Lowell High School

Sophistication mixed with energy. Teachers and students know how to enjoy and succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

The school has a really great atmosphere, everyones friendly! It's safe and fun, always filled with special events and dances. People here know when to be serious and when not to be, so its easy to make friends. Lowell is one of the best high schools you can find in SF, I swear!
—Submitted by a parent

Lowell has the best academic ever. The students excel in many ways. Not only are we smart, but we are great at sports, and other extra-curricular activities. We have many great programs like JROTC and the drama department
—Submitted by a parent

It is a SMART school, we are responsible and fun and get to pick our own schedules and act like adults.
—Submitted by a student

no pain, no game. Lowell is a great place to learn about yourself. People devleop as students and transform themselves into members of society. There is always the pressure to keep on schedule, but everything that happens here is an accomplishment that makes us proud.
—Submitted by a parent

Lowell has an awesome community, we all treat each other with respect
—Submitted by a student

Our school community is like one big family, we all care. We also have great spirit and great academics.
—Submitted by a student

It's the best. It's the first public school I've been to that has been so caring to me. The teachers there support me. The students there are sociable and studious.
—Submitted by a student

Lowell is just an awesome place to go to school where you will bond not only with your classmates, but also with the great faculty/staff. We love you Lowell! =D
—Submitted by a student

The teachers at Lowell are great. Students are friendly and intelligent and the school dominates in sports! It's an Amazing school
—Submitted by a parent

best academics, more extracurriculars and activities than any other SFUSD school, more AP classes, most awesome students!
—Submitted by a student

We can get away with anything, teacher's are amazing, and the work really prepares us for life.
—Submitted by a student

Lowell is very diverse and is challenging.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is now in his 2nd year at Lowell. What is special about the school is that it allows students to succeed because the campus is safe and the priority is academics. That means its more than ok to be smart. My son constantly remarks how nice the kids are, which allows him to be himself. I agree it's the students that make the school, because I have already experienced some very 2nd rate teachers. The parental support is also terrific, which is why the programs survive. It's not a school for everyone, but it's a school my son is flourishing in.
—Submitted by a parent

Lowell High School is an outstanding school and is recommanded for the gifted and talented.
—Submitted by a student

This school will prepare your child academically for college. A lot of your child's happiness though depends on how well he/she works under stress. The students are not very cooperative with each other due to the competitive nature of the environment. There is quite a bit of intellectual snobbery and class distinctions, but I expect all schools are cliquey. At least, at Lowell, there are so many groups that your child will fit in somewhere. One thing I didn't like was the competitive students, it doesn't bode well for adult relationships later on in life.

my son just completed his freshman year with about 45 to an 1 1/2 for all classes a night. He also is an athlete and practices about 15 hours a week not including his competitions. His last report card he had all A's and one B+ After talking to the councilors, teachers and principles - this is what I really think of Lowell. The kids are self motivators, the children who do well at this school look at education as a privilege and their most important job. This job is to learn as much as you can and really try your best. These students do well, and should be at a school like Lowell. If you child is smart, but needs more direction and more hand holding... this is NOT a school for them. They will fall behind or fall between the cracks.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended lowell in his first year and although a smart child, the pressure, hours of homework, and intensity took its toll on him as a happy, balanced kid .As parents we asked ourselves what was most important.. Driving him at all costs to get into a top 10 for our own bragging rights? or allowing him fully develop into a well-rounded learner and individual, who could pick the less followed path. If you teach your kids to ignore their instincts in favor of blind achievement, they'll never be happy.Traditional education, however esteemed, is as broken as our economy. We transefered him to Oceana HS, and he's happy and going to NYU next fall.
—Submitted by a parent

the principle is out of this world. the academics are excellent. it's very competitive though and the kids work very hard
—Submitted by a parent

Lowell is an overrated school. Many of the teachers are poor, although there are a few exceptional teachers. I am currently attending Lowell, and there is only one reason why people say it is a good school: The students are smart. Plus, only smart students can get into Lowell. Now, if you have a school comprised of only smart students, and they all get good grades and go on to a good college, the school will look good. In reality though, the campus is a wreck, the cafeteria food is disgusting, and we really need more good teachers. If I must say one more good thing about this school, it is really safe. You'll never get into a fight. It's hard to get good grades... not that Lowell is hard, but the teachers give out few A's.
—Submitted by a student