East Chapel Hill High School

[Enter your review here] My two children are currently at East, They enjoy the school life a lot. It is a wonderful high school from every aspects.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is full of amazing teachers and has perhaps hundreds of groups for whatever you like--clubs especially are in abundance. Teachers are very involved, and there are many great teachers, not so many bad ones, and though I have run into some, I doubt it's a major problem. I do have to note that the competition at this school is very high. If you do not take AP classes your sophomore year, your class rank suffers dramatically, and extracurriculars come in the triples, often each of them asking your total dedication. You will find yourself staying up past midnight if you take your stuff seriously. But this school is highly enjoyable to go to; everyone finds their niche, bursts out, and has the freedom to enjoy whatever they want to. I will be sorry to leave.
--Submitted by a student

All three of my kids have gone to ECCHS (one yet to graduate), so I have a clear view of the current landscape. For any motivated student, ECCHS is a great school. The curriculum is very challenging -- my kids put in as much work in high school as I ever did in college. There are plenty of extracurricular opportunities. Some posts here speak of drug/alcohol -- perhaps (like any large high school) but I never once saw that element interfere in any way with the social adjustment and happiness of the achievers Both my graduates got into top-rated colleges, and have very positive memories of their high school experience. There's a new principal coming this year (the longtime and much beloved principal has retired) so we'll see how that goes.
--Submitted by a parent

My son graduated with honors from a very fine university. I feel he was very well prepared by the faculty at East Chapel Hill High School. When he comes home on breaks, he still has many friends in town who he enjoys visiting with. Many of his friends have been successful at universities around the country as well as North Carolina. ECHHS is very rigorous. There are many opportunities for participation in sports, music, and other activities. The campus is beautiful. There has been an ongoing drug and alcohol problem in Chapel Hill that parents should be aware of. Probably not too different from what is going on in other parts of the country these days, unfortunately. There are some effective community initiatives directed at solving these problems.
--Submitted by a parent

I don't see why these reviews are so negative in reference to safety and discipline. As a student at East, I can proudly say that I have a social life, have never done drugs, and have never had alcohol. In addition, none of my friends have done any of those things. I'm aware of other people who do smoke and drink, but what high school doesn't have those people? Discipline may be a bit more of a problem (I have nothing to compare it to), but it's not like there's fights breaking out in the halls or anything. I've always felt quite safe at East, even before they implemented the key card system. Instead of focusing on safety, potential students should be worrying more about whether they have what it takes to succeed at this highly competitive (and slightly stressful) school.
--Submitted by a student

I graduated in '07, and I'm currently a student at Wellesley College. I know that I would not have gotten accepted to Wellesley had it not been for the teachers, counselors and other faculty members at East who helped me strive for my best and excepted nothing less. I feel like most all the teachers are extremely qualified, many graduated from prestigious colleges and a good number hold multiple degrees. I think that all academic departments are equally vigorous and enlightening. ECHHS has put plenty of its resources and time in all areas of extracirricular activities---athletics, clubs, arts, music. I am proud to say that I am an ECHHS graduate.
--Submitted by a student

I am a recent graduate from this school and I have to say its a pretty good school. The teachers are pretty good and classes arent too long. There are so many sports teams that we dont have enough space for them all and the music and art departments are both very good. Be aware that the school is very challenging. And as far as safety goes they just implemented a key card system to get into any door.
--Submitted by a former student

In all honesty, the reviews on here are horribly incorrect in my opinion but I'll try to straighten some facts. I'm currently a Senior in the top 5% of the class, and I must say, this school is very challenging and competitive. Having moved here halfway through my high school years, I have a basis for comparison. The principal is very dedicated, no question about it, he does a very good job in trying to connect with students, and he has weekly contact with parents and students through his Sunday calls. The teachers are excellent, especially the honors and AP ones. Students that come to this school has to be prepared for a very rigorous workload and it is not a school for the unmotivated and academically unsound student. Counselors are extremely helpful also. The school IS not accessible to 'anyone', there is a keycard system.
--Submitted by a student

My son graduated from East Chapel Hill High. His academic preparation was excellent. He is doing very well at in a highly competitive program at a fine university. Availability of extracurricular activities was excellent. I am very impressed with the principal and counseling staff. Many concerned and involved parents. Very fine group of friends, interesting, caring and creative kids.
--Submitted by a parent

There are alot of art oppertunities, but students are all struggling to do well at this school.
--Submitted by a student