Williston High School

Williston High School is a GREAT school!!! My children feel safe as a student at this school. Teachers are very helpful with there school work when needed. Everyone we have had contact with (office staff) has been very helpful and kind :) If you have never worked in a school office the beginning of the school year is very hectic !!!
—Submitted by a parent

It is no source of wonder that this school fails perennially in testing and graduation rating. The school just sent me an incorrect schedule for my freshman son that included classes he had already taken in their own advance summer school, then told me that no changes could be made by phone. I must take time out to come to the school and wait for a counselor and no they don't take appointments. Oh btw it must be our fault for not registering correctly in the fall.. Shear incompetent insolence like that should warrant a change in administration, instead there is probably another award being pursued in order to cover up the failure. As a note I scored parent involvement low because the school seems to discourage it. When I requested an appointment to come in and change the schedule I was told I had to wait in the Queue as appointment were not given. I was further advised that it was unnecessary for me to come, my son could do it himself.
—Submitted by a parent

Williston High has the highest dropout rate in the state and failed to make ayp because of it.
—Submitted by a parent

I had a child who was the victim of bullying and found out that Williston Schools have no bullying policy what so ever. They simply dismissed as name calling and there is nothing they can do. The superintendent confirmed this. Also come to find out ND has no bullying laws. Victims and their families are expected to just deal with it or leave.
—Submitted by a parent

From personal knowledge I can confirm that the Principal not only lacks leadership ability but decides based on a student's economic and social class to encourage many to leave the school. He refers to them as "people like that" and is especially quick to discriminate against Amerian Indians, working class children, and anyone who isn't well connected. Students have been harassed till they quit, encouraged to quit, told they could not come back (i.e.after pregnancy) and told they would be better off getting a GED. One moher brought her son in to talk with the principal when he indicated he was thinking of dropping put. His reply was to get up from his seat, walk over to the student, shake his hand and say "great,! let me know when you get your GED."

The problem seems to be the administration. If a student does not participate in sports well or has difficulty with an area of academics they become dispensable. The statistics for graduation then look really good.

Williston High School staff has no interest in helping students who struggle with school, achieve. They are simply told to drop out and get their GED. If your child isn't involved in athletics or part of student council they are simply ignored. My only hope is that there is a change before my youngest children reach high school, but I won't hold my breath.
—Submitted by a parent

Our oldest child is a sophomore at Williston High School. The Teachers he has are very helpfull in keeping the parents involved.
—Submitted by a parent