St. Charles East High School

this school should not be rated a 10 period. talk about fudging test scores to move kids through the system just to graduate.
—Submitted by a parent

We have been very disappointed with this school. It feels as if the most important thing for this addm. is to look good to others. There is no quality of education here. The teaching staff has a very uncaring attitude to the students needs. They talk the talk but don't walk the walk...its all lip service. The amount of tax $ we pay is CRAZY. Quality of education and teaching staff = poor.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a follow up about my daughter's experiences at St. Charles East. (graduated in 2004) She is now working on a PHD in astrophysics. Looking back she wishes, teachers would have pushed her harder, and encouraged her more. She questions why in her entire school career (K-12) in St. Charles, did teachers never plan a field trip to Fermilab. She has met many other science grad. students who lived in other states who came to Illinois to see Fermi. She hopes the science department has improved. She loved band, and theater. Her skills in the arts were well developed compared to peers in college, so she was able to participate in these activities even though she majored in physics. This is a long term view. Hopefully the district has sought to improve some areas.
—Submitted by DN, a parent

My child has only attended the school since Aug. 2010 as a freshman and already we're having problems. The music program is FANTASTIC! Encourages the kids to participate and excel, gives them a sense of belonging. The academic subjects seem to have little relation to the 8th grade preparation from wredling middle school, especially in the language dept. DO NOT PUT YOUR CHILD IN A LANGUAGE IN 8TH GRADE THEN LET THEM TAKE THE SECOND LEVEL AS A FRESHMAN!! They will not be as prepared as the kids who take the first level in freshman year and second level in sophomore year, and will struggle endlessly. Also, even though they must allow excused absences for family trips, many of the teachers are hostile to the kids when they get back, blaming the kid for the absence, and refusing to help them catch up. Watch out! Your kid will fall through the cracks here, and get little to no help with academic issues, or curriculum planning, unless you put the fire under their butts and make them notice your kid. Lastly, its all the same football player/ cheerleader worship at this school as at every high school.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the BEST STAFF, but absolute worst administration I have ever worked with. Because of moving around a lot I have worked at 4 different schools with 10 years in administration. I had been warned about taking a job there but because I had never had a job I was unhappy with since age 16 I did not take the warnings seriously. I knew as soon as I went to the first new teacher's meetings it was going to be a regret. The way the administration addressed and interacted with the staff is the worst I have ever seen. For the first time in a 20 yr career I considered leaving teaching. I am just glad to be happy again in a normal school. Many of the exceptional staff want to leave but cannot. :(
—Submitted by a teacher

The school begins the student's college resume from the beginning, duriing their freshman orientation session. Many of the teachers live in St. Charles, giving them a vested interest in seeing their students succeed. Only draw back, it isn't as racially diverse as it could be, but neither is the town, but it still is a wonderful, wonderful community and school, wouldn't trade it for anything!
—Submitted by a parent

An excellent school and excellent academic programs. The students raise money for charities.

principle miller brings this school to another level. It's not just a school at st Charles East high school, it's a community that all pitches in to help each other. Each teacher is hand picked and made sure that they are the best fit. Going through hundreds of people to find the right one is what happens at this school. Hand picked by principle himself.
—Submitted by a parent

I loved this school and noticed how the schools team spirit changed my daughter in a really great way! She went from a shy, quiet girl to a more outgoing, involved teen, which I was happy to see. Her grades also rised and I think that thanks to STE's wonderful teachers my daughter got the education she deserves. Great school!
—Submitted by a parent

This school and school district is excellent with presenting its best face to the public but the quality of the education is below average, the special needs of students are not met, most teachers could care less, and administration is an overpaid bunch of incompetents. Do not recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

Huge disappointment. We should have listen before we send our kids there the education and the morel in that school are behind in all aspects and there is not guidance at all. Look elsewhere for your children- we did and finally we are happy with the attention they are getting and away from the party atmosphere that they will have time to explore as they age
—Submitted by a parent

This is a good school if your child excels at something but if your child is average and doesn't cause problems he or she will fall through the cracks. The guidance department is awful, I have had three go through here and their counselor was not helpful to them at all. It's a good thing the secretary for guidance is good or none of the things they needed for college would have ever gotten there!
—Submitted by a parent

This school turned out to be a huge disappointment for us. It probably is ok for some people but for my child it was not. students who lack motivation received no encouragement whatsoever. The consoler my child had, who is supposed to be the top one, was no help at all. His senior year cosisted of six classes and three study halls at the end of the day. His counceler told him it was fine for him to drop algebra because he did not need it to graduate. Now, he needs to take it in college. Our family is so dissapointed in this school that we are looking elsewhere for our next child entering high school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have children who graduated from this high school, and younger son who is now a Sophomore. This High School is very clean and organize. I am happy with the education my son is getting, but have to say that at times he has struggle to make up work he had due because of an illness and some of the teachers did not want to take the time to explain the material he had not attended class for, but was still expected to complete. In the other hand there were other teachers who even dedicated time off their weekend schedule to not only explain, but to assist in the catching up of assigments due, even if it meant coming in on a Saturday. I feel that my child is safe. There are many extra curricular activities and is a fun school. Overall, on a scale of 1-5 I give a 4.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended St. Charles East several years ago, and found it to be an excellent school in all areas. The teachers were generally helpful and caring, the extracurricular opportunities were ample and I feel I was well prepared for college.
—Submitted by a former student

I go to this school right now, and I love it. The teachers are all so great. They manage to make learning fun. East has great sports and music programs too. We just re-did the sports complex, and it is really nice. The teachers are really focused on meeting the students needs. I also like how we don't have block scheduling. There are so many elective classes and clubs/after school activites, that there is something for everyone. East also has a really nice cafeteria, and there is also a resturant available on thursday. I think this is a great school, and personally, I think it has better facilities than North does, and I am very lucky to go here.
—Submitted by Amber, a student

I do not think this high school, its administration or school board handle fighting in any kind of way. I do not feel parents or students have anyone to turn to for help, its all pushed under the rug and twisted in a way that only makes the school look good. When really my child and yours is not safe and have no one there to turn to for any help.
—Submitted by a parent

This district is all talk, no walk. Great PR dept, no doubt. They teach to improve test scores instead of teaching to educate the kids. They fight you all the way if you try and have your kids more challenged. Both my kids are A/B students, but not good test takers. They are made to sit and be bored in class because the district will not allow them to be moved to advanced classes. This inspite of individual teachers recommending they be moved up. God forbid they might struggle! Hello! It is supposed to be WORK. If it is worth anything, it is not supposed to be EASY!
—Submitted by a parent

Disappointed with the quality of teachers at this school. We recently transferred from out of state and expected a higher calibur of education from a district we heard so highly about.
—Submitted by a parent