Ferndale High School

My children attend Ferndale Public Schools. I have two children within the district. The curriculum that has been exhibited by the school has been amazing. I have been pleased until the school district decided to change an elementary school from multi-age to open classroom as a whole. In my opinion this was not the best decision to move the school forward. It takes the choice away from the parent. The open classroom instruction from my understanding will prohibit grades. I think grades are a tremendous aspect of the vitality in measuring student knowledge and growth. I need to know which percentile my child falls. Is she/he in the 77th; 85th or 92th percentile. GRADES are important and must be recognized. If and when your child arrives at college grades will be measured and used as a qualifying factor not meets expectations. Meets expectations does not tell me if a I have an A or D student.
—Submitted by a parent

This school should be bulldozed. Maybe it was a halfway decent school 50 years ago, but now it is the bottom of the barrel. It is no better than the worst inner-city school. It is a launching pad for new teachers and counselors who can't get a job anywhere else, or old teachers who could care less, and only want to finish out their time until retirement. The staff here DOES NOT CARE. It's that simple.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from this school. The counselors did nothing to further my education and the teachers really did the minimum. The safety of the children is a concern.
—Submitted by a student

This is a grea school. My children are new to the district and I am very pleased with the staff and the Ferndale community as a whole. I am very glad I moved out of Detroit, and out of DPS.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a proud parent of FHS. I have never encountered anything but the finest from the teachers, counselors, principals, and administrative staff.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Ferndale High for four years, and the only complaints I can say about the school are that the district is allowing a lot of irresponsible kids from Detroit and that these kids can be annoying. Outside of these minor complaints, I had a great experience at Ferndale. The teachers cared, the curriculum is entirely what you make of it, and it is surrounded by parents that are involved in their children's academic lives. The Ferndale area is very safe, and so long as your child doesn't instigate problems and is taught the basic rules of standing up for one's self, the Ferndale School District is a fine district to put any child in.
—Submitted by a student

This is an excellent school. My child has done very well in this school and I plan on leaving him and his brother there until they graduate!
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers, staff and adminstration are the best! Thank you all for the excellent training of my two sons!
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school the curriculum is great ilove all of my teachers. The kids are really nice. This is my first year hear, but I thing its wonderful! I would reccomend this school to anyone who wants to go to school to learn, and open opportunities for later in life. P.S This site rated renaissance High school a 10 out of 10 but I think that this school is just as good. Yeah, Renaissance is a good school but only compared to other Detroit Public Schools that are not that good. Also, Renaissance is not that diverse. Ferndale has students of all different ethnicities and social backgrounds.So for any one that doubts coming to this school fear no more because once you get her you'll love it.
—Submitted by a student

This school is good. It is my first and my last year here. I am a senior and everyone is nice and they respect me. I think this school is great.
—Submitted by a student

My children have been so happy in the Ferndale Schools. The teachers and principals here really know our kids and care about them. The district has been working hard to improve instruction and help our students do better, and it shows. If you are wondering whether you should send your children to Ferndale, ask yourself: Do I want my child to go to school in a progressive district with a diverse student body, many opportunities to get involved in school and to succeed at the highest level? If you say yes, this is the perfect school district.
—Submitted by D. Jones, a parent

This is a wonderful school in a great and distinctive district. With one child already graduated and gone on to college and one child still in high school I could not be more pleased with the education they have received. With a diverse student body, a supportive community, involved parents and a dedicated faculty, this school will only get better.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a proud 2003 graduate of Ferndale High and is currently attending the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. I believe that the high caliber of teaching, and exemplary standards of this school (and the district) are in large part responsible for her current success. Kudos to Mr.Ivory (the principal), the administration, the counseling department and, most importantly, the outstanding teachers!
—Submitted by Sherry Smith, a parent

I am very happy with the academic programs at the school. However, I am very disappointed with the harrassment that goes on there on a daily basis. I should have known something was up when I went to the first day of high school orientation and most of the questions were regarding harrassment! As a parent, it upsets me.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent school the academics are wonderful and well rounded. I am proud that my child is graduating from this school.
—Submitted by Shelly Jennings, a parent

I previously attended and graduated from Ferndale. Looking back I couldn't have gone to a better school. Ferndale gives you more than and excellent education, athletic program, and extra- curricular activities. It sets you up for the real world. Since Ferndale is such a culturally diverse school, you end up learning so much about yourself as well as others. There aren't many other schools out there that are so culturally diverse where the students get along so well and all come from such diverse financial and cultural backgrounds. I had awesome teachers and a fantastic principal (Mr. Ivory). Thank you Ferndale for helping me be so successful in my education and career!
—Submitted by a former student

This is a screwed up district I am so happy we are gone from this district. I see trouble heading here I would not recommond them to anyone. They have the middle school and high school together and they say there will be no problems. I would not want my 7th grader going to the same school as a 12th grader.
—Submitted by a parent