Royal Oak High School

My son attended the high school in 2008 and 2009. He had truancy issues in his sophomore year that led him to finish his diploma at the alternative school. I found the principal and the entire administration at this school to be wholly unsupportive of me as a parent. I was told repeatedly that there are no academic conferences with teachers at the high school level because they could not get the teachers to show up for them. At multiple conferences with the social worker, the truancy officer and the counselor (who showed up for one of these meetings wearing a leather mini skirt and fishnet stockings) I left each time frustrated with no answers and promises of supervision and communication between the "team" that NEVER occurred. In fact whenever I called for a progress report no one ever seemed to remember what was discussed from one meeting to the next. Principal Greening after speaking to me once and arranging the initial meeting refused to return any more of my calls over a six month period before my son finally left the school and he also did not answer or return any emails to him. I could not get any response from the school superintendent or the school board president either.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a student here and I could not ask for a better high school experience. There are so many opportunities to get involved in many different clubs an activities. All the students in my classes are extremely nice and willing to help anyone. All of my teachers are also extremely nice and understand all of their students busy lives, while still pressuring us to excell in all academic areas. However, I am in honors classes so I cannot speak on behalf of other classes.
--Submitted by a student

act diz meap dat when u qonna teach deze kids sum real stuff??? all yalls test score so qood cuz dat all yall qon teach deze kids iz how to do a fuken test
--Submitted by a parent

The post made on February 10,2011. Five stars for you. I agree totally. I think some parents don't get it you have to be involved in your child's education experience and stop blaming the school teachers and staff are not thier to babysit your highschooler but to instruct your child if your child needs help it's thier responsibility to ask questions. Allow your child to get involved. Sports can be costly try band,orcherstra, community service or working part-time so they won't be idle. As a parent join the PTA, volunteer that will show others and your child you care about the school and your child's education and well being. If education is a struggle for your child contact the school counselor or set up a meeting with the instructor and principal. Moving to this community soon. I'm exspecting great things.

Royal Oak high was so much nicer when I went there. It's a joke now. Not even worth considering. I really wish I could send my son to a different school.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a senior at this school and I am i the process of looking for her another school. The harassment that is accepted and tolerated by the staff is unreal. I wouldn't recommend anyone let their child go to this school.
--Submitted by a parent

My kid came to this school from hazel park, Unfortunately that was a big mistake on my part. Too many students in this school end up in jail. Her grades have dropped from B's and C's to D's and E's this year because the school is not taking responsibility for providing these kids a good education. The lunch program is a joke, we pay full price for lunch and it's very expensive compared to HP. Plus they went to extremes taking the "unhealthy" foods out of the school - according to my daughter most of the food is gross and tastes like cardboard because they're too concerned about no trans fats and no oils and no sugar.. My advice is to just steer clear of this school. My concern is for the happiness and academic achievements of my daughter, both of which ROHS fails to fulfill.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a student at ROHS and I've learned next to nothing going to this school besides the fact that teenagers are lazy and sarcastic people. Teachers are decent at this school but there's too many dealers, too many fights and not enough involvement from the staff. There's too much violence in the school and too many students coming back from jail who think they'll just get away with it all. Not to mention the fact that the poor kids hate the rich kids, the drug dealers hate the "straightedge" kids - it all just leads to violence and arguments which is beyond the amount of drama a decent school would have. I'll give it 2 stars because there are some students there to learn and some teachers who do their best to let them achieve that goal but in the long run it's a violent school and people just don't care about it. If you want my advice, don't send your kid to this school unless you live in the district, especially if you are from an affluent community. The people at this high school DO NOT like rich kids, private school kids or anyone of the sorts. Overall this school is being dominated mostly by ignorance even though some of the people still care about it.
--Submitted by a student

I currently have two kids at Royal Oak High, a senior and a freshman. We've had a very positive experience at the school and give it a high recomendation! The academics are excellent, lots of opportunities for honors and AP course work as well as programs for those with learning disabilities and everything in between. There is a lot of great school spirit in the form of sports, clubs, performing arts, positive after school activities and charitable fundraising opportunities. My boys say fights and drug issues are minimal, not the norm. Honestly, I believe whatever does go on is typical of any highschool or place where there is a high concentration of teens searching for their identity. If you're an involved parent/family/student you can have great experience at Royal Oak High. I have to wonder at the couple of negative reviews I've seen if any of the writers got involved in positive things around the school or if they were more apt to sit back and hope that someone else was going to make things positive for them. Getting involved and having a sense of ownership and pride in your school translates to good things happening and a positive experience!
--Submitted by a parent

The academic side of the school i sfine, but there is a culture of bullying that is tolerated by the administration and staff. I am a graduate of the school from before it was consolidated with Dondero, and that culture has persisted since the 90s. There is also quite a bit of racial/soico-economic strife there now due to the consolidation with Dondero.