Northwest High School

Ultimately though, the administration at NWHS helps provides yet another example of a public school system that places actual student achievement and educational success low on the priority list. If I gave more specific examples of the behaviors and educational styles of some of the tenured teachers I had, you would be shocked. Some of the things I experienced: many instructors that would 1) sleep in class, 2) have us copy notes out of a book, then use our notes on the weekly tests, never learning anything, 3) gossiping (yes, gossip. Idle back-talking) with their more-liked students about other students, and more. I had a few amazing instructors during my years at NWHS. Mr. Seal, Mr. Mark Hoyt, Mr. Bowen, Mr. Brandon Baker, Mr. Woodruff (the latter two are retired). But they're the exception, not the norm. There is a pronounced disconnect between the needs of the students and the goals of the administration. This is representative of the larger problems with the national educational system, yes, but it doesn't in any way let them off of the hook. Until student achievement and engagement become the primary priority, the problems observed at NWHS will continue on indefinitely.

I am a teacher at Northwest High School. In the past two years the staff has done a tremendous job of making this school a "safe" place to come and learn. Teachers are monitoring hallways, the principals are out and about each morning before school, during class changes, during lunches and after school. There is a no tolerance for student bullies, fighting and overall not following rules. Cell phones are allowed before school, during lunches and after school. Like in all schools, cell phones are not allowed in the classroom, but in cases of emergency, students are allowed to use the phones in the rooms to call parents if they need to. Lanyards with ID are a must to keep our students safe. Teachers are there for the students. Having been in other districts I have found, Northwest high school to be an excellent choice for your student.
—Submitted by a teacher

My son is going there and I would just like to say that the school is horrible, they have a lot of drug problems "more than the last school my son was at" and a lot of kids who are just plain horrible. Most of the teachers are under qualified and sometimes end up learning a thing or two from the students. Overall I never recommend sending your kid to this school it will be a huge regret you have.
—Submitted by a parent

When I was a student there years ago we never had cell phones.we would realize that if there was a family emergency someone from the office would give us a note and that we could call home.as for dress code it's a good idea.years ago the guys would stand against a wall and make comments good and bad about the girls that walked by.my sister was shy and always hated the comments made to her when she walked by going to her classroom.you need to have some dress code because it's not good for clothes to be to tight or showing everything.It's dress etiquette when going to school or work.you would not wear short shorts to work and a tube top to work.same rules as going to work.

Poor leadership, inconsistent discipline, unnecessary policies. Need I say more?
—Submitted by a parent

Low academic standards and very little discipline.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved here 10 yrs ago and enrolled my nephew in this district 3 years later. Our nephew had reading probs and we were told not by his former teachers in another state not to expect much more advancement from him. Well, since starting school in NW, he has blossomed and thrived. He is about to graduate high school and is out of ALL of the LD classes he started with, is mainstreamed in all classes and is making the 'B' honor roll. Thanks to his knowledgeable and caring teachers.....they have been wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

I don't honeslty understand what i was thinking when i was deciding where to go for high school. There are so many freakin' rules. Like next year shorts have to be 2 inches above the knee or you can not wear them. What kind of bogus is that!? No cell phones either, ok what if something happens to someone in our family? The teachers also love to pick and choose favorites. They only fallow whatever rules they choose and to whom they want to. I am so happy i only have 1 year left. Let me know of what you think about the school. Thanks.
—Submitted by a student

I moved to another state this school year after 5 years in the NW Middle School and High School. I had 2 children attending. The academic quality of their education was excellent. They had awesome teachers and my daughter was well prepared to go into the top math and science classes in a very competitive school district in GA. My main concern is the fact that they are taking away more extracurricular activities each year, such as foreign language clubs.
—Submitted by Carol Seeley, a parent

I am currently enrolled at Northwest High School. Even though we are underfunded and understaffed, the school still makes a very strong attempt to teach the students, and make it a positive learning environment.
—Submitted by Ruben Carreri, a student

Northwest Highschool is located in a district that hasn't passed a bond proposal in over two decades. Despite the chronic underfunding the school exhibits a dedicated and caring group of teachers and administrators. The band and choir programs are very successful and the school has recently added a Drama Club thanks to the dedication of it's staff who give of their free time to enrich the students' lives. The parents of the district are involved and do what they can to make up for the lack of funding. I don't regret sending my children to Northwest, the community spirit and moral values in the district offset the failure of the community to value it's school enough to properly fund it.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently attending Northwest High school. I think it is an 'ok' school considering the lack of funding. As far as the education goes, they teach important things to know for college and the basics. I have attended another school and i think Northwest has a better staff and educational program. I am currently in the serenade at the high school and find it challenging and enjoyable. The extracurricular activites though are unffair when it comes to the selection of students. People who are 'un-popular' will never get picked even if they have a higher skill level than someone who is in the 'popular' group. Northwest has a high level of parent envolvement. We have a group that meets once a month to talk about the school and support the students.
—Submitted by a student

I feel that the school is great other than the extracurricular activities. At least in my point of view. You will not make the team unless you are the child of a worker or a favorite of them and that to me is unfair. There is too much that people are not aware of but I plan to make them aware of.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a poor example of a school. The teachers are underqualified, the students wild, and the afterschool programs are half quality. This school needs much help if it is to ever prosper again. I do not recommend sending your child to this school.
—Submitted by a former student

I curintly attend this here skool and I love the kurikulum it is grate. Me and them teechers get along reel well I reely understan them reel good and we is at about the same level. The principal is real smart and we have long conversashuns about reel intalectual stuff he teeches me lots of stuff.

I am currently attending this high school. The leadership leaves much to be desired. The school is underfunded. An example: they are unable to provide students with paper.