Mission Bay High School

Mission Bay High School has some great programs and educational choices for many of the students that attend. The school has a diverse mix of students; the local beach teens, many magnet students who choose this school for its various programs, and some foreign students here for the IB program. The students have graduated to attend local colleges, state universities (Cal-state and UC), and private ivy-league schools - including Harvard.
—Submitted by a teacher

Mission Bay high school is not a good high school at all. They bus in kids from all over San Diego and also they have very low test scores and also so Mission Bay high school in the getto of P.B. If I had kids I would never send them to Mission Bay high school. Mission Bay high school should really be shut down.

My two children attend Mission Bay High and are academically challenged and socially very happy. My daughter started the full IB (International Baccalaureate-amazing teachers) this year, she plays sports and is part of the cool robotics team. My son has GREAT teachers, plays golf and participates in the Academic League. There is a real misperception about this school. It's been the perfect fit for my kids.
—Submitted by a parent

A great school has excellent teachers and MBHS has that. The vast majority are enthusiastic and dedicated. There is also dead wood that are just filling a spot and protected by tenure and the unions, like any public school. All teachers are challenged by uncertainty with the schools the dysfunctional SDUSD Board. There are excellent VPs but the school lacks clear leadership and follow though. There are excellent challenging programs but it is the choice of the student to go the challenging path of IB or just show up and get through the rudimentary classes. Students will be surrounded by other excellent students in IB and other high level classes. Those who choose the other path will be surrounded by kids with varying levels of motivation and frustrated teachers. It's all there at MBHS! An excellent real world learning experience in a safe environment. I see it improving over the last 5 years and into the future as more parents get involved, the community gets involved & more local kids choose to go here. It's great for kids to have classmate friends in the local neighborhood rather than commutng to a distant school and being out of touch with your local community.
—Submitted by a parent

NOT A GOOD SCHOOL. School authorities are not doing a good job. My children are new in this high school and I already met 10 parents who have complains about how they are not happy on how the school authorities work. Moreover, I personal have been in this school and observed how students are outside their classes, going to the bathroom 3 or 4 times the same the same students and nobody call their attention.
—Submitted by a parent

Now that our student is just about ready to graduate from MBHS I have to say MBHS and staying in our neighborhood schools K-12 was the best decision we could have made. Thanks to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme our student not only has had an excellent education but also a well rounded high school experience including sports, music, art and summer educational trips with the MBHS Travel Club to China, Russia and Egypt. Most of all, we appreciate our student's diverse set of peers and the kindness and support they have displayed for each other throughout the years. My recommendation to parents who send their students to MBHS is to get involved - meet the teachers, join the PTO, attend sport events etc. It has been an unexpected pleasure to really get to know the dedicated MBHS teachers and also to have become friends with so many fabulous and like minded parents.
—Submitted by a parent

MBHS continues to get more local familes deciding this is a good place to send their kids. Yes, it is challenged by the budget cuts and the huge and unweilding SDUSD politics. The IB program sets it apart and provides for additional sources of funding and academics continue to strengthen. Don't expect an efficient and customer service oriented administration like a private school. Do expect to find most of the teachers excellent and committed and a very few rotten apples protected by the teachers union. It is a very safe real world environment. Also, your student will have a better chance of acceptance at a public college / university if they graduate from here versus a high acheiver private school. Yes, students come from all over San Diego to MBHS. But, they do it because they want to take advantage of either the athletic programs or academic programs it offers. The local PB students and their families are involved in the school and the local community. Check it out!
—Submitted by a parent

Like so many schools, the staff at Mission Bay High School has gone through many challenges the past few years. However, having three teens who have and are still growing up at Mission Bay High, the staff, counseling office and teachers have worked with me to assure my students succeed, continue to respect the importance of learning and living within the boundaries set for them at school - that alone is amazing - it takes both school staff and the parent. Thank you for being my other half and helping me raise my 3 wonderful teenagers! Fondly, Mission Bay High School Mom
—Submitted by a parent

MBHS has been an excellent school for our son. Academically, he is on track for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The curriculum is rigorous, challenging and dynamic. If you have not done your research on IB you owe it to your student to check it out on the MBHS website. It is THE ticket to college these days. MBHS is our neighborhood school and I have found our son's friends (many he has known since elementary) and also his new friends to be kind, well rounded and unpretentious. Overall, I can best describe MBHS by saying it is an empowering environment for students academically, socially and athletically. This empowering environment has made a remarkable contribution to the overall self esteem of our teenager which, as a parent, has been invaluable. Finally, I would be remiss to not mention the excellent teachers who have been accessible and responsive.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had all three of our children attend MBHS. Two have graduated and received academic scholarships to Brigham Young University. Mission Bay provided them with excellent preparation for college curriculum. There are many excellent teachers at the school who have inspired my children to be excited about learning. Just as important the school provided a friendly environment with a highly diverse student population. We are a neighborhood family, but our children have developed friendships with kids from all over the city. Special kudos to the sports programs at the school-all three children have been able to participate in the waterpolo and swim programs-all with supportive and enthusiastic coaches. Our new principal is full of energy and eager to improve programs that will make our school even better.
—Submitted by Sarah Chipman, a parent

I have had 3 children attend MBHS. Two have graduated and 1 is going to graduate this year. This school has been wonderful for my children. There is a friendly atmosphere on campus that might not be expected considering the varied ethnic makeup of the campus. The teachers have all been excellent, concerned, accessible and helpful. Our oldest son excelled in math inspired by great teachers. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and received scholarships. I have particularly been impressed by the seminar (now IB), English and computer engineering programs. My children participated in tennis, water polo and swimming despite being novice in these sports. Some schools would expect such high performance levels that novice players would not be welcome on the teams. Mission Bay seems to be a place where you are encouraged to participate and have fun growing and learning.
—Submitted by Scott Chipman, a parent

MBHS offers a strong PTO with very involved parents as well as parent involvement in all the sports and arts programs. MBHS has just been accepted as an International Baccalaureate School as well as a magnate school for CAD and Marine Biology. This school is located next to a bay and offers a wonderful live marine lab experience. MBHS now offers a full music program as well as a full range of excellent sports programs. Note that they have the lowest student to computer ratio in the district. I have a Freshman and Senior who attend and have had a wonderful experience thus far. The new principal is a major plus and the counseling staff is great!
—Submitted by Pat, a parent

Okay school as far as academics is conscerned. Great magnet for architecture and related fields.If you're interested in chapionship sports (football/baseball) the coaches are top rated
—Submitted by a parent