Glastonbury High School

I graduated from GHS in 2008 after transferring from a nearby district. By far, GHS is the best high school in the area. The teachers and administrators are excellent and truly want every student to succeed. There are tons of challenging and interesting courses, AP and otherwise. There are too many clubs and sports to count, so there is always a great way for students to be involved. No other school prepares students for the real world as well as GHS does. My friends who went to other high schools were simply lost compared to myself and friends at GHS. Anyone who has negative feelings about GHS simply failed to realize and take advantage of the wonderful opportunity that they were given.
—Submitted by a student

I am a 2009 graduate of Glastonbury High School and my sister is currently a senior attending Glastonbury High School. After going to college, I appreciate the education I received there. Compared to many of my peers at college, I was very well educated there. As for the complaints about special education students, I must disagree. My sister has a lot of learning disabilities and has received a huge amount of support from teachers and her guidance counselors. GHS is a school where students are pushed to achieve their best potential. Many go on to Ivy Leauge schools. There is a 98% graduation rate, which is pretty amazing. And 97% continue on to college, which is also amazing. I grew up in Glastonbury and it was one of the best places to have lived and spent my childhood. I would recommend this school to anyone living in Connecticut or New England for that matter. I do not plan on staying in Glastonbury forever but it was still one of the best educations I could have ever received.

I firmly believe that GHS offers a better education than some private schools in the area. Although I was only in the top 25 percent of my class, in college, I am one of the top students in my grade of 4,000 students. I feel more prepared and I am more successful than my private school-educated peers.
—Submitted by a student

My high school junior has a chromosome deletion and syndrome. She is also very smart. She cannot write, due to her deletion. Some professionals at GHS have tried to understand and teach her in average classes. She usually gets A's in those. Other professionals could care less,they organized their way of teaching, with preprinted answer sheets to be done in class with a group, that is socially and emotionally detrimental to a teen like mine.
—Submitted by a parent

Too big, fine if you like being just another number, there is plenty of time in life to be just a number, we moved to Bolton and it was honestly the best decision we ever made, after 15 years in Glasontury its nice to live in the real word again!!
—Submitted by a parent

First of all, I'd like to say that I am a graduate from the class of 2006 at GHS, and am very proud of it. The teachers were excellent, and opportunities were given to students of all academic abilities; whether or not students took advantage of these opportunities was completely their choice.
—Submitted by a student

This is a great school where students could achieve and be successful when they are adults. However the students are not disciplined enough. They goof off and fool around and it is hurtful to others.
—Submitted by a student

I was not at all satisfied with having my child go to this school. There are few extracurriculars, many classes and teachers fall on low standards, the students are undisciplined and act in an innappropriate manner. Students are not encouraged by the staff to do their best, there are so many students that one just glides along. Most parents do not seem to care about what their kids are doing and take no involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

Most definitely a college prep environment. If you have a child that is not academically oriented, problems arise. Overall, it is an exceptional learning institution if your child can stay away from all the bad influences that they are bombarded with daily. The educators are strict with the students and sometimes unyielding in their discipline, especially with children that are independent thinkers. My daughter needed a more relaxed and nurturing environment so I pulled her out of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had experience both at GHS and a private high school. You can't beat the prep school for class size and teacher interaction with students. When there are 12 kids in a class there is nowhere to hide.My child needed this attention as he would have fallen between the cracks at GHS. He was an average student, quiet and a bit shy. He blossomed in the private school setting. My younger child chose GHS and loved it. He took mostly AP classes where class size is a bit smaller. His guidance counselor was wonderful and really made sure the college application process progressed. He did not take full advantage of the extracurricular activities. He played 1 varsity sport. I wish he had gone to private school; but GHS was a decent alternative.
—Submitted by a parent

GHS is high achieving because it is fed by higher SES families programmed to achieve. It does offer an exceptional choice of academic and extracurricular programs but is too big and impersonal to deal with any student who does not 'fit the mold'. I totally agree with respect to special ed or learning disabled kids. With respect to the latter, they do not know how to accomodate the smart kid who needs specfic accomodations. Guidance failed to forward my son's transcript in a timely fashion and almost made him miss the college application deadline. They then tried to turn around and blame it on him even though he had provided the proper paperwork and notice. Also, the school discourages parent's attempts to stay involved in their child's academic program and have inflexible grading rules on late assignments.
—Submitted by a parent

