Souhegan Coop High School

Again, if your student is an exceptional athlete or an AP student this is a great school. For the rest, good luck.
—Submitted by a parent

Graduates of Souhegan are well prepared for college and life after college.
—Submitted by a parent

I find it amazing that I have read such negative reviews manly from "gifted" students or parents of gifted children and from parents of children that lack self motivation. Remember this is a public school and a dam good one. If your not happy, go private or move. If you can't afford to move or pay tuition then be blessed your child is going to SHS. Compare it to other surrounding public schools. If you child isn't the organized type or needs mom and dad to be their calender on a daily basis then maybe your child would benefit from SHS. SHS might have a non-traditional approach, but do not condemn a school because your child or you don't agree with their ways. SHS instills good life essential habits in the kids and gets them ready for college instead of a harsh reality check when they hit college solo.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter graduated in 2009 and we have a junior there now and another starting next year. We really like the school. My daughter did very well in her college applications and loves where she is now. She told us that SHS prepared her very well for college in that she is self motivated and had some skills (ex. presentation) that many of the other students did not have.
—Submitted by a parent

If you find your self looking at what the teachers are wearing compared to what they are teaching your problem is quite visible. With students who want to be challenged with honors it is extra work but the work is never an extra work sheet. The work is an assignment that gives you a chance to further your knowledge in the subject. If you are looking at the honors as extra work you should learn how to use the honors to your advantage. Yes, students do have relaxed personalities in school but that shows the school is good at what they are doing. No students are crazy about the next test because they are prepared for it. The freedom is what is necessary for you to be prepared for college. I moved here 5 years ago and am happy how my education has come out and the opportunities that are unfolding.
—Submitted by a student

As a happy Souhegan grad, I can say that my four years at Souhegan were some of my favorite during the course of my education. Souhegan is the prime example of the Coalition for Essential Schools and proves that by treating students like adults and giving them respect, a school can not only educate but foster a safe, fun environment in which to do so. I briefly attended a regular high school and can safely say that other schools are prisons compared to the trust and responsibilities that Souhegan gives its students. Add in teachers who love their jobs and have not become jaded and you have the recipe for a great school that will do everything in its power to make sure that every student gets the education they deserve.
—Submitted by Erin

When we first moved here almost 6 years ago, I was taken aback at the clear cut opinions people had of the high school. They either hated it or liked it - there was no gray area. Now we know why. If you have a child who is self-directed, has done well in school already and doesn't require a lot of hands on, then you like the high school. If you have a child who needs help focusing, needs someone to hover, then you probably will have problems with it. A liberal leaning school; teachers don't head their political leanings or opinions. As a conservative student just stand by your beliefs, do your work and get the grades. It's about you and your future inspite of the teacher. Watch out for yourself.
—Submitted by a parent

The kids love the freedom, teachers love the lack of accountability, very dysfunctional place. If your student is not on the highest end and actually needs a teacher to teach, good luck! Helicopter parents everywhere because it is so loose and grading is so subjective that parent/student brown nosing is a sport at this school. Read the mission statement and then try to figure out what it means, typical progressive nonsense, use their minds well, ok that narrows it down. As a parent they tell you that this is not your school, that is for sure, most days it is not.
—Submitted by a parent

You have to advocate for your kids at Souhegan whether they are AP students or have learning challenges. My oldest is about to graduate and is going to an IVY. That's the whole reason we send them, isn't it...Parents have to keep tabs on their kids throughout high school. Don't leave up to their peers, educators and coaches....I think it is a great high school.
—Submitted by a parent

- 'Souhegan is a terrible school for gifted students. There is no drive to excel or challenge yourself at all.' This statement truly does not make sense. Souhegan is an incredibly school for gifted students. The underclassmen years are slightly more structured. They emphasize developing 'self-directed learning' and 'complex thinking' skills heavily. A truly gifted student would have enough motivation to take hard classes. I, for example, am taking four AP classes this year. Souhegan will also offer practically any AP test. This May I am studying for and will take six AP tests. Last year I took two, Calc AB and Physics C: Mechanics, and thanks to the wonderful work of my teachers, I scored a 5 and a 4 on the tests, respectively. http://professionals.collegeboard.com/k-12/awards/siemens-ap/winners Souhegan was one of 50 schools to win the Siemen's AP award this year. Last year (link) my Calc AB teacher won the award.
—Submitted by a student

Souhegan is a terrible school for gifted students. There is no drive to excel or challenge yourself at all. As a student who enjoys being intellectually challenged, I felt stifled at Souhegan. 'Honors work' simply meant extra assignments, not more difficult ones. I felt like I was being punished for being able to grasp concepts easily and quickly. The teachers spent way more time (both during and outside of class) with special-needs students and slackers. As someone looking to get more out of their high school education, I was hugely disappointed. My parents were lured to the school district by the high test scores and good reviews, but the school was a huge letdown for me. Students who enjoy doing minimal work for excellent grades will have a great time at Souhegan, but if you're looking for a challenging learning environment, look elsewhere.

