Liberty-Benton High School

I am going to be a Liberty Benton Senior this year, and I cannot begin to describe the love and the spirit I have for my school. LB is "different" because a good majority of the students truly care about their grades, causing academics at LB to excel. Teachers at LB are dedicated to their job and it is always obvious that they love what they do. The Arts/Music at LB continue to grow each year. The Dance class is always a popular course, while the choir and band are always gaining new members. This last year the choir went to State Contest and received a Superior Rating for the first time in school history. Not to mention the school musicals, which are always top notch. Sports are a big part of the school environment, but school spirit is an even bigger part. Students involved in the Student Section/Tailgating far outnumber all the athletic teams combined. We try to support each other and always strive to be the loudest cheering section around. I am proud to be an eagle.
--Submitted by a student

I am a 2006 graduate of Liberty-Benton. I do think that, in general, I received a good high school education. However, I found that my time was wasted on excessive projects that were only busy work and not very educational. The teachers do care about grades. . . but it is extremely difficult to get good grades or proper attention if you are not a favorite. I actually had a teacher tell me that I shouldn't be so serious about my work which is both ridiculous and unprofessional. As far as AP courses go, I knew people who were in AP courses at Findlay HS and we used the same textbook and materials. My class covered more material but I did not have the option of getting credit for such courses despite the fact that we used AP texts.

This school is all about status, materialism, and sports standing. My daughter was in Kindergarten, and the entire school system CLOSED for a DAY AND A HALF because the high school girls basketball team was going to some championship. CLOSED!!!!! I had to pay for daycare for two days because of the basketball team??!! The school closed probably about 10 days for weather that wasn't that bad, and delayed school by 2-3 hours at least 20 times that year. It was absolutely ridiculous. The emphasis on status is absurd. I loved my child's teacher, but that was the extent of it. This district is very showy, and if you care about being involved in a "rich kid" school and not about academics, this is the place for you!
--Submitted by a parent

Having had five children complete their careers at LB, we can say with certainty this school is among the best of the best. Administrators have researched the school's progress and when they have an average ACT score of 23 for 85% of the seniors being tested, that is among Ohio's best. Then is you look at the level of university remediation, that number is almost non-existent. Our children were honor students at LB, and honor students at their respective universities. The success at LB ensured their success in college. LB is not for every student though. They must be sincere about learning and must be ready to accept the challenge to become leaders in extra-curriculars, especially athletics, and in the arts. Not many schools have art, music, and dance as part of their curriculum. They have a great administrators and teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

I am currently a senior at LBHS. I love this school, it has wondeful teachers that really seem to care about their students. I just love the office people, im an office aide first period and we are pretty busy in the morning. Us LB students learn to have so much fun while learning and that is what makes this school wonderful. It has a great learning environment. I would love to come back after graduation and see the teachers. This is a school that makes you feel like your leaving your home when you graduate. I going to miss this school, and the staff.... and my friends!!!
--Submitted by a student

I am going to be a sophmore at LB next year, and so far my experience has been nothing but good. All my teachers taught the classes very well. I was challenged. Though, unlike what most people think challenged does not mean having hours and hours of homework. Yes, sports are taken very highly at LB. However, there are also many other options. Like band. The new band director is awesome, and i would encourage everyone to participate in the band. Yes pep rallies happen, but they are about 15 minutes, and only happen 2-4 times a year. So if you want to go to a good school go to LB.
--Submitted by a student

I am a senior at LB and I have had a great four years. The focus is in the classroom and on educating students. The U.S. News & World Report recognized LBHS as one of the best high schools in America. That s saying something. This year our boy s basketball got the highest GPA in Ohio 3.942. This does not mean our classes are easy. We have great teachers who know what they are doing and constantly challenge us. Also, over 30 seniors in a class of roughly 108 have above a 25 on the ACT. To me that s amazing and teachers cannot help you take the ACT! Keep up the great work LB!
--Submitted by a student

I am proud to say that I am an LBHS grad. There have been drastic changes since the time of Ms. Yockey's comment. Yes there is an emphasis on athletics, but there is an even stronger emphasis on academics. Every teacher is focused on teaching TO the students and not just throwing information at the students and hoping they learn it. They are dedicated to their professions and realize that there is a life to be had outside of the curriculum. There are opportunities for accelerated courses although they are not AP or Honors. I had friends at FHS text or call me at 1 in the morning venting to me about the paper or lab they are finishing for the next day. Is this a safe work habit for a high school student to have? Also, LB offers a substantial number fine arts programs for its size. '07 grad

If you are considering sending your child to LB please consider some of these options... like Bekah Yockey has stated, in the classes it is very easy to get an A or B. I have known students who moved to Findlay HS and received poor grades and lower GPA than they had when they were at LB and the parents actually moved back to LB school districts to have their children attend a school where their kids got easy grades (aka bragging rights, honor society, good college etc.). Like other bloggers I also agree that the school is very focused on sports. While I understand the extra curricular activites and how it boasts self esteem etc. there needs to be boundraies. While having attended LB I also learned that the school really needs to be diverse.
--Submitted by a student

as a student at LB there is an emphasis on sports. However there are many other opporunities you can get involved in. Theres speech team, musicals, choir, band, student council, Z club. And as a freshman i am taking advanced classes in foreign language and math. I am geometry this year which is a sophomore class with about 20 other freshman and french II because i took french I and algebra my eighth grade year and there are advanced classes like an oberlin writing or social studies and there is a post secondary option. also these pep rallies you are speeking of are only 10 minutes so i don't see how that is hurting your knowledge.
--Submitted by a student