East Haven High School

I wanted to like this school and sent my son there with hesitation. It has not been a good year. The security is the hardest working faction of the school. The Principal is rarely available, the teachers do not return calls or emails. The online grade program is only as good as the teachers who keep it updated, and most of them do not seem to so I never really have an idea of the grades for my son. The Digital Arts Academy is a complete joke and most kids have dropped out of the program. The tutoring program no longer exists because I'm told the teachers would not do it. If you have a bright and motivated child, of course your child will do well here and anywhere else. If your child needs guidance, assistance, and may be easily led, this is not the school for your child. The Board of Education is weak, and they still cannot figure out why they are more than half a million underspent. The sports program uses up taxpayer money and does not produce results. The athletes are targets for discipline because they are the only students that may be motivated by discipline. Despite the town's troubles with race and culture challenges, there does not seem to be an effort to teach.
—Submitted by a parent

Both my children started their education in catholic school, they both decided not to continue their education at a Catholic High School and wanted to go to the Public High School in their town. They transistioned wonderfully, my daughter graduated in the top 10 of her class and my son is currently a junior and doing well. The teachers, counselors, etc. have always been supportive and helpful to my children and us.
—Submitted by a parent

Why do people always blame the school? My daughter is doing very well academically there. You get what you put into your education. You could do to a school in an elite community, and the drug and alcohol use there would make a less elite community seem wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

I had 4 Children Graduate from EH, I must say the Teacher's care very deeply about the students, If I had a problem with one of my Kids they were extremely helpful in resolving the problems.and they treat all cultures or backgrounds the same. it is not an Italian community. and the school is not small at all. if anything it's state of the Art. Very nice school to send your child, they care very much for the kids well being.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is very racist and administration refuses to initiate any typeo f cultural diversity training. It is a small school in a very small Italian community and the 'good ole' boy feeling echoes loudly through the halls. This school is pathetic
—Submitted by a parent

Of course, like any other school EHHS has some problems. But overall it is an awesome school! Most teachers at the school are very caring about their students, they truely want to see their students succeed in life. They make a connection with them on a personal level which not many teachers do. As an EHHS graduate this personal connection with teachers helped me greatly. They were always their to help you in whatever you could possibly need. As for preparing me for college, I could not have been better prepared because of the help from several staff members. For some reason so many people believe EHHS is a horrible school. But, the school has helped many kids with their futures. The school probably gets so many bad reviews because peoples opinions mainly come out when they've had a negative experience. People haven't gotten to see the many great experiences!!
—Submitted by a student

This school is horrible. The school does not have any teachers that pay attention to their students, also the school needs to actually figure out the problems with the children and getting the facts before suspending them .
—Submitted by a parent

East Haven high school has consistently performed among the worst public schools beyond the inner cities. Sports are a greater priority than academics, and the school doesn't achieve in either domain. The teaching is poor, prone to low expectations which are inconsistently met. The college graduation rate is below average. If you want your kid to be prepared for college, or simply to receive an adequate high school education, avoid this school.
—Submitted by a former student

My child is a freshman this year and is very happy. Coming from another state where every class was over crowded this school is already ahead with small class sizes. There is plenty of extracurricular activities for any child to participate in. Language, choir, guitar, track and field and cheerleading are among the activities she is involved in. You will get out of high school what you want to get out of it. The only negative I do have is that on open house 3 of the teachers did not show, that did send a negative message I thought.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter graduated in 2000 and I must say, I sure do hope EHHS has come a long way since then. I can remember her having COPIES of her math book because they couldn't afford the books, EHHS needs a little guidance and maybe it would be going somewhere!
—Submitted by a parent

I believe that just like everyother school, east haven has a few problems. However, I believe that what you receive from East Haven has to do with what you put into your high school experience. If you are willing to challenge yourself, then you will be able to go onto a high learning facility (college). In order for things to become better at East Haven, students have to understand that they can better themselves if they a willing to try. The question is, do they want too?
—Submitted by a former student

Let me tell you, nothing about East Haven High is helpful for college. I graduated and went onto college clueless!! It was fun to cruise through and watch movies all year, but the fact of the matter is, when it comes time to go to college, not one thing you learned in East Haven was applied. I wish I went to a private school that actually prepared me for what I was going to encounter in the future. --EHHS Grad.
—Submitted by College Student, a former student

EHHS is not a bad school. there is much debate on what goes on in the bathrooms, but i can assure you nothing bad goes on. the students are smart kids and should not be underestimated.
—Submitted by heather, a student

Please consider to add hidden or store cameras in the restrooms so kids will behave right in there as well. Also, encourage kids [to] talk to parents and adults and add contents of scientific facts in health class. Just a thought.
—Submitted by a former student

It seems that EHHS overall is a fine school. The sign posted at the front gate says that it is a smoke free school. This really bothers me because I know that kids smoke on the grounds and I also know from others that kids are smoking in the boys and girls bathrooms. This needs to be monitored more closely. I also do not feel that a child who is 5 minutes late for the day should be docked for the entire day. This is not right. With all the construction going on in East Haven right now the school needs to be a little more lientent.
—Submitted by Calie Lesh, a parent