Centennial High School

As other reviewers have stated, there is a very large LDS crowd at CHS. At times this can be detrimental to others, but for the most part, the Mormon students are very kid, helpful people. Some cliques do form, but more of in the form of social and academic groups. The teachers are, for the most part, phenomenal. I am an AP student, and my instructors are a large part of helping me learn the advance material. Many of them can make the dullest subjects entertaining and easy to learn. As such, however, I have not had experiences with many of the other teachers. Some are good, others bad, according to my friends, but such is the spice of life. I will admit, as a freshman I did not like the school, but going into my senior year, I look at it fondly.
—Submitted by a student

We are new to the area,we are fosterparents to several teen boy.How do you thing they will do there if they have challenges.We are very involved in our kids at school.I like to help with anything that school need.Thanks for reading.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children that have recently or will soon graduate from Centennial High School. One is currently attending an in state college and the other will become a chemical engineering student at a yet to be determined university. We moved from San Jose, California in 1990 where my kids attended private schools. Upon relocating to Boise; our children received a public education at Pioneer Elementary, Lowell Scott Middle School and Centennial High School. They received high quality instruction with knowledgeable, caring and motivated teachers. Several previous comments have been made regarding the large population of Mormon/LDS families in the school district. We are not Mormon and have found our LDS neighbors to be good citizens with strong families that are committed to the community. School activates and parent committees are often (but not always) organized and planned by LDS students and their families; however, this is usually the result of others not willing to step up . The LDS factor in the school district is a non-issue! My kids have received a high quality education in the Meridian School District and Centennial High school that has prepared them well for college.
—Submitted by a parent

My experience at CHS was horrible they targeted me the first week of school because of my siblings behavior. If you are not part of the LDS crowd you fall through the cracks. My graduating class had the worst drop out record. There were some teachers who encouraged my individualism and there were some who were against my unwillingness to conform. I did not graduate from CHS, i recieved my High school diploma from BSU and am ranked academically on the President's List at the college I now attend. I own no thanks to CHS.
—Submitted by a student

I'm shocked to read reviews of CHS being cliquey. After attending surrounding schols (Capital & Eagle) I was thrilled to realize Centennial wasn't so much cliquey as much as they were one giant clique. As a student, you were in, which is very important in the life of a teen. Another thing that was extremely powering at this school was their staff. Five years after graduating, I can say I still keep relationships with instructors who had huge influences on my life.
—Submitted by a student

i think that Centennial High School is both great and awful. The teachers are very involved in their teaching methods and many of them are inspiring. They teach us not only about the subject, but they they help us discover ourselves, and what we believe in. However, having ID badges as school, having lunch detention when being late, even at only 3 minutes, and the horrible, confusing hybrid schedule, make it hard. But I would still recommend to go to this school. Because of the wonderful staff, students tend to forget all the bad sides of the school
—Submitted by a student

When I first came into Centennial, I thought it was a great step up, so many freedoms! But then it all just went downhill from there. My Freshman year (I'm a Junior currently) They issued the ID badges, which made many of the students feel labeled and surprisingly unsafe. Sophmore year they took away electronics other than phones. This year, they changed yet again and began the Hybrid schedule - which a lot of students have had many problems with. It is upsetting to hear your school referred to as the 'prison' or 'boot camp' by a new student, or someone from another school. (I can honestly say that I have heard it been referred to as such at least several times if not more). I wish I could love my school, but isn't the fact that kids need consistency going to come into play?
—Submitted by a student

I believe the education my teen received was good. You get what you put into it. Some of the teachers are outstanding and are able to ignite a spark in the students. It is predominately LDS. That can be a problem, but there are other teen groups to get involved with. Sports are a predominate part of this schholl.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel that some teachers don't do their best. but there are few that put effort into their career and care about our feature. Also, I feel that the school adminestrators are a little bit too strict with rules.
—Submitted by a student

I'm a current student at CHS, and it may not be 80% LDS, but it feels that way. I am not LDS and sometimes [you] tend to feel outted. Me and my two siblings, one is currently attending there and the other just graduated, all had a hard time. The academic and extracurricular activities are awesome, though.
—Submitted by a student

The school is not 80% LDS. About 25% LDS, but the influence of the religion is quite obvious. The school has some excellent teachers that make the difference in our children's education.
—Submitted by a former student

Well it's true about the two groups, they are the LDS and the NON- LDS. Centennial is about 80% LDS, and the other 20% sometimes feel left out. Centennial excels in all sports areas, but there are some teachers who should be there, though most are exceptional. The best part of the school is the counseling staff, it by far the best staff in the district.
—Submitted by Alyee, a student

The quality of education is fairly high. A high amount of the teachers and staff obviously know what they are doing and are smart people. The extracurricular activities offered are thorough, however pretty narrowly targeted. In the student body, there are two main cliques: the kids and parents that all go to church (and 'off campus' seminary) together, and those that don't. Definitely not aiming to produce a good feeling or an environment for flourishing in.
—Submitted by Sean M., a former student

The academic program is not bad but other places are definately better. I transfered out of centennial for various reasons and found Capital high to be much better. The extracurricular activites are the most beneficial at Centennial. I was extremely involved at Centennial. The school is horrible. The enviroment is not one that a school should have.
—Submitted by a former student

I attended Centennial my entire High School career, and I can think of no better place to have spent those four years. The number of students at the school is perfect, because it's small enough to find lots of close friends, but big enough that you can always meet new people. The teachers and administrative staff at Centennial are so involved, and really care about their students, which is incredibly motivating. The students themselves always amazed me in their dedication and sheer brilliance. I knew some of the most incredible people I'll ever meet in my life at Centennial. For all its other great qualities, I must say that Centennial truly excels in its extracurricular activities. I was a member of choir and color guard, and those times will always be some of my most precious memories. What a great place to grow up!
—Submitted by Lindsay Skinner, a former student

Centennial is an amazing school. They excell in not only academics, but also sports. My student says that it is crowded, but that, that just makes it easier to make more friends. The teachers are very friendly and show a lot of enthusiasm. -Laura
—Submitted by Laura, a student

The students and teachers are very welcoming and kind. It has a small school feel even though it's fairly large. New students should do very well.
—Submitted by a former student

My four children graduated from Centennial. During their high school years I found the teachers to be caring and involved in their education. Centennial has a fantastic extracurricular program.
—Submitted by Scott Birch, a parent

This is a great school as far as academics go, but it's very cliquey, and can be miserable socially.
—Submitted by a former student