San Diego International Studies School

I'm a freshman at SDHS IS and maybe it's just that the school isn't for me but I can't wait to transfer. The academics are fine, they offer a great number of classes and extracuricular activities and maybe it's because i came from a smaller school but I feel intimidated by students from the other five schools, the teachers, although I have two good ones, seem highly impersonal. They haven't even bothered to learn my name or find out what I need in their class. Maybe that's just high school but I feel overwhelmed and intimidated and I can't wait for next year when i can leave this school. If you are in eighth grade looking up high schools I would suggest another school. Of course if you are set on this school I suggest Video Production and Physics, the teachers are amazing and the only reason why I am staying a whole year rather than just one semester.
--Submitted by a student

Our son is a sophomore who came from a small private school. We have been continually impressed by the commitment and dedication of the faculty. The principal makes an effort to interact with the kids and parents and the program is very academically challanging.. Students are encouraged to develop their own leadership skills and take initiative for their educational success. We are so pleased to be a part of this richly diverse campus experience.
--Submitted by a parent

awesome school.... has many electives and classes that not the whole district has. they even give us college credits for some classes!
--Submitted by a student

My daughter is graduating this year with an IB diploma. She has had wonderfully challenging and rewarding four years. The teachers have for the most part been terrific, both in terms of the high standards they ask of their students and in their caliber of teaching. A great school for the dedicated student. My daughter and her friends have excellent universities that have accepted them.
--Submitted by a parent

Based on my experiences with the school and the staff, both academic and office, I can truly say that this school makes every effort to assure the success of all of the students. The staff is readily available to meet one-on-one with parents and students to ascertain the needs of each family, and set up a plan for the best method to help the student achieve her or his goals.
--Submitted by a parent

We have a sophomore here .....she loves it! She loves I.S. She in fact has many friends from the other schools. They are for the most part, separated from the other schools because of the rigorous cirriculum...but are frequently involved other activities that include the entire school. She is not only focused on her acedemics, but also participates in outside activities. The teachers are extremely supportive and encouraging. I.S. has been challenging acedemically this year for my sophomore, but she has exceeded her own expectations and continues to thrive.
--Submitted by a parent

As a freshman here I am shocked at some of the reviews. There is no elitism emitting from the students of I.S., myself taking lunch on the grass with many of middle school friends who come from Arts and Business. Additionally, this school has friendly teachers, good staff, and overall great potential. The only thing I would criticize about the school is the attendance clerk who is very inefficient and has messed up my own attendance record and many of my friends. The school, additionally, has a great language program. There are many French speakers in our program, who have come from Language Academy and they seem very satisfied with it overall. There are also French natives who moved here and are in our language program.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a senior. We are very disappointed in this school. We came from the Language Academy. The French program at SDHS is outrageously inadequate. The elective offering also leave much to be desired. My student had nothing to take her senior year, the selection was so limited. She was offered 'assigned time home' both semesters. Very disappointing. I would not make the decision to come here if I had it to make over. French parents be very leery!
--Submitted by a parent

By far a terrific school, none in comparison. However, for a more well rounded high school experience with more deep and fulfilling activities, pick a comprehensive high school not a small school. While small schools offers a deep connection and smaller class sizes, the segregation between each of the schools is much to large to close.
--Submitted by a student

people here are very friendly and nice, unlike the other 5 five schools in SDHS. I'm having a great experience here so far and planning to go all IB, a program that look very good on college applications but is highly stressful to learn. It's worth the experience here though.
--Submitted by a student