Upper Darby Senior High School

Parents...before jumping to conclusions about what you hear in the media, listen to the student's perspective first. Upper Darby High School is a great school. The only thing that drags it down are the media and some of the students who just don't care, but there's a separate place for those students. As a graduate of 2009, I must say the teachers there are amazing. They will definitely go out of their way to help and sincerely care about student's education. They really don't make enough for what they do. Yes, there are a lot of students, but the area is too dense to place another high school in the district. The crowds didn't even bother me at all. Not to mention, there are numerous of opportunities for everybody no matter what you are interested in from arts, technology, business, sports, college credits, vo-tech...you name it! It's the students themselves who have to take advantage of these wonderful opportunities. Even though the lousy media can give it a bad name, I wouldn't trade my high school experience for anything!

As a graduate of Upper Darby High School, I can honestly say that I ADORED this school. Yes, there are certainly problems pertaining to the population; however, let's try to focus on the positives. UDHS offers excellent classes, wonderful clubs, vo tech opportunities, amazing sport teams and much, much more. As a senior in college now, I believe that UD has prepared me for not only college, but life in general, as well. I am currently dual majoring in English education and psychology while maintaining a 3.8 GPA and I honestly don't know if I would be as successful if I had not attended UD. They have provided me with not only knowledge, but a great deal of confidence, as well. Some may claim that UD is a bad school, but I can assure you that it is not. High school is what you make of it, people. If a student wants to learn, he/she will learn and if a student doesn't want to learn, they wont. I can tell you one thing, though: If a student wants to learn, the teachers and faculty at UDHS will do everything in their power to ensure that each and every student reaches his/her full potential.

I can't believe that a Class Action Law Suit had not been filed against this township regarding the ridiculously large amount of kids crammed into one High School. Upper Darby High School is simply too large. What will it take for someone to make a decision and start talking about a second school. Stop hiding under the umbrella of diversity (while very nice) and fix the real problem. 4000 is simply too many kids and pulls form way too large of an area. Every school has a few bad eggs, but when you have 4000 kids a few can become a couple hundred bad eggs. UDHS staff is completely preoccupied with corrective issues and preventative issues... and then finally... some teaching! 19026 and 19082 should split!
--Submitted by a parent

Talk about a good thing going bad... Upper Darby High School has many issues but the most troubling is the size of the student body. UDHS is bursting at the seams with kids. The township is the largest in the State, but somehow only has one HS. Lower Merion has two high schools. West Chester has two High schools. The teachers at UDHS seem to spend most of their time trying to gain some control of the staggering amount of kids in one school. With an award winning Theater and Arts program, Summer Stage, Nationally ranked Cheerleaders, breathtaking Jazz band and Orchestra, and programs to fit almost every interest a child could have... it's all easily washed away when you are consistently recognized for new making issues that are mostly stemmed from TOO MANY KIDS!
--Submitted by a parent

I posted this before - so not sure why it did not post - UDHS is a great experience - the diversity prepares you for life in ways that most schools don't. while at the time I felt some teachers could be more innovative - I felt just as prepared as prepschool kids when I went to college.
--Submitted by a student

I graduated from Upper Darby in 2009. I loved every second that I was there. It was a great experience, and as a student, I didn't really notice that there were a large number of students in the school. I've been in the district since kindergarten and I feel that my education was extremely helpful in preparing me for college. I do recommend that students in Upper Darby get involved with something because it will help keep you busy and you won't fall into the stereotype of an Upper Darby student. It really is a great district, the teachers love their students, and everyone has the ability to succeed you just have to be willing to work for it (which is exactly what education is about: hard work paying off in the end).
--Submitted by a student

This school has way over exceeded its capacity for the students it can handle. It's quite a large district and I think these students would receive a high quality education of a second high school was built. The district would probably have higher test scores too. Lower Merion has two schools and look at the quality of their education and prep for college; its not impossible for two high schools within one district.

This school, which I formerly went to, did not help me at all towards college. All of the things I am learning now in college werent things that I knew already and I immediately fell behind because the teachers didnt properly prepare me for college efficently.
--Submitted by a student

UDHS is a great school for kids at the top of the ability spectrum. Those kids have endless opportunities to excel (but these kids would do well at any school). For the vast majority of kids, however (and there are almost 4000 kids in this school), it subpar. The school is just too big; it can t possibly deliver a quality education to that many kids. I know that they try, but it s just not realistic to attempt to educate 4000 kids in one building. After having one child go through this school, I am planning on moving before my other child is old enough to attend UDHS. As hard as they try, this is just not a good school.
--Submitted by a parent

This school stays abreast of trends and curriculum needs that equip the students with the most valuable tools they need to be successful in the working world. The programs, classes, clubs, and sports are all opportunities for students to take advantage of and own their education! More parents could be involved of course but that could be at any school. I am an UDHS alumn and very proud of this school. My kids now attend the UDSD and UDHS. Both are receiving exceptional educations! What could improve? Like any other school, more funding to help overall!
--Submitted by a parent