West Johnston High School

I have two kids (9th and 10th graders) at this school. It is SO MUCH BETTER RUN since Principal Coates arrived. She actually enforces the rules, doesn't put up with any monkey business and makes people accountable. The last principal was a lame duck. Mrs. Coates is making a difference, which is probably the reason so many students complain about her. She doesn't let kids talk on cell phones, hug or hold hands. Please, this isn't a club, you know. I find the same at any school, some teachers care, and some don't. Involved parents have better students. School is not a babysitting experience. Just because a student fails a class doesn't mean it's the teacher's fault.
—Submitted by a parent

I am so impressed with the new principal Ms Coates. She is strict but fair, compassionate and down to earth. the teachers have all been great. The arts program especially the dance program is AWESOME! If there is anyway your child can attend this school I highly recommend it
—Submitted by a parent

The school offers fantastic advanced placement classes taught by fantastic teachers. Great school for very smart students.. Safe school with little peer pressure due to school size and makeup.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is AWESOME!!! i dont know what all you fools are talking about i love this school. Mrs Brookie Honeycutt does all she can for this school and i cant beleive that yall dont appricate it. How about YALL try being the principal and then tell us how it feels! k thanks
—Submitted by a parent

As a freshman parent, I have been very impressed with West Johnston High School. Teachers have been great! They are willing to work with the students and parents to allow the student to be the best they can be. That doesn't mean it was a easy road. My child had to work very hard for his grades. The principal/ assist principals seem to be good leaders and fair. They led this past year with heart and support to the students, to what I think was a very tough year. As far as parent involvement, I think it is high. I am an involved parent and therefore see other parents that help support the school, band, and athletic dept. This is a Great School!
—Submitted by a parent

If you are willing to ignor any instructor misconduct this is the place for your student. Principal will side with instructor without following up "completely" with students problem. Even when it is an "A" student that takes Advanced classes and never been in trouble.
—Submitted by a parent

Principle is better this year and the school is progressing for the future! The extracuricular activies are real nice only issue is that they do not have a local swimming pool! That is a big bug in my bonnet! parent involvemnet is great also! Safety is good, but discipline needs some work! Otherwise we love this school! Teachers are fantasic for the most part!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a fabulous school! The learning environment is excellent, and no, school is not a place for toys, it is a place for learning. There is a group for everyone to join, plenty of clubs, no matter where your interest lies. You make your high school experience what you want it to be. If you want to be involved, then do it, if you don't, then you won't have as good as experience. No, the band members do not get special treatment. They work for everything, raising money by doing fundraisers continuously! And, anyone can join; if you don't know how to play, they will teach you! If you child is gifted in the arts, then there is art, dance, singing, etc for them. If they love sports, then there is plenty for them there as well. And, the class options are fabulous! We have plenty of school pride!!!
—Submitted by a parent

School here is very good. Students are well-behaved. There is good discipline and order. Ms. Honeycutt treats people decently: students and teachers. The negative reviews appear to be rants from disenchanted students and parents: a small, small % of the total opinions and evaluations of the school here. This is probably one of the better schools in Johnston Co. along with North Johnston and Clayton.
—Submitted by a teacher

As an alumni of WJHS now in my junior year in college, I look back at my time in high school and realize how wonderful those years were. The faculty love the students; why would they be there if they did not love to teach and watch students excel? My high school experience gave me insight into the individual that I was becoming and it gave me pathways to live out my passions and dreams. The teachers at WJHS instill knowledge, leadership skills, and positive self motivation into the students that is hard to find at other high schools. If we argue against policy and complain about the school being 'the worst ever' we are only setting ourselves below the standards that the school sets for its students. I believe that WJHS prepares students for the challenges that they will face in college in realms of academia and social environment.
—Submitted by a student

Any school is what you make of it. Band students don't get special treatment, they work an additional 20+ hours a week after school and on Saturdays to achieve their awards, and the parents spend a LOT of money and time themselves to get them there as well. The kids on sports are also working hard for what they achieve as well. School is not the place for MP3's, cell phones or hand held gaming devices. None of these things existed 20 years ago...we went to get an education, not to sit and text message our friends or listen to music while teachers are trying to teach! This is a really great school, and I feel that my kids are getting a good education there, even if there strict rules. Kids need rules, guidelines and consistency, and they get it at West.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm currently a sophomore at West & I've had an older brother & sister already graduate from this school They absolutley loved West, but when Dr.Harris was the former principal things we're amazing ! Since Brookie Honeycutt has became principal West Johnston has been going downhill. It's no longer a high school for students but more like a correction facillity. Students have lost their spirt for school. Band students typically get special attention and therefore if you're not involved in band- you get treated diffrently. If you spend a day at wjhs, its like going back to elementary school - we're deprived from simple things during school hours such as - mp3 players, cell phones, and other devices. Teachers and administration are too harsh on students & dont understand them. great campus lol If we just had a new principal - things like learning would be great again (:
—Submitted by a student

very snobbish school!!! Very unfriendly staff

this school is the worse school ever, i rather have my children go to learn with a pack of wolves. i feel for any child who goes to that school. i can no stand my child can only miss less than 4 days and fail, but can still be doing wonderful at school. it's no surprise half the children at that school drop out. If your kid isn't in band or a sport you might as well just forget about them ever getting help ever. im not a proud parent of west johnston.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is awesome! One of my children just graduated this year and I have another one that is a senior. The staff has been very helpful, even offering extra tutoring that they do not get paid for. I have been very pleased with their academic progress at this school. I am also very pleased with the sports programs. I see so much school spirit. In fact, I just left a West Football game where the students were full of school spirit. I love this school and my youngest will attend the school in a few years. West is definately the best high school in the county. I have a choice of schools to send my children and I choose West.
—Submitted by a parent

My son was sent to WJHS instead of Clayton HS. I was unhappy with the redistricting decisions made by the county that brought this into being. Reluctantly, I sent my son there. I was shocked by what happened - My son actually started to learn and excel beyond what was his norm. He was encouraged by the staff and soon gained confidence and self-esteem He's now on the honor roll and his confidence is at an all-time high. The school is large and a bit overwhelming for a freshman, but the school delivers. All in all, I'm glad that he ended up attending WJHS.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is terrible. No class spirit. It seems the only happy people are the parents of the band students. I would go anywhere else besides here.
—Submitted by a student

West Johnston is a wonderful school with very good teachers, excellent classes offered, and their high school band is fabulous! I wouldn't have my kids go anywhere else!
—Submitted by a parent

WJHS is amazing, especially if your child is gifted in the Arts. It offers this opportunity which is normally not available for these children in public or private schools. If your child does not succeed at this school get involved, it is usually a disciplinary issue. The Principal is incredible. I see her at all kinds of activities from Football to swimteam, all sports to the Arts, Band, The Guard, the shows and she knows the children which is unusual for such a large school. This is a great choice for the talented child. The Principal is very strict which is needed with the size of the West. Your child need not be 'cookie cutter', just want to achieve. There is opportunity available and a strong parental involvement. Probably not the school for everyone, but then no school is.
—Submitted by a parent

If your child is not a cookie cutter kid, don't send them there. They don't want kids to think for themselves,or to have an option. The Principal is judgmental and targets kids that she sees as undesirables. Overall WJHS is an awful school. I wouldn't suggest to anyone if given another opportunity to send their child there.
—Submitted by a parent