I am a senior who is just about to graduate from Souhegan, and I could not have had a better experience! I've had the privledge of being taught by some of the most knowledgable and compassionate teachers in the proffesion. There have been some reviews condemning the freedom the school grants it's students. Well guess what? It actually prepares you for the real world! Do you think professors in college are going to be telling you it's time for your next class or that you should really be taking better notes? We take pride in the fact that the staff can actually trust it's students to be responsible for themselves. And any indication that the academics are not challening is a joke. Yes, there are easy classes, but I've had friends come back from college saying how easy chemistry was compared to our Advanced Chemistry course.
—Submitted by a student

My daughter is in her freshman year in college and is doing very well because of the preparation she received at Souhegan. Her writing skills are excellent because of Souhegan and her self-discipline is good because she became a self-directed learner at the high school. Of course, the school is not perfect. I challenge anyone to find a school that is. All I can say is the students coming out of our high school seem to do well in college and in life....what more can you ask of a school. We love Souhegan.
—Submitted by a parent

Ignore the real estate agents claim that this is a great school, it is not. Simply put the school and philosophy have hijacked this town and the tax payers. Ultra liberal activist teachers,no use of books,a general lack of discipline throughout all levels, an overall woodstock atmosphere which is failing the students of this town. Stroll the halls to find bodies and belongings scattered everywhere, students coming and going all day long, teachers hiding behind the wide open philosophy, a socialist adminstration more worried about self esteem then college prep. Barring a major revolt which most likely won't happend due to liberal newcomers who buy into this mush, the trend will continue. It takes awhile to uncover if you are new so be prepared to drill down in order to get straight answers.
—Submitted by a parent

I am an alumnus of Souhegan High School. I was part of the first class to go through the school and graduate. I then went on to college and now work in finance. I was not a great student in high school by any means, but at Souhegan I was able to learn and grow as a person. I feel as though I was far more prepared for the college experience than many students coming from traditional schools. At Souhegan I learned how to learn, and that set me up to succeed in college. I heard the same nonsense about souhegan being too relaxed and not challenging students when I began school there. If students and parents work together there is no place more supportive or condusive to a good education than Souhegan. I feel many detractors just don't want to take an active role in their child's eductation. Thank You.
—Submitted by a former student

Souhegan is for motivated students. The above average and gifted students are not challenged enough due to heterogenous grouping. The communication with parents from staff is lacking and although they encourage interaction from parents, they are excluded from the inner workings and discussions that actually go on in the school. The sports are good, however the 'Healthy Connections' is of great concern - the recovered 'drug and alcohol' speaker IS NOT what we want our children listening to. There should only be 'positive' 'hardworking (all their lifes)' role models speaking to our children.
—Submitted by a parent

I chose to send my son to a private school rather than send him to Souhegan. Studies dealing with the effectiveness of education reform show the Coalition of Essential Schools to be one of the least effective reform methods. Souhegan seems to have a prejudice against academic achievement. It is an atmosphere where socialization appears to be more important than learning. Souhegan test scores reflect this, especially in math and science. Teachers will impose their liberal political philosophies on the students. It can be a very unpleasant place to be for students who wish to excel. Mediocre students often love it.
—Submitted by a parent

Souhegan High is not a traditional high school and one we have been very disappointed in. We moved here 9 years ago strictly due to the 'good schools'. We were very pleased with the elementary and middle schools. However, Souhegan is another story. If you want your child attending 9th-12th grade in a school that practices no discipline, no rules, total freedom, teachers who themselves wear jeans then you'll like Souhegan! We did not. We pulled our child out after freshman yr and sent them to private school. If your kid enjoys total freedom, this is for him!
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a senior at Souhegan, and I have a very mixed feeling about the school. I believe that a person who works hard and challenges themself can do very well here. I also believe that I person can skate by without doing very much (myself included). Souhegan is what you make of it. Some people love it. Others hate it. It is so different from the traditional school, that it really is matter of personal preference. But I would never say that this school is a joke, or that it sets kids up to fail in college.
—Submitted by a student

I have a freshman and a junior currently enrolled in shs. My jr. Is an excelled student and is challenged appropriately by both the school and indivual teachers. My freshman is a struggling freshman and i have to commend the entire staff for their 'above and beyond' efforts to help him better himself in school and in his motivation. I have always heard that shs was a 'do it yourself, self motivated' school, and if your child needed extra help it wasnt available at shs. Could not be further from the truth! Wonderful, caring teachers that always keep our family involved. They are afforded opportunities at shs that they would not receive in the surrounding school districts. Job well done shs!
—Submitted by a parent