Saline High School

Saline schools are full of the "good old boys club mentality" right down to the core. Academics=busy work. Few care if your kid doesn't fit in-SHS was like a prison for our kids and lacks diversity in almost every way possible. There are good qualities in Saline but the worst quality of the school system is arrogance and an ego that eclipses the blaring need for diversity in every area a human being can be diverse. In our experience-the staff is never wrong when you make a complaint. Period. If you like a homogenous 1 size fits all conform or get out of town mentality then you will love Saline. the High School was one of the worst experiences for our kids ever. NO DIVERSITY. Too much emphasis on sports and not on being a good human being and respecting differences in others. The academics are over touted and the sports are all that matters with the pervasive "we are number 1" mentality we grew to despise. Many people forget there is a great big world out there full of DIVERSITY. A warm community welcomes you-not shouting: stay out if you don't conform. Saline has a long way to go-about 2 decades IMO. If people say, "if you don't like it leave" there's your answer.
--Submitted by a parent

Music and cross country programs outstanding. School culture is that it is cool to be smart, and kind. Many strong academic performers and AP programs. Many students gain admission to highly selective colleges, including (the most recent class), dozens to U of M, plus MIT, Stanford, U of Chicago, Princeton. May seem cliquey to outsiders, but mainly because most kids have grown up together. Many highly scheduled kids - new kids should join a sport or band to make friends. English department has a few excellent teachers but a few downright incompetent ones. Athletics are sometimes over-emphasized. Excellent tech programs.
--Submitted by a parent

Saline excels in academics and athletics. Three state titles have been won this year, and it seems as though every year more than one person gets a 36 on the ACT. The teachers definitely care about the students, but the administration... the administration cares a about money much more than the students. The counselors aren't truly that helpful, as there are about 450 students per counselor. The math, science and social studies programs are exceptional, as well as the marketing and tech programs, but it seems as if half the English teachers are functionally illiterate. There isn't a lot of bullying, as most people mind to themselves. There isn't a huge party scene at Saline, but pot is easy easily acquirable. AP classes prepare one especially well for the exams, and test scores are pretty high. Also, the music department is phenomenal.
--Submitted by a student

Saline excels in academics and athletics. Three state titles have been won this year, and it seems as though every year more than one person gets a 36 on the ACT. The teachers definitely care about the students, but the administration... the administration cares a about money much more than the students. The counselors aren't truly that helpful, as there are about 450 students per counselor. The math, science and social studies programs are exceptional, as well as the marketing and tech programs, but it seems as if half the English teachers are functionally illiterate. There isn't a lot of bullying, as most people mind to themselves. There isn't a huge party scene at Saline, but pot is easy easily acquirable. AP classes prepare one especially well for the exams, and test scores are pretty high. Also, the music department is phenomenal.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is geared toward those who invest their time in academics and are academically above average. Those who fall below average need to be a squeaky wheel to get what they need. The help is there, it just won't be thrown in your direction. The school places a lot of emphasis on sports and excels in several of them. Their music program is phenomenal. The facilities are top notch (and should be for the price we paid for the school and the taxes we pay to support it). No school can lump their teachers into one category as they are all human and everyone is different. We have had excellent teachers, as well as a few who should look into other career fields. However the good far outnumber the bad. Open house student conferences are worthless. If there is a problem call your teacher for a private appointment.
--Submitted by a parent

Saline High School it is far from what it seems in the outside. Academics are exceptional-- if you're an excellent student. Most classes are full with 35 students. Individualized help is hard to come across. Teachers will not reach out to students unless the student approaches the teacher. Teaching styles vary greatly from teacher to teacher, as does the curriculum. Athletics are heavily emphasized. Coaches can be controlling of student's lives, banning athletes from school football games, dances, and activities. Most students participate in a sport. Social life can be stressful. Saline is very clique-y. Racial jokes are common in conversation. There is a rule banning cell phone use, but most teachers and students ignore it. Overall, the school has an air of aloofness around it-- the students and faculty seem to consider themselves better than other schools in the area. Bright spots include the music, art, and English programs.
--Submitted by a student

Graduated 2007 and hated every minute here the school looks clean and perfect on the outside but being a student at this school is a real treat. If you don't have a love of acidemics and want to be on the honor roll then you get left to fend for yourself and not get much help. The school loves to project a perfect image of itself no matter what the cost to students.

Heavy on sports. Good counsellors. Responsive teachers (when contact is initiated by parents). Awesome art department and AP art program. Strong music. Cliques. Beautiful facility. Lots of community support. Safe. My student reports lots of drug and alcohol use among kids at school. Overall - a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

We moved here over 5 yrs ago in hopes for a wonderful school. It was ok till my son started High school. He has been bullied ridiculed, treated very unfairly. We built a new home here wanted the best education for our children. To only be very disappointed in how they are being treated. Special education students are not being treated right.
--Submitted by a parent

The band and sports programs are awesome. The staff is helpful and they welcome newcomers - students help with freshman orientation. Like many things, Saline Schools will be what you put into it. It is too big for the teachers to be initiating contact with you every time Johnny has a bad day. For example, student teacher conferences at the high school are open house style so you aren't guaranteed a time and may have to wait in line to see a teacher. The good thing is that your and their time is not wasted if you have nothing you need to talk about. In the middle school the students facilitate the parent teacher conference to ease some of the burden on the teachers. However, if you contact the teachers they are responsive. Go to orientation and find out the method they prefer (email or voicemail) and use it.
--Submitted by Chris Cook, a parent