Santa Teresa High School

This school has a huge safety issue. In the matter of three weeks my child was approached and threatened to be beat up three times and was not feeling safe. I brought this to the schools attention and all three times and was not given any support. The vice principal of safety is one of the rudest people I have meant in my life and with leadership like that no wonder the school has these issues.
—Submitted by a parent

Heaven forbid you move during the summer when school's out. Even worse is if your kid is special education - because Santa Teresa's bureaucratic processes and lack of personnel redundancy will leave your poor child struggling and lost - if you're ven able to get them registered. I moved in July, and immediately started trying to register my daughter. The registrar was only there on spotty terms, and wasn't the warmest or most efficient of people. Worst of all, after I turned in all the paperwork I had to procure for these people, (5 attempts to register my child - why couldn't they just tell me everything up front?) I get a call JUST before the start of school saying she's NOT registered because I don't have a particular VERSION of some paper - and they REFUSE to register her until they get it. If you ever have to deal with these people, I feel sorry for you. Ask lots of questions to find out EVERYTHING you need and call them every day to follow up, or your kid will suffer.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to S.T. for all four years and I graduated in 2008. At first I had a really negative attitude about learning and authority figures. Now that I am an adult I appreciate everything the staff at S.T. has done for me. If I could go back in time or if I got to choose which high school I went to. I would go to S.T. all over again.

Horrbile school....too many kids on campus...teachers don't care about kids. attendance staff eat at their desk, and don't greet parents. Campus grounds needs help. Teachers only point out negativity in students, are not able to offer programs for students that "slip thru cracks". My teen will not go there next year. Very disappointed..
—Submitted by a parent

An excellent school, great teachers. This school could be better with more elective options for their students.
—Submitted by a parent

To succeed at ST, the student has to take initiative. ST simply doesn't have the funding to mandate and provide SAT prep classes and intimate one-on-one time with each student. It's much larger than many private schools in the Bay Area and hold students from a multitude of socioeconomic households. Most of my friends' parents hadn't graduate from college themselves. But, faculty and staff at ST are great help WHEN you ask. I graduated in 2007, and the only reason I knew how to apply for college is because I made the effort to go to the counselors and asked how to do it. AP classes: the English and science departments are great. But a high GPA and extracurrs are the most important for getting into college, so take APs in subjects you have an interest in; you'll do the best in those. Take hnrs and reg classes for everything else.
—Submitted by a student

I think that Santa Teresa high school is not a good school for my daughter because the kids are not focused on their work my daughter is always telling me that they don t respect the teachers and their also saying bad words.In my opinion I think that Santa Teresa high school is a bad school for my daughter to be here in this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I enjoy ST alot compared to other surrounding high schools. I am currently in 3 AP classes and find the work rather challenging as opposed to the regular courses. Santa Teresa is committed to making high school as easy as possible for students and for the most part ST so far has been just what everyone imagines high school to be. I'm currently a Junior and so far I have loved ST's sports, rally's, and spirit week since freshman year. ST has made high school fun and I wouldn't want to attend any other high school
—Submitted by a student

It's a wonderful school! I graduated from there and now I am teaching there!
—Submitted by a teacher

First of all, the Music Department Director is *truly* a gem. By now, I doubt that she is the best well kept secret in the area! If your child is seriously considering music in his/her future, STHS is worth considering. I am not sure now, but when my oldest child was attending ST, the Desktop Publishing Department was awsome as well. Oveall, it seems to me that the school has lost its 'soul.' As I mentioned before, I have an older child who graduated from ST, and the atmosphere has definitely chaged. There seems to be more vulgarity and lack of manners. The dress code seems not to be enforced. Academics has its place, no doubt. I am not convinced, however, that this is the environment that I would want my children to be for so many hours...
—Submitted by a parent

School was great overall especially the honors classes. The outside activities we great as well especially with stuff like Fantastiks. Math program definitely subpar in my experience. Counselors over all were not very effective though. Any research on what class and college applications I did on my own with the help of my parents. Overall the academics when taking the honors programs definitely prepared me for college.
—Submitted by a student

I am a former graduate, and I say the school is good. It would be great if it had a solid math department and willing counselors, but it doesn't. Many parents have to call the principle to get a schedule change for their child. The band program is the only thing that kept me from dropping out (it's killer!).
—Submitted by a student

The Science Dept. is excellent. The Math Dept. is improving. However the Magnet Program needs to be revisited. Having to take Photography for the Magnet Program to fulfill the commitment to the program when PE or another curiculum would have been a better option.
—Submitted by a parent

I find it interesting and disappointing, that as a business magnet school, there is no business class offered this year for juniors. How did that happen? My son was never notified that this would be a scheduling/educational issue when it came time to select classes for the upcoming year. ST prides itself on communication, but fails in many areas. Math dept. fails. Mr. Duran seems to be working hard, but he can only do so much.
—Submitted by a parent

It's time to focus on academics - not shy away from them. Honors classes are no longer provided. Why? Is college not expected? Someone told me because they weren't 'standardized'. So instead of making the effort to standardize them - they get dropped??? Colleges definitely weight honors classes when students apply. Perhaps the administration should run through some college brochures. AP classes are offered, but teachers for those classes don't seem to be selected based on their success of student's passing the test. Students shy away from several classes because the word gets out when a teacher is not very good and the majority of students don't pass the AP test. Also, don't work through the counseling office if you want to change a class. They will always tell you no. Have your student go directly to the teacher.
—Submitted by a parent

I have reviewed all previous comments. They all have a common theme. Outstanding science, amazing band instructor and many available extra curricular activities. Great School overall. Math instructors are consistently rated way below acceptable limits. My teen is honor student despite failing math. School administration is aware ST has unacceptable math program yet, it has not improved. Parents unite and demand change in math department. The school and especially our students deserve a math program that meets the standards kept up by the rest of the teaching staff. Santa Teresa provides a wonderful education to our youth. The band instructor is the most amazing dedicated and talented I have ever met. Improve Math and they are the finest school providing excellent education for the young leaders of the future.
—Submitted by a parent

I love the english teachers at Santa Teresa High. Especially if your kids are in the honor classes, they will have lot of work to do, but they really learn a lot.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that Santa Teresa is an awesome school. Like any other school it has it's cons but I feel overall the school is great.
—Submitted by a former student

Very unhappy with this school. Lack of interest for student success by counselors, teachers, and principals. There are still a few good teachers that are interested in teaching students - others seem to have given up. My child is begging to leave only because she wants to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

Have been extreamly disappionted in the calibre of teachers in this school. Science dept. is good. This school will have a long term effect in the near future if this is not addressed properly.
—Submitted by a parent