Houghton Lake High School

THE MOST TERRIBLE SCHOOL OF ALL TIME!!! There are WAY too many bullies and sometimes teachers say "Well, that's not my problem!" I mean, NO teacher in their right mind would say stuff like that! Anyways, bottom line is BAD SCHOOL, BAD EVENTS, AND WORST OF ALL... BAD ATTITUDE!!!

This school is terrible. They take too much time in sports. Tutoring doesn't really do anything as well, because they don't even help you at all.

I have mixed feelings about this school, the teachers do play favorites and if a student is not in sports, they are treated differently, and not for the better. Serious attention needs to be given to the attitudes of the teachers and staff. Just because a person is not in sports does not mean they will not be a good student. And if a student is struggling, they need help, not ridicule...
—Submitted by a parent

I am very unhappy with this school and I am so glad to say that this year will be my last before I go to a different school. The teachers show favorites, don't listen to their kids, and are down right rude and show no respect for their students! Most of the kids there are also very negative, and the assistant principle will do nothing about it and won't listen to anyone but herself. The only thing good about this school is a couple teachers, and the principle who's the only one who actually seems to care about the students.

i believe that houghton lake is a great school. i would rather be in that school and graduate from it than any other school. this school has improved alot over the years. houghton lake schools are amazing in every thing that they do even their education. i would not be in california and graduating this year if i had never gone to houghton lake schools all my life.

I had my child in Houghton Lake's Collins Elem for just a few months after moving to the area. I pulled my son from this school because it was a horrific experience. My very well behaved and excellent-scoring child reported to me a confusing and coarse environment. I did try to check his complaints and I would just say that his teacher was unorganized & offensive & couldn't show me any lesson plans whatsoever - she literally worked out of piles of paper in dishwashing tubs?? She told me that my son "just can't learn like the rest of the kids". The principal and the office staff were extremely rude and acted as if I had no right questioning anything about the school. I drive my child to Roscommon Elem as a choice student every day and I appreciate the smiling faces, they invite parents as partners, and academics are excellent.
—Submitted by a parent

I have four children in this school system. And I am not happy with the the school system. Most teachers have been there so long that they have lost interest in the kids development. The class room sizes are very large and the teachers don't have time for those who need extra help. No study halls and the after school tutoring is a joke. It is a study hall where you just come do your homework and no one is there to help you. As a parent your have to make the teachers do what is best for your child because they don't like to listen to parents. Our schools teachers are one of the highest paid and yet our kids scores are one of the lowest! Go figure!
—Submitted by a parent

As a former student of the Houghton Lake school system i can say from my own personal experiences with the school that its a sad district. Sad teaching staff with the exception of maybe one or two teachers. I came from the brighton mi school district in the 4th grade to houghton lake schools and was put into special ed after never being in it before my parents were told that i was learning disabled and i was stuck learning the same things every yr from 4th to 11th grade. I took control of my own schooling and asked to be tested out of special ed only to be denied and put into an accounting class to shut me up. I left houghton lake and went back to brighton and graduated without having to be in spec ed or anything like it then i went to college and graduated kinda funny.
—Submitted by Nick, a parent

This school is half in between a good school and a bad school. A couple teachers don't care about your opinions at all. They favor athleticism over actual smarts.
—Submitted by a student

I have 3 children attending Houghton Lake Schools and have been very happy with all of thier teachers. It is amazing what the teachers are able to teach with the lack of funding and community support. There are few field trips, but the school brings in experiences to the school to save money. I am so thankful for the excellent teachers my children have had. They have kept all 3 of my childrens thirst for knowledge and have exceeded my expectations, despite cutbacks and lack of community support. Thank you!
—Submitted by a parent

They take too much time in sports, but honestly strive for the best in their students.
—Submitted by a student

The Houghton Lake High School is ran by a caste system. Very little real intellectual or creative stimulation from teachers and staff. Athletes who contribute very little or nothing to society or the community are given favorable treatment and treated like demigods by most of the staff. I'm sorry to say I graduated with honors from the mindless drudgery that is the Houghton Lake High School curriculum.
—Submitted by a student

The teachers at this High School are among the finest. The sad thing is the cuts that have affected all of the programs that involve learning. The transportation department has a new driveway, and new buses. The administrators received a raise, but the teachers were given large paycuts. They are working in this school to heal these hurts, but the lost programs have made the school a lower quality. There is no chorus class, wood ship, metal shop, AP classes, and the class sizes are huge. Before saying the quality of teaching is low, it would be better to look at programs available and class sizes. That is what makes a school great. Great teachers, programs, and class size. Houghton Lake high school has lost too many programs and packed the classes too full, with 40 and more in some classes. This hopefully will improve and then the school will be
—Submitted by a parent

The school is trying hard, but obviously doesn't have the whole-hearted support of the teachers. Don't get me wrong, some of them are good, but most won't do a single thing more than they have to. The current superintendent is trying to lead the school to a fresh start.
—Submitted by a parent

I am an alumni of HLHS and I admit that there are issues. However, every school, reguarless of size, community, and administration has issues. It is how those issues are managed and how they attempt to fix what previous generations damaged that matter. I now will soon be graduating from LSSU with two degrees in four years. I would not have been able to do that without the things that I learned from HLHS; it was the administration, coaches, and teaching staff that taught me to work hard and be dedicated. Now look at how I have done. Put in the effort and you'd be amazed at what could be done for out future generations.
—Submitted by Amy, a former student

houghton lake is a very nice high school to attend. its very big in size for the area it is in the teachers are great and it has fun activities all through the school year its better than roscommon and bigger than any other school around it and cleaner.
—Submitted by michael kicknosway, a student

Once again, money is the big issue in this school. Teachers are underworked and overpaid. Kids should be the #1 issue, but money is on everyone's mind. I am very happy my children do not attend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that our school is not that bad. considering we are living in such a small town.MOST of the staff is nice.I like that our school is so small and everybody knows everybody. I am an Eighth grader and i should be at the middle school, but i am glad that we are over at the high school instead. I am in Band and I play softball nad basketball but i play for the middle school...However i have seen how the athletics are handled and i cannot wait to join them. Our school has some budjet cuts but we are making it work and we are hoping that our school will continue to run smoothly and effeciently considering our schools state of being...
—Submitted by a student

I am very disappointed with the high school. Favoritism is shown by the administration and staff. My child has special needs and they were not ever attended to unless I told them. My child dislikes this school very much. Many staff are overpaid and do little to help kids. Money seems to be the most important issue for the staff here. I dislike being negative, but I have had a bad experience. Some of the fat needs to be cut to save this school.
—Submitted by walt, a parent

As a senior at HLHS, I have mixed feelings about it. Budget crises have forced all programs to bare bones. In academics, it's between quality and quantity. Some programs are/were extremely strong, such as AP US History (no longer offered) . In APUSH, the national average is close to the 50th percentile. At HLHS, APUSH students have regularly scored in the 85th-99th percentile. This can be attributed to the extreme dedication and knowledge of the course instructor and the nature of the students enrolled in the course. However, variety in courses is definitely lacking. The sole foreign language is Spanish; advanced students are limited in their choices in upperclassmen years. A disproportionate number of students are enrolled in special ed. Extracurriculars are limited to basic sports, and a few band groups, with no choir programs available. Community/parents are supportive, but teenage alcohol use is a huge problem in the area.
—Submitted by a student