Salesian High School

My daughter is a junior at Salesian. We are very happy with the school for a variety of reasons: the caring administration, excellent teachers (all but one or two during her three years there), a focus on learning to be a kind person who contributes to the community, and a wide assortment of activities available to just about any student. Salesian is small enough that anyone who really wants to can act in the school plays, be in the band, write for the newspaper, or do most activities. My daughter isn't into sports, but many of the teams at Salesian are top-rated. Salesian has a real commitment to helping kids from poor and immigrant families get ready for a college education. The campus is clean, well cared for, and secure. If you live in Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, El Sobrante, San Pablo, or El Cerrito, I highly recommend looking into Salesian High School.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is a bit of a joke. I will admit that the courses are rigorous and the grades that we earn here really do mean something, but the rest of the school could stand for some positive changes. The teachers do play favorites, the Guidance counselors tend to encourage the "smarter" kids to excel in academics, all the while making the average kids with gpa's between 3.0-3.5, feel like they aren't good enough. With all of the money that parents pay (12,000 dollars a year, to be precise) you'd think that the school could afford simple things like blinds that actually closed or air conditioners on insanely hot days, but alas, nothing. Not to mention that some of the teachers have bad attitudes that are not addressed by the school. The kids either act extremely ghetto or extremely snobby, with hardly any in between.
--Submitted by a student

I have two children who attend Salesian, and not only do I think Salesian is a great school, my children feel the same way. How often do parents and children agree? The teachers are great and it is a very structured environment where the concentration is on building the whole person from both an academic standpoint to a character standpoint. I can't imagine a school that can be better.
--Submitted by a parent

Salesian is completely overrated. Our parents pay ridiculous amounts of money for us to get taught in classrooms with peeling paint and blinds that don't come down completely. The teachers have obvious favorites and do NOT seek to help you individually. The school is supposed to be about unity and family, but all of my fellow students act meaner than I've seen in public schools. You would also think that because we pay so much that we would be able to get into the classes we want. NO, AP classes usually only have 1 class because the teacher doesn't want to teach another, therefore only a few students get in.
--Submitted by a student

Yes, this school is expensive. There is limited financial aid. However, the teachers, administrators, and parents really care about and support the students. I've never seen a school with so many teachers still there in the evenings. Yes, there are at-risk students admitted, but these are students who are very smart and hardworking. They're considered at risk because they may be foster kids, or in challenging home environments. Most are in a program to keep them focused on their education so that they can change their environment. Guarantee most are on the honor roll too. While the school is expensive, I don't think I'll be paying for college!! I'll take that.
--Submitted by a parent

Overated and too expensive. Stingy with financial aid. Kid in at risk programs with not so good grades can get in since the at risk program pays full tuition for the full 4 years.

I received a good education from Salesian, and the small school population made it so almost everyone knew everybody. There is a lot of parent involvement and the majority of the staff have the students' interests involved. The only draw back is the limited choices in AP classes, but overall I got a good education and was accepted to all the colleges I applied to. GO CHIEFS!
--Submitted by a student

I concur with other parents and administrators that this school is over-rated. The school accepts practically everyone who applies. There is little concession offered to students who've had exceptional track records currently and in their elementary years. So, if a student has done average or below in previous school years, they are still admitted to Salesian. It sure makes for a weak argument in terms of encouraging your child to attain excellence when every student is accepted in what's supposed to be an elite institution.
--Submitted by a parent

Save your money for college. This school is way overrated & overpriced 1,000.00 a month. School is old & in the getto. If your not a jock or a brain your never noticed by teachers or staff. Unless you have $$ to throw away stay away go to St. Marys instead.
--Submitted by a teacher

I think this school has a lot of good quality in it. The program is very rigorous and challenging. My mom is impressed by it. She feels its a good oppurtunity to get into a top notch college and have a great future. Their sports are very competitive and well-groomed. It's a very good environment. You don't have to worry about fights or drama. It's a relaxed, fun, learning environment. And I am so proud to be attending this school. I hope other parents send their kids to this school. I'm a senior and have been here for four years and have failed not to love it. Thanks to Salesian, I got accepted into Stanford, UCLA, and UCSF. I have NO idea what to pick. Bt thanks to Salesian, Im looking at a great future.
--Submitted by a student