Athens Drive High School

This school is very unsafe and has a history of fights. Today there were a total of 10 fights in a 15 minute period at lunch. It even made the news. You can find it on Wral.com search "Athens Drive High School." So glad I transferred my son.
—Submitted by a parent

Very professional and responsive school administrators. Good course selections and attention to students who are average rather than simply focusing on the AP course crowd. Have been very pleased with the experience we've had in two years here. Parent involvement is strong and there is a full range of award-winning activities from sports to music. Proud to call this my neighborhood school after many happy years in magnets and schools of choice.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has had a great year at Athens. We were concerned coming in from a private school that the adjustment would be difficult. Thanks to the caring staff and great teachers the change proved to be a good one.
—Submitted by a parent

Athens is a great school. Teachers are very tough, but they ultimatly do help the kids excel. Their are very few discipline problems now that redistricting has occurred and my child feels very safe. Even acdemic classes are difficult and challanging. I would send any kid that would like to learn here.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent and professional staff. I never have a concern about safety for the students. The curriculum is excellent for college prep. Many extracurricular activities which interest most students. Great learning and yes social environment.
—Submitted by a parent

The staff is very experienced and can handle a wide variety of students. Parents and students are involved and care about each other. Academics and extra-cirricular activities abound to challenge students. Love it!
—Submitted by a parent

Athens Drive has just been listed on the 2010 'America's Best High Schools'. The staff is excellent and work together to provide a good learning environment. It has a diverse population which prepares students for the real world - I have had 3 children attend & have been pleased with their educational opportunities. Excellent music and sports programs, award winning band and strong parent support.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter's whole outlook on school has changed since I transferred her to Athens. She was ready to drop out from her previous high school. Her grades went from straight F's at the other school to A's, B's and C's at Athens. All the teachers truely care about their students and are dedicated to helping them do their best. I can definitely see why they are one of the highest ranked high schools in the state, they definitely deserve it.
—Submitted by a parent

I sub at a lot of schools, and I like taking jobs for this school! It's clean, the staff are friendly, and the students I've encountered (even at the regular level) have been friendly and generally cooperative. I've never had anyone be defiant with me. It seems to have a lot going on extracurricular-wise, and I think the administration really cares.
—Submitted by a teacher

Athens has amazing teachers and a fairly clean campus. The only major problem is the way the teachers and staff discipline the students and keep the campus safe. Fights occur often and most students have no respect for the teachers. If good students went to the school then the school would be a really nice one. With students disrupting class and not really caring about getting good grades, the classes become oblivious, and the teachers lose interest in teaching. As long as you are in honors and AP classes, you have a great chance of learning and excelling. The athletic department is amazing and so is the school spirit. Overall, some changes need to be made with safety and disipline but otherwise it is a great school!
—Submitted by a student

Athens Drive is a great school. Although we do have some discipline problems, we are one of the top schools in the Wake County Public School System. Once you get into AP classes there are no problems in the classroom. It is a wonderful school.
—Submitted by a student

Lost misserably in the Science projects when competing against other regional shool. The teacher(s) seems to be disconnected, and students were left alone in the process. Do not recommend, will not send my next child to it. Stagnant staff
—Submitted by a parent

Athens Drive High is a fine school with great teachers (many have been there for years) and great school spirit. It is diverse in many positive ways. There have been no real discipline issues that I am aware. There are many active clubs and organizations. There is also a public library on campus which is a plus for the students.
—Submitted by a parent

It is just a wonderful school. Thats all I can say
—Submitted by a former student

Athens Drive is among the top 4 high schools in Wake county, now with wonderful and experienced leadership as of January, 2006...just look at the scores. Changing zoning and demographics present challenges to be sure, but we are impressed w/ the dedication and professionalism of faculty and staff! Our 9th grader now looks forward to school and finally, he 'gets it'...what a turn-around! This school is the leader in the county for exceptional students as well. Would highly recommend!
—Submitted by a parent

Leadership is good and getting better. Unfortunately, many students are rude in most situations with most adults. PTSA works very hard and is supportive. The 'good kids' outshine the 'bad'. Teachers seem genuinely concerned about their students and arrange bend over backwards to help them.
—Submitted by a parent

Athens is a completely disorganized massive and messy institution! I would never send my children there.
—Submitted by a former student

Discipline and saftey are problems that the school cannot get under control. Dress code is horrible, repsect amongst kids very poor, repsect for the teachers also poor. Staff is just going through the motions, and the kids know it. Not a stimulating academic environment for children pursuing higher education at a serious university, even AP classes are a joke, like 'regular' classes at our previous school. The athletics and extracuricular activities are many, but quality again is very poor. No sense of community. Great place if you want to breeze through highschool.
—Submitted by a parent

Athens is a very disorganized campus with poor leadership and a dissapointing academic instiution overall. The school has a good reputation, but if you actually spend time, or are unfortunate enough to enroll your kids into the school, you find out first hand what a mess everything is. The are really bad discipline and safety issues, and my children were ridiculed for being serious about their academics and for being high achievers. I did not feel like the principal or staff listened to the multitude of concerns that were constantly brought to their attention by the parent committee. A mess, and a big one at that! When we moved to Cary Academy and my kids entered the equivalent classes, we found that they had a very difficult time keeping up at first and had obviously been in a far inferior quality program at Athens.
—Submitted by a former student

Very mediocre school. Teachers are not engaging and seem to have lost their zest for their work, You can tell by the lack of enthusiasm and respect in the kids behavior! Lots of electives, but definitely a case of quality not being equal to quality. Campus has been renovated nicely. Lots of discipline issues.
—Submitted by a parent