Greenwich High School

It is a large school, but they wisely divide the population into 5 "Houses" so it is like five schools under one roof, allowing for more academic offerings and exploration of interests, teams and clubs, and more and better facilities. Students are eased in gently, expectations are laid out, then everyone is up and running. Guidance, leadership, and academics are excellent. Socioeconomic diversity prepares students well for the real world.
—Submitted by a parent

GHS is a good school if you take advantage of everything that it has to offer in terms of academics, arts, sports and clubs. It has a wide variety of classes, and is good for students wanting to take Honors/AP classes as well as those students who are really struggling. However, if you're somewhere in the middle, it is easy to fall through the cracks because the school is so big. The Honors/AP classes should be harder, but unfortunately, the school is influenced by the parents, so there are a lot of kids in the Honors/AP classes who shouldn't be there. The classes are quite big, which is good for louder, more confident kids, but again it's harder for some kids to shine in the classes. GHS was okay, but I wouldn't go back if I could help it.
—Submitted by a student

Once again I am disappointed by Greenwich High School. As the only public High School in my catchment area, I literally have NO OTHER CHOICE unless I want to pay a small fortune in private school fees. This school may have a very broad course offering that spans AP, Honors and basic courses. However, this is completely undermined by the administration of the sports programs - where selection processes are not fair, open or transparent - and truly harmful health & education classes. The principal seems like a good guy with good intentions but I don't think that he is close enough to the detail of what goes on in his name. Given that I have no other choice in the public sector and looking at the size of my property taxes, disappointed doesn't even get there. If you live in Greenwich, my best advice is to start saving NOW.
—Submitted by a parent

The academic program l for top-notch students is really lacking in most areas besides mathematics. I attended GHS and have gone on to an Ivy, and I found that GHS was completely inadequate preparation for what I faced in college. Teachers are so terrified of over-aggressive parents and so frustrated with apathetic kids that they give anyone with a basic grasp of English mechanics an A. I never had a teacher actually challenge me beyond requiring a basic knowledge of the facts (besides in AP US History). Once GHS switched to open-enrollment APs, hyper-active parents who were convinced their kids had to go to Ivies started pushing those kids into APs whether the kids wanted to or were capable of taking them or not. The environment is catty and cutthroat beyond 'natural competition.' Students start obsessing about college from day 1, and that gets in the way of actual learning.
—Submitted by a student

Absolutely the best school around. I have friends who have considered sending their kids to amazing private schools (from boarding schools to local prep), but decided not to. You need a really good reason to not attend this school; you can't beat what this public school offers. Look at the statistics: Price per pupil. # of APs offered. Diversity. Guidance Counselors who call you at home to discuss colleges. Many colleges don't offer what your kid can get here. And it's as big as some colleges, yet with the "house" system, your kid does not feel lost.
—Submitted by a parent

The worst four years of my life happened at GHS. If your child is very (and I mean very) independent and ready to work hard they'll be fine. But, if they are the kind of person (which I was) who needs some extra attention from teachers. There's maybe 1 or 2 that I can think of that ever even gave me a shot and having gone to a totally different environment for university, I must say - this school missed out on someone who had a lot of potential because they were too busy trying to figure out who their richest students were.
—Submitted by a student

Impersonal and hard to navigate. Teachers were hard to find and unhelpful. There are a few great teachers, but the majority is in a constant bad mood and hates their job. Many of the kids are into drinking and/or drugs, and there are drug deals happening all the time. Poor school, and did not prepare me for college. My little sister went for 9th grade, though it was overrated and despised it and switched to Sacred Heart. She loves it there.
—Submitted by a student

All 4 of my children went to GHS. They all went onto top universities, thanks to GHS. t beats out all the local private schools with its diversity, and really prepared ones children for the future, as schools like GA do not.
—Submitted by a parent

I don't know much about GHS, and I'm sure it's a great school, however, I disagree with the 2nd comment about private schools carrying the kids. That is absolutely false! In fact, it is just the opposite. They give tons of homework, and no one is excused no matter what the case. If you are in a show, are sick, you better have the homework done, and the grades are never curved. Some of the teachers are not qualified to teach, i.e. math in middle school, and sometimes kids should be in honors when they aren't placed there, but I have seen no favoritism when it comes to grades. The teachers do differ in how they grade, and I don't think that is fair at all. Some kids are in honors and get no homework, while kids in regular science, for example, have 2 hours of homework. It all varies.
—Submitted by a parent

