Centennial High School

I am a parent of an 11th grader who is an african american boy. My oldest son graduated from Centennial and had alot of racial problems from not only other students but, also teachers. My son that attends there now is having a very hard time also, more with teachers who don't seem to want to teach. I'm told that when students in the class ask for help there told "what don't you get , it's all pretty simple" I know we don't have enough teachers here in Nevada to teach but, I see why; alot of them are not qualfified and the ones that were are either retired or left Nevada. Which I am considering doing leaving Nevada, because I feel that so many white americans are living in the past and think that all black people are looking for hand outs which is not true. I pay taxes to
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter and son went to Centennial last year. I sent my kids to this school thinking it would be a great school. Both my son and daughter had horrible experiences. The teachers dont inform your of anything and there are quite a few fights weekly. The kids really prove the saying " looks are deceiving" . I thought these kids were nice kids until i picked my kids up and who knows what they were smoking.
—Submitted by a parent

I had a very bad experience at this school when my son was in grade 9. they just don't care about the kids. I tried so many times to schedule a conference with the teachers and never could, then I tried contact them by e-mail, no luck except one of the many teachers responded. He came out with straight F's towards the end of last school year. I called his counselor to get assistance and all I got was a very diminished response, She talked to me like I did not know how to communicate in English, she spelled every word to me. Now he is at Boulder City HS. his GPA is 3.8 and have a couple of participation on creative writing competitions. He is doing amazing! academically and in sports! I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND CENTENNIAL HS ant least not for a Hispanic middle class family
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of two students at Centennial HS. My children attended a private school from preschool through 8th grade. I was hesitant for them to attend a public school considering Nevada is ranked at the bottom in the nation for education. Both my children are strong academic students and I wanted a school that would continue to challenge them and prepare them for college. We have found that Centennial has many choices for students of all levels of academics. Although the class sizes are large the teachers have risen to the challenge of providing good education to each student who is interested in learning. I feel my children are prepared to enter college with a successful outcome. There are many opportunities for students to become involved in sports and clubs which help students stay interested in attending. The principal is very supportive of the students.
—Submitted by a parent

Im a student at CHS and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good public school. The classes are a little crowded, but which are not in the Clark County School District? There are a lot of after school activities and some of the teachers are really great. We haven't been involved in any shootings like other schools, and the only reason you can get into racial controvercy is if you choose to. Defiantely one of the better public schools in the district, acidemic and otherwise.
—Submitted by a student

I attended Centennial my freshman year. I had such a bad experience that I switched schools. Some teachers at centennial should not be teaching. I always felt llike I did not belong and I had to be a different person to be accepted. I now attened Cimarron Memorial and absolutley love it. Cimarron is a very diverse school but everyone excepts eachother the way they are.
—Submitted by a student

I started at Centennial the year it opened and was in the first full 4 year graduating class. The school had many opportunities that other school did not around the city. The area is newer and away from the center of the city. I would strongly reccomend it to parents, considering that Las Vegas does not have the best schools and this is one of the better choices when it comes to public schools. The staff is caring and the teachers like what they do.
—Submitted by a student

As a former student, I can say this is a great school with a strong learning environment. There are many activities to participate in no matter what interests you have. I took several AP courses here and they were taught very well. I would definitely recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a former student

This is a great school with geat teachers
—Submitted by a student

I felt the discipline at the school was unfair. My son was RPCd for dress code violations, but kids who made threats to him were not RPCd. That made no sense to me. I am not a parent who thinks my kid can do no wrong, but I do believe in fairness. Racial tensions at this school are extremely high. If you have a 'burr' hair cut, people automatically think you are a skin head. It is ridiculous. I am a teacher at another school, so I realize that a lot of problems can be swept under the rug, but the racial issues at this school should be addressed soon before something terrible happens. I feel so strongly about this that I pulled my son out of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student and I moved to Centennial my senior year after attending Cimarron for 9-11. This school helped my do what cimarron couldn't.
—Submitted by a former student

Administration is great -- Counselors are fantastic - Mrs. Simmons has worked with us to help our daughter on numerous occasions... The principal is very organized and puts together a good team. Granted there are a couple of teachers that you might get that think that teaching is 'about them.' The good news is that they won't last long under Mr. Velasquez... they will be gone when he figures those ones out. Great atmosphere... fun school -- the kids work really hard, but they still allow an atmosphere of fun! : )
—Submitted by Sheila, a parent

I think Centennial High School is a great school for anyone to attend. Yes there are a lot of kids, but there are wonderful teachers and a lot of fun activities for children to join. I am on the Cheerleading squad and my brother is on the footaball and wrestling team.
—Submitted by Heather Robertson, a student

Academically Centennial is a very good school. The school does have a very tense racial climate. There are very few minority teachers, and department heads, as well as minorities on the administration team. I realize people often cry racism when things don't go their way. However, if there are minority students attending the school, then they should also have minorities in the classrooms as well as in administrative roles. I believe the tone/climate of the school starts at the top and filters down. Diversity should start at the top, and perhaps the students will learn to accept it as well.
—Submitted by a parent

Nice school, friendly staff and the majority of the teachers are very dedicated to teaching and helping the students. They have one of the best Special Education Departs in Clark County. The Special Ed teachers go out of their way to help the student succeed and also in keeping the parent update and informed of what is happening with the student.
—Submitted by a parent