Joel Barlow High School

Joel Barlow is a wonderful HS that has a spectrum of classes to offer. The kids are nice and come from mostly affluent backgrounds. Most students are college bound. There are several sports offered. Perhaps the biggest need would be more spirit in the school. The cheerleaders are good and getting much better with their competitive cheer programs. Barlow needs a marching band program to further boost morale at pep rallies and games. This HS prepares kids well for college.
--Submitted by a student

disgrace of a school. fallen off the charts in recent years.
--Submitted by a student

Joel Barlow hosts an advanced and broad curriculum that can really accommodate every student. Academics are relatively rigorous in comparison to nearby schools but not unmanageable. The sport program is a bit lacking due to low school spirit but still has great coaches and moderate competitive success. Less a few, kids are generally pretty nice. Disagreeing with former reviews, the teachers range from mediocre to superb and communication is easy so long as you are proactive.
--Submitted by a student

An amazing school. Barlow prepared my children wonderfully for college in a safe and caring environment. The increase in AP courses in recent years hs beefed up academics considerably.
--Submitted by a parent

wide variety of interesting classes, freedom to personalize schedule, impressive collection of advanced computers and teacher aids, lacking in technical classes (vast majority of the student body is college-bound) building is ugly and dangerous, not to mention the smell some wonderful teachers, some terrible ones, like any other school guidance department needs work great art program
--Submitted by a student

this school is horrible it made me so uprepared for college theteachers are highly disrespectful
--Submitted by a student

In this school there are a good handful of helpful and quite competent teachers. There are many that are not. Many of the teachers are overly subjective about their grading. There is no communication between students and faculty - the root of the problem. Kids are always getting in trouble. Staff is stubborn

Academics are sound here, particularly for the student invested in learning. Administration extols rules over logic and times, and guidance could use help moving into the 21st Century. A good education if not a good experience of education...
--Submitted by a parent

The academics at JBHS are simply not up to par with those of area schools. The school ignores the academically needy and fails to serve the academically gifted. The teaching staff ranges from outstanding to miserable (with most of the staff falling in the miserable range).
--Submitted by a former student

Wonderful school, free from riff-raff. Teacher's don't have to waste their time disciplining anyone in these classes. Lockers do not need locks. There is a music program, however it is a bit lacking. I do believe they are working to improve this however. Excellent teachers. Recently updated building and school grounds set in the middle of a lovely town. School grounds are enormous and immaculate.
--Submitted by a parent