Deerfield High School

I am a student currently going through DHS and I am constantly amazed by the talented staff, strong administration, challenging classes, and impressive variety of extracurriculars and sports. Students have the opportunity to pursue almost any interest, and there's something for everyone (Student Congress, Mathletes, Cheerleading, Stage Crew, Human Rights club, Student council...) Most of the teachers are very hardworking and understanding, as is the administration. The school's only real failings are its overworked, understaffed counseling department and its somewhat old facilities.
--Submitted by a student

I am a graduate with 3 siblings having graduated or attending DHS. The staff was involved, the sports and arts in depth. With a sibling needing accommodations, the school and its staff have been wonderfully supportive and she is currently incredibly successful due to their assistance and care. My other sibling has always been a student that wanted MORE work; she needed more challenge. She has found all the challenge she can at DHS along with expansive opportunities from the professors on a social and interactive level with programs like WYSE, honors and many others. The school has a wonderful college office, writing center and encourage kids to explore and create communities and aggregates of their own choice (like clubs and associations, like OYAD (yearbook), Deerprints (DHS newspaper) and much more), I loved my experience at DHS as an athlete and student. My 3 siblings and parents have as well.
--Submitted by a student

If you tend to be on the conservative side, this is NOT the school for you! Our daughter graduated in '07. This is a school that prides itself in its "tolerance" yet is tolerant of anything and everything BUT conservative values. My daughter was pushed down stairs by students, harrassed and embarrassed by teachers and ostracized for her beliefs. It was four years of hell for her and us. There are MANY parents/students who have been treated this way. Don't believe us. See for yourself. Google: "Angels In America" Deerfield High School" (which was a horrible book promoted and literally forced on english students until parents spoke up) and just look at District 113s stand in the national spotlight for the recent "ban" of HPS basketball students travelling to the "anti-immigration" zone and how the district defends itself by "protecting students" when it is really promoting it's own political agenda.
--Submitted by a parent

Amazing teachers with amazing credentials and a very involved administration. Offers more clubs and extracurriculars than I ever imagined. Arts program wonderful - too many classes offered to take. Great building with all the trimings. All sports offered. Be prepared for a libral bias in students and administration - and total preparation for any college. Many students go to Ivy league colleges as well as big ten... Really happy with DHS.
--Submitted by a parent

They really follow and track the students very well to make sure nobody falls through the cracks. The vast majority of their teachers are excellent.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a Freshmen at DHS and the teachers are among the best in the nation
--Submitted by a student

My daughter is a freshman at DHS and she absolutely loves it. She can't wait to go to school and I love to see that enthusiasm. DHS has amazing teachers that are always there for the students and they truly care about each student. If students need individual help the teachers are there for them and every student is seen as an individual. The classes overall are excellent. No matter what class level you take, it will prepare you for college because that is one of the goals of the school. Another great thing about the school is that everyone has at least one friend because all of the students are very nice to each other, also because there are a bunch of people who are into the same things. DHS not only offers a wide variety of sports, but it has so many fabulous clubs. DHS is amazing!
--Submitted by a parent

Deerfield is a great school. The level of academics is amazing and the so are the teachers. All of the teachers care about their students, and make time to help them if necessary. If a teacher isn't able to meet with a student there are places such as the math lab and WERCS (English lab), which are open to students, and have teachers working all day to give the students the help they need. About extracurricular activities all I can say is that you can be involved in just about anything you could imagine, and if there is something that the school doesn't have, I believe students can organize clubs and activities, if a teacher sponsers it. The only negative aspect of Deerfield, in my mind, is the lack of diversity. With 96% of the student body being white it is hard to interact with different kinds of people.
--Submitted by a student

Both of my girls graduated from Deerfield High in the past 4 years. I have to say if the student wants to excell in any subject it is there for them. All they have to do is work hard and ask for the help they need. This school offers classes and subjects other schools don't. Many college courses are offered here. On the social side of Deerfield High, If you don't have the push and drive to be popular then I'm sorry your life may be miserable at this school. As I'm sure many high schools have the same problem. If you are not a competitive social lite, you may end up being a loner. Overall for the competitive student it's a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

My son is a freshman. The school provides three levels of course work geared to the students academic ability. Being an average student, he is in the middle level and is excelling. He attributes this to the support that is available to him. Teachers are willing to assist outside the classroom, and the school has an excellent peer tutoring program where upper classmen assist under classmen in preparing and understanding the coursework. Deerfield which is ranked high in the state academically hasn't forgotten about the average student. The administration goes above and beyond to insure that every student, not just the high achievers have an opportunity to learn and excell.
--Submitted by a parent