Highland Park High School

Highland park is very misunderstood. The kids in the school are not as bad as people say we are. Everyone unites as one. There is not as much bullying as i thought it might be, when i was a freshman. I love my Scots. Mr.Cushinberry is a great influence on any kid. He is fun and nice, but also know's when he has to handle his business. Thank you all the staff of highlandpark
--Submitted by a student

It's the best school i ever went to. It taught me that even in the most diverse group we can all come together and support eachother. It also showed me who I'am and i love Highland Park for that. Thank you

I attended Highland Park and it taught me about being myself in a diverse environment. Highland Park is the most diverse school in Topeka. I recommend Highland Park for anyone that wants to experience a lifestyle change. It's what Martin Luther King Jr. said, not looking at someone for the color of the their skin but the content of their character. Highland Park has every skin color, but everyone looks at each other the same.

I think Highland Park is a wonderful school. If you are willing to learn the teachers are wonderful to work with your student and help them learn.They really care about there students and are there for them. I would not have my student go any where else but here because of the wonderful staff.
--Submitted by a parent

I went to Highland Park and its not as near as bad as people want to think. Like any other school you have to be motivated to go and stay in school, if you want to learn it will happen, but its hard to force someone who doesnt. People believe its bad because it is a lot more diverse than other schools so therefore they put the stereotype that its bad. All those who say its bad need to go a couple of days and see that the stuff do as much as they can to help the students learn, stay in school and graduate. I know this myself because I was a Highland Park graduate and I'm in college doing great. There are so many different activities that you can do, I know that Highland Park is a basketball power house and are known very well for it and the good coaches, not only that there is things for people who dont do sports like plays or model UN. However I do believe that it really lacks parent involvement but thats because a lot of the time parents have to work and try their best of do what they can.
--Submitted by a former student

Yes, it may be true that there are problems with the school but there are students there who can perform greatly in life. I attend Highland Park and I am on my way to a career in which is a challenging one. My plan is to become a doctor and this school does challenge me as an Honoroll student since 9th grade. I take a great amount of effort to put it in my classes, so remember there still are great kids that go there.
--Submitted by a student

Highland Park High School is by far one of the worst schools in Topeka. While there have been some reforms this year by Dale Cushinberry to decrease tardies and abscences, Highland Park is still slumping well below any standard that it must be at. Comparatively in academics, it hardly compares to other area schools. However, I don't believe these faults are by teachers or even students, but by a lack of attention from the district and city - Highland Park needs to be seen as a unique learning environment for any improvement to occur.
--Submitted by a student

I go to highland park and I think it is one of the best schools there are in topeka. There isn't really that many fights that people like to think there are. It's more arguing than actual fist fighting. People think it's a bad school just because it is really diverse, but they are WRONG!It is one of the best schools there is to go to.
--Submitted by a student

I think the teachers in the Highlander Success Academy are some of the best there are. The teachers in the Academy work hard to ensure student success despite working with a large population of students on free/reduced lunch, ESL students and special education students. The teachers who work in the Academy care about the students and it shows in the way they reward and discipline their students. All of the teachers in the Academy make frequent positive contacts to parents and follow their student's progress throughout high school.
--Submitted by a teacher

I do not think it's a good school. My daughter assisted there and all she would ever talk about was the fights that there was at school, and all the racism. I think that all public school have fights, racism and stuff like that, but Highland Park Highschool is the one that has it the most.
--Submitted by a parent