Capital High School

This school definitely gets a much worse rap than it deserves, but even so, I have to admit that I would not send my kid here. The school isn t run by gangs, the amount of fist fights and misconduct is no more than any other school of the same size. The reason I say I would not send my kid here is because the school doesn t offer much to challenge students or prepare them for college. The majority of the students are well below grade level (by no fault of their own), this means that teachers have to spend lots of time working with those students to get them on track, which means, less time to challenge a gifted student, or even just a student who is at grade level. The school is really working hard to offer more challenging courses and they have done so with the medical pathway, however, with the level most students are at when they get her, there s only so much the school can do.
--Submitted by a teacher

As a former student of Capital High School, I can honestly say that I was given the opportunities I needed to receive a good education and prepare myself for college. I was a classified 'gifted' student, and my teachers for all four years of my education worked closely with me to excel in my classes without becoming bored. I learned to be hard-working, self-motivated and willing to help my peers. All in all, I had a great experience there.
--Submitted by a student

I have two children attending Capital and they are both doing very well. They are involved in extra curricular activities and have teachers who care and encourage and challenge them to do their best. I am saddened by the lack of parent and community support. The low numbers of parents attending their own child's sporting events is quite saddening. Our kids are working very hard to create a future for themselves and we should be there every step of the way to witness and share their wins and losses.
--Submitted by a parent

I just read the Sept 2003 parent letter complaining about the education her daughter received at Capital HS. I agree with the students who wrote that perhaps the daughter should have taken more challenging courses, and I wonder at the parent's lack of correct spelling - its instead of it's for 'it is,' CapitOl instead of CapitAl, etc. Education begins at home.
--Submitted by a parent

I am currently a student at Capital. It is my second year there and I really do love it. It is true that there are some gang activities and a few fights, but that is not the only thing that is going on there. There are teachers that care and try to get the students motivated. There are AP classes and many activities that you can take part in if you try. Capital has come a long way in the past few years. The basketball team is one of the best in New Mexico, along with their Drama department which has won first in state for the second year running. Your education is what you make of it, the school can only take you so far. If you do not want to learn, then it does not matter what school you go to. They will all be worthless.
--Submitted by a student

As a 2002 graduate of Capital High School I have to say that I am very grateful for the education I received there. I am an education major myself and now I see more than ever that a school can be on the south side of town, with little money and many criticisms but that doesn't mean students received a bad education. While there are teachers that don't encourage learning, they are very few. 98% of the teachers who teach at CHS go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure their students can excell. I know many of my peers that would not even have gone to college or even graduated if it wasn't for the teachers. Those who have criticisms are often those who have never watched or been in a classroom to watch these teachers in action. I'm very proud to say I'm a CHS graduate.
--Submitted by Stormi Graham, a former student

I was a student at Capital for four years and graduated in 2003. I would have to say that a lot of the bad things said about Capital is true, or was at least up until I graduated two years ago. However, part of it is the students fault (I know I could have taken harder classes). There also are very good teachers at Capital including those in the northeast part of the building especially the technology department and English department teachers. Then there are the ones there just to get paid. There were trouble makers but 'gangs' never ruled that school. Overall I would say it's a pretty good school, and I have a great amount of pride for Capital.
--Submitted by a student

I went to this school for my first year in high school. Most of the students who attend here are in some type of gang. The teachers are very unskilled,and i wasn't challenged at all. When I went to SFHS(Santa Fe High School) there was a hudge difference, teachers were better equalified to teach, more extra activities, and the AP are more challenging, though it too has quirks.
--Submitted by a student

As a 2000 graduate of Capital High I would have to say That overall I really enjoyed my time at Capital and feel that I was challenged on a regular basis. After graduation I was accepted to Nebraska Wesleyan, which is the top Liberal Arts University in Nebraska. I went on to graduate in May of 2004 and was selected To Who's Who and National Deans List. I could not have done this without those teachers at Capital who showed me I could succeed. I would blame the majority of the schools problems on some, not all, of the parents. They are the ones that have the biggest impact on there children, and if they do not show an interest in there child and and there education then they are not going to succeed. Overall I would say that Capital is a great school.
--Submitted by Pat Holgerson, a former student

I am a Senior at Capital High and I love this place. Granted I am more than ready to graduate and be done, I consider CHS a second home. The teachers, administrators, and counselors are great. Sept 03, perhaps you should consider the possibility that your daughters poor scores are her own fault! If there is one thing I can say for sure is wrong with CHS is the lack of parent involvement and continuous negative feedback from people such as yourself. I only have a few comments for anyone with something negative to say about CHS. Could you do better, or what can we do to fix it? Rather than focusing on bashing my school, give suggestions!
--Submitted by Felicia Rodriguez, a student