Eastside High School

I am an IB graduate from a few years back. While the program was challenging, grades often in no way reflect you performance. Many teachers pick favorites, have little care for their students, and assign grades based on how much they like that person, not their academic ability. Very little outside help, and in some cases teachers can be disrespectful, not understanding, and often even cruel. Students form tight knit cliques and are obnoxious, often treat those that cannot afford nice things less then human. That goes towards some IB students but also the mainstream crowd, which they often poke fun off, often joking that if you don't wear a collared shirt in this school, you are nobody. Children also very socially stunted and have absolutely no social skills. If you don't wan your child being made fun of in college, don't let them go to this school, even for IB.
--Submitted by a student

I attended Eastside as a NON IB student. If you aren't in IB you can expect low level classes with a bunch of kids that don't care about school. Don't get me wrong, there ARE students that try but the majority of the main stream students could care less about education. Most of the teachers spent their time yelling at direspectful students and sending them out of the classroom. I hadto take all Honors classes to get even a decent education. Just remember, this school's Ib programmight help your kids but the atmosphere sucks.
--Submitted by a student

As a Mother of a first year student in the IB program and Administrator of a top performing private school in GNV, I am very pleased with the smooth transition that my daughter made from a small (27 students - grades 6-8) classroom environment to a public high school with over 1,400 students. The teachers have been very nurturing and easy to communicate with when needed; the principal is very involved and supportive of all the students activities and day to day school life. I have been to the school numerous times at night for meetings and events and have never felt that there was any danger. The IB program offers a global perspective and is highly challenging. The students who have graduated from the school I work at and who have gone through the IB program have thrived and have been very successful students and graduates.
--Submitted by a parent

Be very careful when selecting this school's IB program. Although they accept most of students, teachers are not prepared or willing to extend themselves to all students. Many teachers are unable to return work to the students in a timely manner, often taking well over one month to return graded work. Some teachers regularly demonstrate anger and unprofessonalism in the classroom by the use of profanity and degrading the class performance. Expectations are very high for students, yet low for the faculty. The curriculum is inflexible even for electives, parent involvement is discouraged, and volunteering is difficult. There is a lot to do to improve this program. Request data for decision-making purposes--AP pass rates by teacher, IB pass rates by teacher, the number of students who leave the program by year, what classes are allowed as electives, and an understanding of the "hybred" program.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is starting his 3rd year at Eastside in the IB program. Despite the fact that the school is located in a very poor neighborhood, my son has felt completely safe there and when visiting the school I have always found it to be secure with not one person wandering around between classes. With the exception of only one teacher, my son and I have found the faculty to be outstanding. I have also had occasion to deal with teachers outside of IB and find them to be just as dedicated and competent. I think very highly of the principal. He is tough but very personable and has ALWAYS been present and visible before and after school and at school functions. My only suggestion for improvement is to offer more electives (which I guess is a budget issue) and to have more regular on-going communication between teachers and parents.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is really two separate schools, one of which is excellent and one of which is abysmal. The IB program is outstanding. The IB students, however, don't generally interact with the rest of the student body. Outside of a strong culinary program, the non-IB portion of the school is horrible, with disinterested and disrespectful students, and an unsavory atmosphere in general. If your students are not going to be involved in the IB or culinary programs, look elsewhere.

Teacher quality has significantly changed since my older child attended this school. It all depends upon the teachers. Check out all programs before selecting this school. Principal is extremely weak in leadership. Almost all reviews are based upon a magnet program called IB. If your child is not enrolled in one of the magnet programs, no sane parent would ever put their child in this school. It is in one of the most crime ridden areas of the city and very unsafe. Alachua county does this to try to bus kids from across the county to prop up school grades in poor performing schools. There are now many options in the county and worth your while to check out other programs.
--Submitted by a parent

Great students and faculty. Lots of clubs to choose from.
--Submitted by a teacher

the Diversity is tops. The quality of students and teacher is outstanding. Talents of all types from athletics - to academics to the arts is impressive.
--Submitted by a parent

EHS is a veritable salad of diverse gifts, interests, ethnicities, personalities, and nationalities. We attract dedicated students and staff who manifest a cooperative and optimistic spirit. Go RAMS!
--Submitted by a parent