Washburn Rural High School

A very student centered school and, having had children go through the school at various times over the last 10 years, I can say that it hasn't always been that way. They've made great strides in the last several years to meet the needs of all students. I'm proud to send my children to WaRu and my kids feel like they are a part of something very special!
--Submitted by a parent

As a former student who has gone on to college I thought that the high school was challenging at the time but in hindsight I can't see anything but how much it's failed the current students. I took ap and honors and graduated with a unweighted 3.7 and I spend all my time studying in college because i never had to study for high school and this habit killed me my first term and I have been recovering my gpa ever since. I think that the school needs to have higher standards expecially in its since department and math. The history department is the only thing I believe is worthy ( or classes I took).

Washburn Rural High is an excellent school. They have had a new principal on board for the last few years that is outstanding, the classrooms are current with technology, and the students are most definitely encouraged to be unique individuals and strong in their academics. The number of offered clubs and extracurriculars is tremendous---I would recommend this school to all who are unsure about where to send their child for school in the Topeka area
--Submitted by a parent

I absolutely love WRHS! The teachers are a great help whenever I need it. The people there are friendly and I have very many friends. The academics are great as well as extracurricular activities. Im very glad that I go to WRHS.
--Submitted by a student

WRHS is an excellent school as are all the schools leading to it. The vast majority of teachers, counselors, and administrators work for the best educations of the students. My kids have not always been happy with the grading scale (under 70% is no-credit) but that has only pushed them when they want to be lazy. Teachers have gone out of their way to help them understand and achieve.
--Submitted by a parent

Fantastic School! Great academic, athletic and activities programs. The staff is wonderful and the new Principal is awesome!
--Submitted by a parent

My boyfriend was taken out of his home and sent to The Villages (which affiliates with JJA Custodial services) in Sept. '06. Accordingly, he was extremely upset about such change occurring but was able to adapt fantastically. He absolutely loved attending Washburn Rural High and often tells fond stories of the time he spent there. With Washburn's help, he was able to excel academically and athletically--He wrestled for the school too. I would like to sincerely thank all who helped him turn his life around; it was a godsend.
--Submitted by a student

This is an excellent school for those who have great self confidence and are academicly strong. It is a tough school for the others. The staff is for the most part great and easy to work with. The school offers a wide variety of clubs and sports.
--Submitted by a parent

School hasn't even started and administrators seem unorganized and clueless to what is going on. Yet, they are the ones who want schedules finalized by the end of June. People should figure that students will be unorganized and clueless...but not the staff. Counselors don't help freshmen at all. They made it seem like getting your credits are a breeze, that's only if you take basic classes and get the bare minimum requirements to graduate. They don't tell you that in order to take AP classes you need to plan out your four years of high school as a freshman because each class builds off another. The choices in middle school were math classes and elective classes. Now we have hundreds of courses to choose from and little direction as what to take in order to be prepared as a junior or senior.
--Submitted by a student

This is a great school where students actually recieve a good education. They have an excellent selection of Advanced Placement and Honors courses and prepare students well for college.
--Submitted by a parent