Branham High School

Branham really tries to keep kids engaged, keep the standard high and promote high academic excellence. We have been in the music department for 2 years and the kids are excelling! The instructor can be a bit challenging though. The test scores include the special ed. which not all high schools in the area have to do so the scores aren't really an indicator. The front office lady is mean and unhelpful... come on Branham... replace her!
—Submitted by a parent

this is not the school that put students first and looking how to help them to be successful and motivated. The stuff is superficial and will not look how to help student. The stuff have not professional attitude to help students in a very important live period.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has gotten better and better as the years go by. They have always had an excellent, extremely involved young staff, particularly in the History Department, but more recently in Math, English, Special Needs etc. In 2010 we got a new Athletic Director who has done wonders for the athletic department. He has helped triple the size of the Athletic Boosters, organized the coaches, streamlined processing of athletes and much more. He is extremely present and active on campus. In 2011 we got a new Activities Director who has started to make significant changes and boost school spirit and participation in events. He has an excellent relationship with teachers, parents and students. In 2012, just a month ago, Branham hired a new principal who has reignited the staff, been present at almost every function on campus, is enthused about changing Branham and is direct, confident and enthusiastic. This school continues to thrive, and test scores rise (although that isn't really a wonderful indicator of a healthy school) even with little money and support from the district and I continue to be impressed more and more each year.

I've just begun going to this school, and my emotions about it are a bit mixed. The school offers great academics, but the teachers are the kind that are hard on grading and leave you a bit on your own. The campus and facilities are great though.

I don't really enjoy the atmosphere of the school, but then that's my problem. I think that this place could use some remodeling, because I think the brick walls are pretty ugly, but the teachers are great and the people here are pretty nice

Teachers and administration are appallingly closed-minded. Grading makes no sense whatsoever and puts A+ students at the same level as D- ones. Unfriendly atmosphere. Forces students to participate in school events for a grade. I would not recommend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Hi out there! If your child is an 8th grader and your child is a musician...I would recommend Branham over Leigh in a HEART BEAT! The music directors at Branham have a great deal more experience than those at Leigh. The Leigh band director is a rookie and does not know how to teach music at all. Diane Wyant, the Branham director, has been teaching for almost 25 years and runs a tight ship! She is in fact THE director that built Leigh High School years ago and gave them the reputation as being an award winning program. So if you want your music student to be in the BEST hands...choose Branham! We did and we are excited about our child's future as a musician. Ms. Wyant is amazing and Ms. West the choir director really knows her stuff!
—Submitted by a parent

I wonder what type of students are bashing Branham High School? Probably the type of kids that think everything should be handed to them and make excuses. Complaining about putting hand sanitizers in the bathroom? Are you kidding me. You get out what you put into high school. Hard working students who don't cut class and bully people will thrive. My kids are doing very well and we are extremely happy with this school! Go Bruins.
—Submitted by a parent

Branham High school is top notch!! If your child is a musician, the Royal Alliance Marching Band is a GREAT place for them to be. Diane Wyant, the director of bands, is a CLASS ACT!!!! She works hard to instill all the values WE as PARENTS know are necessary for OUR KIDS to SUCEED!!!! THE BAND is the HEART of this SCHOOL!!! TOP NOTCH!!!! A TRUE class ACT!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Branham High School is the diamond of the district. It has a small, private school feel with some VERY impressive programs. This school offers a music program that is taught by a veteran music teacher of 24 years...she is truly amazing. The symphonic band is the only one in the district that has received top ratings by the state music teachers association. The director here is the director that began Leigh's program more than a decade ago. The history department is second to none...the backgrounds on these teachers are amazing and incredibly impressive. Also...Branham offers a leadership program offered by Rich Alipaz that tops anything else in CUHSD...he is a Genius!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I have a student that attends Price Middle School. I am very excited also about my child attending Branham High School next year for the Marching Royal Alliance Band. I met Diane Wyant. She is very good teacher and my daughter very much like her. I look forward to attending Branham High School in the upcoming year.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a freshmen at Branham High School and I couldn't be happier with the education I am getting here here. I hang out with cream of the crop kids every day and have a sense the my teachers really care about me. I wouldn't have expected so much success in high school, my teachers and councilors really guided me to where I am now. This school has made it very easy for me to transition to high school.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated Branham High School in 2008, and am so thankful i'm out. Aside from the one teacher I had that actually cared about her students in the four years I attented, the teachers could care less about you. Ms. Barger is an amazing teacher who truely cares for her students, if she didn't teach there I would rate this school with no stars. I definitely feel like the teachers are on their own power trip and love being able to tell students what to do, just because they can. Now that I am in college, I couldn't be happier.

2009: Branham High School is an excellently rated school. It now has a proven track record showing continuous improvement in all areas such as - academic scoring; music department (has instructors now in both instrumenal and vocal music); parent participation with H&SC, Sprts Boosters, Music Boosters; has improved student leadership and school spirit participation; departments have consistent, excellent teaching staff; highly qualified, enthusiastic administration with longevity for school growth and maturity; the Royal Alliance Marching Band (marching band for the first time in 28 years at Branham); and consistent Sports programs and leadership. I would highly recommend BHS over and above, and at least equal to other schools in CUHSD.
—Submitted by a parent

The thing with branham sports is that the athletic director does not know how to get good coaches. He does not care for sports really. Many believe we should get a new one. Im also fine with the majority of the teachers but there are still some who i would not want to have
—Submitted by a student

I am a senior at branham and quite honestly, I couldn't be HAPPIER that I'm graduating this year. Majority of the teachers here lack the ability to motivate students. There have only been a handful of teachers that i have come across that have been able to do this. The administration is...well...it's incompetant when it comes to providing necessary materials for classes. They lack the ability to spend money wisely. An irritating example: they spent money to place hand-sanitizers in each of the classrooms instead of buying necessary supplies for classes, like books. The students here are shallow, and they all lack motivation. Not to mention that the clubs here aren't that good either. While it is improving (albeit slowly), I still wouldn't want to come here again to learn. The departments that i found to be the strongest were the English and History departments. Enough said.
—Submitted by a student

i am a senior at Branham High School, I have to say that while the teachers claim to be motivated to make this a better school their lack of motivation is shocking. I know that when I become a parent one day i will NEVER send my chilsd to this school. I want to know that the administration and teachers will be there with me and my syudent through there whole four years and as far as im concerned they are not ding their job!
—Submitted by a student

I do have to say that Branham is improving in many ways possible. The sports programs are improving from poor years before, and teachers who have been considered 'bad' have transfered out. The history department seems to be the strongest, while the math department could use some improving. We are still considered the underdogs, but I do believe we would strive to the top if the school could push for it.
—Submitted by a student

There are some great teachers here at Branham, but as a senior i can't say that it is a great school. I feel that the school is unmotivated and doesn't care to challenge any of the students to strive for better grades. This school makes students drop out of high school!
—Submitted by a student

My child is currently a Jr. at Branham HS. He has thus far had awesome teachers, and we have found the staff and administration to be both helpful and friendly. If the student is truly there to learn and put the effort into it then the help is there if need be. Branham has many clubs, extracurricular acitivities, and opportunities for parents to be involved. Branham is a great school, with great teachers, great curriculum, and a great student body. Like anything, the more involved and the more effort you put in the better the experience.
—Submitted by a parent