Centennial High School

The new principal doesn't even bother to respond to emails from concerned parents. My daughter's math teacher was absent over 40 days last year and the school failed to provide the class with a long term math substitute. The average EOCT grade for her class was a 67%. The school should be ashamed. When I asked the counselor to switch my daughter to another class I was told that switching isn't allowed. The icing on the cake was when the teacher came into class two weeks before school was out and announced to the students that she wasn't coming back! Although my daughter passed the class thanks to private tutoring, I'm disappointed that the school did nothing to address the concerns of parents or students. The students even signed a petition begging for help. What a terrible first impression of Centennial High School. My daughter's experience overall was ok, nothing to write home about. There was also a lot of fights for a school with such great ratings. If we don't see improvement next year we will hardship our daughter to a school that is safer and concerned with the education of all students.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my kids struggled at Centennial after transferring from a private school. We met with our kids counselor many times and had many meetings with all the teachers. There were always suggestions but no support to help my kids be successful.
—Submitted by a parent

Best HIGH SCHOOL in Atlanta! Teachers seem very happy as well as the faculty and students. It is a great neighborhood and state-of-the-art classes.
—Submitted by a parent

I have three boys at Centennial and they are doing well. The teachers, the front office, the principal and counselor are wonderful. They have challenging classes (AP and Honors), tons or clubs, and a good sports program. They came from being home schooled, but have adjusted well and really enjoy school.
—Submitted by a parent

Parent of rising sophomore. Last year's freshman year went well. Lots of extracurricular activities and opportunity for the motivated student. Kids really like new principal. Most teachers good, always 1 exception and there was last year, but I'm happy with instruction quality. School facility is looking run down, but otherwise we've had a good experience.
—Submitted by a parent

Great new principal, who has quickly made some great changes. Finally! No more see-through backpacks. Great new band director who is turning the program around very quickly. New science lab wing, and a new band room next year. One of the few schools with improving facilities that isn't too overcrowded. Not a perfect school, but better than many.
—Submitted by a parent

I went their and it has a great faculty and student body.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a current parent of a CHS student. I had high expectations for the school because my sister graduated from Centennial and had a good experience. Unfortunately, things have changed at CHS. The overall attitude regarding diversity at Centennial is very poor. I think it's a great school for the students that teachers put the time and effort into. Teachers don't contact all parents and place the blame back on the students if they are not successful. My son informed me that he was lost and completely struggling about four weeks into the school year. I contacted the teacher and was told, 'lots of kids are struggling.' I'm sorry that's not an acceptable answer. I am looking at charter school options with more positive diversity so that my son is not stereotyped and left to fend for himself.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, great teachers

We are new to the school this year and so far I think the teachers seem to do a fine job. it is still early to tell. However, I think the administration has a 'we don't care about you' attitude. I wish public schools admin and teachers would remember that the parents are the people whose tax dollars are paying their salary. I don't think they have to cater to parents, but they do need to have respect and listen to the concerns of parents. After all parents are now forced to become much more involved in our kids education than our parents did. Since we are more involved we should have some say in what the school is doing with our children. Admin. seems to think they are the 'ruler' of our children. What is done to our children affects everyone at home also.
—Submitted by a parent

I have to agree with the comments from 4/15. my daughter graduated from CHS and the only thing she like about the school was graduating. I have visited this school to drop off/pick up for appointments. it seems the staff doesn't care who you are parent/child. I had to tell some of them watch who you're talking to, I'm not the student. so I could understand my daughter's frustration. I diverted my son to last year North Springs High School and he loves it. My kids have been to various schools throughout the states and overseas they have been exposed to diversity. so when they tell me there's a problem with CHS I believe them.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from CHS last year and am now attending Auburn. This school has truly helped prepare me for higher learning in so many ways--most importantly in how to think logically. I would not be successful in college if not for CHS. I loved all of my teachers and coaches.
—Submitted by a student

