South Rowan High School

My child is a Junior at South this year, and I am an alumni. Her academic experience has been wonderful. She loves going to school there. We receive frequent messages from the principal about what is going on at school. As a parent I always feel informed. School is what a child makes of it, and learning starts at home. Schools aren't there to raise your children, that's your job as a parent.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a 22 year old son who went to South Rowan and basically wasted his time and the precious little time that the teachers have, I currently have a 16 year old daughter who is a junior at the same school, and she is doing quite well. My opinion is that school is just what you make of it. There is a shortage in good teachers and too many kids that have no desire to achieve or to follow instructions. It is sad to say, but those are the kids that all too often fall throught the cracks. There are some teachers who do let their frustrations show and say things that label a child, maybe unjustly, but I think overall South is a pretty good school. It would be great if there were more children who went to school to learn and show some respect in order to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

My grandson goes to South and my two children went to South and they graduated but I have concerns about my grandson graduating because the school has gone downhill since my children went there. This last year I tried to talk with guiance counselors and teachers and didn't get any response from them. He did have one teacher out of 8 that did keep in touch with me about my grandsons progress and he brought his grade up from failing to a A. They need to let the parent know before it is too late that they have a problem. One teacher told my grandson and his mother that he was no good and would end up in jail and he passed her class just to show her he could. She had no right to talk to him this way he is a good kid with problems. I am disappointed.

If you are seriously thinking about sending your child to South Rowan High School, I honestly hope you consider another school. If you want your child to be around drugs and future drug addicts (if not already) then send them here. If you want more for your children don't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

South Rowan has undegone lots of changes this school year. The students are finally having fun at school. The opening of a new school has not spelled the end for South, but rather the beginning of a new school with lots of school spirit and lots of buy in from the students. The new administration has established a set of rules that are clearly defined and enforced. We can only hope that the administration and teachers will remain at South and continue to improve an already great school.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am a grandparent who tries to attend all the activities that my 2 g'children are involved in. I am very pleased with the teachers that they have and the sports and music activities. I am disappointed that the county has not done more to improve the looks of the school including the gym and auditorium. Also there needs to be a dress code so that the students don't look so sloppy. For safety reasons, the boys' shirts should be tucked in. I think the new administration is doing a great job and am looking forward to seeing more improvments. Both of my g'children are happy at South and are excelling.
—Submitted by a former student

School has little or no spirit.Very little parent involvement. Very little dedication from teachers or principals.Real issues go untouched. If you have a problem you are out of luck.Children need help with dealing with issues not punishment for every wrong breath.New principals r not the help needed. Not all students are bad!some days the attention a student gets at school may be the only attention received from an adult on that day. There needs to be more concern put into the child and not just making a name for the new principal. 'Respect begets respect'.Help the students don't just get rid of them. What about their future........What about their lives also we parents are not made to feel welcome in the school
—Submitted by a parent

I have a senior and a sophomore attending South Rowan High School. With the new principal and other administrators, this school is back on top!. My senior is thrilled with the changes in cleanliness, morale of staff & students, school spirit, and classroom activities. My girls are involved in all aspects of campus life. I can't get them away from school in the afternoons! Academically, both are receiving expert instruction from the finest staff I've ever encountered. These teachers know teenagers, sincerely care for them, and work hours of overtime to help each one succeed. I have no reservations about sending my other children to South Rowan.
—Submitted by a parent

From nearby district, I enrolled my child. District academically behind others, way behind other states. Math & English grades are low. English writing is among lowest in state. School grounds not as clean, neat, & safe as could be. Computers are appalling. IE: NC students are required to pass computer competency test before graduating, but school doesn t provide working PCs or update its site! S Rowan gained a new principal, who may help this school.
—Submitted by K M, a parent

I think the quality of academics at South is just as good as any in the county. We have two students enrolled, one a senior, the other a junior and member of the National Honor Society. We thank South and it's leadership for that. Also, she will be more than prepared to enter college in 2007. Extracurricular activities are abundant and well supported. The school has its share of County Champions. I question the parent involvement at times. We've been to every PTA/Open House since our kids have been there. There was a time, or two, when there were less than 20 parents in attendence. That is not a school or leadership issue, that is a parent issue. One can not complain, if they don't show up to question.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a teacher/parent of a student at South Rowan. I have worked in several different school systems in North Carolina and in other states. South Rowan is one of the best that I have been involved with. We have undergone changes in the last few years from administration to curriculum issues. As a community (administrators, teachers, students and parents) we must all work together to make our school the best in the area! It can't be great without everyone's support. We have teachers and administrators that are working diligently to improve the education that our children receive. Change makes everyone uncomfortable, but without change we cannot improve. It is very difficult for administrators or teachers to enforce policies if parents/community will not back them. This goes for dress code, discipline, or any code of conduct issue. Please work with us/not against us to continue to make South the best!
—Submitted by a teacher

I am not a parent, but I went to this school and my brother will be attending in the next couple of years. I couldn't have asked for a better high school experience than the one that I got while I was at South. My parents always knew what was happening at the school and with me. And, there is a website for the school where students can check their homework assignments and the parents can see what all is going on with the school. Go to http://rss.edgate.com/srowanhs. This is a wonderful school.
—Submitted by a former student

Students in one math class are all failing. The school grounds have trash all them. Sidewalks and backroad needs more lighting. Backroad has holes at the edges and the pavement is breaking off. We have expressed our concerns to the principal. He does not seem interested in improving these concerns.
—Submitted by a parent

South Rowan is an extremely well rounded school. It offers many competitive sports arenas and great academics. Students have access to their instructors who appear to be genuinely interested in the students and challange each one to their highest potential. Parents are encouraged to be a part of the students daily activities by attending PTA, sporting events, outside trips, School Improvement Team member. Overall the environment at South Rowan is exemplary.
—Submitted by Ann Deyton, a parent

I think the school should let parents know a little more about the childs progress and upcoming events a little better than they do. My son transfered here from a different district and when I was in School it wasnt nothing for the teachers to just send a note home just to let parents know what was going on with their child.
—Submitted by a parent

Im not a parent but i think we could work on extracurricular activities being that we have so few. I do believe we could also do just a tad bit better with the quality of our academic programs although it's not our weakest spot. The Parent involvement is pretty good too.
—Submitted by Amber Kairos, a student

I totally agree with the other parent's comment about the dress code - it is out of control! I also wish they had a webpage like other schools where important information could be found, like bus routes for this coming year!
—Submitted by a parent

South Rowan High School is one of the best schools around in my opinion. I'm a student and I don't dread it. I'll be a senior this year and I find that it's probably one of the best schools around. People just say mean stuff about it because they can. I've went to South Rowan High School and I've been there for four years and I haven't had any problems with anything, the staff, teachers, principals, anything. Dress code as someone else said...it's really not that important in my opinion because those are the ones who aren't there for the real purpose of school. So if they want to fail, don't try to stop them. Sometimes it takes them learning for themselves.
—Submitted by Heather Kairos, a student

I'm a student. South is great. The teachers are well informed about their subjects and do an excellent job of teaching what they know. Extracurriculars dominate the scene, and the only reason people may have nothing to do is because they are lazy. The principal is not so bad...he does his best and he'll grow into it.
—Submitted by a student

My problem with this High School is that the dress code is not enforced at all. When I pick my son up from school skirts and shorts barely cover bottoms, stomachs are showing and clevage is hanging out everywhere. Dress code is a safety issue and if students can break this rule they will break others.
—Submitted by a parent