South Lake High School

This school like many others in SCS has gone seriously downhill because of "school of choice". Throwing open the gates to people who do not live in the shores has resulted in lower test scores and more disruptions in the classroom. If you want to take a chance with your child and be part of some cumbaya social experiment gone wrong, this is the place. Be warned, teachers are writing some of the favorable reviews.
—Submitted by a parent

Our South Lake experience has been great! From the benefits of a multicultural student population, to AP and standard curriculum, to sporting and extracurricular events, we are highly pleased! The expectations and quality of education are demonstrated from the principal, staff and students. If your son or daughter desires to succeed, and not merely slide by, i recommend South Lake High School.
—Submitted by a parent

I heard that they dropped some AP classes. I am dissappointed. Advanced classes are to prepare our kids for college.
—Submitted by a parent

It seems to be getting worse and worse! The counselors might as well not even be there! From the time my oldest to youngest went, a span of five years it changed considerably, my youngest graduated top five in his class yet could not get important info from his counselor to save His life! I was very disheartened by that impaticularly, apparently she was another counselors daughter). She acted aloof and couldn't care less by the way! Unless your in AP classes, the classrooms are so disruptive with kids not wanting to learn that it seemed impossible to get an education! It's SO sad! I love St Clair Shores and am disappointed that SL has gone this direction! I wanted t to be good so badley! We have been out for five years now!
—Submitted by a parent

South Lake is a horrible school. The teachers aren't qualified to teach, the students are rude, mean, and very immature. The staff isnt friendly, and as i said, lots of racial comments/problems. I wouldnt reccommend this school to anybody. If your thinking about sending your child there, don't. If you want to go, don't. Your student will not succeed, and if your just going to see your friends, your making a huge mistake. Plus, the school doesn't meet college requirements.

As a former class vice-president and 4.0 student at this school, I must admit that South Lake has not prepared me for college. I attended UofM after graduation and was surprised to see how much I did not learn in some of my 'college preparatory' classes. SL does not have a strong AP curriculum; something I believe is an excellent predictor of college readiness. Instead of giving students a thorough education, teachers are more often concerned with meeting requirements set by the state and/or administration. Some of the teachers are excellent, however, particularly in the science department and the Spanish language department. Overall, South Lake is not a bad school, however, if you (or your child depending on who is reading this) is hoping to receive a thorough education before attending a university, South Lake may just not have enough opportunities.
—Submitted by a student

Horrible school. Asst Principal is arrogant, does not even want to speak with parents. Do not intend to send my child to this school again next year.
—Submitted by a parent

South Lake has made tough decisions to face racial disparities head on. Kids have many choices. My daughter is taking Mandarin and advanced math.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school for my son who is in the Link program and a leader. Teachers care and work hard.
—Submitted by a parent

I had 2 children who attended South Lake Schools. I choose not to send my younger child to the High School for this simple reason, my older child throughout his tenure at times did not have a book, desk or a teacher. He was forced to do an independent study for a AP Level Math or submit to taking bowling or video production in its place. The school board is a joke. Everything is pre planned for a united front. Not willing to make the hard line changes to better the schools.
—Submitted by a parent

South Lake School is not s place for minority students. The principal is opinionated and will not listne to reason. The curriculum does not meet college requirements that will prepare students for the future. If you want anything out of South Lake you must be part of the elite club. If you are not, there is no chance to be sucessful at South Lake High School.
—Submitted by a parent

South Lake High is not a good school to go to. I am a freshman at the school and I can already see through everything, things that it would take some people their entire high school career to realize. The principal is very ignorant, rude, and unfair to students and parent, as well. I will soon be leaving South Lake and I think that I will be much happier. I advise anyone who thinking about joining South Lake or parents who are thinking of sending there kids there, to no go through with it. It is not a good school to go to. The curriculum is not hard just much homework to do. My 8th grade work was harder than what we have to do at SL. It is to your best advantage to go somewhere else other than SL. And I think that a HUGE change needs to be made at that school before I even think about going back.
—Submitted by a student

Great teachers and leaders in this district
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from South Lake High School in 2000. I found when I entered college that I was totally unprepared for what was waiting for me. I believe much of the curriculum is 'watered down' so as to keep grade averages above average for the state. The counselors who actually cared (Gough and Burke) are no longer working at South Lake, and the few teachers who cared have all either retired, passed away, or have subsided to allow the more 'mainstream' styled teachers to run the show. It saddens me greatly to see what South Lake High has become; I believe I graduated on the cusp of what were great years in true education- full, personal education. Now it is the greater image of the school that holds the faculty s endeavors.
—Submitted by a former student

I also attended South Lake High School a few years back. I must say they did not prepare me as well as they should have for college. Some of the teachers had no clue how to lecture to their classes, and allowed students to do it for them. A few teachers I had were excellent, and did support the students- but others were so airheaded it was hard to tell whom was teaching whom. South Lake is so consumed with keeping it's 'blue ribbon' image, it forgets that it's students are the real prizes. They need stricter policies, and more ways to reach students. They need teachers whom are there to teach and not to be gossip queens. Above all, South Lake is a decent school but I would not send my children there.
—Submitted by a former student

i think that South lake High is a great place. However sharing the substitutes with the other two districts puts a halt to my childs learning ability because of the fact that we call our substitues last so we get the ones who arent so great. the staff is undefinable-they are great people who really have a heart for teaching.
—Submitted by a parent

South lake is a good school, if you are a mainstream student. They do tend to water down the curriculum quite a bit, this comming from someone who used to attend and switched out. The only reason south lake's drop out rate is so low is because the born center is affiliated,letting their students graduate with south lake diplomas, therefore, they are sl students. Their attendance policy is too lenient, making students want to skip more. Then when the school sees how many 'skippers' there are, they try to crack down halfway through the school year. I also think that there is no need for any 'counceling office' seeing as the two who took over for burke and gough learn by example. all in all, i wouldn't send my own kids there, when i have them, so i wouldn't send yours either.
—Submitted by a former student

Many of the teachers have watered down courses to raise the school's GPA average, but when these students get to college, they discover they aren't as sharp as their grades indicate.
—Submitted by a parent

South lake high school is a place where teachers and administrators care about giving students a good education.
—Submitted by a parent