Sonoma Valley High School

This was my high school. It's a small school with a big heart. I learned so much while attending there

You basically shape your own experience here. I'm a 2009 graduate at UCLA, and thus far, my education has more than sufficiently prepared me for my current classes (chem, calc, etc.). Sure, there are some bad teachers, but there are also amazing teachers who taught me about their subject, as well as about life. I am still friends with several of my teachers. If you approach education with enthusiasm and become involved in school/community service, you will succeed here. Also, my friends and I really didn't notice much gang activity over our 4 yrs. Depends on with whom you associate I suppose.
--Submitted by a student

I attend SVHS. The teachers here are very talented and are especially good at helping you succeed if you just ask for assistance. My only complaint is that classes are overcrowded. Unfortunately that seems to be happening at all public schools. Still, SVHS is a school where anyone can do well as long as they try hard. Too many kids go to Justin Sienna when they don't need to. I have loved SVHS for four years and have no regrets in going there!
--Submitted by a student

As a current student of this school, I do not feel that the higher-end students are really being catered to. We are too worried about the kids who are 'stupid,' even though they are really just lazy. I don't know more then maybe fifteen people who haven't done drugs and/or alcohol. This is very hard for someone coming from a Christian background, and would be for anyone, because of the enormous amount of peer pressure. If there is any other option for you to send your child somewhere, do it.
--Submitted by W S, a student

As an 80's-era graduate of SVHS and my child recently graduated from there this past June. I can honestly say that I have seen alot of changes. Some good, some not so good. In retrospect, I think that the level of education he recieved wasn't what I had hoped for and after experiencing the dreaded 'college interviews' wish I had sent him to Justin-Siena over in Napa. I feel he would've gotten a much more thorough and fuller education there than he had gotten here. Truthfully, we sent him to SVHS out of sentiment. We are deeply disappointed with the quality of teaching and the fact that many teachers seem to be burnt out, but they are still employed here. This school definitely has gang and overcrowding problems that are just not being addressed. My husband and I won't be making the same mistake with our younger child.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended Sonoma Valley HS last year. The school uses Parent Connect to communicate grades, attendance and assignments to parents and students at home. It is a big help. My son's teachers were always available to help him if he asked. They taught interesting lessons and included project based learning in their curriculum. This year, many of the teachers have infused technology into their curriculum. Students have learned how to present topics using powerpoint presentations with all the enhancements. My son liked his high school years and still goes back to visit teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

I give this high school a 'fair' rating. It is the only public high school in our community, so unless you opt to educate your child privately, it's the only local choice. There is a mix of very good & mediocre instructors, with some being just plain awful. The academic programs appear to be standard and not particularly challenging. Parent involvement is very good. The school is now in year one of Program Improvement. Funding for sports and other extracurricular activities is threatened due to low test scores.
--Submitted by a parent

Sonoma Valley High School has an excellent teaching staff and Boosters Club that support athletics, drama and extracurricular activities
--Submitted by Jim Witous, a parent

Virtually all of the elective classes have been removed from the curriculum at this school. (except for Ag classes). There is a large problem with gangs that goes unrecognized and is not being dealt with. The only kids who have their needs met are those who have no learning or behavior issues, and who do not strive for any excellence in their educational experience. Few of the kids seem pleased with the quality of the school.
--Submitted by a parent

My children have attended this school and I have found that there are some really great teachers there but some really bad ones also. There is a big gang problem there that I feel is being kept under the rug. This is the last year that I will be sending my children there I am looking at other options.
--Submitted by a parent