Wapakoneta High School

can I rate this a 0 now? Another year in Wapak, and I am beyond disgusted. I can't get specific, it could reveal my identity and my kids'. I love the town, I HATE this high school. Bullying teachers, infective principal... and bullies who cause suicides getting their pictures in the paper at school events praying. Whats not to love?
—Submitted by a parent

I have lived in this community all my life. I watched the education here deteriorate over the last several years. if you are involved in sports or the elite Wclub, you are acceptable to the admin. If not, you know where they would tell you to go. They supposedly have no tolerance for bullying, but the admin bully students and staff alike. Students are NOT prepared for real life. Some actually need to teach themselves for lack of prep by some teachers. Other teachers seem to live there in hopes of reaching more kids. Some teachers let go, but a new Admin position invented for the football coach. (No real teaching on his part. just 9 kids, 1 hr per week ea.) Principal is ineffective. Superintendent is even worse. Severe lack of classes for those who need help from high school to work. lack of art classes, lack of foreign language, lack of music. But boy do they have sports!! Do you want a supportive admin? a supportive community? go elsewhere.... our kids are worth more.

This should be an outstanding school in a small town but it's an elite academy for those with the right last name/address & those with talents that can showcase the school. The principal sets this tone & it makes for a bad atmosphere. Parents & kids know it. Some teachers even admit it. Academic programs & teachers have been cut, but a new football coach gets $100,000 in salary & benefits in a newly-created-just-for- him administrator. He sees 9 students 1 hr a week.. Academic programs are mediocre at best. Every year there are fewer courses offered. Smaller schools such as Botkins&JC offer what WHS offers. Most students make the honor roll even though many graduate unprepared for any kind of higher learning. Everything seems to be about appearances rather than substance. This system opted for brand new facilities & technology over keeping programs/courses & qualified teachers. The school has a zero tolerance for bullying, but lots of it here- the adm.& some teachers.included. If you're looking for a school with small town amenities and want academic excellence, go elsewhere. If you have a nice fat income &a kid with sports talent, this is the place for you.

If you aren't making an above average income for this area,and if your kid is not a sports star or one of the top academics, your child not only risks getting lost in the shuffle here, but being subject to dangerous bullying. While I loved the Middle School here, I am very dissapointed in the experiences and quality of learning my child has had in the High School.
—Submitted by a parent

They do NOT prepare them for college at all. Way too much catering of the few students the counselors and teachers think should end up in the top 10 of each class. Those few students are guided and molded from 7th or 8th grade on to ensure that they have the top positions in the class. For example--let's make sure the favorites are getting tutoring OUTSIDE of this school district when the whole trig class is struggling due to inadequate teaching by a teacher who had been on probation B4. A couple students just 'happened' to find a math teacher from ANOTHER HIGH SCHOOL who would tutor them daily--set up by our high school counselors!; covering up bad teaching in our school and keeping their favorites at the top of the class. My child's counselor has not helped ONCE in his college prep-we have done it ALL from home!!
—Submitted by a parent

Wapakoneta is a great school! They have a wonderful facility. Many school sports to play on! The music program directors are amazing! Classes are determined by level college level and advanced placement. Parents are constintly involved in the school! Teachers stay after school and come in on saturdays to help students. A very safe school! The principal is understanding yet firm. Excellent school!
—Submitted by a student

Wapak is a good school for your kids if you start them off in Wapak. Take me for example I moved into Wapak during my junior year. Over half of my credits did not count in Wapak because they where not earned in Wapak. One last thing the art and music programs here are horrible.
—Submitted by a former student

Most of the programs are quite terrible. Very few teachers actually teach students anything, and three-fourths of those who actually teach do so at a level beyond all but the most gifted students' heads. There are few music programs, several art classes, and far too many sports. There really aren't many non-sports nor foreign language extracurricular clubs. There are only a select few parents who are even considered for any amount of involvement.
—Submitted by a student

Wapakoneta High School is an excellent school district that attempts to meet each student's individual needs. The school provides college prep curriculum and many hands on courses for students who are interested in technology field. The technology at the school continues to improve and grow. A variety of extracurricular activities ae offered. Areas of extracurricular strength include sports programs, music, and art and academic teams. The school system is constantly working on self-improvements, hoping to meet each child's need and prepare him/her to pass the OGT.
—Submitted by a teacher

The over-all academi quality in this school is excellent. Our first two children graduated with very good preparation in most subjects for college. Economics was weak. One grad school student, one undergrad student, both are succeeding, but the honors classes in some courses were not on par with others. Administrators need to attract talent to teach AP level classes in the advanced classes. Extracurriculars are hard to evaluate. The sports and music programs depend upon talent, and that can only be developed over time. The music program has deteriorated over that past several years, with fewer participants in all-state select groups than previously. Athletics have ebbed and flowed. All programs are impacted by increased numbers of students employed. Parental involvement is not bad, but programs do not always communicate well with parents. The board is weak, with too many board members who have embarrassed themselves --loss of temper/showboating. Drugs/alcohol/tobacco are tolerated too much.
—Submitted by a parent