Black River High School

What sets this school apart are its teachers. All have been truly inspirational figures in my goal of becoming a school teacher myself. I cannot stress enough how wonderful the teachers are at Black River. If you're having a difficult time understanding something that was covered in class, the teachers will never shrug you off, they are very caring and you could clearly tell that the vast majority love their job, which is fundemental to the learning process. There is definitely a lack of funds, which is why some students are not being challenged enough. The extracurriculars are average at best, but academically, Black River does the best with what it has.
--Submitted by a student

I am at the school here right now and i think this school is good escpecially because you can go to the career center and get involved with the goals you are trying to reach in you life. I personally want to join the U.S Marine Corps or the Air Force for Recon or Intel. Black river is an excellent place for kids to get well rounded for there goals in life as well as their social needs. 5/5.
--Submitted by a student

This school has nothing arond it to do! they also are very closed minded about trying new things! they spend no money on things we need! They also dont put any money to our extracurricular activities! DONT PUT YOUR KIDS AT THIS SCHOOL! take my advice! The superintendent pays no attention to any of the students here at Black River. Sh e is unkind to parents and shows very little respect to people! there are much much much better schools out there!
--Submitted by a student

I came to Black River my Junior year. The curriculum of BR is not as high as most schools but it is still a small school. You can't expect tons of AP classes when there are not enough children to fill those AP classes. The football program is wonderful and the coaches do encourage the kids. As far as other sports, they are not very good. The music program is alright. The teacher is wonderful as a person but needs improvement as far as warming the students up and getting their voices ready to sing. Parents only seem involved in football if that. As far as college graduation, most people go to the JVS so they have or can get jobs right out of high school.
--Submitted by a former student

I attended Black River and frankly it was not that great of a school. I feel that the kids here are not being challenged enough and need more advanced classes. That is mostly the reason that I decided to go to the Medina JVS. There is just not enough offered by the school that can help prepare kids for the transition into college. I probablly learned more out of my two years at the career center than I ever did at Black River attending this school. I do have to say though that Black river has some of the most caring teacher that I have ever met, and the extra curricular activities are good, but i think that it sholud be more open to the people that attend the JVS. We are still a part of the school, but it does not feel like it.
--Submitted by SZ, a former student

I think that Blackriver is a pretty good school, but I dont like the new rule about not wearing certain t-shirts because that takes away from a lot of the humor and besides there's like only one teacher who is actually offended by them (even one that most people wouldnt find offensive.) I don't think that the minority should rule over the mojority.
--Submitted by zack olson, a student

The school has a great athletic curicullum. Unfortunately, some coaches don't realize that children thrive on encouragment and positive feedback. Without it, it can damage a child's self esteem which, in turn, affects their outlook on life. This area needs improvement. The teaching staff overall is focused on the children and are above average at their job. Socially, the majority of the environment is that of acceptance and tolerance.
--Submitted by Sheree Bell, a parent

Black River is average at best. Great school for football, but there is more to life and the community needs to realize this. The curriculum is in dire need of expansion. I am a 1997 graduate. When I went to Wright State University, I was shocked to discover my classmates attended schools that offered upwards to 20 AP classes. BR had perhaps 5 of them. BR seems to be a training ground for teachers. Once experienced, they are off to different school systems. Athletics are great at BR. I notice that few athletes go on to play at the college level though. Wake up and do your job athletic directors/coaches! Get these athletes into college programs. About 25 of my classmates went off to college, 7 graduated. Something is wrong there. I recently graduated from the University of Cincinnati law school. BR could have done better college preparation though.
--Submitted by Matt Valentine, a former student

Black River is a good school. Sure, it could be better, but overall it's very good. Depending upon the measuring stick you choose to use, I'm certain Black River will be above average. Proficiency scores, student attendance, drug problems, etc are just a few. And having a football team that has made the playoffs at least 8 out of 10 years is far less than 'deplorable'. The girls softball team won their division in 1999, and the baseball team also won their division just before that. There is always something to complain about at any school if you only focus on the negative. But looking at the positive side, Black River is a very good school. R. Stose, students at Black River since 1986, and previous school board member.
--Submitted by Richard Stose, a parent

Black River is an excellent description of how a high school should not be run. It does not teach curriculum that is helpful for college bound students. There are very few computer instructional classes which would be in the best interest of everyone. Lastly, the team sports are downright deplorable mostly coming from the lack of team coaching leadership and ineptitude.
--Submitted by Francisco Omara, a parent