Junction City Senior High School

After attending this school for all four years of high school, I would recommend it for sure. I enjoyed going to school at JCHS and felt quite prepared to attend KSU, where I just graduated from in May. I still talk to most of my teachers on a regular basis, because they care so much about our success in the real world. After attending JCHS, I made amazing ties with military students and families. Military kids were welcomed into the school, and we became great friends. It was a much better and welcoming atmosphere than in Manhattan, where you are only welcomed if you come from money or are a high ranking officer. Proud to be a Blue Jay!

If you are military and coming to Fort Riley, avoid this school. Live in one of the other communities, Wakefiled, Chapman or Abilene. School has no respect or time for military children. They continuosly target the military children as "Army Brats". My son was a "trouble student" when he was trying to turn his life around the Administration had already written him off and followed his every move on camera. If he reached in his pocket it was automatically assumed it was to grab something that was not allowed in the school, and there fore suspended. After talking with the Superintendant of the district the Administration found more wrong with my son and finally bullied him out of this school. Teachers have no power to talk with the administration, I sat in class one day and observed a student sleeping through the class, the teacher informed me he does it every day he is there. I would not recommend this school to anyone. Unfortunately if you are stationed here you dont have much of a choice if you live on Post.
—Submitted by a parent

Military children take a loss when it comes to education due to PCS moves. Our eldest had to acquire 3 1/2 credits, since the school did not have the subjects our daughter had taken overseas. Basically the school counselor informed us, it was like she never took the courses. Our three children graduated from JCHS. Not all the teachers are helpful when it comes to education. I attended some of our childrens classes, so that I would be able to assist them with their school work. The teacher has really no control over the students. School seemed more like a hangout spot, like going to the movies. The t-shirt clad civilians/security that walked around in the halls were more interested in the younger female students, and were seen joking around with the students. Alot of resources were required in order to help our children get the education that needed to graduate.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my first and also last year at JCHS. Due to my stepdad being in the military, we have to relocate this summer. I agree that extacurricular activities are plentiful. JCHS Bluejay Marching Band is one of the best in the state, with one of the best directors, TJ Taylor. Im proud to say that JCHS has a diverse range of ethnicities, thanks to nearby Fort Riley. There is an AP/pre AP/Honors class for almost every class. Counselors at this school at very friendly and helpful. Leadership throughout the student body is encouraged, starting with leadershup of oneself, since one cannot lead others if one cannot lead themselves. The con this school has in my opinion, is the rather 'weird' lunch schedules and rules, and too many people for not enough space. The freshman class of 2008/2009 is being moved to a seperate building which could also raise potential problems.
—Submitted by a student

JCHS is a quality school if you get involved. The extracurricular activities are outstanding and there are a wide variety of sports available. Teachers are willing to help students one on one if the student shows that they are also willing. Parents rarely are involved in the school, but this helps the student for college where parents have virtually no academic involvement. The technology department is one of the best in the state. The drafting courses in particular are exceptional. As a student entering the architectural field the courses offered in this department have given me a step up on the ever increasing competition.
—Submitted by a student

My teens are students at JCHS. One encountered a teacher that was very negative and favored students BUT after I met with the 9th grade principal, the teacher was made aware the behavior was not acceptable and did not continue that behavior in my student's class. JCHS provides several extra-curricular activities including sports, academic teams, and clubs, although it is up to the student to sign up for and attend meetings. JCHS provides assistance to students if they need help with certain subjects. Again, it is up to your student to solicit help. JCHS teachers helped my daughter in Math and she passed Algebra I and is looking forward to Geometry!! She did not pass communications and had to take summer school, but the summer school teacher helped her so much that she passed with a B and with his encouragement, she is taking Novice Debate this coming school year.
—Submitted by a parent

Our two daughters attended JCHS (one for 4 years and one for 2 years). They both graduated with honors & scholarships. JCHS has one of the top marching bands in Kansas. JCHS is one of 25 high schools in the nation to receive awards for their new academy programs. Their drama dept. puts on top notch productions. Our daughters received help/support from any teacher they asked. The student body is racially diverse, which our children saw as beneficial. We have a JROTC program which consistently wins honors in competitions. They have AP programs and well as college credit courses. Our children were very well prepared for college and received high ACT scores. The local community is very supportive of school activities, parades, games. We are in the military and felt at home in this school. Our son regrets he will not be able to finish here due to our summer move.
—Submitted by a parent

This is one of the worst schools in Kansas. Teachers also favor students and it is very obvious. The principal has no leadership and is rarely seem by anyone. The school has 'academies' which serve no real purpose. Students may be part of the Business academy and take all science realted classes. So the academies are not really needed.
—Submitted by a student

Im in my second year as a current student of junction city high school and I would have to say that yes the extracurricular activites are pletiful, however there just aren't as many Ap or advanced classes available for students such as myself who would like to be challenged, but more so I think that there just is not much of a variety of classes what so ever. Last but not least I believe that the negative mentality of the students as well as the teachers need vast improvement.
—Submitted by JCHS STUDENT_08, a student

The school is not challenging and is basically not geared for the military child coming in from other districts with different requirements. There is a lot of differential treatment also. No leadership whatsoever!
—Submitted by Michele Mazur, a parent

School does not provide challenging courses. Doesn't prepare the students for college.
—Submitted by Erica Hutfless, a former student