I am a parent of two freshmen and one senior at CHS and I am so proud of my boys' school. CHS offers what schools like Northview and Roswell cannot-- amazing curriculum in a diverse environment. Centennial focuses on global goals, not just meeting testing requirements. CHS is a well rounded school with great staff, students, and leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

The parent that posted on 4/15 has no idea what she is talking about (yes-I know who you are) obviously the kid didn't meet the expectations that were set forth for her and so the Mother is taking it out on the school. My children have both graduated from Centennial. I volunteered there for 4 years. This school is amazing. The teachers truly go out of their way to make sure parents, students, and community are all on the same page. In fact, the only thing I could possibly find wrong with a school like Centennial is that their open-door policy leaves them vulnerable to parents like the one from 4/15. I know your freshman was held to higher expectations than she was in middle school, but you're going to have realize that in high school (and especially a school like Centennial), there are standards. Centennial is a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have just graduated from Centennial high school and I loved it here. I was able to take many AP classes based on my intersets and the teachers at this school were really kind and helpful. This school has a ton of school spirit and has a lot of extra cirrcular activites offered. I would recommend this school to anyone, and this school was recommened to my family when I moved here as a freshmen. They always follow the dispclinary rules, but it this school safe and orderly through out the school day.
—Submitted by a student

Saying CHS 'empowers students to 'make or break' their own academic careers' is SUCH a nice way to say they're left to fend for themselves due to the overall indifference! I am not only a deeply disappointed CHS parent, but a Fulton County teacher (embarrassed to be in the same system}. My older daughter went to Northview and loved it- the complete opposite of CHS! The 100+ students excuse for not communicating with parents is simply unacceptable; if you can throw a dozen zeroes in a kid's grade, you can pick up the phone! I have over 400 students, yet I adhere to Fulton County Schools' policy of contacting parents when a grade drops more than a letter. CHS is trying to raise their reputation by having 'high expectations'(read:ridiculous parameters ony attainable if your stay-at-home mom does it for you). Too bad they don't hold themselves to basic Fulton County expectations!
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of a senior, our family believes Centennial is an outstanding school. It empowers the students to 'make or break' their academic path. Involved students, parents and highly skilled teachers and staff are the backbone of this school. With parental support, it is the student's responsiblity, and no one else's, to pass their classes and step up to those that are challenging. Kids have no one but themselves to blame for failure. The proof is in the pudding... Centennial has received countless awards for scholastic and athletic excellence and is one of the top rated schools in the country.
—Submitted by a parent

I am curently a student at centennial and honestly from the bottom of my heart i do not approve of it.I was put in classes that were above my level and we approached the situation many times with the consulers and eventually i had to talk to my assistant principal.I am currently failing my 'above level classes' because they move to fast for me.I am sick of the excuses from the staff members for not providing me the education i need so i can pass.
—Submitted by a student

9, Centennial lacks the tradition when it comes to school spirit but the diversity is great and most of the teachers really like their jobs. Many of the poorly written Fulton county curriculum for some of the class prevent the teachers from teaching on topics they feel are more important. APs are great here. It was a wonderful school and I hope it stays that way. I had a class where half dropped out and the other half are striving to be the leaders of tomorrow. Centennial gives you the tools to get you to your desired future goals. If a student or parent didn't like centennial its because they were uninvolved students and uninvolved parents. go knights.
—Submitted by a student

I had two children in Centennial High both have left this high school. I have two different children but Centennial did not meet thier needs. No one know the correct answers to a problem and will tell you what they think you want to hear. There is no forward thinking they only come to you after your child has a failing grade. They expect you to pay for things like summer school as the solution to the problem. It is up to the parnet to keep up and email and call and take care of all things. They railraod some of the problems out of the school while letting other students stay with muliply chances. Everything has worked out better (A and B) in other schools for my children. So in a way Centennial has done us a favor.
—Submitted by a parent