Western Guilford High School

We have had three children attend Western and our youngest is now a freshman. They have all had a great experience. There is a diverse population with an atmosphere where students feel accepted and that is warm and supportive. Western students are service oriented. There is positive school spirit and parental support with a pizza dinner to welcome freshmen and their families, tailgating before football games, spirit week and events throughout the school year. Our children have each taken 10 AP classes and had strong teachers. Our freshman is taking a zero period to enable her to take AP Human Geography. They have also played varsity sports and been involved in school organizations. Our older two graduated in 2008 and 2011, have graduated from Vanderbilt and are attending UNC-Chapel Hill and were accepted to other competitive colleges. The principal is very enthusiastic and committed to the school. Our children have been happy and we have been pleased at Western Guilford High School.
—Submitted by a parent

My second child started Western Guilford this year. My oldest child graduated in 2009 second in her class. My oldest got in her first choice college and is graduating one semester early from college due to AP classes at WGHS. Both girls made great transitions from middle school and love all the opportunities for female sport teams and the variety of clubs and service learning. We also enjoy all the cultural diversity and family feeling of the school for students and parents,
—Submitted by a parent

You can receive a great education there!
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the previous comments. All public schools (and private) have their challenges and most do not show up on test scores. I had two children go through Western 9-12 with the 2nd one graduating in spring, 2009. One graduated 7th in the class, the other was average. Both took many AP courses and got into the universities of their choice. Our kids went to elite private schools in the NorthEast before we moved here 7 years ago. We came from a diverse city and felt very comfortable at this school. We should not judge schools on scores alone. Students perform and learn according to their abilities, attitude and family values. Private or 'socioeconomically exclusive' public schools show higher 'scores' but they do not represent the increasingly diverse city and state we live in. Western is an inclusive, comfortable and safe school.
—Submitted by a parent

western guilford is an excellent school. caring teachers, healthy environment, and a wonderful school altogether.
—Submitted by a student

My son is a freshman and we are very pleased. We are very happy with the Principal. Mr. Armstrong seems to really care about the school and students. Our son seems very happy.
—Submitted by a parent

No place is perfect, but Western is certainly above average in most, if not all areas. I don't understand the Great Schools rating of 5 out of 10. This is my 6th year with a child at the school, and I am very pleased with our new principal. He is working very hard to put the students first and he really cares about the school community. The school offers a lot of AP courses, many extracurricular activities and a strong sports program. The student population is diverse in both ethnic and socio-economic terms and very reflective of the real world. I am happy about the fact that on my son's sports team, there are players from Latin America, the Middle East as well as African-Americans and everyone gets along great. Western Guilford's graduates go on to universities such as Duke, Carolina, Yale and Columbia, which is pretty impressive.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the 5th year I have had kids at Western. Western has a diverse population made up of kids who are excellent students and those who prefer getting in trouble. For top students who are taking AP classes and honors, these 2 types of students are not together. We got a new principal in 2006-07 and he is great! He is instilling discipline and motivational programs. With a few exceptions, my children have had excellent teachers, especially at the AP levels. The school does not have an elitist attitude as several others close by and the school spirit is strong. The demographics of Western are truer to the real world that kids will face following graduation than those who attend some of the schools with higher scores. Our good students can hold their own against any others in the system.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm an alumn, and not particularly impressed. A few of the teachers are excellent, though i know the best English teacher has retired since I finished. I can credit the two prominent social science teachers (Stell and Gordon) for giving me an ongoing interest in politics and history; Unfortunately, for those less academically inclined than myself, the school is a major let-down. The arts are chronically underfunded and a heavy emphasis placed on sports if scholastic achievement is not likely for a student. A number slip through the cracks and discipline was less strict than I would have cared for as a student. I rated it average overall, as it does well in some areas and exceptionally poorly in others.
—Submitted by a student

I have had several children attend Western and none of them liked it. The discipline at Western is their biggest down fall. Even when the teachers write up the students who need disciplinary action, very little is done to the problem kids. The teachers are not supported by some of the administration the way they should be. Most of the teachers my children have had are caring, well educated people who like to teach and will help the children who show effort. Too bad they have to endure such disrespect from the administration and the troubled kids. The school has changed administrators too often. We may have a chance with this new principal. He seems to have more going for him than the rest. Also, now that we have Mr. Street for our band program we can excel in the music program.
—Submitted by a parent

Was happy when my child started 9th grade two years ago, but very displeased with the music program.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm currently in me sophomore year at Western Guilford High School and this school is a palace compared to the school I just came to. I have lived in 8 other states, been to 15 different schools and Western Guilford High School is by far the best school i've ever stepped foot in. The principal and the teachers really care about our success because they know we as children are their future. I don't know what Western High School those other reviews are talking about because I absolutely love Western Guilford High School.
—Submitted by a student

The school is average, but there are some really good teachers, as well as some crappy ones. The students hate the principal and his stupid writing policies. There are quite a few fights though. I personally like the school except for those teachers and principal.
—Submitted by a student

As in most public school, this school has its problems. The curriculum that your child is invleved with has a lot to do with classroom problem, A student taking AP and honors classes is less likely to be in a class with disciplne problems. The school makes every effort to insure that each student has an appropriate classroom environment.
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers have no control over unruly students and therfore spend valuable time trying to deal with one drama after another. The communication between parents and teachers is lacking. The princpals employed in the past have not been disciplined enough with either students or teachers. We hope for a better year with the new principal.
—Submitted by a parent