Shawnee Mission North High School

SMNHS ended up being the best thing that ever happened to my daughter during her teen years! We moved from Lee's Summit to Overland Park during her sophmore year in HS. Lee's Summit North was an awful school socially, it's more of a jock school, and the band was too competative, not an inspiring, safe environment. But SMNHS band with Mr Reed...OMG, what a wonderful experience, the district is so lucky to have him. He truly loves what he does, enjoys the kids, has fun with the kids, I can't say enough. Socially, SMN is very accepting, it's diverse, it feels like a community, the kids are passionate at football games, the drama club is spectacular, thank you SMN for a wonderful HS experience for my daughter and her parents.
--Submitted by a parent

I am currently attending Shawnee Mission North and it is the by far the best out of all the high schools in the Shawnee Mission School District. North is a very diverse school, no doubt; but students have to remember that they what get out of it what you put in. There are many extracurricular activities & a wide variety of classes to choose from. Also, tradition is a very big thing at North. This school is very safe and comfortable, it is very easy to make friends, and students get along very well with teachers. The Drama Department in North is outstanding! Same with the Art Department. There is a beautiful campus, and it has many windows, but since it was built in1922 and kept getting renovated and added on to, the layout is stringy. This school is anything but clique-y.

This is the original Shawnee Mission School and it has a beautiful campus. Three generations of my family have gone to school here. I have some very good memories of teachers and friends.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers are great. The class choices exceed other schools.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended a private elementary and middle school. When it was time to choose a high school, we were torn between a private school and North. I am happy to say that we chose North. My son has been extremely happy there. He is doing exceptionally well, taking both honors and regular classes. We feel he is being challenged by his teachers. He has met many new kids, is involved in numerous activities and sports. He has told me he's glad we made the choice we made. North has a lot to offer if you take advantage of it. A student gets out of it what he or she puts into it. We couldn't be happier!
--Submitted by a parent

I go to North, and it is amazing. I love it so much and would not trade it for any other school I can think of. There is so much diversity at North. All the sports and extracurricular activities enable you to meet and interact with so many different people. One of the best parts of North is all the traditions. We have so many I can't even count them.
--Submitted by a student

As a current SM North student, I have a lot of mixed feelings about the school. I came to North from a private middle school where I was academically challenged, but was disappointed to find that North had very low expectations. I don't think it's just the difference between public and private schools, because I've had private school friends who have gone to SM East and SM Northwest and have had much better reports about their schools. That said, I have had a few really good teachers who push their students to excell, and I believe that students who take a rigorous honors curriculum at North will learn something. However, the majority of the teachers aren't that great. Most of them have been mediocre (at best), and a few probably wouldn't be teaching if they were at schools with higher standards.
--Submitted by a student

Previously submitted review - would like to update after reading guidelines; we have 2 students that graduated in 2006 & 2008; we are so grateful they went to SMN, even when we moved in the West area; they would not change schools; as a teacher and parent, I firmly believe SMN has the best academic curriculum with teachers that are second to none (ie: Yearbook teacher known by many in the midwest); our students began sports immediately as a freshman, and were able to start varsity which enhanced their opportunities for college; other activities such as yearbook participation, pep club, drama, choir and more were of interest due to their superb performances; seeing the school in action was always reassuring as a parent and teacher. Always welcomed anytime, & assisted if needed; Our students both received full ride scholarships based on sports and academics. That sums it up!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Great place-- staff, programs, facility new administration.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a former SMN student and all of my younger siblings graduated from there as well (last in '02). Overall North is a fine school. The economic and ethnic/racial diversity at North differentiate it from other wealthier SM schools and in my opinion make it a comfortable and more interesting environment--which is rare for a good school in bland suburban KS. Their arts and theater program are wonderful. Their honors program, when I was there, was very good. Their sports teams always seem to need improvement but are competitive and stimulating and occasionally win titles. Students have lots of opportunity there to succeed academically but they really get out of it what they put into it. North isn't good at pushing a student out of the status quo and their remedial programs need revamping. However, I wouldn't hesitate to send my kids there.
--Submitted by a former student