us. She tried to push you to do your work. There are also many clubs and programs you can join. They even have a French student exchange program where you and your family can host a French student for a week. There are also many sports there and the Performing Arts department is wonderful as well. All in all, it's a really great school, way better that any other Oakland public high school.
--Submitted by a student

This school is horrible. I attended this school for four years. The teachers are not as helpful as they should be. It seems like most teachers are there to just get their paycheck at the end of the week. The counselors are even worse. They never give you the right classes you need, so you have to go wait in a very, very long line or wait very, very long for the counselor to see you. These school counselors do not even counsel students. Also the security staff are ridiculously horrible. It is so easy to cut class at Skyline High. The security Staff are too friendly with the students, therefore they let students so whatever they please, unless they know they are being watched by their superiors.
--Submitted by a student

Skyline has some excellent class offerings for AP classes, a variety of academies, extracurricular activities, student clubs, and decent sport programs (although not competitive as NCS). There could be more parents attending PTSA meetings and other parent groups. The same handful of parents show up to meetings and volunteer when administration need support. If you are a parent/guardian of a Skyline student, you should volunteer at least 4-6 hours a month at their school. The campus is pretty clean and green. however, there is an ongoing problem with some students not going to class and hanging out on campus. Overall, I would recommend Skyline over some of the other public schools in Oakland. And, if your students are able to take AP classes, save your money from paying for them to go to private schools. Parent of a senior student.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a Junior this year (2009-2010), and I am so pleased at her 'suite' of teachers. She has a fabulous band teacher (Vince Toliver), his second year at the school. Ms. Mac for AP History, Mr. Jollymore for AP English, and Ms. Ostrom for AP Environmental Science are all tremendously dedicated and have great rapport with the students. I was thrilled at Back to School night to find out that Mr. Ng (her Chemistry teacher from last year) is the Junior class sponsor - he's a great teacher, also in his second year at Skyline. The kids are also dynamic and think for themselves. Come visit!
--Submitted by a parent

great teachers and performing arts program
--Submitted by a parent

Skyline High is one of the best High Schools in the area. Each year, this school sends many of its graduates to elite Universities across the nation. The curriculum is by far superior compare to other High Schools in Oakland. My son was accepted to Many of the top Ivy Leagues, including Harvard, Yale and Princeton. I highly recommend sending your kids to Skyline instead of wasting money on Bishop O'Dowd and many of the private schools around.
--Submitted by a parent

If ever there was a school that teaches students that life isn't always fair but that if you show up and work hard you can succeed, then this is the place. No silver spoon, sheltered, false sense of entitlement here. No need to have a 'diversity awareness day' like so many homogeneous private and suburban schools. It is probably one of the most socially and economically diverse schools in the country and the students are challenged to learn to work together each and every day. And, it is on top of a hill surrounded by spectacular open space so it has a one of a kind location. Is it perfect? No and that is it's best feature. It is all about instilling gritty self determination.
--Submitted by a parent