Cleveland Heights High School

We moved out of Cleveland Hts before my kids had to attend here. My step-son attended CHUH High and it was horrible. We weren't informed that he wasn't showing up at school until his report card came - NO ONE attempted to let us know. Great. The whole 3 years he was enrolled, he floated through without doing any homework - they just kept passing him to the next level. His father pulled him out & had him do his last year with an online school. He couldn't pass unless he did the work. Duh. Communication with parents was non-existent. Administration was gruff and disgruntled. What dress code? Pants below knees on boys, and very inappropriately dressed girls, horrible language, all with no words from staff. Gang fights in the hallways & at sporting events were not uncommon (check the news). No respect or sense. The "Small Schools" initiative sounded like a good idea, but it was horribly mis-managed, very disorganized, confusing, a big failure. We made sure to move away before our other kids would be subjected to this poor excuse for a school.
—Submitted by a parent

The ratings of 5 of 5 stars in 2009 & 2010 are completely ridiculous. Have to be administration or some of the rare few people that had a good experience here during this time. Bad bad BAD school. I can't think of anything good to say. Well, the elementary school - Gearity - wasn't too bad, but the district is closing that school, so no.
—Submitted by a parent

This has to be one of the worst, poorly run high schools I have ever encountered. I say this nOt only as a parent of 2 children who attend, but also as a graduate. The security guards are a joke at best, way too friendly with students, poor communication skills, often off chatting amongst each other, there does not seem to be any dress code in place, boys pants are down to their knees, girls are in everything from night clothes to evening wear. The language in the halls in the presence of school administrators is a disgrace and never corrected. Both my children have managed to maintain high GPA's I accredit to my husband and I being very involved parents, incredibly terrific, focused children, and a few great teachers. I am overjoyed that this is my youngest child's last year. I would highly recommend home schooling before enrolling a child here
—Submitted by a parent

The amount of progress this institution has made since the Small Schools Initiative is impressive.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from here a few years ago and can honestly say I loved Heights. I really miss the experience, the people I met there, and the excellent education I received there. Heights is a rough school, but what you take away from it can completely change you. I transferred here after attending catholic schools in the city, and found my education experience much more satisfying. What you get out of Heights is up to you; the opportunities are there for you to take or leave, I was prepared for college and the 'real world' after I graduated because Heights showed me a sense of reality that the world isn't a lilly-white paradise. I can honestly say this school changed me for the better.
—Submitted by a student

i am a senior at cleveland heights high and i've been there all four years. i love it.the small schools are amazing because it makes it seem as if the school isnt really as big as it is. the teachers are awsome because they do anything and everything to help you succeed. the honors/ap courses are very good and challenging. extracurriculars are plentyful.pretty much CHHS has a lot to offer and as long as you take advantage of it you will love it. downside:the kids who just dont care and make trouble
—Submitted by a student

Im a senior at heights and i really enjoy this school. they offer all different kinda of clubs and sports to get invovled wih. Also Cleveland Heights has wonderful Pseo programs and is one of the only 2 schools that participates in Seniors to Sophmores which is a advanced form of pseo where you take all class ona college campus and get you in excellent shape for college.
—Submitted by a student

You really get what you put into Heights. If you're average, easily tempted and distracted, it's definitely not the school for you because it's easy to slip through the disruptions. The regular level classes are ok, but can lack rigor and order depending on the teacher. The AP/Pre-AP program is stellar and really prepares the student for college. I really enjoyed attending Heights, because the experience alone is an education. The teachers do an excellent job, despite the changing demographic and declining student focus on education.
—Submitted by a student

this is a great school I learned a lot and met lots of nice people.
—Submitted by a student

this chool is excellent it just need to stop all the fighting other than that excellent
—Submitted by a parent

This is a school that totally reflects the saying 'you get out of it what you put into it'. Where there are certainly pockets of students who suffer from lower expectations of themselves, there is also an unparalleled opportunity for motivated, gifted and hard working students to excel! There is an excellent AP program, a substantial Instrumental Music Dept that exceeds practically every other district in the area, and a lot of super, high function kids doing impressive things from A to Z.
—Submitted by a parent

The administration and staff do a terrific job against terrible odds. It's not the quality of education that is lacking at Heights, it's the quality of students. Racial imbalance, lack of discipline, and lack of student's 'getting it' is what hurts this school. I don't know how the teachers manage to convey anything, given the attitude of majority of students. If your kid can get in AP classes, it's the way to go. Otherwise, they just sink like stones.
—Submitted by a parent

Just a great place all around. Some discipline problems but the academics cannot be matched.
—Submitted by a former student

Experienced and devoted teachers who do their best, but would quickly go somewhere else if their retirment was transferable. The common attitude among the students is that of little effort and little respect to others. The district is currently well funded by corperate dollars durring a small school experiment, but who knows what will happen when the money runs out in two years.
—Submitted by a parent

Heights High can be a difficult school to attend. If your child is in the advanced placement courses, it is a much better school to be in than if he or she isn't. The AP courses are excellent and well-taught. The staff is dedicated and enthusiastic, despite now traditional budget cuts, and most parents are somewhat involved with their kids' education. The experience of attending Heights is an education in itself and, while not always the easist or most pleasant, I would recommend the school based on that alone.
—Submitted by a former student

The Height's Schools are quite good for all levels of students. The reason many people send their children (often against their wishes) to private high schools can, in many if not most cases, be attributed to one word: Black. Any school with over 10% black enrollment is presumed to be sub-standard. This belief is what keeps most of the University Heights students out of Heights High. My children have often commented that their education was richer for having been in the minority for a change. In 21 combined years in the high school, my children were subjected to zero fights or other dangerous behavior. Assuming some way can be found to fund the schools, I would recommend them to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

Heights High is one of the best high schools in the state of Ohio. The district's music program is outstanding and there are over 400 students involved in vocal and instrumental music at the school. All of the core academic courses are offered at four levels to meet the needs of all students. The staff takes a personal interest in each child. Heights serves a diverse student body and both black and white students are achieving at higher levels than in comparable suburbs.
—Submitted by a parent

If your child's in AP classes, this is a great school. Kids in other classes, however, are subjected to massive behavior/discipline problems and a substandard education. The CH-UH school district is under academic watch by the state of Ohio. This is why many parents send their students to private high schools instead of Heights High.
—Submitted by a parent