River Hill High School

This school is good because the students are smart. It is the students' credit not the school's. We are new to this school and learning that the administrators or staff have no contact with the family. No news letter, emails. I signed up to volunteer but I don't get any call for anything. School encourage extracurricular activities and has a long list of activities on the web site but in reality very few of them are functional. Staff don't show up or just cancel meetings etc. Seems to me the students are working hard but the staff including the administration really do not do much.
—Submitted by a parent

I know I am unfairly basing this on several bad experiences with only a handful of teachers but it is really a shame that the administration at this school chooses to do nothing about a long standing problem. There are tenured teachers that basically choose to act in a unprofessional manner and bully the kids in her classes as if he/she is on some power trip. Many kids and parents complained but the administration chooses to do nothing because he/she is tenured. Teachers at this school are too often misplacing kids' assignments. If kids are accountable for this then how come teachers are not held to the same standard. I so many more issues that I can talk post but there is a limit to what I can post. I know this is a National Blue Ribbon School but I can tell you it's not because of the teachers. I see why parents with kids in this school district send their kids to private school. I am so underwhelmed with the teachers here.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a senior at River Hill High School. Not everyone may love this school due to bad experiences with the teachers or the administrators, but in reality to compare this school to others it's one of the best. I have many friends who are graduating this year with me in 2010 who will be attending Ivy League schools. The kids at this school continue to work hard every day, even when 'senioritis' is suppose to be kicking in. There are always flaws in every school. But every teacher here is willing to take time out of their day to try and help, if not them than other students will. It's a very positive and competitive environment. You can't coast through and expect to gain a good education, you have to devote your time and effort. This is a facility that will help you get far in any career field.
—Submitted by a student

I was a student at River Hill many years ago and lets put it this way. 'I was happy to say bye' High School is suppose to be a great time for memories 'not me' It was some of the worse memories I have had. The one thing I will say is I loved Dance. I still Dance thanks to Blizz. Besides that the staff is horrible. They are lazy and do not care to take time out and make sure you understand, the assistant will just do your work for you. I will say it is a safe school as far as crime but it is not a school to learn at if you want a career!

I can't praise RHHS enough, the education I got there is absolutely priceless. After graduation, I attended a very competitive California university and was better prepared for the rigorous curriculum than most of my peers. I had no idea what a first-rate high school I had attended until I met kids from other high schools and found out how lacking their educations had been. My teachers really went above and beyond to make sure I got the most out of my classes.
—Submitted by a student

We are new to the state this year, and moved from a very elite private school. We have been very pleased with the curriculum, principal, and teachers at River Hill, and feel it lives up to its reputation as one of the top public schools in the country.
—Submitted by a parent

River Hill High School has high quality teachers. The Student Guidance/Service team headed by Mr. Philip Vangeli is very strong. They provide help and support for students both academically and psychologically. I rate this school 5 stars without hesitation! Sharon Lu
—Submitted by a parent

I used to go to RHHS and I can say RHHS has prepared me for experiences in my undergraduate classroom studies. Sure, some teachers may have not felt like teaching, but tell me a major university in which you have atleast one professor who doesn't focus more on the quality of his research rather than the quality of his teaching at the school. It is the greatest school because it provides an atmosphere that is caring but realistic about what happens in the real world. If extracurricular activities do not appeal to a broad variety of students, then those students have the ability to start their own club.
—Submitted by a student

This school is amazing I am glad that my daughter goes there.
—Submitted by a parent

Academic programs are good, but some teachers just dont feel like teaching so they read out of a book during class. This results in the students having to go home and spend 4 to 8 hours a night restudying the whole curriculum. The students are the ones that work hard to get good grades, not the teachers.(execpt for a select few) Since the students are pressured to do well, they do, and thats why River Hill has such high scores. The principal only cares about how the school looks to parents, county and state officials. In reality, he implements any means necessary to curb student 'fun' while learning. Parents are extremely involved. Extracurricular activites do not appeal to broad variety of interests
—Submitted by a student

Graduates of RHHS are competative at elite universities and strong preparation in all fields of study. Able and competative students thrive in the environment. Less able students may find the programs demanding and will need support. There is a wide range of arts, drama and sports with a history of success in state competitions. The faculty and staff are professional and focused on academic success as well. There many other exceptionally strong schools in the district as well.
—Submitted by a parent

Teacher and administation do not always get along and it is evident in the atmosphere at the school. The teachers seem to 'run' the school. The principal is not visible.
—Submitted by a parent

With River Hill, there is not much to describe except for the fact that it is elite in everything. The majority of the other schools in Howard County rival River Hill in everything from academics to athletics. River Hill constantly out perferforms the state and national averages for all tests. Every teacher is hand picked from the top in Maryland and are respected among all students. If you want an exceptional education with the High School experience of having a strong athletic program, then River Hill is the school to be at.
—Submitted by Mike McCoy, a former student