Bangor High School

Bangor High School is a progressive and compassionate school that has consistently shown high standards and varied education offering for a varied class of students. Bangor and Maine comprises a unique compliment of young adults - some who will aspire to college out of state, some for in-state college, some for vocational college and some for whom high school will be the last step in their educational process. The school has always understood this unique blend and offered core, advanced and vocational courses that allow the entire spectrum of students to be fulfilled. I also personally know many of the teachers and administrators and have found them to be exceptionally compassionate and genuinely interested in their students and their potential.

Terrible school, it taught me nothing when I went on to college. When I was attending there I thought that it was great but looking back at it now and have experienced great teachers, classes, and environment at Cornell U, the teachers at BHS were bad and the atmosphere was terrible and it didn't teach me anything about life and the work field after graduating.
—Submitted by a student

I am the parent of 2 daughters, and I have nothing but positive things to say about Bangor High. There are lots of ways for kids to be involved, whether in arts, academics or sports. My girls had many teachers who truly made a difference in their lives. We are moving and very sad to leave this school!
—Submitted by a parent

I believe Bangor High school is a great school for anyone to attend it has many different classes for all kinds of students whether they need to be challenged or whether they need a little help along the way however I have noticed that unless you bring it to the schools attention they will not even check to see if your child has a 504 plan. I believe that this school is relatively bully free except for the occasional name calling which I happen to be fighting against with the schools civil rights team.
—Submitted by a student

I love bangor high school! i wish i was still there!
—Submitted by a student

I work there,and the faculty and staff are very professional and sincerely care for each and every student. We work hard to make sure our students have everything they need to learn and function in society. I work with special needs adolescents and spend a lot of time caregiving, encouraging, and supporting them as they become adults. It is one of the most rewarding jobs I can think of because they absolutely thrive in a caring environment. The give back so much love, trust,and respect as they strive to meet their goals and improve their lives. They each have gifts that they share with us, and each day they show so much appreciation for the little things in life that I take for granted. I feel lucky to be a member of the staff here at Bangor High School.
—Submitted by a teacher

I agree with an earlier post that Bangor High was once one of the largest high schools in the state of Maine. However, numbers seem to be dropping and what was once a school of 1700 is now hovering around 1400. Still a good school. Impressive teachers overall that have been doing it for a long time (some that have retired and returned due to the love of the profession--the best kind that my kid has had). Yes, there's some drawbacks. They don't have parent-teacher conferences unless the parent contacts and asks for it. A drawback for the more intimidated parents, and I know what that's like from a previous son ('Oh, no, not more negative comments...I'll stay home), but when I've asked for conferences, all teachers have been accommodating. With their numbers down, I would think that Parent-Teacher Conferences would now be easier to schedule.
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers are way to 'power hungry'. Teachers refuse to follow school policy and administrative office does nothing about this. food is terrible. to many kids in one building. To high of a fail rate for students in select departments.
—Submitted by a student

horrible food, rules too strict, needs to be open campus
—Submitted by a student

My son attends Bangor High as a Freshman. So far, I am pleased with what is happening at Bangor HIgh. I believe it is the largest High School in the State and there is some impact in other areas due to this fact. Their sports program is top notch as they have a very large pool of athletes from which to choose. The number of players on the teams is large: basketball can have 18 players. Another area impacted by the large student population (for the State of Maine) is that the High School does not hold parent-teacher conferences. Open House can be the only contact parents have with teachers. Parents need to be assertive to communicate with teachers. However, my contacts with teachers have been positive thus far when initiated.
—Submitted by a parent

Bangor High School is probably one of the best high schools that Maine offers. This is not thanks to the administration, this is thanks to the great faculty there. The administration serves as nothing more than a barrier between students and what they need. The assistant principals are too interested in controlling the troublemakers and the principal is too interested in athletics. The guidance counselors only pay attention to the good students. The average kids are definitely overlooked. There are certain students who have families who have a long standing track record at Bangor, and they are definitely favored over other students.
—Submitted by a student

I am a Bangor High alumni. While I strongly agree that the academic aspect of the school is incredible, I feel the administrators need to concentrate less on athletics. It was this way when I was in school and when my siblings were in school, as well. It is a political arena.
—Submitted by a former student

I am a Freshman in the Class of 2010 and I think that this is a very good school except for the principal. All of the teachers are involved, more involved in my honors classes then my level 1 classes, but still involved in the level 1 classes as well. As I said earlier though this is still a very good school and one of the best in Maine. Go Rams!
—Submitted by a student

I am a member of the class of 2005, and I cannot think of a better high school I could have gone to. I can't believe some of the negative comments of previous reviewers! I am from a very low income (EFC = 0 this year), single parent home and I have had ample opportunities to excel at this school. The teachers are the best a sudent can ask for, as they are enthusiasic and knowledgeable in their field. The only complaint I have is that the administration is a bit daunting and full of red tape, but they do get the job done. I am now currently attending an excellent university (top 30), and I truly believe that I would have had a much more difficult time getting into a top school had I not attended BHS. Go Rams!
—Submitted by a former student

I am a student member of the Class of 2005. I have taken mostly honors and AP classes at Bangor High School and have found the teachers to be superb. They are extremely qualified, engaging, and helpful in class as well as after school. However, I would like to cite a major problem with our school's administration. Not only is it difficult for a student to jump through all the bureaucratic red tape, administrators are disrespectful, biased, and generally impede education rather than furthering it. Administrators daily interrupt classes (to the vexation of teachers and students alike) promise one thing while delivering another, and give certain groups special treatment over others. Too much time and money is spent on forcing students to obey obscure and ineffective rules rather than on a student's education, which should be most important.
—Submitted by a student

This school's administration is very focused on their sports program and academic program for students who are from upper middle to high SES. The principal likens expression of cultural diversity to a 'running a circus.' He is neither collaborative or inclusive in decision making that effects the community. It has one of the poorest Alternative Education programs in the state, and neglects and ignores students who struggle because of environmental conditions beyond their control. Bangor High deals with these issues punitively, and does not allow outreach programs into the school, does not provide workshops for teacher development or training to meet the diverse needs of all the students, nor allows surveys to be conducted in the school. This school has the potential to be the best in the state, but the students who are not from professional two-parent families are sorely neglected.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a student enrolled at Bangor High School as of 2004, and it has offered a great many oppertunities for me to take advantage of. It's music department is far more advanced than many other schools that I have ever witnessed, and it's staff is always ready and willing to help any student who is in need of anything. The students and teachers are all very personable and friendly. This school offers a very loose and enjoyable learning environment which gives students a fun, and effective way to learn what he or she needs for their future. The wide range of classes mirrors that of many colleges, and extra curricular activities are vast. From jazz choir, photography club, art club, and school plays every fall, to a speech club and working on the school newspaper, the Rampage. The new observatory has made Astronomy a class as well. It's an amazing school.
—Submitted by Jeffrey Egolf, a student

My son just graduated from Bangor High in 2003. He had a superior educational experience with numerous honors and advanced placement courses. He has a very strong interest in music and participated in the orchestra program, one of the few such programs offered in Maine. He is now attending a music conservatory and working toward a performance degree. The size of the school also afforded him with the opportunity to find other students with similar interests. I would strongly recommend this school to any parent or student with strong interests in academics, music, and other extracurricular activities.
—Submitted by a parent