Brookwood High School

I moved my family to the Brookwood Cluster 10 years ago as my son began 1st grade. He has continued through the years to recieve an examplary education including many offerings not provided by some of the private schools in the area. Scheduled to begin his Sophomore year at Brookwood High School next week, my wife and I are still very happy. Debra Dees, her staff, the teachers and students all contibute to making the school the premier public school in the county, state and one of the top in the nation. I believe you get out what you put into something, as such, my wife and I are very invloved with the school and community, and see the results we expect. WELL DONE BROOKWOOD!!!
—Submitted by a parent

It is not all of that, there are other schools that are good,too Too, much bragging going on!!!

Debra Dees is an outstanding principle with a great adminstrative staff! She knows how to work with the teachers to achieve the best results for all students. All new and experienced teachers there rate her as the best leader in the Gwinnett County School System!

I used to go to a small private school, about 300 students, upon transferring, i wasn't overwhelmed, but the students here aren't very open to new students not are they easy to talk to, and very easy to be judging. I do not recommend this school to students coming from an environment in which they have been in for a substantial number of years.
—Submitted by a student

I simply LOVE the Brookwood School district! I've lived in Snellville for the past 10 years and my children were enrolled in 'not so desirable' schools in Gwinnett County. I moved further out in Snellville to become a resident of this school district to afford my children a quality education without having to enroll them in private schools. My daughter is a Freshman at Brookwood High (soon to become a Sophomore) and is doing quite well in the gifted program as well as excelling tremendously in their Orchestra program. Any time I talk about Brookwood High, Brookwood Elementary and A.C. Crews Middle Schools, they all get rave reviews!! As a single parent, the housing costs are a little more expensive, but it's well worth the quality education my children are receiving.
—Submitted by a parent

Dr. Michael E. Schmidt was the head of a committee of three students who were chosen to select the school mascot and colors. The Brookwood school song and fight song were selected by Dr. Michael E. Schmidt and Brookwood's first band director the late Stewart Hughes. Laura Zieker BHS' first choir teacher wrote the words to Brookwood's school song. Both songs were based upon the songs from Tucker High School. Dr. Michael E. Schmidt arranged the first arrangement of Brookwood High School's fight song. The colors chosen were maroon and gold which were based upon the colors of Florida State University. The runner-up choice for Brookwood's color was Carolina blue. The original Brookwood HS logo/mascott selected by the three student committee was a full bronco surrounded by a horseshoe. The current logo is that of a bronco head. The second choice for the school mascot was a bear.

I worked at Brookwood prior to my retirement and I feel that it is one of the best schools I ever taught at. The administration is dynamic and caring towards students, faculty and the community.
—Submitted by a teacher

This is the school to attend in Gwinnett! Everyone knows about Brookwood all over the state. Great academics, high test scores,great sports program, enthusiastic and loyal student body, exceptional teachers, and exemplary parent support.
—Submitted by a parent

Brookwood is a great school but when it comes to time its really bad.I get up at about 6 to go to school because school starts at 7 20
—Submitted by a student

I love Brookwood because it is a really great school and they give us a lot of freedom.
—Submitted by a student

this school is really bad when it comes to time..... my son gets up about 5 and comes home super tired...
—Submitted by a parent

As a Brookwood graduate and a current student at one of the top universities in the nation, I believe my experience at the school was a wholly positive one. The school is not perfect. The counseling staff is subpar in terms of handling student application to college, and the large student body makes personal relationships with guidance counselors next to impossible. Furthermore, we as a school have poor relationships with the top universities, which bars BHS's top students from gaining acceptance. The school has problems, mainly those of drinking and drug usage, but these are sporadic and (contrary to Hollywood depiction) not the norm. I had some of the best teachers while at BHS, who inspired me to love learning. BHS is a first-class store situated in a last-place state, but it is still fabulous.
—Submitted by a student

Not just the best school of the county, but perhaps the best school in Georgia. I'd only attended that school for about 3 month before transferring to another school and I really regretted Brookwood.
—Submitted by a student

I attended school in the North and I could only have dreamed of attending a public school as fine as Brookwood. When one considers the quality of academics, and the vast extra curricular offerings, it is hard to find a more well rounded school. Parent participation is fabulous. Teachers are always willing to go the extra mile to help them if the student shows the desire for help. Perfect? No. But as in life, the students get out of school, what they put into it. I am very proud to be a Brookwood parent and am extremely happy I live in this district. My children are as prepared as they can be for college and for life. I feel grateful that my children could attend such a fine cluster of schools and know they will look back fondly on their school experience.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school. I know that it is in one of the lowest scoring states but it still produces results high above the national average. I feel very safe there. The good thing about it being such a large school is that you will find a friend. The studious types don't need to be worried as there are many high acheivers to comfort them.
—Submitted by a student

I am a current student here, and i really dislike it. I feel like they only care about really smart and over achieving students and not the average ones, like myself. Also the school rules i really hate, they are ridiculus
—Submitted by a student

Oh please, The negative comments are ridiculous. This is a fine school. The writer below who wrote 'you get out of it what you put into it' is right. The person warning parents of color ought to be ashamed. Color doesn't have anything to do with it. All parents should be active in the school and community. If you're a good parent, and raise responsible children - you will love this school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has great opportunities but falls short in terms of recognition and appreciation of diversity. Caution to parents of color to avoid passive interactions with faculty and staff and instead to become very active in the school and community life. Pay particular attention to the curriculum and ensure that your child is enrolled in the most rigorous courses possible. If enrolled in the feeder for many years, you may be at a disadvantage and missed opportunities. Tutoring and additional support may be needed to get your child up to the level of meeting all the artificial guidelines for enrollment in advanced coursework. Advocate for your child and remind administrators that this is in fact a public school and that children have the right to make a 'C' in challenging courses. There appears to be many gatekeepers and barriers to access and equity around rigor.
—Submitted by a parent

There's an old saying: 'You get out of it what you put into it'. Brookwood offers a fine education. Fortunately, my child is taking an all-AP schedule in her senior year. We are thankful for all the opportunities this school has given to her. Looking forward to graduation with honors in '09.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a terrible school. It is a very unsafe environment filled with troubled kids, druggies, and an administration that is unhelpful if you were to need them.
—Submitted by a student