South Pasadena Senior High School

My child is a student here. She does not feel the reachers are that great. She has honors classes and still needs to have a tutor. Once the tutor explains it, she understands it. Wait? Isn't that the teachers job? The school is tolerant of behavior that used to get me tossed out of school. It is a very, very liberal school and allows to much to continue on campus. Nobody flunks, everybody passes. The school teaches my child morals and values that my family does not agree with. When my child goes to an assembly that is an anti-bulliying assembly, please don't turn it into a pro gay rally, as was done this year.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is a senior this year, and we have been very, very pleased with all four of his years at SPHS. Most of the students are interesting, lively, engaged kids; most of the teachers are very good and dedicated to their students' success; most of the activities are well-run and designed with the students' best interests in mind; and most of the administration is top-notch. Anyone who thinks they can buy perfection in the form of private school is living in a dream world. If your kid is motivated and you're willing to cut the umbilical cord and let them do some of the hard and necessary work of learning for themselves how to get the most out of their high school experience, SPHS is an outstanding place for your kid to be! We are grateful for everything the school has done for our child.
—Submitted by a parent

I am very unhappy that I did not pursue private school for my child. He is doing badly in science and geometry even though he previously had good grades. I now am paying for a tutor for both of those subjects. I would tell anyone to send your kid to private school if you want them to get a good education. You will end up using tutors and that is quite pricey anyways. Once you are at this school you will hear many stories of how awful the science and math teachers are. Too bad because SPMS was pretty good.
—Submitted by a parent

My 9th grade daughter has an amazing counselor who is always looking out for her. She takes the time to know her on a personal level and is always interested in her personal as well as academic growth. This family is blessed to have Mrs. Strickland-Vadell in our lives.
—Submitted by a parent

South pasadena High school would not be much if it was not housed in a wealthy nieghborhood. The students are not very interesting or creative for the most part (most of the really brilliant, interesting athletics, etc kids in the area do not attend SPHS). The teachers and the facilities are mediocre compared to the reputation. Though a few of the teachers are quite good, the high scores are really because the wealthy parents can afford tutors and test preparation classes, which are a MUST given the largely mediocre faculty. Though there are some great kids that go to SPHS (just like any where else) the young people seem especially uninspired, catty, shallow and fearful. They do not tend to attend their own dances and other events out of fear that it will not be considered "Cool". I am looking to find a more interesting scool for my child.
—Submitted by a parent

Good school - with a great ESL (English as a Second Language) program. My sister went there: she lost no time in picking the new language and she quite enjoyed the whole experience. Moreover, she mentioned that you get individual attentions from the teachers and generally speaking, most students are scholastically motivated and well-behaved. The only compliant she had was that the math program was a bit weak.

SPHS has a diverse community, economically & ethnically, for which we are proud. We all come together well. We have wonderful community involvement, a great principal, and stress great values in addition to academic achievement.
—Submitted by a parent

This is truly an outstanding high school. Students realize they are part of something special...not just rote learners attending class. I'm very impressed by the extra attention paid by faculty members to student success. And Janet Anderson is a very special person, we're lucky to have her!
—Submitted by a parent

Great school! The spirit and friendly community is awesome! The faculty is amazing as well, except the math department is not so great. Tigers for all four years of high school! :)
—Submitted by a student

I have had two children attend SPHS. I can't speak highly enough about the caring devoted staff. It is because of these people that my eldest son has had such success in college and now sees the difference that his education has provided him in comparison to his current classmates.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has moved to this school from the middle school and we expected great things fromt he high school as well, but i was dissapointed to see that they have failed to encourage and offer those who are not the best or great at things. Especially the sports program which only took the kids who had experience with the certain sports and isolated all those who were willing to try out. It seemed unfair, sense colloges look so much towards those sports and activieties done during high school years. Some teachers also failed to provide our children with help when they were struggling. I understand that thier school system push kids to achieve greater things at school. But they need to knw that all kids arent born smart they need the knowledge from thier teachers in order to succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this school is very overrated! The courses offered are great but what good does that do our children if the teachers are less than motivated to help the less capable students? I must say I am very disappointed, I moved here because of the better school district and have been let down.
—Submitted by a parent

I curretnly attend SPHS and love it. be far it is the best high school. the outside atmosphere is just wonderful everyone is real nice and i love walkign aroudn town and feeling safe; even when i am alone! thanks! south pas! dude, this is an awsome school! :]
—Submitted by Blair, a student

It was a pleasure working with the administrative and faculty team at South Pasadena. Any parent would be lucky to have their child enrolled in this school. South Pas offers a high quality education and caring staff.
—Submitted by a staff

As a parent, when I see our API scores being compared to surrounding 'wealthier'communities, I am flattered. We may not be the richest money-wise, but we are definitely one of the most socio-economically diverse schools to have as many academic and arts programs as we do. Small class-sizes (like a private). Many parents cannot afford to give lots of money to the school district - they make up for it in volunteer time. Excellent parent involvement,care and concern for the school. Athletics are not the main thing for this school, because the kids are so well-rounded, they have many things going on.But as far as preparing them for the 'real'world - this is the place. Kids from all different races & backgrounds & interests. Students are exposed to many different interests,academics and sports. API's? Clearly, only a part of this wonderful school!
—Submitted by a parent

The academic programs at South Pas are great. The teachers really care. We especially love the art program. It's great to see parents who are really involved and come to school meetings.
—Submitted by a parent

OVERRATED. South Pas appears to shine compared to some other public high schools. Overall, the teachers are fair to excellent, but really bad ones (old, tired and incapable) are firmly entrenched with tenure and union job protections just like LAUSD. The school administration is laid back comfortable with the school s performance rankings. But a minority of hyper motivated scholars and families (often Asian) are the whole story behind the test scores. Kids who are not seriously self-directed wash through SPHS with little effort and they can graduate barely literate. The brighter lifetime prospects of one typical not-performing-up-to-his/her-ability 16-year-old (unless he/she is acting up) will not get a shred of attention at South Pasadena High.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school. I love the envir and the teachers are nice.
—Submitted by a former student

The school is nice but there are some concerns about the supervision of the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Competative academic program. Lots of extracurricular activities such as ROP classes, Water polo, golf, photography, drama, stage crew, and drafting. A small school for being public. Good percentage of graduates. Caring teachers. A lot of community money invested in the school.
—Submitted by a former student