Forest Hill Community High School

I m moving to West Palm Beach and I have 2 sons going to 10th and 12th grades. I would like to learn more about your school. Miguel Alarcon PARENT
--Submitted by a parent

The only reason I stay at Forest Hill is because of the wonderful JROTC and Hospitality program.
--Submitted by a student

I love Forest Hill High School. It is the best school ever. I would not go to any other school. I take advantage of every opportunity at school and am involved in sports and a million extra curriculars. The clubs at school are countless and include everything from the Japanese Club to Aspira. The JROTC program rocks!
--Submitted by a student

i think this school is really good because of the rotc program they have.
--Submitted by a parent

I attended this school (alum 06) and so did my mother (alum 76). This school gave me the proper skills I needed to excel in College and graduated magna cum laude. The only thing I wish this school offered was more AP classes.

What people fail to realize is that Forest Hill is an urban school that face disadvantages from the get-go. A portion the Student body is comprised of a lot of immigrants that do not speak English, students having to provide for their families, and students how come to school for free lunch or because their parents force them. Then you have the majority that actually that come to school for the benefits of a good education that are over shadowed by the few bad apples. With those overwhelming obstacles, the school receives numerous accolades each year; such as being named as one of the top 1 percent of schools in the nation for two straight years. Beating out schools like Royal Palm and Wellington, and numerous others who didn t even make the list. This school has a lot to offer; IB, Environmental Science Academy, Engineering Academy, Culinary Arts Academy, J.R.O.T.C.
--Submitted by a student

(contiuation)and the Tourism and Hospitality Academy. That stated I think one of the best things about the Hill is it s faculty! The faculty goes over and beyond what the state/district requires and what most parents expect of them. Some of the best teachers at the school are: Mrs. Saarela- Student Government and AP Government, Mr. Jourgensen- Journalism/Communications, Mr. Stoieff- Social studies/Law, Ms. Lazier- AP literature, and Dr. Holt- (who is sadly retiring) AP Human Geography/ AP literature. I think what will make this school better is if more parents get involved, which will in return get students involved. All this school needs is more school spirit, better sports involvement, and some support from its community. These where some of the best years of my life (Class of 09!) and I hope that more people will enjoy this school as much as I did. GO FALCONS! -Alex J.
--Submitted by a student

the school suffers from morale issues and because much of the student body hails from families where parents expect very little from their child's education a never ending cycle is perpetuated. if as a parent you've not had the good fortune of an education, how then, can you be the judge of what constitutes one? while much of the student body looks menacing,it seems that they are on very tight ropes where disipline is concerned. my child is in the i.b. program,does not fit the typical look of the greater student body,and has reported very little in the way of violence. my child has said that the quality of i.b. student is surprisingly mixed. presumambly,many of those students drop-out by eleventh grade. regarding teachers and faculty you 're dealing ,again,with a mixed bag. some,like dr.holt,are excellent and to be commended highly for going above and beyond. sadly,others lack a great deal.
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent of two students that currently go to Forest Hill, I have to say that I am very disappointed in the education that they are receiving. Hailing from New England where the educational system is highly exemplary, I am very discouraged at the level of learning that is currently the standard at Forest Hill. The staff focuses so much time on preparing for the FACT. What about the students who have already passed the FACT with flying colors? Why should they have to sit through 6 months of preparation for a test that they have already passed? Instead, they sit in class and go through the same mundane exercises day after day, when they should be learning about the next topic in the curriculum. Maybe the guidance counselors should step in and do their job -- counsel students so that the rest can get the education that they deserve!
--Submitted by a parent

Forest Hill Community High School is probably the 'ONLY' excellent public high school in FL. The treachers are great, they have control over the kids and there is nothing negative about the school.
--Submitted by a student