South High School

great school. i went to a "high class educated" private school for two years and ended my high school yearrs at south high. better than a private school. great teachers and many extracurricular activities for the students. the teachers are very caring. highly recommended school.
--Submitted by a student

South High is a really great school for the most part. The AP programs are definitely what makes it so. Regular classes were really easy for me, the kids that didn't understand often weren't listening in class (texting, talking, etc ) or didn't read the book. Not all the teachers were very good, but there were teachers (especially math teachers) that were outstanding. Some would help students from previous years with homework during lunch or during their grading period. There were students that would come visit even when they were in college to get help.The chemistry teacher and the physics teacher I had were also always willing to take time to help if a student needed it. As for students succeeding in college, AP courses are definitely going to prepare you better than regular courses no matter what school you are attending. Universities expect you to teach yourself to a large extent; you have to be motivated in order to do well. The reason regular classes don't prepare you for college is because the workload is too light.
--Submitted by a student

South High seems to care more about the AP students at the expense of the regular students. The AP students don't need any help. They will succeed no matter what college they go to. It's the average students who need more help so they can go to college and succeed. As a full time nurse, I work at night so I can't help the kids with their homework, which are given by the mediocre teachers who don't explain them well.
--Submitted by a parent

The Honors and AP program at South is nothing short of outstanding. My kids all participated in this curriculum and all are attending good universities. All three had several of the same teachers and would come home every day talking about something really great they did in chemistry, calculus or history. I can't really comment on the regular program but some of the AP and Honors teachers teach regular classes as well, so I can't image they are as bad as some claim. I also have no idea where the criticism of the administration comes from. The principal is an outstanding leader and is more concerned with education than CYA like most principals.
--Submitted by a parent

South High School has one of the best ratings in the South Bay. Their STAR scores are fantastic; their staff is knowledgeable, caring and communicative; the campus is inviting and conducive to learning.
--Submitted by a parent

School seems leaderless or unmotivated towards any purpose. The classes hammer of standards (which are questionable as absolute need to know material), but spark, life something could be shown from the top down to motivate. Uninterested, bored, tired, lazy. My kid does will and will move on fine, but he and his friends make it what it is for themselves.
--Submitted by a parent

I am responding to the most recent posting...'the administration at this school is irrelevant' and the posting of Sept. 4th which says 'hammering away at standards constantly'. You are criticizing the wrong group. The school admin and teachers are only doing what the state/fed levels demand. All monies are based on test scores so what do you expect... It is not the school's fault. If you want passion and critical thinking, then contact Sacramento and Wash. D.C. and hammer at them to revise the awful 'No Child Left Behind Act' bipartisan law that is the root of this problem. All the schools whether elementary, middle or high school, are in the same boat, constrained by the same problem - the 'No Child Left Behind Act' as test scores = funding.
--Submitted by a parent

The administration at this school is irrelevant unless getting by is the standard. The consistent hammering away on standards has actually dumbed down classes to facts, facts, and more facts. If this is a premiere school, as it is sometimes known, then somehow problem solving, creative thinking, innovation shoud be a goal. It is safe. The folks show up. Finances are always a topic in class on what they don't have and can't do. I doubt if it really would make a difference. Spark! Passion! Interest! Maybe the voters could vote on providing these things to the schools. It might be better than money.

This school is the prime high school in Torrance but does not act like it. The curriculum is rigorous if AP courses are the test for that, but the interest level in success at the school is missing. The administrators seem to be always new and from some middle school and the principal seems to be unconcerned about most things. He certainly is not memorable or inspiring. He is just there. The staff is a motley crew of folks who are interested in what they do, and folks who seem to put in time hammering away at standards constantly. If this is the flag ship of Torrance, the flag needs to be passed to a school that seems to be more energized.

My daughter had a severe injury last year, breaking both her arms. She was required to miss about 8 weeks of school. The counseling staff, administrators and teachers were wonderful. One of her teachers came to our house every day so that she was able to stay up to speed in all of her classes. They also assisted her in the process of getting back into her classes.
--Submitted by a parent