Dover Area High School

n October 2004 Dover Area School District changed its biology teaching curriculum to require that intelligent design was to be presented as an alternative to evolution theory, with Of Pandas and People to be used as a reference book. The plaintiffs successfully argued that intelligent design is a form of creationism, and that the school board policy violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The ruling concluded that intelligent design is not science, and permanently barred the board from "maintaining the ID Policy in any school within the Dover Area School District, from requiring teachers to denigrate or disparage the scientific theory of evolution, and from requiring teachers to refer to a religious, alternative theory known as ID. "The eight Dover school board members who voted for the intelligent design requirement were all defeated in a November 8, 2005 election by challengers who opposed the teaching of intelligent design in a science class, and the school board president stated that the board did not intend to appeal the ruling.

This school has a wonderful extracurricular program, but the academics are not all that good. Some of the teachers I have had do not know anything about their subject. The social environment is okay as long as you are invisible and let the popular kids rule.
—Submitted by a student

This school is an bad school with an bad way of doing things . I am an student now at Dover and the school has no money and nothing to help you with your career !
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from this school last year and it had a great program, and the teachers are great. I didn't have any problems, and they taught me alot, and got me to graduation sucessfully.

i love this school.I just hated the freakin kids,i mean they are eithe stoners or posers..the only real ppl there were the ones that did go fake baking all the time..
—Submitted by a student

Activities are not right after school, and the kids must return around dinner time for some practices. Some bus rides are to long, about 50 minutes, to get to school.
—Submitted by a parent

Umm, Dover... It isn't a horrible school, very small which can be both good and bad. But lately there has been a lot of unneeded rules and enforce them to a level that is uncalled for. The food is gross, I havn't eaten lunch here for 2 years, and a lot of the rooms are getting old. They seem to not care that the art rooms don't get sufficent supplies and only care about getting top scores on the PSSA's... I don't think that it is right to make some teachers wheel a cart around during the day because we can't afford to get them their own rooms...=[ Not an amazingg school, but not the worst I guess. We do get good test grades and the education isn't horrible. Mostly comfortable environment...But I guess I like it.
—Submitted by a student

I have 3 kids that have attended Dover and all three have gone on to college..While i believe most of the teachers are excellent, the administration and the principles over the last few years have been horrible!! They seem to impose rules just to let the students know they are in charge, no matter how poorly thought out they might be. They finally got driver which they badly needed.
—Submitted by a parent

The academic achievements of DHS are astounding. We have very dedicated teachers who push the students to reach their full potential, which is way above the state requirements. Our honors program is well-geared towards suiting students for future collegiate education. The music program is top-notch, with both band and choir receiving prestigious awards at the national level. Extra-cirricularly, all the bases are covered, from the regulars like football, baseball, volleyball to theater plays and musicals, to volunteer clubs and student organizations. Parent involvement is growing, with the addition of a PTO several years ago. As a student who received a full-tuition scholarship to college, I can honestly say that DHS prepared me for post-secondary education. The teachers showed concern and desire to see me and my peers succeed. Also, as one who researched NCLB, we are congruent with all requirements set forth in state/national legislation. Dover High School-- definitely A+!
—Submitted by a former student

As a former student of Dover High School, I have to say that I was disappointed in the level of education I received. I was not challenged and due to limited curriculum I was unable to take classes that interested me. I felt very unprepared for college. I also feel the extracurricular activities are extrememly limiting.
—Submitted by a former student

Dover school district falls short on protecting our students best interest both academically, emotionally and physically. It seems to be more important to keep the cost of educating our students as low as possible! They don't seem to care that these students deserve better then what Dover is willing to supply. They are not just our children, they are American's children. It is a true shame that Dover does not put our children's education and well being at the top of their priority list!
—Submitted by a parent

dover area high school is a dump...i hate dover area high school...the only good part about dover area high school is their marching band. if i were you i would NEVER send my child to dover area high school, because they might get espesthus poisoning and die. this school is falling down and there are rats everywhere...now the condition of the school is improving but it is still a dump.
—Submitted by bradley crouse, a parent

As the parent of 3 students, the last of which graduated this year, I can honestly say this district offers the education that the individual student seeks out. If you are looking [for] the district to manage your child's education you will be disappointed. If [you]act as a parent and guide your child they will receive a fine public education
—Submitted by a parent

I would not recoment dover area high school as a school of choice because, over the last 3 years there has been no extra help offered to students that are not performing up to state standards. All the students are taught at the same level, and as we all know all students are not capable of learning at the same level. If your child does not meet special education needs this is not the school for you. It seems that there are alot of cources required and if your student can not meet the requirements it is on you and your child to remediate outside of school hours in order for your child to meet the requirements. Teachers need to learn to teach at different levels or the school needs to provide the right education for the students to meet the state standards.
—Submitted by a parent

Dover Area High School has a bad rap of not being a very good school, but it is quite the opposite. There are many great teachers and programs offered here. Expecially the Judo programs that Mr. Carl Addams has been teaching for close to ten years. It is a great class for your teens to take because it shows them how to protect themselves. I would recommend Dover High School 100% because they are dedicated to helping your childrens to succeed!
—Submitted by a student