William L. Dickinson High School

DHS is an amazing school. There's nothing that you can't accomplish here. The size and population of the school is spectacular! The structure for education is clearly outlined in the schools mission statement. The teachers are genuinely caring and concerned for the student s future. Anyone that says otherwise is obviously not doing their part. If the state scores are low it s because they calculate the students from other countries that don't speak, read or understand English within these test. (Very unfair) Keep your nose clean do your work and you'll succeed. DHS has won many science awards and has beaten McNair, County Prep and high tech. It has won nationwide and also beat Bergen County. Do your research because DHS is awesome!
—Submitted by a parent

Dickinson highschool is a great high school and dont let anyone say otherwise trust me im talking from experience. yes I admit the school has its ups and downs but I have to say I have had one of the best 2 years in my life so far in dhs. its alot of fun the teachers are great now dont get me wrong there are teachers in there who are doing the job just to get their paid check but mostly the teachers are great I hav had the most amazing and helpful teachers and i will never forget them. i have just recently moved away from jersey city to piscataway nj and i hav to say the thing i miss the most is dhs if you think dhs is horrible boy your wrong you have no idea its the most incompitent staff iv ever seen the teachers are horrible not helpful at all there are very few that are good and the school itself isnt good at all its dispicable. for those who are coming into dhs appreciate it and enjoy every moment and for those of you that are still in dhs stop complaining.
—Submitted by a student

I am currently a student at DHS. I take AP classes and many Honors classes. To say I have a high GPA compared to those in regular classes is a shame. I am embarrassed to say that I am attend DHS. Some teachers curse aloud and have no respect for the administration, not that they deserve any. The administration, including principals, vice principle, CITs, guidance counselors, and even security guards, are full of flaws. As a junior struggling to get a better education, I still have no idea how DHS is still running. A word to the wise, try getting into Country Prep, High Tech, or McNair; it's not worth spending four years here..
—Submitted by a student

Dickinson High School is a wonderful high school. I graduated in 1987 and now my child attends and will be graduating in 2013. The teachers are great. As a parent, you tell the teachers what you expect of your child and let them know your child's weakness. Always ask for interim reports, and always attend Open House to discuss your child's grades. Show involvement in your child's life and the teachers will do the same. Make sure your child participates in afterschool activities and clubs. They will make great friends who are interested in the same thing they are. I have no regrets about Dickinson. I only wish they would have the kids tests, grades, attendance, homework assignments, etc. accessible for the parents through a computer system in which we can access daily. This way we as parents can keep track of our child's progress and make sure ALL of their homework is completed.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a current senior in this school. I love it. It may be dirty and we may have any fights and issues but I love it. The teachers are decent and the extra curricular clubs and activities are great. Don't blame the school and teachers for how the students act. The students make the school look bad. Despite what people may believe, not every student that attends Dickinson is an animal. Half of us are non violent and only want to get an education. Most of the teachers are helpful and know what they are doing. The classes are interesting and the past of the school is interesting. I never once regretted attending William L. Dickinson high school. I have made many great friends and I have learned so much. I have even met my boyfriend of three years their and now we are engaged to be married soon. I LOVE DICKINSON HIGH SCHOOL!!!!
—Submitted by a student

I am a currently a student in Dickinson High School. I've been here 3 years and not attending my senior year. I absolutely love Dickinson therefore disagree with the reviews of Dickinson being "horrible". We make it what we want it to be. Many students get lazy and try to get away with inappropriate behavior and others follow. I have learned with many other students to focus on the school work and still have fun with friends. There are plenty of good teachers in this school i wouldn't be able to name all. Briefly, my top picks are Mr.Bryne, Mr.Murphy, Mr.Maldonado, Mr.Lawrence, Mr.Stellato Mrs.Lauren, Mrs. Barker, Mrs. Ropas, and many more. Although, the guidance department is not as good as it should. The security department is very good as well. Dickinson has a bad reputation due to its past issues, many gang fights, but most of that is all over. Securities have taken care of the issue and Dickinson is in a very safe situation and im proud of it.
—Submitted by a student

I am a former student and i must agree with another post. The school is what you make of it. I walked in with hopes and many goals and walked out confident and accomplished with many lessons. When someone has the desire to succeed it will get done. my experience at DHS will always remain and thank all the teachers and amazing people i met there. i had my share of unpleasant moments but they will never compare to my sports T&T and academics achievements i got.
—Submitted by a student

This school is the best school ever! I have made many friends and the teachers are great here! Forget about Mcnair and County Prep DHS GO HARD! Im a freshman class of 2013 right now and i love coming to school! :)
—Submitted by a student

