J. F. Webb High School

My duaghter is now finishing her second year at JF Webb. I have a very positive feeling about her future. The teachers have done a wonderful job of preparing her. Teachers have come to school early to offer help to any student who wants extra help. As a parent of a band student, I can speak from first hand experience that the music department is first rate. Clint McCaskill comes in early for Jazz ensemble, and stays late for marching band. His dedication to the students is remarkable. My daughter has had many superb opportunities at Webb. If you are a parent of a student at Webb, or coming to Webb, please remember that education begins in the home. Teachers can only mold what we parents give them. If they clay we send to school is rotton, what can we expect to have sent home? Join the PTO. Get involved
—Submitted by a parent

As a former student I feel that the previous rating of this school are incorrect and misleading. I attended this school for four year, graudated and went to college. I think I was well prepared for college being that I took Honors and AP classes at Webb. My teachers were great. The school does, however, focus a lot on sports but sadly the teams are not that great. Overall I think the school is fine. Students just need to be self motivated.
—Submitted by a former student

The academic programs are good but the parents are right. I had a senior to graduate two years ago and the school seems to focus on sports more than kids. The average student will struggle in this place. Parents don't have much say so because the principal supports the coaches and sports most of the time. If you go in for a conference they will tell you what you want the hear but things will not change for the best interest of your child. If you are not a very strong student then they is not very much help or support for you.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm not a parent, but i'm a former student at J.F. Webb. Webb is a good school. What others were saying was what their children were telling them. Webb has a safe environment, and fights are not that often. Teachers do help stundents. Mostly everyday if a child needs help there a after school study sessions provided by the teachers. I went there for 4 years and it is a good school.
—Submitted by a former student

My daughter attended JF Webb for 3 years before we moved. The school is sports based. Classes are geared either for the very brightest students or for the lowest common denominator. Average kids get lost in the shuffle. Twice I met with the school principal. Once was to resolve an issue. The other was to volunteer. Both times Mr. Winslow seemed cold, aloof and out-of-touch. The teachers did seem to care about teaching. However, a VERY high turnover rate made it hard to get to know a teacher for more than 1 semester. Student safety is an issue. Fights are frequent. Faculty has little control. Excellence is not encouraged. Students are warned of punishments with signs on every door. Problem behavior is expected & received. Parents have a 'have not' view. The arts receive almost no support. Parent involvement is nil. Apathy abundant. It's a very sad situation.
—Submitted by a parent

My child, a 3.9 GPA student, attended Webb for 2 years. Despite high turnover the teachers did seem to care. Don't look for challenging classes. This school thrives on sports - not on academics. The building is old. The atmosphere is far from encouraging. Signs on most doors warn of suspension for fighting - of which the school seems to have more that its share. Classes are geared for the brightest or for the lowest common denominator. There is little in-between. Average kids will fall aside. Parent involvement is near zero. I met with the school principal twice: once for information and once to volunteer. Both times the principal seemed aloof and out of touch. The office staff gave us misinformation more than once. After we moved, records had to be requested several times. Testing scores were not sent. All-in-all, I was VERY disappointed in JF Webb, courses offered and staff leadership.
—Submitted by a parent

J. F. Webb is not a good place for students. Many of the teachers are there only to get a paycheck and do not really care about the students at all. Many of the staff members are also not good role models for teenagers through behavior they exhibit and lack of high standing morals. Discipline is a joke and I never felt that my child was safe. He would not even use the restrooms at the school! I do not feel that Webb High School properly prepares students for college. Students are not academically challenged. I was not excited for my child to graduate and leave home, but I was SO GLAD to see them leave Webb High School.
—Submitted by a parent