De Kalb High School

Dekalb is getting a new school now lets see if they can a new teaching staff!!! The education my daughter is receiving in this schooll is less than acceptable. They are not meeting the state average on standards for Reading, Science or Math. In fact over a 5 year period the school standards have drop. I would much rather see my child in a run down school building recieving a top notch education than in a new building receiving less than a standard education.
--Submitted by a parent

There's not a whole lot of good things to say about DHS; there's no a/c, the school is overcrowded, there are 3 sets of functioning bathrooms accessible to students, nearly all activities are underfunded, the sports don't do well, etc. But as a senior, I've really enjoyed high school. Any building-related issues will be squashed due to the fantastic new building opening next year. Some, if not the majority, of the teachers are amazing, if not engaging at the very least. The art department disappointed me, mostly because of the cultureless teachers, but junior year I found my calling in publishing because of an inspiring teacher. Morale is low. There's no school pride because sports do awfully and there's so much tension; students are flat-out rude to each other and staff. Avoid DHS. But it's a great place to be if you make it so.
--Submitted by a student

I love Dekalb highschool i'm well known because i'm very outgoing so it makes it easier for me. I love allllll my teachers, we have a good attendence policy..and omg i just loveeee it!
--Submitted by a student

The school is overcrowded, but the good news is that a referendum has been passed and a new high school will be built in the next few years. Until then, the school will continue to cope as it has been. I have found all of the teachers to be concerned with the students and supportive of their educational needs.
--Submitted by a parent

The highschool is obviously an old building that cannot be worked with easily, the overcrowding was due to happen as there is merely one highschool for DeKalb, Malta, and Courtland. During the summer it is far too hot for the students not to daze, sleep or simply become as irritable as their teachers. Yet a central cooling system is neither in the works nor can in be easily installed, especially with the budget that the school is already wading in. The school attempts to work on reward systems to keep the students comming to class, or to prevent them from comming to class late. Yet the budget should not be wasted on trying to keep money (seeing as a low attendance lowers the amount of money the school recieves), it should be more used on education. The referendum for a new school is having difficulty passing, adding agitation to improvement.
--Submitted by a student

I've substitute taught at nearly two dozen high schools and DHS is about as good as it gets. I find the students respectful, open and appreciative of my efforts. Yes it would be nice if it were air conditioned but the windows do open and there is usually a breeze. If there is a downside I and other teachers have found the second year principal to be unsupportive. I would teach here full time in a heartbeat if offered a job teaching math.
--Submitted by a teacher

DeKalb High School is not good, and this is from the words of a student. I've been going to DeKalb all my life, and I have to say, it's terrible. Not for lack of trying by the teaching staff, but the School Administrators jsut don't give us enough things to go around. There is overcrowding, it's very hot, and the things we have are low quality. DeKalb is a nice place, but the high school is definately not.
--Submitted by a student

Curriculum is good and we have been very impressed with the quality of the teaching - some teachers are absolutely outstanding, very caring and willing to take extra time with their students. Advanced and AP classes are especially good. Budget cuts have caused crowding and the cancellation of some academic classes and extracurricular activities. The conservative population of DeKalb refuses to pass any referendums for school improvements or to keep classes from being crowded and eliminated. All in all, an excellent education can be had here for now, but as funds dwindle and expenses increase, who knows what the future will bring?
--Submitted by a parent

DeKalb High School has a definite ego problem. The administration is an absolute joke and the teachers, let me clarify, some of the teachers have no business teaching. The administration will lie at the first chance and cover things up always taking the easy way out and finger pointing while stating 'That isn't my job'. I have come across some wonderful teachers who actually give a darn about the students they are teaching. The coaches are great. These few teachers and coaches make that school run. The rest are on a free ride.
--Submitted by Parent, a parent

The school is overcrowded with too small of hallways and no air conditioning (except for the offices of course) for the hot months. Average temperature for a typical classroom during the first 3 weeks of school: 105 degrees. I don't think that's healthy. School administrators have the problem of spending money freely without doing much research or bothering to tell the parents, and even the teachers sometimes, what they're up too. If De Kalb high school didn't have such excellent teachers than it would be receiving an F. I give it a B-/C+ and say we get some new administrators that actually care about the children's education.