Glastonbury has a great schoool district overall, but the high school is where it all comes together. With a recent addition to the school of more science rooms, and computer labs the technology access is great. The extracurricular activities are numerous with a particularly notable student drama department. The parent involvment is sometimes pathetic, but other times outstanding.
—Submitted by Ben, a parent

An excellent, high-acheiving school. Is under renovation(2006) and shall have stupendous science labs when finished. Has a thriving extracurricular culture with lots of clubs and other activities -- good place to build up your college application that way. A good place also for achievement oriented students of minority ethnicities--excellence in academics with rewards for hard work plus a very tolerant and welcoming environment.
—Submitted by a parent

Principle leadership- Changed and improving. GHS principle moved on to be super and is better suited for that position. Little to no repore with students and excuse is there are 2000 students, no exceptions. Poor attitude to special needs kids. Teacher quality above average, Councelors stretched too thin. Extra activities: Varsity programs elite, but have lost sight of real reason for participation. Too many students offer limited availability in sports. Parent involvement. Probably normal given a very affluent region Safety and discipline: Previously, blind discipline regardless of circumstance or issues. Special needs kids are left left to fend for themselves. Overall: Getting too big for most students. Many will get lost in the numbers. Great college prep, but total exclusion for students not seeking college.
—Submitted by a parent

Fabulous school and staff!
—Submitted by a former student

After reading some of the comments already, I would have to disagree. I have had nothing but a positive experience at GHS. It has so much to offer. The teachers are great (well, most of them), and the construction hasn't been a problem. In fact, it doesn't even affect the halls. There is more than enough time to get from one end of the school to the other between classes, even with a stop at a locker. Most of the teachers aren't out to get you. In fact, many are extremely understanding. Education-wise, I already know I am getting a better education than I would have at the high school I should be going to. I am far ahead of many of my old friends in classes, and have no trouble understanding the material and passing.
—Submitted by a student

First, to that poor girl who signed herself 'A'; I am sure glad you are not my daughter. You need some counseling. For every school there are one hundred different experiences. For all its accolades GHS is just too big. At roughly 2000 students it is one of the largest in the state and is bigger than many small colleges. What is wrong with big? Anonimity and reduced opportunity. In a school of 1000 there are twenty spots on a varsity team and five good roles in the school play. At a school of 2000 there are no more slots and therefor half the opportunity to participate. The teachers and staff are willing to help, but they are just stretched too thin. I would NOT (as I did) move to G'bury for the school. A smaller system is a better environment. G-
—Submitted by George, a parent

Actually im a Senior at Glastonbury High School and i think GHS is one of the best schools there is. I went to a private school from 6-10 grade and then decided to go to GHS. The halls are crowded but renovations are going on to fix that. How else do u expect to get the halls less crowded? The teachers are great as well as the front desk staff. GHS is a good school for the wealthy, if your from hartford or manchester probaly change your mind about going here. If your pretty like sports and have some intelligence you will do fine!! GHS has been the best decision of my like. Also if your coming in new to the school try to get your rents to get you a BMW Lexus or Audi those are the top cars here. The parents review above is completely wrong GHS is awsome.
—Submitted by A, a student

There are a few things that are 'off' about Glastonbury High School. First off, it needs a really big cleaning. Half the bathroom stall doors don't work, half the sinks in the bathrooms don't work, the lockers have graffiti all over them and gum on the combinations. The hallways are crowded with an ungodly number of students (almost reaching 2000) and it's sometimes hard to get to your class ontime. Current renovations DON'T help. Administration is very uptight and don't even try to relate to the students. Athletics aren't very popular and there is little to no school spirit. Students are generally unhappy. The teachers can vary from being your best friend, to blowing up on you for asking to use the bathroom. Detentions are unavoidable.
—Submitted by Kristin, a student