Manzano High School

My son graduated 3 months ago. My impressions follow: Great English department; hopefully the same teachers continue. Great band program. The science teachers seem genuinely interested in the kids; but the administration doesn't help them much. Some teachers in the math department have the practice of retrieving the tests after the students have looked at them. This prevents the students from later studying the problems they missed. It also means the teacher won't have to worry about students sharing the same test with next year's class. In my education, this happened rarely, and was detrimental to learning. I don't think Manzano's math teachers are overly energetic, nor effective. When I called to talk to teachers, about 40% of them didn't call back unless an e-mail was sent to them with a copy to the Vice-Principal. Good teachers would call back within 24 hours, usually the same day. The others could take a week or more. If I had an issue with their teaching method (usually math), they would put the focus on my child, rather than their method. This seemed to be a common technique they used to keep from admitting any culpability or drawback of their own.
—Submitted by a parent

Almost done with my Freshman year here at Manzano. There is one specifi teachers I'll never forget and that's my Biology teacher, Mr. Duran. He really really cares about his students and will give you his full honest insight about anything. But overall I don't think the teachers really care. Sports and BAND! Is huge! GO BAND(: Clarinets all the waaay:) If you want more socializing than education then go here. I'm hoping to go to Eldorado next year for a better education.
—Submitted by a student

THE BAND IS ALL THAT MATTERS!!!! BAND BAND BAND BAND BAND BAND BAND BAND BAND!!!!! ESPECIALLY THE TUBAS!!!!!! GO BAND!!!!!!!!!!

Very unhappy with this school. The teachers don't care actually the whole school don't care. My daughter went through 5 math teachers and still didn't find a good one. The spanish teacher she had, he had his favorites (the blondes) only. APS school system is not a great system at all.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school!!!!!! There are great teachers that are willing to stay after school and cut into their on time and help you. You can fit in any where here at Manzano. I am glad I am a student there!!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a student

Manzano is a great school. It's great for kids who aren't involved in sports and are independent. I enjoy the school, don't go in for counseling, and get to know your teachers. It's not hard, it's dedication
—Submitted by a student

Amazing School - strong teacher/parent commitment to the students. The best principle in APS.
—Submitted by a parent

Very disapointed in the teaching staff and the counceling department. As a divorced working mother I tried to keep updated on my son's progress using every means possible. I logged onto the web site to try and keep up with his grades. This does not work because all the teachers are not required to post grades to the web site (because; I was told '...some teachers are not very confident with using a computer.' (are we not in the 21st century?) and those who choose to post grades do not do it timely or regularly. I tried to call his counselor. This did not work because the couselor was never in and very rarely returned the calls. His secretary was more help but by the time I found her a week later she left the school. They want parents involved? Why don't they help us keep involved?
—Submitted by a parent

Not happy with the school. When my oldest attended, the school was more goal oriented on education. But now Manzano seems to be more 'goal' oriented on sports.
—Submitted by a parent

Students need to take responsibility for making their high school experience the best. Take AP classes and get involved. Manzano provided the best opportunities for me. The only problem with the school is the lack of compassion found in their counseling department.
—Submitted by a student

Teachers are probably the worst of the bunch there at Manzano. If your child is not involved in sports then they just do not care about them. My child went to Manzano for 2 years and I have decided to transfer my child to another school so we can make sure 'education' is top priority!! Manzano needs to be cleaned up, starting with the teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is a senior. I had reservations about sending her to Manzano but she has done extremely well both socially and academically. She is Co-President of the senior class and I have no problem recommending Manzano as an excellent school. The administration is awesome!
—Submitted by a parent

Like the tee shirt says. New Mexico....cleaner than Old Mexico. Pretty much sums it up for Manzano High School. Less than average teachers. Sub standard counseling staff. Facilities average. All-in-all, pretty much on par with NM's next to last national rating.
—Submitted by a parent

Tough principal, but is always out circulating with the kids. A lot of very good teachers! Campus seemed to me to be intimidatingly sprawling, but the kids do well there. Very, very good school!
—Submitted by a parent

I believe that the teachers and staff spend so much time trying to cater to the problems that they don't have enough time to do the job that parents are really expecting them to do.
—Submitted by a parent

Manzano is a great school. Like all schools, there problems, but if more parents would get involved with their child, it would help. Mr Whalen is an A-1 educator, he really cares and it shows. The main thing is to support your child, and his/her education and activities.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a graduate of Manzano and a parent of high school graduates. Parents only know what they are told, here is my view from the inside. It was a good school when I went there just like any school. But there was a problem with the counseling staff, they did not want to work at it. Maybe they had their hands full with problem children but I slipped through the cracks. Have you heard about the tracks? Well you should be aware. If your student does not do well for some reason they will be placed into the blue collar track and not encouraged to attend college. The reason for not doing well is never a consideration. The individuals interests are never considered. When doing poorly they are never encouraged, just told how badly they are doing which reinforces self doubt. When I sought advice from the counseling staff I was told to not even attempt college because I would fail, I believed them. Since then I have discovered I believed a lie. I attended a technical school for computer programming and earned an A in all classes. I took the WAIS IQ test recently and was rated at 145. All I needed was to be encouraged but I was constantly discouraged. Don't let others discourage your children, don't you discourage them either. I did not believe in myself and my life has been harder without a degree, just try to get an interview without one.