I am a former student at William L. Dickinson High School and i attend as a freshman of class of 2013. Even though we've beei in school for only two marking periods, i have to say that this school really gives me an education. There are some teachers that teach very hard and that's because they think that you should be prepared for college, even though you are a freshman and have 4 years. My Algebra teacher, Mrs.DiMonte, is very difficult and thats good because at least i will be prepared to College. My favorite subject would have to be US History I tought by Mr. Glatz because he may be easy but you will alot. He understands that not every student likes to stay in books and read and work on their own. Mr.Glatz will help you understand what you're reading and he will let you have a little fun.
—Submitted by a student

Im a current bstudent at dickinson high school .Dickinson is an ok school but it aint great there are some teachers that care then you have those that just come for a paycheck .Tha adminstratn is horrible .The kids are off the chain at times . Its not what it use 2 e sorry to those who think otherwise but its true dickinson is getting ot of control
—Submitted by a student

I am a former Student from DHS and all opportunities are what you make of them. This school in comparison to most schools in this area is 1 of thee best by far, there are so many programs that Anyone students or adults can get involved. As far as the age of the school yes its over 100 years old but with that is what builds the schools character. People go there for the education not because the school has brand new lockers. Let me remind you that DHS Science Magnet is thee only High School in northern New Jersey that even offers such a program to help advance students to the level where you would start as a sophomore in college. Those who don't take advantage of it is a choice of the student because it is offered to everyone.
—Submitted by a student

Dickinson has many great teachers that care about the students because i would never change my teachers for anything in the world i do believe that the troubled students are the ones that give the high school that bitter taste in a parents mouth. I for one believe that when a childs set his or her goals to be succesful in life and with there education they will achieve their goals no matter what. I am currently a freshman and In my lower grades i was known as the trouble maker and i thought that by me going there i would be getting my self into trouble. But my teachers are the best. Mr.Lawrence my us history teacher is the greatest person in my eyes. Mrs. Snow ; the best english teacher i have had, and Ms.Cerchio ; shes just wonderful.
—Submitted by a student

DHS has some of the best teachers I have ever seen. Not only are they supportive, but they understand that each student is their own person. I am a former student at DHS, and I would not be the person I am today if it wasn't for this school. The relationships built there were everlasting. The school itself is considered a mini United Nations because of its diversity in students. You can't get this kind of education anywhere else. The one thing that needs to be said about the school is this; if you, the student, goes looking for trouble, then trouble will follow you and make your experience in DHS hell because you made it that way. On the other hand, if you go, do what you need to do, make friends, and join any of the numerous co-curricular activites offered at the school, then your experience will be priceless.

i am a senior attending DHS and will be graduating this year. In my four years in DHS i dont regret attending this school. The teachers are wonderful and the magnet programs/AP and Honors classes are good as well. I am in the science research magnet and I had many memorable moments like our most famous celebration called Multicultural Day. Although it is very crowded and there is some misbehaving students in this school you can never be bored because everyday there is always something new to do.
—Submitted by a student

actually i enjoy attending DHS. i know it's nasty and whatnot but i'm in the science research magnet, and it's great. the main problems are some of the students and the amount of trouble they cause and the environment. the school is really old. and there are too many people in the school. they should have a separate building for magnet/academic students.
—Submitted by a student

I currently attend DHS and I have to say excluding the couple of misbehaving students the teachers teach well. We have wonderful AP program, co-op and Honors classes. The school has a variety of extracurricular programs & and sports.
—Submitted by a student

it looks nice on the outside but it is horrible on the inside, there are cracks,paint chipped from the walls,dirty bathrooms. the teachers don't care for the students with the exception of some teachers, students are just neglected and the guidance department can't keep up with the large student population,the administration is trying but they are not trying hard enough to make the school better. i think the board of education should build a new school to replace this 100 year old school.
—Submitted by a former student

I'm a former student of DHS, and though I respect everyone's views, I disagree with the 'horrible' reviews. In DHS, we were taught to be responsible for our own education and it was up to us to reach our goals, instead of relying on everyone else. We had great teachers(though there were some that weren't so great) that helped us understand more complicated subjects. Security could be better but isn't completely horrible like it is in the schools where we are now. Another plus is the diversity, since it helps others be more aware of other cultures and be less ignorant. It's great if you are into art and music, since I was in the art program myself, but the football team isn't so good.... Overall, DHS is a pretty good school, in my opinion.
—Submitted by a former student

Many security guards faculty teachers and administrator either simply do not care or do not have enough time to care for the 3000+ students attending this school.
—Submitted by karla, a student

I attend this school now as a 10th grader. I have to admit I was a little nervous when I heard all the rumors about the school but since I came and got adjusted I love it. The teachers are great. The class sizes are small. The wide variety of extracurricular activity's. There are a few things I would change about this school are the security they don't always do there job. I would like the bathrooms to be cleaner. Overall I Hope to enjoy the rest of my years in Dickinson High School.
—Submitted by a student