I had some of my best years at GHS, and the teachers were fantastic
—Submitted by a student

Our kids transferred from local private schooling to GHS because of its superior education. It deserves 5 stars in each category. The great leadership and teachers lead the way. The size (2900 students at present) naturally prepares them for college; parents feel it is like a nice local university. It offers more diversity than Darien and New Canaan economically, intellectually, ethnically, etc. It is a superior opportunity environment where kids aren't 'carried' as in the private schools; that is given grades to get them into good schools and at times allowing their family legacies at Ivies to kick in. The natural competition at GHS is great training for the real world while it helps prevent private school favoritism that can be seen given to offspring of big donors, faculty or administration, and Ivy or similar parents. Go GHS!
—Submitted by a parent

I go to GHS, and I love it! There are so many different classes and it's so fun! Many people say that because the school has many students, it's unsafe. This isn't necessarily true. Sure, there are some incidents, but that happens to every school! The number of students makes it an excellent opportunity to meet new friends. I've met so many great people at GHS. The sports teams are awesome as well, although some lack adequate organization sometimes. This can easily be dealt with, though, so it does not pose a big problem. Overall, I'm extremely satisfied with this school, and it's only my first year!
—Submitted by a student

I go there and love it. Good people, nice teachers and just a friendly enviornment!
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at Highschool.It is an great school that provides so many opportunities for students. This includes an expansive music and drama departments and an extensive tech. department. However, because of the large number of students (about 2500) the school fails to keep the under control. Most of the time however, this does not interrupt the learning of most students. Theft however, has become an ever larger problem. However, the school truly adheres to its motto - 'freedom with responsibility.' meaning that the safety, and learning of every student is up them.
—Submitted by a student

GHS provided me with a top notch, well round educational experiance that prepared me for higher education. The teachers were very caring and always went the extra mile to help students succeed. The school itself has a very diverse student body, despite the steriotype that the rest of the state has of the Town of Greenwich. The academics are very strong and challenging. Many of my friends transfered to GHS from private school because the academic program at GHS was stronger than what any, even strong, private schools could provide.
—Submitted by a former student

Greenwich High School is an excellent environment for children to learn, be challenged and get excited about life. It offers a wide variety of courses and fantastic electives. It is beautifully diverse, with enough room for different ways of thinking. There are many after school clubs that address all sorts of interests and issues. The staff is supportive and encourages independent thinkers. I find it a positive atmosphere for my child who spent her entire pre-high school life in a very small provincial environment. I think this school prepares children for real life issues that adults navigate on a daily basis. The guidance counselors are extremely competent and provide good insight as to how the students can make the most of their strengths and interests. I couldn't think of a better place for my child to be going to school. Many electives to choose from - its like a college!
—Submitted by a parent

Overrated. The comprehensive resources and wide-ranging activities offered at Greenwich High do not compensate for an unsafe and unsophisticated environment that is not conducive to learning. The staff is very inflexible when dealing with students with special needs or learning disabilities, preferring to look the other way than adjust its backward approach.
—Submitted by a student

This is a wonderful school in a wonderful town. The student body is extremely accepting and kind, the teachers are outstanding and this school is one of the best in the state. I highly reccomend sending your children to GHS. It is truly a wonderful school!
—Submitted by Linda Hoffman, a parent

GHS is a great school for diverse education. Many different AP classes, lots of extra-curriculars. Yes, it is competitive, but what is not in Connecticut? School is as safe as possible, size is largely unnoticed due to small classrooms, expansion of facilities. Million-dollar, state-of-the-art science wing built around 2000, over one million volume library, school does well at maintaining capability.
—Submitted by a former student

A great place for a child to make friends, lots of activities for them to join. School also feels unsafe at times due to the large amount of children. It is not a healthy learning enviorment, but your child will have fun.
—Submitted by a parent