Mount Zion High School

As a graduate of this school 30 years ago with the principal as a classmate I can say the school has not changed much except through exterior building changes. It is still narrow minded individuals feeling superior to others in the community. Education is okay but the attitude it breeds is unbecoming. Even the teachers pick it up after so many years. Not much has changed.
--Submitted by a parent

As a graduate of Mt. Zion High School who now has kids in the district, I would say that this is a great place to send your kids. In terms of personal safety and quality of education, your children are much better off going to Mt. Zion than any other school in the area. However, the school administration is pretty conservative, and the district is definitely known for preferential treatment, favoring the children of influential families. As far as coursework goes, the standards are very high, and the classes do an excellent job of preparing kids for college. However, there is not a lot of diversity regarding extracurricular activities. You will not find the variety of choices offered at, say, suburban Chicago schools. No tennis team, swim team, debate team, etc. Just show choir. God help you if you don't love show choir.
--Submitted by a parent

In opposition to the last comment, I just had to stay silent no longer. I realize you are a child (student); but to say the comments post by the parent last year are 'ignorant' are less than mature. I totally agree with the February parents remarks. I removed my student after just one year in the school and placed my student into private school because I found the teacher's grading to be biased (I had proof and brought this to the attention of both the administration and asst superintendant which finally backed me up), and the students to be very clickish. I will agree with you about the football season; however. The school loves their football for boys and music/dancing for girls. Any other opportunities are pretty slim. To sum it up, very unfriendly atmosphere.
--Submitted by a parent

In opposition to the first comment, Mount Zion does relate their academics to real-life situations. Athletics is also taken serious in other senses. If one goes to a football game, the stands are not empty but full of roaring fans and students. I just wrote this comment to be in great opposition to the first person's ignorant comment.
--Submitted by a student

Academics seem to focus more on rote memorization rather than analyzing and applying learning to real life experiences. If your student doesn't sing or dance, extracurricular activities aren't taken seriously. Parental involvement is not encouraged. I felt very uncomfortable every time I entered the school. It had a very unwelcoming feeling. This school has a reputation in the community as being somewhat 'clickish' and difficult to fit in if one is new to the community. Students are treated much like middle schoolers rather than high school students (ie. very few options regarding their own learning, only several minutes between class changes). Administration is not parent nor student friendly. Administration believes every student should be treated the same in all circumstances.
--Submitted by a parent

The academic programs were sufficient for my schildren to attend the colleges of their choice with accumulated credit. The band program was wonderful and the vocal music program one of the best in the nation. The sports program is well-run and respected in the community.
--Submitted by a parent