Parkdale High School

Many things have changed at PHS with a new principal and administration staff, they have insured our safety and reciving the best education that PG county has to offer. With outstanding AP and IB programs you are almost garanteed the best results. Though, even the best schools have"riff raff" These students have a lack of home training and are only a few compared to the rest of the school. I believe the parents are the blame and you cannot expect teachers to do what should have already been done in the home. I love attending PHS!! And couldnt imagine going anywhere else. So NO Parkdale isnt a bad school, maybe a bit overcrowded but a great place to learn. And about the temperature in the building... Bring a sweater for cold days. The building a bit old thats all. No you wont get abused by gangs, beat up because your a freshman, or forced to use any type of drug. No there arent metal dectors, but yes there is security. Your safe!! Dont worry! If you come to school for the right reasons then you should have a wonderful experience. Congrats Class of 2011!!
--Submitted by a student

I don't know why people are always complaining about this school. It's not great, but it's not bad. The IB Program and the AP classes offered are excellent. This school has the best IB Program in the state. Some of the teachers are savvy, I agree with that. I think that a few of the teachers need to be more considerate and learn to how to show respect to their students. Overall, this school has not disappointed me. There are many studious and intelligent students in this school!
--Submitted by a parent

My son is a freshman at Parkdale. We had not heard any good things about the school and were quite concerned. We are delighted with my son's progress. The school is safe, the 9th grade academy is state of the art, he loves his teachers and feels challenged. He has a good group of friends. The only rough spot is in the administration of the school, but it seems that savvy teachers have found ways around that to communicate directly with students. I'm thrilled with the school!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is always coming home complaining about this school, it's always too cold or too loud or the teacher's attitude are more devil-may-care than anything else. This school needs a definitely needs serious disciplinary readjustments, and obviously the dress code isn't working as it should.
--Submitted by a parent

I luv parkdale this scholl changed my attutude towards learning and the ajrotc team there is like a big family
--Submitted by a student

parkdale is home, it can't get better than that. we start from dirt and build our school to the mountian that is it. out sports team, especially soccer and softball try thier best. thanks MR. Ovatin and Mr. Watkins. Go parkdale panthers wooooo!!!!!
--Submitted by a student

The students who are not in the IB program are not being challenged enough. There is not enough emphasis on reading and critically analyzing literary classics. And there are too few indepth projects and compositions required.
--Submitted by a parent

I love the school but some classrooms are colder than others and sometimes its way to hot. Its my first year here and were eating in the main gym while thay fix up our cafeterira. The good thing is there making a building for all freshmens. the school is way over crowed.
--Submitted by a student

I went to parkdale from 1997 - 2001. I am glad uniforms are now the attire and parkdale is on the 8 period system. There are serious issues with students disrespecting adults and peers, an attitude that is brought from home. One of the reasons talented teachers stay is to make a difference. Test scores are low. My PSAT was 850 in 10th grade but my SAT was 1320 in 12th. What makes the difference is a serious reading program as-early-as-possible/more rigorous math. I was fortunated to have teachers like Hearle who taught AP Chemistry, Siglar who taugh AP Biology, Knupp who taught AP Calculus, Hart-Nibre who taught Advance French. Also an excellent football/track/wrestling teams. Nevertheless, there are also unmotivated teachers. Students/parents must capitalize on parkdales' strengths; students could take AP courses from 11th grade onwards and eliminate a semester or more from college. For serious parents who want students to excel these strengths
--Submitted by Lawrence, a former student

This is my 1st year as a parent at Parkdale and I believe that there should be more involvementfrom the parents, community, and our leaders. I have not had any major problems in the school as far, but I've notice that the children has a lack of school spirit. What our school system needs is more teaches who really cares and doesn't wonder if 'that's included in my paycheck'. There's disrespect that goes on at Parkdale between the teachers, coaches, students, and parents.
--Submitted by a parent