Okemos High School

OMG! We were low income african americans AND MY CHILDREN MADE GOOD FRIENDSHIPS in this school district. You will never be 100% understood whereever you go. Instructors are not there to babysit and every person is not going to be your child's buddy. Get involved as a parent. That will show the staff and your child your serious about thier education and well being.Go chieftans. My children will finish highschool in this area we are making plans to move back because of the quality of education they get.

This school is amazing, the teachers are all nice, and the students are all nice to each other also. Some people have been saying that we are racist agaisnt certain groups, but that is a lie. We may not have many different minorites, but everyone accpects everyone else. Great School.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from Okemos High School last year, and all in all had a great experience. I did not realize how great their education was until I got into college where I feel that some of my high school classes were more changeling than my college classes. Dr. Lanzetta the principal is awesome and he does so much for the school. If you have the opportunity to send your children to this school I would highly recommend it. You will not find another school that prepares their students for higher education like Okemos does.
—Submitted by a student

OHS is a great place to send your kids. I have 2 sisters that went to U of M and are doing very well there. I went to MSU and highly value the education that OHS has given me. The faculty does an excellent job of making sure all of the students have the tools they need to succeed. Recommend doing band or orchestra - also athletics at OHS are a great way to stay in shape and build social skills.
—Submitted by a student

Okemos is good for academically talented schools or students with disabilities, not so much for the students stuck in the middle. I spent a few years in special ed. I had a class where I had a teacher tracking my grades and standing there making sure I got everything done. They offered everything to make sure we did the best we could but at the same time make sure we were ready for collage and its challenges. During my junior year I took the test every special ed student takes every 3 years. I tested so well I was no longer qualified for special ed. I suddenly was on my own in a academically competitive school in regular classes. That year I failed not only my first class but first 3. I struggled through the rest of school and barely graduated. I don't recommend Okemos for students that struggle a little.
—Submitted by a student

I just graduated from this Okemos this year (08). I'd have to agree with Norm Allen that scores are highly valued at Okemos, but individual students are also highly valued. From my experience at Okemos High Schoof the students and parents seem to have the outlook that you must have great test scores and a 4.0 GPA, and that you have to go to the University of Michigan or some other big research college to be valued. But that is just what some of the student body thinks. The administration and the faculty are focused on making sure that every student has the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Overall this is an excellent school, and the social environment is great. This fall I am off to Western Michigan University for their Flight Program which is the 2nd best in the nation, and I ow it all to Okemos High School!
—Submitted by a student

As a recent former student of OHS I must disagree with many of the negative comments listed about our school. As far as athletics are concerned, you don't have to go to the best sports camps to participate in a sport. I was a swimmer all 4 years and was never treated differently because I didn't go to sports camps. When it comes to the principal, I think it's time he retires. There are issues that do need to be addressed and he lacks the guts to do it. He stands for politics rather then right vs wrong. However, the education I recieved did prepare me well for the 4 years I spent at one of the nation's top institutions. If there really are racism issues that have developed since I graduated, it saddens me deeply. I always felt comfortable being me and my friends being themself at OHS.
—Submitted by a former student

Okemos does have excellent academic standards, but only so far as, if you are perfect you will do well. There is no room for second chances and a bias depending on socioeconomic background. There are some really extraordinary teachers, but then there are some horrible teachers. This is a problem because of the administration's ineffective or even non-existent solution (though the administration's ability to help you often depends on how much you have donated to the school or what you can provide for them). Also, budget cuts become a problem because it seems money is taken away from art, music, special education, even maintenance, routinely. It is a good way to get children into colleges, but not necessarily to help children grow and develop into human beings.
—Submitted by a student

Love it Love it Love it!!!!!!
—Submitted by Crystal Wright, a parent

I agree with the sentiment that scores are whats valued in Okemos, not individual students.
—Submitted by Norm Allen, a parent

This is a great academic school, and the teachers are very passionate and caring. However the lack of diversity forms cliques, and can be intimidating due to the schools' high standards of success. Wonderful community, and it is greatly influenced due to the nearby university.
—Submitted by a teacher

Just saying it is good doesn't make it true. Im sure it's a good expereince for some but overall I wouldn't want to have my children attend a place where competition and test scores are what are really valued, at the expense of true thinking and learning to use your mind well.
—Submitted by a parent

Ok First off, Okemos is known for its money, however, you dont have to dress preppy and have money to fit in. The sports are tough to make, but it doesn't require sending them to the best camps. The teachers at Okemos are very passionate about their jobs and they help everyone. There is not much racism at Okemos High school. However most cultures do hang out with mostly people of their culture. The only form of racism shown at okemos is towards people who caus trouble, which isnt the worst thing that could happen. Okemos is a great college prep school.
—Submitted by a former student

Okemos High School has provided me with an excellent education and prepared me very well for college. As a former student I would like to stress the high quality of teachers, the friendly and diverse student body and the wonderful facilities and opportunites provided to each and every student. It has been ranked as one of the best schools in the United States by Newsweek magazine on several occasions. The claims that Okemos is a rich, white school are not true. The school is one of the more diverse schools compared to some of the communities in the area, with high population of Asians and Middle Easterners as well as families from all income levels. The student body is very accepting. Okemos is known for its high quality academics, music program, athletic teams and providing opportunities for all students.
—Submitted by a former student

I had a great experience with my son but my daughter was in special ed and treated very differently very badly and the other students were allowed to treat her badly. If your child is a good student and athlete its a good school if not your treated like dirt with no one to defend you.
—Submitted by a parent

Okemos high school has a substantial number of high quality students. Unfortunately, their learning opportunities are limited by a highly uninspired and politicized administration and staff. I have sent 3 children through the system and they all continued on to highly selective colleges. They all were very very unhappy in this environment. Classes were extremely limited and, except in a few instances, prepared them poorly for their college environments. The school is focused almost exclusively on standardized test scores. Given the background of the students' families, the quality of these scores probably doesn't represent much value added by the school. The school encourages a lot of parental involvement, except in academic areas where strict rules make this impossible. However, athletic opporutnities are boundless.
—Submitted by a parent

The academic programs at Okemos High School are excellent, and I believe that there are many wonderful opportunities for students to participate in a variety of sports, cultural activities, arts, and more.
—Submitted by a former student

My child is attending Okemos High school this year. You could not ask for a better school. It has every class under the moon. The teachers are great. Now for the bad side. If you don't have money your child will be looked down on. Every child has the latest cell phone and Ipod. You have to have certain brands of clothes, mainly all the preppy things. It is very compatitve. If your child plays sports, you better have sent them to the best camps, because if you didn't, he or she will not make the team.
—Submitted by a parent

Okemos High School is a wonderful school to go to.The teachers at the Okemos High School want everyone to succeed and they take their jobs seriously. The Okemos High School also comes out on top in athletics.
—Submitted by Shantel Ragland, a student

I was startled to read that OHS is racist. It seems that the Okemos area is turning into a small Dearborn where those of muslim origin are dominating the community. They seem to be the majority in the area; therefore, kind of difficult to be racist against the majority.
—Submitted by a parent