College Park High School

As our daughter's senior year comes to an end, we are relieved and thankful to be leaving. College Park is a disgrace. While aware of the limitations of the huge Mt. Diablo school district in terms of class size and funding for programs, the administrations mismanagement is ridiculous. The morale is horrible for teachers and students alike. We are thankful for the few wonderful teachers that she did have and that she overcame the incompetence of the others. The last 2 years with the current principle have been especially bad. There are not enough AP classes, not enough variety in the curriculum, not enough guidance personnel and a shortage of supplies such as current textbooks. The school district is too large and too administrator heavy and this school is suffering. Our daughter goes off to college later this year and definately wont miss high school.
—Submitted by a parent

CPHS is a fine school for motivated, good students. If your child has any special needs, low motivation or anything else outside the norm, you will likely feel let-down. We transferred our child to a private high school because he had a 401 plan and wasn't getting any kind of special accommodations, even though they were specified and we met with the whole staff. I liked the teachers and most of the staff, but they are totally overwhelmed and have nothing extra to offer.
—Submitted by a parent

Great School and Parent Participation. Pleasant Hill has a great neighborhood/family fee to it. The students at college park are all approachable - and that is at any grade level. Especially if your kid is in sports. My kid had senior friends when he was a freshman! As with any school, some teachers are not as good as others. But all in all most of his teachers were very good. Parent involvement is tops.
—Submitted by a parent

All the standard reviews of College Park at the start of 2009 were great. Due to budget cuts class sizes have risen dramatically (how can you teach a math class with 40 students crammed in!). The average is now between 38 and 40 students per class. Homework and tests are not returned for months- -some of the teachers are absolutely unresponsive to parent inquiries and requests to discuss their child's performance. In one case when I complained to the Vice Principal that a teacher was telling the class they couldn't do anything about the way he was runnign the class becuase he had tenure. The V.P. just nodded and asked if I wanted to talk to him directly. He never called. College Park has a wonderful Eco-Tech program and wonderful caring teachers in that program but it too has suffered with overcrowding and the dynamics that come along. We are looking elsewhere...
—Submitted by a parent

College Park has more teachers with Masters Degrees that any other Mount Diablo Unified School. Yes even more than Northgate. Going forward College Park will be the school of choice since many young affluent families are buying homes in Pleasant Hill. I went to Northgate but with home prices simply unafordable in that area even after this recession they are still in the 700-800K range. While in Pleasant Hill you can get a very nice home in the wanted Valley High area for the 500-600K range and get much more home.

This school is going downhill, I've had a couple* of good teachers attending this school in the 3 years I've been here. I had an amazing science teacher that sadly was pink slipped. Now there is a new teacher, her first year teaching at College Park. One of the worst teachers I've ever had. There have been more then several complaints from parents and students, yet this teacher has not been fired. Many of these teachers are unorganized, rude, or really just don't care for their students. Though this isn't all teachers, but many. Over the years I've really learned how horrible the administration is. I love my peers and some of my teachers and some of the administration but the academic part of this school is starting to fall and especially the administration. If you are moving to this area DO NOT go to this school ! I give this school one star and only because of the few amazing teachers that it does have and the AP classes it offers. I plan on going on independent study or switching schools this is probabley one of the worst High Schools. It used* to be a good school. But now with budget cuts and horrible teachers filled in at the last minute. its most deff. gone down hill.
—Submitted by a student

Safety is of utmost importance- I get email notifications of important phone messages being left at home for anything that goes awry during, before, or after school. Kind of like an amber alert! Way to go!
—Submitted by a parent

My kids love their school and so do I. CP offers outstanding classes with a great selection of AP coursework, a broad range of after school clubs/athletics, and an incredible sense of community. Principal, staff and teachers are warm and committed - despite all of the district financial woes. Parents are equally committed to this vibrant learning community.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent public school with lots of AP choices and socio-economic diversity. We considered going private (De la Salle), but glad he stayed. Son accepted to top UCs and selective privates.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an outstanding school. Lots of AP classes for students and right across from DVC community college. My daughter graduated and went into engineering at UC Berkeley. The other daughter is going to UC Santa Curz
—Submitted by a parent

My first daughter is about to graduate and looking back I am very glad we made the decision to send her here compared to a more affluent school in the area. She has been exposed to all sorts of people and I don't think it has prepared her for life and given her the ability to communicate and work with all types of people. There doesn't seem to be any elitism or affluence among the kids and I find that refreshing. There are all sorts of AP classes the kids can take which has challenged the top students nicely. Most of the teachers are terrific (only a few that aren't too swift but you get that at the private high schools too). She got into all the colleges she truly cared about with scholarships! The administration for the most part has been awesome too.
—Submitted by a parent

A great school. My son attended and had many opportunities available to prepare him for acceptance to the top UC's.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school for students who are going to the university of California or any other top 50 university. The art and science programs are top flight. Math teachers tend to give way to much homework.
—Submitted by a parent

Great School, too many kids from outside the area though.
—Submitted by a parent

College Park High School has been a great place for my son. We had some adjusting to do when he entered high scholl, but all in all this is a great school with lots of parent envolvement and support. I give College Park High School a 10 out of 10 !
—Submitted by a parent

As a 2005 graduate of College Park, I am sad to say the school is going downhill. I had a few good teachers, but I was overall unprepared for the rigors of a university education at a top college. I did not have to work hard in order to maintain good grades in my class, and it came back to bite me in college. I have done well in college, but it's been an uphill battle as I tried to compete with students who received much better preparation for the rigors of college.

Students can be late as many times as they want and not have any consequences at school. On the other hand, if they are on time they get bonus points. Wow, I wish I had it that easy in high school. Not impressed by any aspect of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has attend for 2 years now. I'm not sure how I feel yet. It's taken until now to get retested and qualify for special ed. I'd been happier if the school came to me with concerns, however, this never happened. I've had to fight very hard and educated my self in this process to make things happen. I personally feel like the schools want to hurry the struggling students through the system so that they don't have to bother with all the extras a child may need. There needs to be more responsible staff to identify these students before it's too late for them. I don't see the difficulty in that. Someone just needs to care and I don't see that in the schools. These kids are one of thousands in the school, they are almost invisible. Someone needs to reach out and save these students.Where are the heros?
—Submitted by Gloria, a parent

I personally think that College Park is a great high school. It had some downs, but it also had a lot of ups. I think the sports programs and the extracurricular activities are wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

The overall quality of education is excellent. Teachers are caring, competent in their areas of expertise, easy to contact when necessary. Most take an active interest in teaching their subjects and inspiring students to attain goals. As a result, many graduating students go on to top-notch colleges and universities, as shown by the class of 2005. There is an onsite career center, run by an outstanding counselor, willing to find answers to any questions presented. College Park offers a variety of sports, comparable to other schools in the area, as well as band, chorus, drama,and many clubs. Interested students can find involvement if they want--it is up to them. The PTSA is run by a wonderful group of parents each year who support the school and its activities. Band, chorus, and athletics have parent support groups as well. I am proud to say that my children attend College Park.
—Submitted by a parent