Long Reach High School

Long Reach is a great school. It is a snapshot of the real world as it represents true diversity on all social and economic levels. The teachers are diverse in their style of teaching and the students seem to adapt to those styles accordingly. The school's academic approach, especially at the Honors and GT levels keep the students challenged and motivated. The various sports clubs, band, drama, and other extra curricula activities offer the students the mental release necessary to create balance and interest. The kids all get along regardless or race, economic status, and academic ability which is not true of all Howard County Public High Schools. My only needs improvement comment relates to us, the parents. This is our children's home away from home. As parents we must be supportive, visible, and vigilant at all times. Before there were teachers, administrators, or classmates, there were parents. Our children's first snapshot of the future is seen thru our eyes. Let's remember to keep our eye's shining and focused on them... And Go Lightning!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Can I just say that the whole ghetto, guns, gang, and drug thing is a bunch of trash? All schools have these problems, Long reach is just up front about it. If your kid is a smart and goal oriented, you kid will do just wonderfully here. There are plenty of kids who want to succeed, its in the air (put them in honors classes). I went to school here and found it amazing. I have friends with excellent prospects. I known graduates who have gotten full rides, are going to Harvard, NYU, Julliard, and plenty of excellent public schools around the country. Howard County has a great academic program and most teachers are helpful and wonderful. The diversity also lead me to be exposed to different cultures, like an huge Indian graduation party. Don't believe all the rumors you hear, talk to someone in the school, who went to the school and who worked for the school first.
—Submitted by a student

Long Reach has recently gained a strong administrative staff. However, the teachers are unprofessional, the students are uncaring, and the guidance counselors are not helpful. Approximately 20% of the senior class is in trouble of failing.
—Submitted by a student

Long Reach has been wonderful for my two kids! One has graduated and was very well prepared for college and my youngest is still there and doing very well. I agree that the teachers for the most part are terrific. The new principal seems to really be making strides to hold these kids accountable.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is not very good for my child to me studying in Very bad thinkings are around her . like drugs,Guns and fights etc.

when I first went to Long Reach I wasn't too thrilled. I actually attempted to transfer, but as we know with the hcpss thats nearly impossible. anyways, i'm glad they didn't let me transfer. Long Reach is an amazing school, the only thing I dislike is that it has the creepiest students that anyone will ever meet. Teachers are pretty good overall, some expect everyone to be perfect and know absolutely everything when it's not possible.
—Submitted by a student

My daughter couldnt be happier in this school!! Soo much opportunity and teachers go out of their way for the students. Communication is great with parents and the unbelievable resources offered for 4 year colleges and making that experience an exciting one!! The student body has school spirit and positive attitudes about their academics and bright futures. I'm happy my child has this opportunity to excel with Long Reach High School. Good job teachers and faculity!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Long Reach is a great school. My daughter has had excellent teachers who have been very effective in teaching her what she needs to know. The teachers make themselves available to help students who need extra help and the extracurricular activities are top notch.
—Submitted by a parent

I am thrilled with the education my aughter received at Long Reach. She had some of the most incredible teachers. It was a fabulous experience and would not trade it for any other school. My hats are off to the staff...i believe they truly enjoy the students! Beautiful building as well!!!
—Submitted by a parent

The school is fantastic if you use it right, if you dont care about school what school is great? youknow what i mean. i love Long reach it give me alot of opportunities and i thought the teachers were great when you needed help.
—Submitted by a student

I loved Long Reach my four years that I was there! The teachers there were good and the student population was so diverse that I felt I was able to learn about so many other cultures just by having friends around the school. I was in AP and GT classes and for the most part I felt challenged intellectually. I also like all the clubs that I was able to take part in. I also felt completely safe in my school, especially after some things I'd heard about some other schools in the county. I'm glad I went to Long Reach because I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much at some of the other schools in the county. Our test scores may not have been quite as high as say Centennial or River Hill, but I'd chose Long Reach over them any day of the week.
—Submitted by a student

I was pleasantly surprised by LR last year. My son was challenged in his GT classes and loves it there. The teachers have been great and the parent involvement is actually very good. I'm very glad we made the decision to move there. I would take LR over River Hill any day.
—Submitted by a parent

Long Reach has all the opportunities there for the taking if your willing to go for it. My friends and I take tough classes, do well, and travel the world whenever we can find an excuse.
—Submitted by a student

The academic discipline in the school is dismal. Teachers do not push their students to their full potential. Many teachers are poorly trained and do not relate to their students. I am a senior and half of my classes are not preparing me for college, but instead giving me seventh grade flashbacks. In response to a previous review, the less popular sports need to be given more attention and financial support. It is that lack of pride and involvement that results in poor playing teams. The school needs to focus on such programs as wrestling and lacrosse in order to create more competitive teams.
—Submitted by a student

Overall the school is no different from any other HCPS ,it is all of your student makes of it. If the students want to suceed then they will surround themselves with positive people and if they just don't care, then they will fail. That is in every school in Howard County. Plain and simple. My son is a freshman and he does not have any complaints, he actually likes it there. He is focused and has plans. He is also involved with many sports.
—Submitted by a parent

The school's overall test scores are not as impressive as some other Howard Co. schools but LRHS is rather large and has a very diverse student population so test scores can be deceiving. I have 2 boys at LRHS, and both are in GT and AP courses and *are* challenged & being well prepared for college. I agree that the administration focuses too much attendance, standardized test-taking, and 'administrivia' but most of the teachers my boys have had are very good to excellent. We were sad to see the Physics, Calculus, and Drama teachers take offers at other schools, but the kids have adapted. We believe there should be more support for extracurricular clubs, the drama dept., and support for less popular sports like wrestling and lacrosse (football & track rule at LRHS), but overall our experience has been very positive.
—Submitted by Connie, a parent

Teachers do not give individual attention needed to exceed in high school. To many of the administrative people are concentrating on disapline rather than schoolastics but when you consider the demographics of the area I guess they really don't know how to handle that. There is a schoolastic difference.
—Submitted by Mike, a parent

I see some pretty bad reviews of Long Reach HS. But I think the disrespectful students is more a of a reflection of the parents and not the school. I have two daughters at Long Reach and compared to the school they came from (in another district) Long Reach is a godsend. However, I still believe its just average compared to the other Howard County Schools. As far as parent involvement, every school event (PTA, dance recitals, sports events, et al) my wife and I attend you gotta get their early because they are always packed. I don't know why the previous post says poor parent involvement. And most of my girls' teachers are genuinely concerned with their learning and education. How do I know? I've spoken with them and we e-mail each other.
—Submitted by Brian, a parent

Disrespectful students, lack of an accountable administration, because of the many socio-econmic backgrounds, there seems to be no commaradre among students. Losing good teachers to other schools.Low parent involvement. If I could do it over, I would send my students to Howard High.
—Submitted by a parent

The adminstration and faculty seem to be disconnected with the students. There are few teacher who are able to relate to the students. The more advanced course nothing more than just extra work. They don't go 'outside' the box. There is a lack of accountabliy. When your childs say 'I can't believe that got away with that in class' it makes you wonder.
—Submitted by a parent