Palm Harbor University High School

My review may be one-sided because I was merely a part of the IB program and did not experience much of the University program, aside from a few electives. However, within the IB program I feel the majority of the staff (not every single one of them) truly care about teaching the students rather than collecting the paycheck which I saw in middle school and even later in college. Many of them will stay after the hours they are paid to be hear to make sure you succeed. As for the people in the school, they were generally nice and its fairly easy to find your niche if you truly try. I don't understand the complaints of other reviewers there. Though, I was only in the IB program. The school's extra curriculars are particularly strong. The school boasts superb and competitive academic organizations, along with a variety of other activities from Drama to various community services-the extra curricular activity choices here are immense. My major complaint is the admin. I have had several instances where they lose papers/important things & get cranky. One time they mailed another girl's FCAT scores to my house
--Submitted by a student

I graduated in 2008 from the traditional program. I had applied for IB, and was "accepted", but put on a waiting list due to lack of available spots. I decided to forget about IB and just get everything out of the traditional program that I could. I graduated with 30 college credits from my AP courses (and I am graduating now, a year early, from UF because of it!). In a couple cases, I passed the AP classes in spite of the teacher (the AP US History class was notably poor, and requires a lot of self-teaching). However, I found the AP English classes AMAZINGLY helpful. Also, Mrs. Becky Bride, the head of the math department at the time I attended, is one of the best teachers I have ever had. Some teachers push you, but it pays off. You truly can get a quality education here even if you are not part of the IB program. I also had several teachers that were a lot like mentors to me: Mr. Burt Farley (retired) and Dr. Scott Applebaum most notably. They truly care(d) about their students and their futures, and offer so much more guidance than just teaching the coursework. There are downsides to the school, but a resilient and self-directed learner should get a lot out of this school.
--Submitted by a student

PHUHS is an amazing school. The teachers are very helpful and caring. This school fully prepairs you for college. The people here are nice and there are pretty much no fights or drugs.
--Submitted by a student

I must say that the school is well too overcrowded. That may just be me because I came from a small town of only around 2,000 people, whereas this school alone has 2,700+. It's really stressful for me. It's sort of irritating when the school is just so big that they have to add an extra 36 trailers on the campus because there's that many kids. As well as that, some of my teachers do a bad job at trying to keep the class under control and it's hard to pay attention. I came into school as a freshmen and so far it's been stressful for me to pay attention and whatnot there. Also some of the teachers seem to not have a clue what they're doing which can be agitating on its own. There's nothing I have nice to say besides it is a beautiful campus, but that's it.
--Submitted by a student

I attended palm harbor this year. I would never recomend to go there. I started as a junior as a new student which is extremely rare in that school because they dont want any new students and the staff is rude about it besides counselors. I was treated horrible. I was made fun of because i didnt have a mercedes, but im happy with my chevy malibu. My sister who was also new asked to sit with a group of girls at their lunch table and they gave her a dirty look and said no. My sister was called ugly and she honestly is GEORGEOUS. I hear the IB program and medical magnet is good, but i wasnt able to get in because of my grade level. Me, my sister, along with 15 other new students transffered to Tarpon the first day because of the rude students at the school.
--Submitted by a student

It is a common understanding that this school is the most sought after in the Pinellas county system. If this is the best we have, are we in trouble. Two drug related deaths in two months. I have personally witnessed a teacher of an honors level class do nothing more than issue barely related word puzzles each day as classwork. Then when the textbook's (curriculum's) test is issued, the material has not been covered. When students complain that they have not been taught the material being tested, he changes their grade. Again, this may be the best around. All I can say is "shame" on this state of Florida, and the county specifically. The IB and medical magnet programs here are the only saving grace of this school. I can look forward to my student using what he learned in private school through 8th grade to carry him through college.
--Submitted by a parent

This review is to let other families know that, at an extremely rigorous college, our daughter is well-prepared to handle the coursework she is now encountering. Our daughter graduated from the IB Program in 2009. Now that she is handling college level work, we can see that she knows how to learn, how to study, and she knows how to speak with her professors. We attribute the latter to IB teachers encouraging students to go to them and review questions that were missed on tests. Additionally, with the collaborative learning in IB, our student was already in control of herself and already taking responsibility for her own education when she arrived at college. The first year, when many students were experimenting with new freedoms, she knew her education was her responsibility and continued to focus on her studies (while having fun). She was prepared to succeed at a top college.
--Submitted by a parent

School facilities are great, the available programs and electives very broad. Athletics represented well. Teacher quality is hit or miss. Have witnessed honors level teachers with very poor competency. About half seemed motivated to teach. Communication is still the weakest link in a public school environment, Palm Harbor and Osceola seem a bit above the rest. On campus pot smoking a concern for us.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm currently a student in the IB program. I recommend it to all students because the teachers really care. The students also care about their peers which I find helpful.
--Submitted by a student

My son is starting the 10th grade at PHUHS in the IB program. We are both thrilled with the school. The instructors provide a challenge, yet are very caring and interested in helping the kids succeed. The school atmosphere is wonderful. He has made many friends and gotten involved in swim team, chorus and drama. I have also found the other parents (including those from the other non-IB programs) to be helpful and friendly. This is truly a top-quality, private school education available in the public school system.
--Submitted by a parent