Prospect High School

Prospect is gifted with a diverse student body, excellent teachers, a beautiful campus, and great extracurriculars. The sports teams such as track, tennis, and field hockey are consistently powerhouses, and extracurriculars like mock trial and debate seem to be doing well too. Unfortunately, the new principal seems uncomfortable in her role and is unwilling to work with many teachers, weakening the previously strong AP curricula. Any student who puts in the effort can succeed at this school, as is shown by the students accepted to Ivy Leagues, Berkeley, UCLA, and other top colleges.
—Submitted by a student

The freshmen honors classes-English and biology-are fairly good. The teachers maintain order and the material makes you think, rather than only memorize. The English teacher is an engaging teacher who thinks of fun assignments. My biology teacher is a gruff old man with a soft heart. The Spanish department is atrocious. We do exercises in the workbooks for the whole period. The teacher does not teach. Kids who are retaking the class crack bad jokes and disrupt the class on a daily basis, without facing any consequences. If you truly want to learn Spanish, you must be self-motivates and teach yourself. The geometry teacher that I have is rude and condescending. Though we do learn in this class, he talks as though we are stupid. The atmosphere of this class could definitely be improved. The kids here, in general, seem to be hurting and act very angry. They swear constantly and revel in crass humor. There is a very low expectation for their behavior and maturity, sub-standard to other high schools in the vicinity. To sum it up, the honors teachers are worth your time, the Spanish department should be evaluated and dissolved ASAP, and the general atmosphere on campus is not pleasant.
—Submitted by a student

Took my daughter out of this school midway through the year because it was clear that staying at the school was a waste of time. People who say this is a good school are in denial.
—Submitted by a parent

We have a senior at Prospect busy with his college apps and he wants to minor in English because of some of the amazing English teachers he has had over the past 4 years. He wants to minor in History because he had amazing History teachers. He has chosen Sciences for his major because of his interactions with great Physics, Chemistry and Biology teachers who are passionate about their subjects and share it with their students. The Math department has very good people who know their subject but when it comes to teaching strategies, some are good teachers and some are not. (I have seen this problem across the board in other school districts too where many Math teachers do not know how to present their subject material in front of a teen- many Math concepts are very subtle). All the 4 years we have been here, we have always wondered why this school does not get the community support and high regard it deserves. We have a new principal this year who was the previous VP and she has her heart in the right place (kids come first). But what her style of administration would be is yet to be seen.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school ! My child completed 4 years at Prospect Excellent in academics as well as sportsmanship!!! Very friendly and helpful staff!!
—Submitted by a parent

Our child finished her first year at Prospect this month and we are pleased with the academics, sports and activities. She is an above-average student and was challenged with her courses. Due to an outstanding teacher, she even found out that she really enjoys science and may consider majoring in that when she attends college! Sports are competitive, but not as intense as many other schools, so many students are given the opportunity to participate on a team. Lots of clubs and an active student government group. Very diverse population of students which prepares our children for the real world. Wish there was more parent involvement, but those that are involved are very committed and outstanding!
—Submitted by a parent

if your child choosed the right people to be friends with and focus on academics while of course having fun and making use of all the opportunities this school has to offer..your child will go far! school has a wonderful staff and AMAZING principal! she is new but making so many advances! make it count panthers!!
—Submitted by a parent

Delighted with Prospect High School. My son just started as a freshman and I am impressed with the teachers & administration. 'Make it Count', that is the theme the principal is promoting - every activity, every assignment, every event, every year Make it Count. My son graduated from a small middle school. I was concerned that he would be lost in a 'big' school. Prospect is not large compared to other area HS but it is larger than we were used to. We quickly learnt that there are communities within the school, clubs and other activities that welcomed my son. He is delighted to be at Prospect HS. The year is going well socially and academically. The big HS that we were so concerned about has turned out to be a welcoming educational environment where my son is thriving. thanks to the Principal, staff and Teachers of Prospect High School
—Submitted by a parent

