Rochelle Township High School

I am a former student, I just graduated in Spring of 2011. This school is completely terrible and I had the most miserable 4 years of my life here. The only two things the administration cares about is football and discipline. They spend more money on football than they do anything else, when the team isn't even that good. They crack down on discipline more than they crack down on academics, which ends up hurting students in the end. There is absolutely NO parent involvement. The administration dictates all the decisons and the parents have absolutely no say in any matter. The school has a very strict visitor policy and most of the time parents aren't even allowed in to see what the school is really about. The punishment for missing class is missing even more school by being put in In-school suspension. (good example of how they care more about discipline than education) There are very few AP classes because the standards and expectations for the students are so low. The teachers are pretty good though, I have to admit. Compared to other high schools I have seen and been to, this has been the worst. Hopefully someone new takes over soon, hopefully the state of Illinois.
--Submitted by a student

I am a former student. I absolutely loved school when I was at RTHS. They have a lot of extra curricular activities, so I was always busy. I always wished I could have taken more AP or dual credit classes, but I think the school has enough of those classes for its size. My classes always formed special bonds with our teachers, and we had so much fun in class. The administration has started some new things since I've left. The whole standardized testing issue does not really phase most of the students. It is a public school, so not everyone there wants to be there.
--Submitted by a student

I am a former student. I am very impressed with Rochelle and how the teachers actually care about and relate to the students. Also, as a result of a firm but caring administration, discipline is not an issue at Rochelle like it is at many other schools. The only thing I would wish for Rochelle is that NCLB was lifted and testing was no longer one of the emphases at the school. Testing as an emphasis is doing more to deteriorate education than it is to enrich it.

I am a former student, who is not impressed with RTHS. After leaving town and seeing other schools such as Downer's Central high school, RTHS is no comparison. The school needs to work on adding more activities for students and give them more information on SATs and ACTs. If needs to strive for excellent in all it's students regardless of status. And, yes, Mr. Welles expos class is a must and a plus.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of students who attended and currently attend RTHS. Most of the teachers are great. The administration is weak to say the least. The Board should consider hiring administrators based on their professional qualifications. If the top is shaky the bottom will eventually fall out. Something better be done soon. Ruling by instilling fear does not work!
--Submitted by a parent

I am a former student and Expo's was priceless. This High School has some of the best teachers I have ever learned from. I went before they built the new High School but many of the teachers are still there. I also have had my two younger brothers and a younger sister come through this High School and all of us could not be happier with our educational experience.
--Submitted by a former student

This is a good school in a brand new building. However, the cafeteria is already too small for the student size. If you are going to college you have to take Mr Welle's college expos class.
--Submitted by a former student