Colonial High School

This was my high school. I graduated in '09. CHS has two campuses: a freshman campus and the main campus, for sophomores, juniors and seniors. The 9th great center was good. I have little complaints about it. As for the main campus, there are quite a few. First, the administration is terrible. None of the staff will listen to you and they assume you're guilty until proven innocent. They'll ask you something, and when you try to answer, they'll just say, "I don't wanna hear any excuses!" One of my friends who currently goes there says it's still the same today. There were fights almost every day, and each time there was one, the lunch time would be cut back. The whole school was punished just for two people. Half of the teachers there either have no clue what they're doing or they just don't care. It's just a really bad school, and I'm so glad to be out of there. Too bad I live only a mile away from it.

EXCELLENT. STAFF IS AWESOME. PRINCIPAL EXTRAORDINARY. MY DAUGHTER HAS PERFORM GREAT. LOVE THIS SCHOOL. RECOMMEND TO PARENTS.
—Submitted by a parent

I have one daughter that graduated from CHS and another that will graduate in June. My oldest daughter had many disciplinary problems and Dean Withem and Mr. Border were instrumental in working with her and saw to it that she graduated. My youngest daughter is involved in the AP/Honors program and is taking advantage of the dual enrollment opportunity. The AP program did an excellent job of preparing her for college and she made the Presidents list her 1st semester at Valencia and will attend FSU (as part of their honors program) in the fall. The HTML, Anatomy and Psychology classes were excellent. All the teachers my girls had were wonderful educators. Miss Rummel does an excellent job with Key Club. The Beta club and NHS Society are also awesome opportunity's. Just like with all schools you have nice well-behaved students and not-so-nice not-such-well-behaved students. Overall CHS has been a great school whose staff worked diligently so that my oldest daughter graduated and the courses available would've prepared her for a technical school if she were so inclined and the teachers and staff worked hard to prepare my youngest daughter for college. I would recommend it to anybody.
—Submitted by a parent

If I was unforntunate enough to move into this school's district I would avoid it at all costs, seeking out any and all charter, private, or home school options. This school is filled with unruly and disrespectful children that are being "raised" by unruly and disrespectful parents. Even the brightest child in this school would have a difficult time feeling safe enough to learn, and even the best teacher (and this school has a lot of exceptional teachers) would have a difficult time controling a class when there are no student consequences for disrupting a class. This school needs a principal with a backbone that will start to hold the parent's responsible for their childrens misbehavior.
—Submitted by a parent

Colonial High School is not that bad of a school. Parents may complain that their children may receiving a seemingly lacking education but the reality is that if the student were devoted to their studies and an exceptionally "good student" than the child would be able to excel in the learning environment. The fault falls primarily on the shoulders of ignorant children and to a further extent, ignorant parents for instigating the notion that due to the demographics of the high school, its students are causally boisterous, promiscuous, crude, and asinine. Consequently, such an assumption aids in the postulation of a fallacy that resembles the idea that all students that attend Colonial High school are incompetent and thus the high school itself is a bad one. I've got news: Colonial High School is the same as any other high school in Orange County and if the student is not applying him or herself, than the lack of education cannot be blamed on the staff nor their contemporaries. It is true that this is not always the case, but the various hyperbole's found in these reviews exaggerating the conditions of this high school are rather pathetic.
—Submitted by a student

Three of my kids graduated from Colonial and received an excellent education! They all were involved in extra curricular activities which helped them to stay focused,make friends and enjoy their learning experience. I believe it also helps to be an involved parent and I maintained contact with their teachers and became active in the PTSA. If your child knows you are involved in their school I believe it helps them to make better choices.

Colonial High School is a very bad school. There are drug pushers in the school along with gangs. The teacher cannot control the students. My son was bullied and no action was taken by the teachers or administration.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is horrible and it has a bunch of unknowledgeable children. My son complains that the environment is unsafe and it's hard to focus with teachers not controlling these very loud students. A lot of people are right. Colonial is a very bad school.
—Submitted by a parent

Thanks for all your reviews. As principal I have read them all and will use this info to make us better. I have found excellence in our classrooms, extra-curricular activities, arts and sports. Both of my sons came here from Winter Park HS and received a great education and made great friends. Thanks to all who make it great to be a Grenadier.
—Submitted by a teacher

Wonderful staff! No complaints....Cannot believe how hard they work for such a large school. I met with a Dean who was very interested in my child's academics. She was willing to help and encourage my child. Thank you
—Submitted by a parent

three of my kids graduated from colonial and one is a freshman.They all seem to love this school alot and havent had any problems yet.they have a great education.
—Submitted by a parent

The school environment is very enjoyable and pleasant.The principal is doing in her power to make the kids safe.
—Submitted by a parent

Having attended Colonial High School for the past three years, I feel safe in saying that I have enjoyed the time I've spent there and that I am proud to be a Colonial Grenadier.
—Submitted by a student

This school is an excellent school, contrary to popular beliefs that Colonial is a bad school with bad academics is completely wrong. Student attendance has improved considerably over the years at Colonial, The track team has made District Champions three years in a row with some of the runners going to states, Bowling team has won state championships, and Winter Guard has won nationals among other extraordinary accomplishments. Although the school is rated a C by the Florida Department of Education, it is quickly rising above the ranks to achieve a B and higher.
—Submitted by a parent

The safety is not adequate.The teachers and administrators do not share with the parents and maintain a great secrecy about discipline measures.Parents will find it difficult to work with the school for excellence. Educationally, it rates about second from the worst. Having seen some of the work students have(none of them mine), I was glad to have obtained my education elsewhere.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are very caring and most of them know how to teach in a way you can understand. The kids are all different and unique and make it fun to go their. I think being their builds your character and teaches you to be a stronger person. Sports and other activities are good and give you something to loo forward to. It's like a family. We have goods and bads but it's great to be a grenadier.
—Submitted by a student

Colonial High School is the best school I have ever been to. I am now a senior (Class of '09!) and i can say it's a wonderful school! The reputation of this school is torn by people who are 'haters'. The teachers are nice, fun, and most definately caring! I love the students and watching my underclassman friends grow up is another wonderful thing. We are a Grenadier family that may have it's disagreements sometimes, but we all hang in there! (if you have seen the other schools out there, they wouldn't compare)there isn't really 'bad kids, poor academics or a bad neighborhood.' There is just bad judgement and ignorance. I know friends of mine who live in the neighborhoods that some people say are bad, and they all are good people. I say it's great to be a Grenadier! Don't forget it! - Ibet
—Submitted by a student

i whent to CHS till i moved early in the year colonial is a great school in certian areas it may not be in the best or safest area but the stereo type for the school is so worng the people their are so welcoming and its like your part of a big family the kids a great the teachers are okay. On the other hand colonial does not challege you in education because the attendece policy is weak and not inforced. i almost flunked out because all the students know that even if you dont pass you some how slide by. i moved to lake county and theres a great diffrence. if you want you child to have a great highschool memorys of friends and fun send them to colonial. And remember its great to be a Grenader because we rep that Red and Black C.H.S
—Submitted by a student

I love my school. It's so filled with diversity and unique students. My school is the best, no doubt about it. It's Great To Be A Grenadier!!!
—Submitted by a student

I loved this school so much. The people are fantastic as well as the academics and atmosphere. I miss it and can't wait to go back to visit and just feel like welcoming ground of CHS. People need to stop stereotyping this school until they experience it for themselves. GO Grenadiers!
—Submitted by a student