Marion High School

I graduated top of my class at MHS and am now attending SIU on a scholarship. I am taking the upper-level classes out there and I feel that MHS has definitely prepared me for college. The teachers that teach the AP classes are exceptional. Like every school, it has its problems, but most student disenchantment with MHS can be attributed to their own apathy. Neither my family nor myself have a "name" in Marion and I was given every possible opportunity-equal to everyone else. MHS has an excellent guidance staff, and hands-down the best science program in southern illinois.
--Submitted by a student

A few may report some good things about this school and that is very nice of them but the fact is most people who know the truth would not agree with them. The fact is this school has alot of what you might call DRAMA and alot of people their have Attitudes. This school is very crowded , their are problems and yes people do complain about things. The school staff does not seek to find solutions to problems/complaints, they ignore the people who have them. This school has a hidden policy, 'Go Along or Go Away ' and they don't care about any one but their staff. After 4 years now with three children at this school our time is just about over so we will be moving on , Beware of this school........
--Submitted by a parent

I am a former Marion High School educator and must say it is an exceptional place to work and learn. The staff is friendly, discipline problems are kept to a minimum and the learning environment is always positive. Parents can continue to blame the system or 'politics', or they can make their children and themselves responsible for their education. For a small, southern Illinois town, Marion is heads and tails above many high schools. It offers many athletic, academic, and extra-curricular opportunities. Stop complaining, get invovled, and make the best of your high school experience!
--Submitted by a teacher

School seems to be struggling with providing quality teachers. Discipline could use some work. Sports have more priority than academics. They lack extra programs for students who excel and students that need extra help. The district seems to have potential, but they need to get a fire under them and work on the academics.
--Submitted by a parent

I went to marion high school and it was great they were strict but in a good way...They taught and helped me through anything I needed...And Im very thankful for that..This is definetly one school I would require my kids to go too...You should take the time and think about it too.
--Submitted by Jill Snyder, a student

Graduated from Marion a few years ago. Great school, got me well prepped through its college prep courses. They need a new facility since the town is booming and overcrowded, but it is a great experience. Students who complain simply do not take advantage of the opportunities and should do so. It's easy to complain. I attended a top tier college and am now a lawyer in a major Eastern city, and my MHS education was on par with every school out there. The school offers so many types of courses, whatever you want to go into. Unfortunately, there are a lot of lazy students and parents who would just as soon complain about how others get special treatment, which I did not find. I am a proud graduate of a great, diverse, innovative school, MHS.
--Submitted by a former student

This school was completely awful to my daughter and myself. There are more than 1200 teenagers attending this school and not one of the individuals on the administrative staff can control them. It's a shame that we have this school here in Marion and that the High SChool Extension Center is so vastly over-looked. Sad.
--Submitted by a parent

The youngest of my three children will graduate from Marion this year. While this school provides a high-quality education in many ways, it is apparent that many opportunities are not made available to students whose families are not 'politically connected,' particularly in extra-curricular activities. Marion is a very insular community in many ways and that insularity is reflected in the public school system. Let's hope that changes as the community continues to grow.
--Submitted by a parent

The School's facilities are well kept, unfortunately ethics are not. Double standards and discrimination abound. Politics are an intrical part of the atmosphere both professionally and academically.
--Submitted by a parent