High School for Environmental Studies

There was an incident where a student that was harassing my daughter convinced staff to clip the lock on my daughter's locker claiming it was his locker. He stole my daughter's property and the principal did nothing. I requested a meeting with the principal and staff and was told that if I pursued the matter, the staff who clipped the lock would lose his pension. I was guilted out of going forward. The student continued to bully my daughter and it turned into a huge problem for my daughter as some of her friends took his side since he was never penalized for the incident.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has been getting worse and worse. The students are very disrespectful and the school seems to be alright with that. There are a few students who care but the majority win them over. The school administration(teachers, principal, staff, and guards) are to blame for this school going down. If they cared about the school they would do something to change it, but they dont.
--Submitted by a student

My friends son recently graduated from the school, and she was happy he was out, I'm not sure why the school has taken a down fall, it's not what it use to be. It use to be a caring environment where teachers and students cared about education(I know because a long time ago my daughter spend the best four high school years a teen can have) . I believe administration needs to put its foot down and take over the school instead of the students having the last word. Parents, educators, and future students need to know that once this school use to be great school, not sure why it changed.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a recently departed teacher from this school. Maybe I'm biased, but most of the teachers there are very good. Nonetheless, I'm surprised by some of the positive reviews. The Principal is universally despised and is an impediment to the success of the school. We lost a lot of good teachers every year, and the vast majority of those that are left would leave the moment a decent opportunity opened up. All for the same reason - escape Shirley Matthews. Even her own "cabinet," the Assistant Principals, do not trust her. Everything is personal with her, nothing is business. Disagree with her once and you become a target. No one can understand how she has held this position for so long. The DOE must know. Perhaps they are ok with a decent school, even though it could easily be an excellent school. Eventually it will all implode. Maybe this year? Maybe next? I would NEVER send my child here.
--Submitted by a teacher

Honestly the school does not live up to your individual expectations. Though it has a smaller student population than most high schools, the hallways are still way too crowded which causes tardiness. There are some dedicated teaachers but the others are not motivating you in anyway. As a student, I was disappointed, expecting a school where intelligence was a key factor in acceptance, to find that almost anyone was let in. It saddens me to see irresponsible and unwilling young minds roaming the hallways and being loud. I honestly regret my choice to attend this school and now it's too late. Everyday i cannot wait to graduate not because it's a highlight in my life but in fact because i want to put my 4 years here behind me as quickly as possible. The school is challenging i admit but it drains its students. i have yet to experience anything memorable.
--Submitted by a student

My teen ateends there nad she is very happy considering she must deal with ignorance from other students that feel they don't need an education they rather population. overall my teen is happy and that puts a smile on my face :)
--Submitted by a parent

this is my first year in the school and i'll have to say i've been here for about a month and i still don't like it. it's very boring! i was expecting a school i could learn while having fun. the hallways are wayy toooo crowded and i just wouldn't recommended it to anyone. you also have to pay for lunch $1.25 a day. that's 6.25 a week, making it about 25 dollars you have to invest in lunch that is suppose to be freee. the bathrooms are closed the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of every period!..what happens when you are having a emergency? honestly.. i really wouldn't recommend this school to anyone. if you are willing to put up with all of that then yeah, academically.. it varies on the teacher u get. you just have to pray you get a good one.
--Submitted by a student

it provides the students so much opportunities
--Submitted by a student

Its only my first week of school and i feel so welcomed. I love my AP teachers and i enjoy going to school because my environment is so caring,socially & academic wise and we care for the environment as well.
--Submitted by a student

this high school has a lot of excellent teachers
--Submitted by a parent