West Aurora High School

This high school is the worst facility I have ever come across. There is zero accountability on the staff's part and Mr. Bridges runs the school more like a prison than an educational facility. Teachers are more motivated in using class time to indulge in their own graduate studies than spend time helping the students. One of the driver's ed teachers tried to flirt with me and became irate when I protested. The school is a complete dump and a huge waste of taxpaying dollars. Shame on any school that pays a driver's ed teacher $100,000 + salary!!! I've been told repeatedly that the school attracts the bottom of the barrel educators ... and since my son's chemistry teacher did nothing more than sit in class and eat McDonald's ... I'd have to agree. DO NOT MOVE TO THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT!!!
--Submitted by a parent

I think this school does a very fine job of educating a very diverse student body and with far less cost per student than the average public school in Illilnois.
--Submitted by a parent

I never felt safe at the school. The hall ways were way to crowded and teachers never paid attention enough in what was going on in the hall ways. No one cared about any thing but them selves. I didn't like it and im glad I was able to get out.
--Submitted by a student

West Aurora's Choir Director Meg Papadolis is the best of best. The students at West High are so priveldged to have her as a teacher. She does above and beyond as a teacher and it shows in the quality of her performances. Also, I feel my child has had great opportunities at West High and has excelled as a student their.
--Submitted by a parent

Parental involvement is much stronger at the HS level than at Washington Middle school oddly enough. Facilities at West are top notch, extra curriculars are abundant, safety and guidance to the kids has always been exemplary. I have been very happy having a kid at West.
--Submitted by a parent

There is no other way to say it, West is best! I am a 2005 graduate and really enjoyed my time at West. I attend a small private college now and really appreciate the diversity that West had, because it is lacking at my current school. The teachers at West were wonderful and very helpful! I loved the extra-curricular activities. I was involved in Student Council, Peer Mediation, Mentoring, Yearbook, NHS and many more activities! My friends at school make fun of me for talking about my high school and hometown so much, but I love it!
--Submitted by a student

I loved the diversity at West Aurora. I came from a small, private elementary school, and I loved being able to make new friends and experience the diverse population at West. The teachers, for the most part, were very friendly, and I received a very good education that prepared me for college.
--Submitted by a former student

Academic standards are very high and challenging. I am a 2000 graduate of WAHS and I found that West was a great preparation school for college. I found that the most valuable thing that I took away from West was the diversity of people who I interacted with. Not only in the racial sense but the socio-economic sense. Also, the music and art departments were as high class as any high school.
--Submitted by a former student

My son just graduated from this high school and my daughter is a junior. In fact, they have gone to school entirely within this district. Along with their mother, we all have been very pleased with West High. I think its major advantage is its diversity, evident in its student population, extracurricular activities, its curriculum, and its administrators and teachers. West High gets a bad rap from some not bothering to become more familiar, parallel to that of the overall Aurora community, which I believe largely coresponds to social-economic factors. But West High offers something for everyone; all you have to do is pursue yor interests. I strongly believe my kids are better prepared for life in the real world because of their years at West Aurora than those at neighboring, more affluent, school districts and parochial schools. I've worked many years with parents and kids from both environments.
--Submitted by Scott, a parent

West High is a great school. They offer many extra-curricular activites such as Spanish Club, Student Council, and Drama just to name a few. The band at West is also a big plus for going to West. There are a variety of different bands but the Marching Band surpasses all of the other co-curricular bands. Academically West offers classes for all levels. As a student I am proud to say I go to West because West really is Best.
--Submitted by a student