Golden West High School

I am an alumni and not a very proud one. Sad to say, the personnel and staff at the school are bias towards educationally disadvantaged students. Teachers are unresponsive to phone calls and emails when parents attempt contact them. I m sorry you didn t receive a phone call I m sorry you didn t get an email back but we have so many students is their standard response. Besides being uncommunicative, they arbitrarily enforce ed codes. They lack respect for the parents and then complain. The counselors typically refer less affluent students to COS because that s what they think we can achieve. My counselor even suggested that I could only make it as far as COS . She was wrong! I made it to a private university and eventually completed my master s degree in education.

Both of my children attend Golden West High School. My husband is a retired Marine and our children have attended many schools in many states throughout the years. Golden West has been the best school our children have attended, including the military base schools. Golden West is not a perfect school, but they are striving for improvement. One major issue in regarding the low test scores may be the demographics. It is well known that individuals who are economically disadvantaged have lower test scores. Golden West serves Visalia's outlying communities that are indeed economically disadvantaged. One thing should be noted that last week 31% of the student population at Golden West earned high academic acheivement. I believe this is a true testament to the school's motivation to keep improving the school's academic performance. One negative thing that concerns me is the parental involvement. I have attended every open house and parent night and I am shocked how desolate the campus is due to the lack of parental involvement. Parents want to complain, but then never show up to talk with the teachers or administration.
--Submitted by a parent

I am wondering if all the people who wrote these glowing reviews have actually clicked on the Test Scores section of this site. Golden west is Abysmal in academics. Its state rankings are very low. The academics and student performance in academics is horrendous. I would wonder how many of these students are university bound and what their collective ACT and SAT scores are. This is not an academic school. It must be a decent environment given the demographics of the town which have created thse glowing reports. Look at Test scores and the State ranking and consider how this will affect a child's overall education and university placement!
--Submitted by a parent

Golden West is a great school. There is minimal violence, great teachers, and outstanding performing arts as well as great soccer and swimming programs this year. The band and color guard are outstanding, they have a great newspaper staff, and just a very well rounded curriculum.
--Submitted by a student

terrible parent relations, students seem to control the staff. the student seems to be a class system, the more wealth of the parent the moe power of the student, sad
--Submitted by a parent

Golden West High is a great school with excellent sports and education choices.
--Submitted by a parent

I am an alumni of G-Dub, and I loved it. I was involved in the Colorguard, choir, drama. It is the best school in Visalia. Hands down, that's it. The teachers are friendly, and helpful, the coaches truly care about their players, and it's just awesome. G-DUB forever!!!

I am currently a junior at Golden West High and I can honestly say this is really a great school. If you are into the arts, (choir, drama) this is definitely where you need to go. There are a lot of students, and it is sometimes hard to get into the classes you want, but there is a great counciling department that is always willing to help. Great school spirit and a fantastic ASB always equal really good rallies. Overall, a great school I would recommend it over any school in Visalia hands down.
--Submitted by a student

All around the county, people talk about how Golden West is a bad school. About how we have the highest pregnancy rates and our school is racist. Those negative feedbacks are stupidd. you don't know about all the hard work we put into our school. and how much pride we have . We have so many positive outlooks , but so many people look pass it. Golden West is amazing. Get it through your heads .
--Submitted by a student

Golden West is an excellent school to attend to. If you aren't involved in extra curricular activities than you garner nothing. Golden West has the best academic, athletic and clubs here in all of Visalia. And watch out El D. Golden West is going to win Mock Trial this year and there is nothing you can do to stop us. Good luck you will need it. :)
--Submitted by a student