Taft High School

My experience as a parent of several student at Taft, has been mostly negative. My son sat for more than an entire term waiting for the shop equipment to be fixed. Many Kids often want to leave early because they are 'bored' with little to challenge them. There is an atmosphere of low morale at the school regarding the students and the teachers. Art courses have been eliminated and there is no school on Friday, (invitation only for test make-ups). Also, summer school is for only one week, w/online school available for a steep fee. Things are not getting better here, so we will be relocating. Sad that this school Is on a downward spiral.
—Submitted by a parent

Once again, I find it fascinating that someone feels strong enough to criticize my school, but not willing to actually put their name with it. (I'm Barton Howe, a teacher at THS.) Three things about the 1-star criticism struck me: 1) Time in school and quality of the school are not necessarily equivalent. Corbett High School in Corbett, OR. is considered the state's best, and they go to school four days a week, less than Taft. 2) Saying 80% of the kids have an incomplete is a number without context. In my opinion it means we've set our bar higher and we're holding kids to it. By way of contrast: 99.9% of the kids that play baseball will never play pro baseball. Does that mean the World Series is a symbol of failure? Yes, that's kind of ridiculous, but so is just throwing around one number as a stone-cold indictment. Finally, to say the teachers don't care is a crock, plain and simple. Are some of them more "caring" than others? Likely, just as some doctors are, but does that mean no one there at all does? I'm sorry if this parent had a bad experience with a teacher, but to label the entire school as uncaring is just false -- just like the underpinnings of their entire criticism.
—Submitted by a teacher

Students only attend school Monday - Thursday. Fridays are only for students with Incomplete. Grading is A, B, C & I. Most of the students have multiple Incomplete's yet nothing is being done to correct this situation. Many teachers have up to 80% of their class with Incomplete. Apparently if you want to do your job half-a$$ed Taft High is the place to work. I am disgusted at the way Taft High School does things and even more disgusted that the teachers do not care.
—Submitted by a parent

I must say, as the first middle school class that will graduate Taft High, I am proud of how far our school has come. During seventh grade, we had no electives and the seperation between middle school and high school students were not very good. Now as an oncoming junior, we have more classes and i have been learning so much more. Its been tough sure, but overall the school has vastly improved. And we got our turf field from a grant, and it has improved our school spirit. But our school needs help from the community not only from the school district. So people in the community come support the future leaders of the U.S please. Thank you!

The way teachers take time to help the students with their work and in turn students being successful in school
—Submitted by a parent

The football field did not come education money!! So if a new field funded by outside education can boost school spirit then so be it! At Taft you get out of school what you put into it as a student. There are great things happening education wise if you want to access them!
—Submitted by a parent

i love how everyone thinks this school is so amazing its not there wasting there money on pointless things when they could be using it for fixing the school and not for sports foot ball is not the whole world our education is our principle treats it like it makes the world go round!!!!!
—Submitted by a student

I didn't see a review that said kids were sitting on the floor. The school is not exceptional, it is far from that. Everyone has their own opinion. We do have a transient population and that is why we don't get as much funding as Newport. Some of the reason for the lack of numbers in the graduating class does have to do with this, but also has to do with kids, teachers, parents and staff not making the effort to ensure that our kids graduate. I speak from first hand experience. My child was not meeting her attendance guidelines. I did not receive one phone call when she was not in school. I have taken responsibility, as has my child, but the school needs to make more of an effort. Blame should be cast upon all.
—Submitted by a parent

Both my children have attended the lincoln city schools for most of their academic lives. my oldest child has graduated and my youngest is a senior this year. it is safe to say that I can list more negatives about this school than positive. we don't have the budget so we miss out on alot of good classes and electives. some of the teachers are exceptional, but there are more than a few that are just biding their time until they can retire. the school is overcrowded and as of last year the 7th & 8th graders are combined with the high school due to lack of funding. it is not to put blame on the school or the employees and I think they try to do their best with what limited resources they have. I wouldn't send my kids here if I were able to move and go somewhere else.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. It's small so kids know everybody and teachers get to know their students more. Nothing bad happens and they all have great teaching styles. They teach what we need and they don't overload the kids with homework. They go at a steady good pace. I love it.:)
—Submitted by a student

This has to be the worst school in Oregon. The middle school side is out of control and the lack of discipline is almost unbearable. There is minimal parent involvement if any. Honestly I would not have my child attend this school.
—Submitted by a student

I think dave phelps is a great principle he knows his kids and they trust him. that is something that is very hard to find
—Submitted by a parent

This is the lowest funded school in oregon. The teachers are under paid. The classes are over filled,some students sit on the floor. With the idea 1st come 1st served on chairs its pretty hard to concentrate on acedemics.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a 2005 graduate of Taft High School, and I can't imagine a school having more problems. No budget, indifferent teachers, and an ever decreasing school spirit. Drugs are everywhere. This place is full of hatred and complete disregard for one's surroundings. I'll leave off with one note: Out of 162 sudents starting out my senior year, 90 graduated. SAD. Honestly, homeschool your children.
—Submitted by a former student

I moved to Lincoln City the middle of my senior year in High School. I can not thank the teachers enough for what they had to offer. Moving from Oregon City where I was happy. I was shocked to see that the largest class I was taking had only 22 students. If I had to start all over It would be at Taft. It is not how much money a school has or how great the sports program is. It is the teachers that make the difference. Thank You !
—Submitted by a former student

I think the staff, and in particular the sports coaches, demonstrate great leadership, acceptance, and tolerance. Their willingness to accommodate the Seventh-day Adventist girls on the swim team shows a commitment to giving all students the opportunity to participate and develope their skills. This may cost in terms of a swim meet but it pays in encouraging young people to take a stand for what they believe. Our young people need this kind of support from the role models in their life and I say thank you to the school for supplying this support.
—Submitted by Kelly Ross, a parent

I have a freshman & a senior at Taft High School. I think the school provides them what they need to thrive and be successful after High School. I do, though, have one objection. I think that the teachers express too much of their own personal opinions (polictical) to children in the classrooms. Other than that, I feel the school provides all sorts of activites, classes and events as the budget allows. It is just up to parents & students to stay current on what is available and stay involved.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm sorry to say this but this is possibly the worst public school in Oregon, and that is saying a lot. No extracurricular activities, no electives, and a bizzare social caste system that prevents the intelligent from achieving anything and must be seen to be believed. In their defense I must say that most of the teachers do everything they can for their students combined with a staggering teacher/student ratio and evershrinking budgets, the teachers just can't keep up. The only thing this school gives students to look forward to is getting out and aside from a few standout teachers apathy rules. One last bit, the class of 2005 started with more than 160 students, now it is down to 130 and only 60-70 of those are expected to graduate.
—Submitted by a student