Sam Barlow High School

school is terrible enough said, do not attend this school. i transfered to springwater high and it is much better.
—Submitted by a student

There are many programs available to help students be successful during their time at SBHS as well as when they go on to either college or the work force. My family, as well as the teachers at Barlow, have always encouraged me to take the higher level classes (Honors/AP) and I have noticed that the teachers of those classes go above and beyond in order to help their students succeed, but the same can not be said for all of the teachers. While there are ample educational opportunities, the administration/support staff seem as though the power has gone to their heads and make seemingly nonsensical rules without justification that we are required to follow.
—Submitted by a student

this school is amazing i am currently attending as a frosh and i love it here great teachers and great help for students
—Submitted by a student

I have attended this school for all four years and I absolutely love it. The teachers really care about the students and get involved. I think the environment has given me many opportunities, like AP classes.
—Submitted by a student

Their commitment to developing happy, healthy, positive and productive life long learners; their commitment to the surrounding community and most of all their commitment to academic excellence.
—Submitted by a parent

TERRIBLE SCHOOL! I find both the student body and the teachers to be horribly closed minded and conservative here. The students are not being prepared for real life and in many ways live in 'lala land'. I am not attending this school next year, I shall be going to Gresham High.
—Submitted by a student

I am the parent of 5 children 1 of which attended Barlow for one year and hated it, and 2 who currently attend and who both are doing very well. I would like to find a way that our schools could get the funding that they need to provide excellent education which I know they are capable of.
—Submitted by a parent

barlow is a great school. you DO get all questions answered and the teachers do care about all students and want them all to succeed. the reason why it is so crowded is because it is a good school to attend. all high schools are going to be crowded. woo go barlow!
—Submitted by a student

Barlow is stuck between a rock and a hard place. another problem is the lack of funding. gresham is the 'red headed stepchild' to portland and in being so, the recieve very little funding which forces them to cut back on the variety of classes and the size of classes increases. there are very few AP classes which forces many students (such as myslef) to take classes at Mt. Hood, making it difficult to enjoy being a highschool student. if the school received more funding it would be in a far better place. (but wouldnt we all?
—Submitted by a student

I'm a senior at SBHS. I am full of bruin pride, but the school it's self isn't at all what people say. Yes, we do have High test score, but its only becuase of the freakishly smart kids we have here, and they make up a small portion of our school. The teachers focus on the smart, most likely to go somewhere in life kindas of teens, and leave the rest of u,s who aren't like that, who do have problems and only want someone to help us out, behind. I have struggled threw out my whole 4 years, and have looked for help in every place, but I get turned down. It's time people here how it really is from the other side.
—Submitted by a student

Teachers and counselors are very supportive, and encouraging. Could improve in some curriculum areas. Just be sure to ask specific questions and get everything in writing, with signatures before enrolling, or making decisions. Read the ORS policies and know your rights before enrollment. Otherwise, the teachers, counselors, school staff are awesome. Just be careful of the administration at the school and the district.
—Submitted by J T, a parent

School Administration has no accountability. District tends to ignore problems. Be careful. Money and Politics drive 'policy issues' without concern for Prejudice. JECDAR Policy states 'all decisions can be accepted or rejected at discretion of administration.' Unfortunately, this leaves the door wide open to unethical, unconstitutional personal admistrative decisions, regarding students' permanent records and futures, without legal recourse, especially for low-income families. Teachers and staff are wonderful, and uplifting, but, they also have a hard time fighting the bureaucracy. Be very careful. Brown-nosing, and unfair decisions, based on who's who in the district. Students asked to pull out of scholarship competitions by staff, to remove competition from favorite individuals. Watch your back!
—Submitted by a former student

My daughter found the environment overwhelming, the hallways were crowded, and the class sizes so large that her questions were never answered. She now goes to Springwater Trail a smaller high school in the district and is happier there.
—Submitted by Deana Wade, a parent

This school has a poorly watched administration that leads to many dropouts and expulsions.
—Submitted by a parent