Terra Environmental Research Institute

As a part of the 2013 graduating class, my first two (soon to be three) years at TERRA have been fantastic, but with constant, but minor, exceptions. It should be concerning to any parent with a child wanting to go to a school that advertises itself as STEM-oriented, I should assume, to know that a considerable number of educators in those fields are beyond inadequate. Close to all of the mathematics teachers, are extremely unreasonable, arrogant, and incapable of communicating even the most basic of topics to their students; resulting in a very confused, and very frustrated, student with inhibited potential to do well. Furthermore, the school seems to be much more concerned with maintaining its "pseudo-nerd" look than actually doing it. This includes a uniform policy that is both ridiculous and disruptive, as many a time I have seen administrators call down a student in the middle of interacting and taking notes during a class lecture to scold him for wearing a wrong colored shirt for THE REST OF THE CLASS PERIOD. Finally, to those parents who are taking their child, know that it is much more rewarding to be a proud parent of an intellectual than it is to be of a "TERRA NERD."
--Submitted by a student

I couldn't say that this is the most amazing school in the world. But honestly, how much fun can you have going to school? There are fun moments and I made a few good friends, but to be honest Terra isn't very different from other high schools I've seen. I will however note one thing: A decent portion of Terra students are above average (many taking math or science a year above grade level, some two years ahead. For example Most students of my Geometry class are freshmen while my science class is mostly sophomores) but that is not a very big issue at Terra. The most complaints I see are for uniforms and the lack of social lives. First of all most people I know don't even care about the uniforms, while a lot of students would rather have a choice as to what to wear you don't see anyone rioting in the halls about it. (Though the jacket policy in the winter is almost always an issue as administration is notorious for taking jackets to the office if they aren't school colors AND if they don't have logos) As far a social events, we just got juniors this year. Can you imagine how lame a prom would be with only freshmen and sophomores? If you have some good friends you can *(Continued)*
--Submitted by a student

As a parent Iam very HAPPY to have my son attending to Terra. This a GREAT School with a wonderful teachers. The principal Ms. Montano is the BEST!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

There are many good options for high schoolers in the area - homeschool + dual enrollment, FLVS, SAS, charter schools, etc., but my child chose this school. Because I do not favor the school, only respect my child's right to make educational choice, I think I am unbiased. Here's what I know: The magnet strand teachers are good to awesome; the principal strikes me as phony and political,hiring friends from her previous school,hence the poor math and (some, not all) science teachers; foreign languge teachers (average); social science teachers (good), security (good);english teachers (average-good); uniform code (Rediculous. Excessively strict, and if the students can pay a dollar to wear jeans, it seems more about control or payoff than security, and even less about equality. Also not about less distraction or more dignity as evident by the skimpy outfits cheerleaders are encouraged to wear to class.); gifted classes (just more homework, not more in-depth study); and I don't know about after school activities, as my child spends most after school time doing homework., which includes self- teaching math concepts that the inept math teachers actually make MORE confusing. Choice.
--Submitted by a parent

I am in the first graduating class of 2013 at TERRA I think this is a great school that offers many opportunities for students to excel ignore previous rudimentary comments by student who only care about having a football team or more sports, because last time I checked one does not go to school to learn about sports or be in sports one goes to school to learn, so to any parent looking for a good school for their child to go to I would highly recommend TERRA specially now that it has been viewed as the number one magnet school in the US( correct me if I'm wrong just herd about this yesterday :3). The teachers are amazing and are always after school to help their students if help is needed, the staff in general is wonderful. and we also have amazing variety of electives to chose from. So far our school has not had any fights and as far as I am concerned there is very little if no bulling at TERRA. We also have a wide variety of sports such as Water polo, cross country, basketball, baseball , swimming, tennis, badminton, and hopefully next year lacrosse which I look forward to. So I would definitely recommend TERRA.
--Submitted by a student

I am a parent of a sophomore at this school. I have to agree with parts of all previous post. This school has many excellent teachers, however, it is lacking in the arts and other healthy high school experiences. My daughter is in the gifted classes and for the most part she has excellent teachers, however she did have a very rude chemistry teacher her first year, unfortunately that is part of the real world. I was surprised to learn this school has no auditorium and that is extremely poor planing. Even old high schools in less than desirable areas have an auditorium, where students can perform plays, receive awards and perform musical recitals, etc. On a different note I have to say my daughter hasn't experienced any bullies or any type of social problem, she isn't popular girl, but still hasn't had a altercations. The reason I haven't removed my child from this is school is because it is small and I don't want her to have to start over somewhere else. Advice to principal and staff reading this, remember this is the time for these kids to get prepared but also to have some fun and special moments through high school years. Life is already stressful, let them enjoy themselves.
--Submitted by a parent

It's the TERRA in TERRABLE (I know its spelt wrong) anyways I feel so dumb for not leaving freshman year because its been the worse experience of my life. Terra is a prison. The teachers are rude and have no intention of helping any students. They are fake and act like the sweetest people to the parents but in class its completely different. They like to make cruel jokes and humiliate the students for things that they can't control. They also assign pounds of homework and excpect us to have time to complete it all after school. Students are bombarded it is quite pathetic. Another thing is the students that do attend this school are rude and unwelcoming. Bullies and no trude friends exists here. Everyone at Terra thinks they are so amazing and so smart when in reality they are just selfish and impolite. Lastly, where is the high school experience? Where is the homecoming game/dance? Where are the energetic pep rallies? Where is the fun? All the good things that people say about Terra is just a show, No one is happy! THERE IS NOTHING GOOD ABOUT TERRA. IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING THIS SCHOOL DONT DO IT OR SUFFER WITH THE CONSEQUNECES!!! IF YOU ARE THERE NOW LEAVE BEOFRE IT IS TOO LATE!!!!!
--Submitted by a student

If im lucky hopefully my child would attend this school. This is the time to prepare for a career. Study , learn and grow to become a proffesional. I Will have to disagree with any parent whom is not content with a school that focuses in Science and a proud parent of " A NERD ." There is always time to dance,sing, play sports, music, etc...... out of school. Kids should be pushed academically to there limit, and hopefully use all they have learned to become a proffessional. Not the next contender of X-Factor tv show. If you want amusement, theres always a school out there with a Magnet program that offers (dancing,singing, arts ) waiting for the next lucky entertainer. We have a brain people, lets use it !!!!
--Submitted by a parent

TERRA has many Arts and Humanitys classes. Their art program is exceptional. They have done shows and it is truly fascinating. Their music and choir programs are to die for. The kids put on two or three shows a year and it is very professional. Few schools have the teachers and facilities to do what the TERRA kids do. they have special rooms, that are sound special and for the drama, full stages. Truly a very well rounded school. My daughter loves it. GO WOLVES CLASS 2014
--Submitted by a parent

Come here if you don't want a social life. Sure, this schools academically offers amazing courses, but the arts, athletics, real HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE is not here. I'm currently a sophomore and I graduate in 2014, and I hate this school. This is HIGH SCHOOL, not Elementary. Where's the Homecoming Game? Prom? Homecoming? Not here. If you want to go to a football game from YOUR school, have a positive environment and fun, you are better off at Sunset. I haven't left yet but I am trying my best to get out of here and keeping my record clean. The principal is a Saleswoman for her school, her plan is to attract the parents by forcing the students to act happy and show a positive environment when actually there are some kids that cry before coming to school (like me sometimes) because of how bad this school is. NOW, if you don't want school spirit, amazing sport programs, a social life, then TERRA is for you!
--Submitted by a student