Highland High School

A few years ago, Highland's fantastic principal was replaced by a lackluster, obtuse individual with deficient leadership skills. Because of this, several staff members left Highland. Very few stellar teachers remain. The gifted program has suffered and the We The People program (where Highland participant's excelled nationally) is no longer. I am disappointed and concerned for my child's educational future. His experience has been negative thus far --in fact he'll need to repeat a class due to the poor/lack of instruction. How disheartening! Our neighborhood school is a disservice to our neighborhood.
—Submitted by a parent

We had two students attend and graduate from Highland. Both were in the gifted program, both took honors and AP classes, and both played Varsity sports. Both went onto college out of state and have adjusted well to the demands of college by making the Dean's list. Highland had a very dynamic female principal for the past 5 years that was replaced last school year (2011) by a very inexperienced individual. I don't know much about this principal but we are still strong supporters of Highland and encourage parents of gifted and honors students send their children to this school. Its diversity prepares students for college and there are many quality teachers at this school. We the People is the best program in the state and Highland's team is one of the best in the nation. If your child is a follower and lacks drive and determiniaton, I would not send him/her to any public school. Highland is a good school for the serious student and I would recommend it for those students planning on attending college in a big city with a diverse student body.
—Submitted by a parent

Would NOT recommend this school if any student may be attending a DODD school afterwards!!! I have two kids that went there (one of which graduated from there). My one kid who went there but not graduated from there, went on to a DODD school and the first year with the DODD school, my kid struggled. My kid will graduate from the DODD school this year but to no thanks from Highland. Highland is not up with the standards and preparing these kids. The are behind and if I believe right, is not even accredited.

I love this school! It is so diverse and it really shows other students that there are different people out there. It keeps the students from being so sheltered like other schools in the area. It is rather unfortunate that the media these days has been showing Highland as a bad school. Actually, I'm really glad that I came here. Everyone is so welcoming and the teachers are excellent. The campus is nice because it is so large and it is very traditional. Although there are some bad aspects of this school, who's to say that all the other schools don't have bad aspects? If you look closely, each school does. It just happens to be that the media shows Highland as one of the worse schools.
—Submitted by a student

I had two children graduate from Highland and they both are attending private colleges on scholarships. Their professors comment on the quality of their work. Highland's German teacher is excellent! Both of my children are fluent in German and skipped the 1st 2 semesters of college german. g
—Submitted by a parent

this school is so diverse and has so many great kids. I am very sad that the news and many other people are giving it a horrible reputation.
—Submitted by a parent

Highland teachers are exceptional. Period.
—Submitted by Julio Rodriguez, a parent