Orange High School

Staff is really nice and seem to truly care about the students, not just test scores and how they look like some of these schools that claim to be the best. The school is older and could use a makeover compared to other schools. My kids love it here and feel great about the school!!
—Submitted by a parent

This is by far the greatest school I recommend that you send your kids here Im a loving parent of two beautiful daughters they went to Mission Viejo for one semester and were miserable the atompsher is horrible and one of my daugther was assualted at school I sent them to orange highschool the following semester they blommosed academcialy and socially two thumbs up
—Submitted by a parent

Orange High School is a school that is filled with different types of cultures. You wouldn't find one raise over populating the other. The students are all treated equally and everything is chill. The principal is an awesome guy that truly cares about everyone, and for the achievements. The here in OHS is awesome and everyone is involved. Now the PTSA is getting more involved and everyone likes this campus. It may not be the best looking school but the pride of a panther one has gives you a safe and a feeling as a second home.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been a Freshman at Orange High school for two months now and so far he is doing very well. Communication from faculty and administration has been very good, the staff is helpful, the caliber of assignments in the honors classes is high, and my son is encouraged to work hard academically. All in all, it's about as a good a start of a Freshman year as we could ask for.
—Submitted by a parent

The principal is completely checked out. Also the counseling was ridiculous. If you are going to send a child to Orange High you better be prepared to fight for your child's educational rights or they could fall through the grand canyon size gaps!!
—Submitted by a parent

My only complaint is that I didn't send my daughter to OHS all 4 years. She attended another HS in Orange Unified for 2 years and went from a happy, healthy child to an introvert. She was miserable at the former school and her academics proved it. We very reluctantly sent her to OHS... The child we raised came back. She blossomed. She is currently attending a 4-year university with plans to be an MD. Way to go OHS. The school pride and the community involvement is spectacular. The AVID program is superb. It's a shame the school has such a bad rap, it is truly a great atmosphere for the 'real world' and teaches all students respect for each other. It was amazing to me to see such diversity in the student body and yet there is so much strength and unity among the students. What a lead to follow.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has just finished her 2nd year at OHS. She attended a private school for 3 years prior to that and of course we were a little wary, we had heard a lot of negative things. I'm pleased to tell you that we have a great couple of years. My daughter has done well and has made numerous friends. Some courses were difficult for her, but there are numerous opportunites for tutoring which has helped tremendously. I have contacted the principal a few time via email and he quickly answers by email or phone. I appreciated his personal touches.
—Submitted by a parent

Very diverse community good school.
—Submitted by a former student

The environment of the school indeed is very lively as the students themselves prove school spirit as a huge thing. As a student, I have the perspective of student life from a first degree perspective and aside from the inevitable troubles and etc from few students, overall im proud of being an Orange High Student.
—Submitted by a student

As a teacher on OHS's campus, I find that this is a great place to send your students. While the staff and school continue to deal with changes to the schedule and changes to staff, there is a definate sense of commimuity that one doesn't find at other schools. There is a passion among the staff and student body, and all groups work together to benefit the school.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am currently a Senior at Orange High School and have been attending this school the past four years. The good things about OHS. OHS is the best school to attend in the area thanks to it's students and staff. Visitors to the school are greated with smiles. We are full of Orange Pride and currently have the record for being the top donating school in the nation to the 'Pennys for Patients,' drive to benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Unfortunetly there are bad sides to the school. The current Principalwho trys to impress visitors be 'fixing up' the school only when they arrive. He loves football so if anyone plays or is involved in anything else he doesn't care. I'm currently in Speech & Debate and we have no funding to go to State thanks to his lack of monetary-support.
—Submitted by a student

I am an Orange High School Alumni and I have to say that my years at OHS were the best years of my life! I've been out of HS for 5 years and I have returned this year to OHS to coach. I LOVE the fact that the teachers, adminstration, parents, and everyone else associated with Orange has such pride for the school! We who have gone to OHS know what great people are walking the halls of the school everyday and how you feel like family there! It's a great school full of tradition and pride! It's an awesome experience to be a part of. I'd send my child to OHS!
—Submitted by a former student

My last child is currently a senior at OHS and I couldn't be more pleased. For years I fought the perception that Orange High was 'less than' any other high school in the District, now I just revel in the fact that my kids have had well-rounded, quality education at the 'best kept secret' in Orange Unified. On this, the 100th Anniversary of Orange High, faculty and staff have much (and many)of which to be proud. Teachers stay because they enjoy the job and the kids, kids stay because they enjoy eachother. The kids at Orange don't perceive themselves to be better than anyone else - as a result they have a more realistic view of who they are and where they live and are better prepared to live in the 'real' world. The fact that the kids (and faculty and administration) at Orange consistently give the most money in the nation to leukemia through the 'Pennies for Patients' penny drive speaks volumes for the values that these kids are taught on a daily basis. Orange High kids (many who can least afford to give in the District) give the most, but they learn a greater lesson - to give of themselves. My complaints of Orange High are minor, certainly nothing noteworthy. Any complaints I've had have been effeciently and fairly dealt with. I have no problems recommending Orange High to anyone in the area.
—Submitted by Pam Hernandez, a parent

This is our first year in public school and the main complaint I have is the lack of ommunication between the parents and administration. OHS has been identified as a Program Improvement School for 2003/2004 school year. Under the 'No Child Left Behind Act of 2001' passed by Congress, parents should have been notified in January of 2003 that they have the right to request a Program Improvement Transfer to another school within the district.The deadline is Friday 10/17/03, I just received this notice on Tuesday 10/6/03. How can we as parents make inform decisions about out children's education and act accordingly to protect their rights when mandatory information are not provided in a timely manner?
—Submitted by A. Kisich, a parent

The principal at this school is awesome! He has turned the school scores around after only 1 year. The fact that this school has raised the most money for the Leukemia Foundation 5 years in a row beating out every school in the nation, says a lot about the kids that attend OHS and the faulty. The 'Panther Pride' at OHS makes going to athletic events a blast. It takes two to tango; don't expect a daycare when you send your kids to school...Get involved and help!
—Submitted by Denice Solorio, a parent

As a very involved parent at OHS, I find the leadership to be wonderful, the teachers are professionals that really care about the students. The students are good kids and there is less trouble at this school in comparison to other schools in the area. The academics is up to standards with all the other high schools. Orange High affords each student the chance to reach academic success, if a student leaves there not college ready, it is not the fault of the school, take a look at the student and of course where each students success starts... at HOME

As a parent I elected to pull my child out of Orange High. There is a definite lack in quality leadership. This is apparent when looking to the top and the principle. Although the poor administration, the overall students are not bad kids.
—Submitted by a parent

The school district doesn't seem committed to contributing the resources necessary to upgrade and maintain one of the oldest schools in orange county.