Lucy Ragsdale High School

Only attended for a few days, but I've already made many friends and the teachers are very nice and willing to help. It looks a lot better since they remodeled too.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from Ragsdale in 2007. I went on to UNC Chapel Hill. My siblings and I enjoyed our time at Ragsdale. They have the best AP teachers in the county, period. And colleges know that reputation, an A in AP English at Rgsdale means more than an A in AP English at other schools. Dr. Rogers is able to do a lot with the VERY challenging student body that is districted for that school, the gang problems have definitely gotten worse as a new group of students have come in. The athletics are some of the best around. If you area proactive student this is a great place to send your student.
—Submitted by a student

I am currently a senior at Ragsdale, and I find the school to be both good and bad in many different ways. I will begin by saying that the Standard Mode of Dress at this school negatively affects the learning environment. Teachers seem to ignore the reasoning for the policy, and just send kids to the office over very minor breaches of it (for example, if the logo on your shirt is just barely over the size of a quarter, some teachers will send you in). However, the school is still decent, especially when compared to other schools in the area (such as Andrews and Central). Honors and AP courses are probably the best places to learn, because in CP courses the teacher is often too busy trying to get the students to behave to get anything done. The school is rather large, so I don't expect the principal to know everybody. Some teachers could definitely be better, but there are also some really good ones. I just wish there were more math and science related courses available here. This year (2011-2012) the school is a bit of an unorganized mess because of the construction going on, which they really could have handled better, but in the future it should be fine.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from RHS a year ago. I must say that it was truely a disappointing experience for me. The teachers and staff were only interested in sending kids to the office to change clothes and reinforce the dress code, therefore delaying the start of class consistently throughout the year. The principal was pretty much nonexistent throughout my years at the school. The only kids she knew were the ones that were constantly getting into trouble. Not to mention the enormous drug and alcohol problem circulating through the student body. Do yourselves and your kids a favor--dont send them to Ragsdale High School!
—Submitted by a student

I have had the pleasure of being a RHS tiger for the past four years. I must say I absolutely love the Principal, Asst. Principals, and the entire teachers and staff. The believe I received a great education with teachers who cared and who were willing to help before or after school and even lunch. Students who thought it was horrible were students who either didn't try hard or didn't get involved. Obviously they wouldn't have a good time. There is much to do at RHS and I had a great time because I got involved. The school is not in amazing condition, but decent. As part of Student Congress, I knew it wasn't excellent because of insufficient funds, upkeep wasn't at its greatest. But they are getting a new school. Overall, it's great...your child will get a great education. Just make sure they get involved for the full experience!
—Submitted by a student

Overall, I am not impressed. Few teachers seem to care to go that extra mile while quite a few seem to just show movies or handouts. The principal seems to take an interest once the child has failed a course a few times. Then she listens to the issues at hand. No school pride or welcoming in to the building. It feels as though you are walking through a prion. Not what you would call a welcoming, bright, inviting school. Lots of saggy pants even with SMOD. Disrespectful students and teachers are at a struggling point. Scores are low and honestly not worth my other two children s time.
—Submitted by a parent

Ragsdale High school is a wonderful school wwith nice teachers who really care!I enjoy the enviorment at RHS as a tiger!
—Submitted by a parent

This school has provided a wonderful learning environment for my three children. They have really excelled here. We moved here from out of state and were pleased to find such a wonderful school. The teachers at Ragsdale really care and we are grateful for them.
—Submitted by a parent

i am in this school and education her is great and so is the technology it is a great school and shold deserve a higher rating
—Submitted by a student

I would say it is a very poor school to send your children to. The teachers dont care about the students or their grades. Theyre more interested in maintaining SMOD, which is a total failure. Absolutely no parent involvement within the building, which is like a prison.The hallways are dark, and very hot and the alumni are melancholy and morose. The students constantly joke about the school's deteriorating condition, there is absolutely no school pride to speak of. It feels like theyre trying to brainwash you within the building.
—Submitted by a student

This is the best school in my opinion there is no school better out there. sure it has some issues but what school doesent. i have had 7 kids go to ragsdale and they all loved the expirence . i now have 2 still in school one in freshman and one a senior. the expirence is wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

Having been involved at Ragsdale for 2 years now I can honestly say I'm not impressed. When i first moved to Greensboro 10 years ago I looked forward to the day my children attended Ragsdale, now I dread it. Guilford County school and NC as a whole do not do a very good job of supporting the students and making sure they are getting a quality education. I'm sure that is a challenge everywhere but Guilford Conty is not winning the battle. The attitude of the student body is so far from acceptable I wonder how these kids are going to survive in the real world. My daughter is a Sophomore and was an A/B honor roll student.....untill she got to Ragsdale. Now she has failed several classes and is happy with a C. There is not enough guidance to reinforce high expectations. She is being left alone to fail.
—Submitted by a parent

Not a good school. The principle and overall leadership is very weak and does not connect well with the community nor do they like to partner with the community. The school unfortunately has gone down hill for some time and though they have some good teachers without good leadership it is hard to succeed. They do not focus on the right things and state scores are very misleading as the curriculum is focused on passing the year end tests not on learning a balanced curriculum and they are more concerned with dress then education. I would not reccomend this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a Junior at Ragsdale. I am rather pleased with the majority of my teachers and have learned a lot from them, be it academic or a simple life lesson. The enforcement of SMOD has made such a positive difference in the student body. I have watched the number of fights and gang related activities decrease significantly. It is also refreshing to see my peers dressed modestly and tastefully! The leadership is willing to listen to student suggestions with and open mind and that is greatly appreciated. I feel that Ragsdale has equipped me with the tools I need to succeed in life.
—Submitted by a student

Very poor educational environment. My child feels unsafe. Teacher involvement with a struggling leaner is non-existent. When visiting the school, I shoved into a wall by a student during a change. Principal seems to have no interest in academics or student growth.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has gone steadily downhill since we became involved with it in 1999. It is run like a prison camp and the principal is the worst I have ever known. The school does not appear to be concerned with the kids welfare, education, and spirit as much as they are about making things easy for the faculty. If you have a choice don't send your child to this school. SMOD is an abysmal failure and was instituted in an extremly poor manner with really poor planning. I would give this school the worst rating available at least under current leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

Well, as a freshman at Ragsdale, I have to say that smod has really helped. We look better and seem to be more focused. But what do I know? I'm a freshman.
—Submitted by a student

As a recent graduate, I have seen the quality of this school deteriorate over the past four years. Once a reasonably clean and safe environment, my school is now filthy and teeming with apathetic students. Gang members have also infiltrated into my school, which isn't very fun when walking through the hallways. However, the quality of teachers at Ragsdale is impressive. The AP teachers in particular are especially creative, effective, and inspiring. Unfortunately, Ragsdale has a high teacher turnover rate, which is to be expected with the ridiculous behavior that occurs in CP classes. I have also seen my freshman class of 400 students dwindle to 296. However, many of these remaining students should be kicked out because they truly disrupt learning for other students. While the student body population has changed, I am still very impressed with Dr. Rogers.
—Submitted by a student

Not at all impressed with this school. Moved from out of the state from a great school to this mediocre school. Lots of violence problems.
—Submitted by a parent

I have one special needs child at Ragsdale. There is very little help for average or below average students. The teacher turnover rate is high.
—Submitted by a parent