The current principal pressures teachers to inflate grades. There is a grading system here in which a teacher gives nothing less than a 50% for an "F". The reasoning is self esteem related & encourages kids not to lose hope once they have that F. A teacher strictly following this system wouldn't give any grade less than a 50%, meaning the kid only has to do 10% of the work to pass. If you look at it from the 10% angle, it's just shameful. Kids get a false sense of accomplishment. Nobody forces you to grade this way, but if you are failing too many kids, you can expect trouble with this principal. In spring 2010 the district held a class for teachers to grade in this way called "What is Pickering Grading?" So I gather this is being pushed district-wide. We have many low performing kids at Prospect, but lowering our standards is not the way. Change isn't going to come by teachers as they are frightened by the principal. If you are a parent then look for yourself on School Loop. If you see A LOT of 50% it may mean the assignments were not done at all yet 50% of the credit was still received. Write a letter to the superintendent if concerned.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am not sure the administrators in this school are all on the same page. A small number seem to really care about the children. Teachers I have observed are overworked and frustrated.
—Submitted by a parent

We've had a good experience with the Administration @ Prospect High School. Our family is very involved with academics & find the majority of school staff very supportive of parent involvement. A schools reputation is built on API ratings but doesn't tell the whole story until you look @ student demographics. Our 2007 API rating was 741 but when you look at subgroups, 80% of our students were performing @ an API high of 815 but were impacted by 20% of our students that are disadvantaged. Our Athletic Programs have been very successful; 2-Time State Wrestling Champion, Girls Varsity Basketball & Boys Varsity Baseball @ CCS, Wrestling, Girls Swimming, Track/Field & Badminton All League Chamions & Football 2nd in League. 95% of Prospect's students go to college; 36% - 4 year college, 59% - 2 year college. Those stats are the true measure of a school's success.
—Submitted by a parent

Great place to be! administrators are knowledgable in regards to special ed. laws and are supportive. Most staff members are dedicated,friendly, and professional.
—Submitted by a teacher

We have had a lot of success at PHS. Especially strong are the Spanish and Math courses, as well as extra-curricular activities. There are some questionable students, but overall, the school is calm. We are active parents and support the school and teachers. PTSA is also a worthwhile organization. Our daughter will have some great memories of PHS.
—Submitted by a parent

What I like about Prospect and many public high schools around here is that the students choose their classes. You don't have to test into the honors classes and you don't have to worry about not getting in. The honors classes are challenging and will prepare you for college. The teachers are enthusiastic, mature, experienced and knowledgeable of their subjects. My son transferred to Prospect from Mitty because the teachers at Mitty were young and inexperienced and the classes were not challenging. Prospect is not extremely competitive in sports but there is a good sports program. You have a good chance at making the team. Sports, music, drama, clubs, student gov't., etc., are all available to all who want to participate. Parent involvement is pretty good. The administration seems open to parents with new ideas who want to help promote the school.
—Submitted by a parent

School has great resources if you know how to access them. AP, Honors and extra-curriculars are very good. Be active in order to ensure the best education--students can fall through the cracks very easily here.
—Submitted by a teacher

Administration is by the book - teachers are full range...the ones you wouldn't want your children to have in a million years, and some really dedicated ones (though this is becoming more and more rare); Drugs and fighting on campus are a rarity; homework is average amount for a high school.
—Submitted by a parent

Prospect high School is been a great school for for son. It's not a big school (infraestructure) therefore is easier for the staff to have control over the students. Problems are very limited, and are taken care very fast
—Submitted by Danilo Valqui, a parent

As a parent, I felt that Prospect did not have high academic standards or a positive school environment for my daughter. We moved to get out of the district.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a parent of 4 sons and two of my sons already, very succesfully, finished Prospect High School. My experience is, that what you put in as a student and as a parent, that's what you will get out of your education . Our oldest succesfully, graduated from UC Santa Barbara, majoring in Physics. Our second son was valedictorian and was accepted at every college he applied to. That year, as this current year, several students were admitted at Stanford, Harvard, UC Berkeley and the likes. Yes, an very good education can be had at this school. Put your effort in, and Prospect will do the rest. Our third son just started Prospect and does very well and is weel adjusted.
—Submitted by Marion van der Heide, a parent

Prospect High School is a great school with a diverse student population and a lot of caring teachers and administrators. The school itself does not look bright and shiny (it is old and in the process of renovation), but it is a warm, open, and safe environment for students to learn. The teachers are incredible, very dedicated and always seem to have the students' best interest at heart. The students are the primary focus at Prospect High School and it shows.
—Submitted by a teacher