Scarsdale Senior High School

I am a SHS graduate and did very well. I went on to an ivy. but, my time at Scarsdale high was very damaging to me. The school is too competitive and is full of bratty and spoiled rich jewish kids. There is almost no diversity. Academically, I felt that I was not as prepared for college as other students were. Leaving Scarsdale and moving into a diverse community was such a breath of fresh air!
—Submitted by a student

Scarsdale high school is a legend in its own mind. Their education programs look good on paper, but professors who review their curriculum tend to be shocked in a negative way. They forecast children will be swamped with stess and discouraged from learning purely from the curriculum. That's exactly what happened to my son.
—Submitted by a parent

Scarsdale is a little too expensive and expects a little way too much from its students that it undermines the school system. For instance their alternative school is a cross section of the ENTIRE high school. Alternative schools are for students who are at risk academically for an array of reasons; it should never be for most students. If Scarsdale wants to experiment teaching approaches, do it on your own time, not on the student's time. If you want a reasonable education and still have some diversity, go to Great Neck. This school is not at all spectacular, as it does not offer any full-inclusion programs for individuals with mental retardation. It also does not have an inclusion policy for the rest of the students with disabilities.

If you care about your child's emotional well-being, avoid Scarsdale at all costs. They begin stressing the kids out in 7th grade and it gets worse from there. Don't believe the hype. There are better school districts around. The school system blames the families for pressuring the kids, and that may be true in part, but the school does a pretty good job on its own. One of Scarsdale's main faults is that as a community they have no ability to self-reflect and admit mistakes. Hubris. Arrogance.
—Submitted by a parent

I think this school does an excellent job of preparing kids for college. It's curriculum catalog reads like a college course catalog and most teachers are top notch. Since attending this school, my kid has been more excited about learning and advancing than he has ever been. Isn't that what a great school is supposed to do?
—Submitted by a parent

The WSJ survey for the best schools in 12/07 listed 65 schools based upon the likelihood of success in getting into Ivy League Schools. (http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-COLLEGE0711-sort.html). Scarsdale did not make the list, which had an acceptance range to Ivy League schools of 26-7.8%. The high school routinely blames parents for causing stress in their children and refuses to take any serious measures to reduce any stress they cause themselves. They just talk about how wonderful their programs are and pretty much ignore the kids. I told my son he could get any grades he wanted and he still had severe problems with stress...
—Submitted by a parent

The July 1, 2011 review seems to have been written by someone with more emotion than limited insight, which is unfortunate (Ivy League schools do not give athletic scholarships for example), and I know literally dozens of SHS students who have gotten into top colleges on their merits. SHS is considered among the top public schools in the nation (the WSJ had it about fifth among public schools three years ago), and most colleges considered SHS graduates very favorably. The environment is challenging for the top students, but less so for those who choose to express themselves in other ways. In my experience (a collective eight going on nine years), pressure is much more a function of the family environment than of the actual academic setting, so if criticism is due it seems to be better targeted at the community as a whole. There are top teachers there who challenge the kids - and those who want to rise to the occasion must push themselves. This seems a good thing.
—Submitted by a parent

Don't send your kids here...really bad place. the ivy league schools only take kids from scarsdale if their parents know someone or they win a sports scholarship. the athletes of this town are famous for breaking serious rules of conduct and never being held to account. this is so because the administrators know these kids are the only real hope for keeping their acceptance rates to top schools up...like the opposite of the nike commercial "just don't do it." look for a program where kids learn something other than how to be stressed and regurgitate info...
—Submitted by a parent

While this school may look beautiful from the outside, the actual substance leaves much to be desired. The classes are very large, advising suffers from too many children per advisor, and everything is overly competitive. I found it to be a toxic environment to learn and grow in. I'm glad that I was able to get out of this system.
—Submitted by a student

Excellent choices of courses and extracurrriculars, but REALLY high pressure. Some alumni have seen college (GOOD colleges) as easy by comparison. NOTE: previous reviewer praised AP courses, so I will update that by pointing out that they have now removed all AP classes to be replaced with 'AT' (Advanced Topics) which do not teach to the AP tests, meaning that the class may be more fun but will lower students' grades on AP exams.
—Submitted by a student

as a student, i have personally experienced the school inside and out. it is a top school with many courses, great teachers, great resources, great everything! school's involvement of the community and outside (civ-ed, tri-m music honor society, and many, many clubs) many sports and aps offered.
—Submitted by a student

Personally, my children have learned a great deal about academics as well as information to aid in their outside lives. Scarsdale High School is definitely within the top 10 public high schools in the United States.
—Submitted by a parent

Scarsdale has one of the hardest curriculums in the area. The classes are taught at the highest level. While great with high level kids they are also great with students with special needs. Tons of clubs, kids make new clubs on a daily basis..last year they started a mens issues club. The drama program is superb and offers every team sport on can think of. Not great in the big team sports but making the tennis team here is getting your self state ranked.
—Submitted by a teacher

I went to high school at SHS and the academic programs are exceptionally strong. The curriculum prepares students for an easy transition to college. Many AP courses available. Lots of extracurricular activities for students to choose from.
—Submitted by a former student

I think Scarsdale is in fact underrated in many magazines and various articles. Schools are often rated by the # of AP exams taken, divided by the # of students in total, with no regard to the scores on the AP exams. Scarsdale is filled with highly motivated students--this is a good thing, but this also results in much competition. Whether that is a good thing or not is another story.
—Submitted by a student

Excellent academic preparation, complete liberal arts curriculum, excellent arts and sports programs (but curricular and extra-curricular), relatively weak foreign language department.
—Submitted by a former student

Great programs, sports and arts program are exceptional, parental involvment is extraordinary, and is growing by the year. hardworking faculty makes every child feel special. highly recommended.
—Submitted by a parent

Scarsdale provides a great lerning enviornment. very knowlageable teachers who are eager to help students, and to provide the best possible educaiton.
—Submitted by a student

Great, totally great school! I love it, atmosphere is great, and great athletic facilities! I love the school and want to stay here forever!
—Submitted by Jared Kasner, a student

I am currently a Senior at SHS and it is an incredible school. The classes are intimate, the teachers are always available for extra help, the environment is beautiful and exciting, and the students are wonderful. The work is definitely challenging, but it only forces you to be your best. It is a fantastic school.
—Submitted by a student