Andrew P. Hill High School

As a current student, I say that the best that Andrew Hill offers are the amazing teachers who want to see all of their students succeed. I have yet to have a teacher who simply doesn't do anything, although I've heard of a few who do. I would say that the problem lies within the administration of the school. This year has brought some changes to the administration, but there is still a lack of promotion to succeed and do more that what is asked of the students. You will rarely ever see the head principle around talking to an audience or even to a performing group at a school event, if they were to show up at all. The only times I have heard her speak in front of an audience were at graduations, or if there were "important" guest speakers visiting. Other than that, the best of Andrew Hill are the teachers who devote incredible amounts of time and effort to the students, which includes the whole lot. Also, there are the handful (compared to the whole school) of students in programs such as IB and Medical Magnet who truly excel and strive for more. Not to say that the rest of the school doesn't at all, but they don't have much motivation, for which I blame the admin.
--Submitted by a student

This school is known for unsatisfied with school system, is so terrible. Or maybe it the staff, always blaming on the system. The stuff always seem to be very unclear and unaware about student record, they give you the run around. This is an disappointment to see our children has to go through this! Andrew staff lacks of understanding how to work the system, they have no knowledge of communication with parents and other staff at other school. Andrew staff has poor knowledge of how to plan, how to prepare student for back to school. I strongly believe it not the system. They kept blaming it the system. They've been using this line for over 20 yrs. It works cause parent has no choice. This school is a concern for me... if this is the behavior of the staff member, so lack of polish and gentleness, limited to lacking in social and indifference to the needs of others. Can't even think of what kinda of education the children is getting. I would hate to see them teaching our kids to be, lazy, carefree, un-prepared, just find something to blame on.. this would stuck!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school here. The only thing bad is the staff but other than that, this school has great programs and opportunities for student to choose from. This school has the reputation of being bad and the students being mean and such, but really, the students here are great. They're very nice. Don't listen to the schools reputation until you experience it yourself.
--Submitted by a student

Many people have said this school was super horrible and people are mean and such. In my opinion people are very warming here. The only reason that I am unsatisfied with this school is that the school system is terrible. They are super slow at everything, for almost all events it takes them forever to finish. Even school picture day is being held back for almost a whole semester. But the teachers are great here.
--Submitted by a student

By far, one of the best schools in the area. The staff is comprised of educators who truly care deeply about every student who attends this school. The students who attend Andrew P. Hill are generally kindhearted people who are independent and very educated. Although there are some people there who do not care much about education, they generally avoid the rest of the school population and do not bother anybody. Every year, Andrew P. Hill produces students that are accepted to some of the most prestigious universities in the world. These include Columbia, Stanford, Harvard, UC Berkley, UCLA, Yale, and others. These students also tend to receive multiple scholarships. If any parent wishes the best for their child, he/she would enroll their student in Andrew P. Hill and allow their child to blossom through this school's multiple programs, that include IB, AP, Bio Tech, Nursing, Green Academy, and Hill Academy.
--Submitted by a student

This school is awful. The staffs are lazy and cold. Some teachers are good but there are some awful teacher there too. They are rude and heartless and it doesn't seem like they even like kids and some teacher cannot teach at all. My daughter thought she has to worry about the students but no she has to worry about the staffs.
--Submitted by a parent

On one hand, you have some of the lowest performing students, making it a program improvement school. Despite the fair share of underachievers, I feel the school has been doing everything to help the students. For those that are struggling and DO care, the library is opened after school tutoring. There are also many teachers that truly care and stay until at least 5 or 6 everyday for students that ask for the extra help. On the other hand, you have the highest achieving students that transfer over from their home schools and travel here every morning (some even come from Milpitas) to be a part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Aside from IB, the school offers plenty of AP classes and a nursing/biotech academy. People just need to give Andrew Hill a chance. I have teachers that were skeptical about working here at first, but love it now.
--Submitted by a student

I loved my experience at AH, and, given another chance, I would go there again. Although my home school is Independence High, I caught wind of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and decided to take the VTA home every day until I got my license. If you (or your student) is dedicated to getting an excellent education (and, of course, an excellent chance of getting into some of the best universities around), then use the IB program. I've also heard wonderful things about the Nursing Academy and the Biotech program, and if those fields interest you, then I encourage anyone to give those programs a try. Although there is a brand-spankin' new building, I know that from the outside looking in, AH doesn't look all that stellar. It's really, really the teachers and driven students that make the difference. The administration...not so much.
--Submitted by a student

Here's my honest opinion, if your child has no will to succeed, he/she will fail. Andrew Hill does not promote success as greatly as other schools. The only thing that keeps this school going is the International Baccalaureate. The drive these students have is astounding. It is a school within a school. Get your kid in IB, make him or her thrive.
--Submitted by a student

My daughter was a studen there, I found that being the only caucasion that I could see, we felt that we were discriminated against at every turn. The school is older & fresh paint would help it a lot. All together I would say send your kid to another high school but definitely not Andrew hill.
--Submitted by a parent