East Stroudsburg Senior High School South

I am a current senior at this school, and I am very satisfied with my experience. It is very diverse, and while this is sometimes a source of conflict, the administration handles it very well. Fights and violence have gone down noticeably since I arrived here, and Mr. Catrillo is doing a very good job with running the school. Most of my classes have been good experiences, and a motivated student will find ways to challenge him or herself. It would be nice if there were more AP classes offered, but Intependent Study is always an option. Extracurricular activities are very good, there is quite literally something for everyone: Multicultural Affairs, Green Team, Physics Club, you name it. Overall, a very good school, and I am definitely glad I spent my four high school years here.
—Submitted by a student

My son will be starting the 5th Grade, we have a long way before he reaches the 9th Grade. The school has shown alot of progress academically since we moved here. I hope that they continue to excel in Academics , Athletics and Arts throughout the years. I am very please with the choice I made to move to this school district. Coming from New York, I can already see advantages for my kids and improvement in their development. Hoping the school comtinue to offer wide choices of Electives and programs. I am very impressed.

If your child struggles in school, these teachers don't want to put extra effort in. They gave my child an IEP that allows him extra time for tests, and may leave the class if the teacher would allow it, to go for help. However, all this did was enable my child to use his IEP to slack off and use it as an excuse not to do well and put in extra effort. In the real world, at a college, trade shcool or in the workforce, nobody is going to be there to hold your hand. You have to work hard and he learned the opposite at school. He just barely graduated.
—Submitted by a parent

My child just completed his first year of high school and had a terrific freshman year. For any child who is motivated and comes to school to learn, the opportunities are many -- AP classes, extracurriculars, vo-tech specialties.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had children in this school district for 14 years and overall have been pleased. Best high school available in Monroe County (and the school board has utilized property taxes in a more responsible manner than in some nearby districts). The new high school building is beautiful, the course offerings extensive, and programs for academically gifted students substantial. Many students have gone on to receive full academic scholarships at ivy-league or comparably competitive colleges. Very active extracurriculars, many non-athletic, such as FBLA, Speech & Debate, NHS, musical productions/theater. State-renowned music program (band / chorus). Diverse student body. Many top-notch teachers and coaches. Yes, there are some teachers who ought to retire but that is a weakness of any public school system. We have so far found this school administration to, overall, be responsive to any issues.
—Submitted by a parent

I read some of the reviews below and hope people dont judge the school by them. parents obviously dont know what they're talking about. teachers do as much as they can there and are very helpful, yes there are some bad ones, but what school doesn't have them. if you are willing to learn, you will. and also, the school is done now and it is beautiful and completely clean. the comment about the principlas and security being not visibla is comepletely a lie. our principal is always checking in on classrooms and is always around the school. and security is everywhere. all in all, south is a very good school. there are som problems but every other school has problems too. what I love most is that south probably has the most electives to choose from than any other school in the area. and extracurriculars and sports are awesome there!
—Submitted by a student

This school stinks and the teachers are horrible, the kids get away with anything and i dont like it
—Submitted by a student

The teachers dont challenge the students, the students get away with anything, theres a major gang presance, the principal is clueless. No safety, even with security guards.
—Submitted by H. Roth, a student

If you ask me the leaders in this school and this district have no idea how to run a great(or even decent) school and should all step aside and give someone else a try. If it wasn't for some excellent teachers we would have moved by now. Although, we will still move because our kids deserve better schools than this.
—Submitted by a parent

i think the quality of academic programs is below average. The availability of music art sports and other extracurricular activities are average. The level of parent involvement needs to be greatly encouraged.
—Submitted by a parent

most teachers are effective educators, but look out for the ones who don't care. administration is lacking, but slowly improving, in small areas.
—Submitted by a parent

Most of the teachers are positive, helpful and responsive. Administration does not always respond to parental concerns in a timely manner. Must keep on them if there is an issue that needs a resolution. Habits of tending to let issues fall through the cracks unless student and parent push for acknowledgement and resolution.
—Submitted by a parent

Principal is rarely visible. Security is spotty. Physical condition of the building is horrendous. Everything was torn up in anticipation of renovation and left that way. Class size is extremely high. Racial tension abounds with which administration is incapable of coping. School board sharply divided and inefficient. They cannot even provide classrooms with facial tissues due to lack of funds. Textbooks are antiquated. The only saving grace is the dedication and quality of experienced teachers, but new teachers are inexperienced. Public relations are very poor as is communication with parents whose involvement is discouraged. New superintendent surely has her work cut out for her.
—Submitted by a student

We have security guards and cameras throughout the school, but many things still come into the school that shouldn't. The physical condition of the school is very poor, and the renovation process has stopped- even though we've spent alot of tax money on the process. There are many ethnicities/races who attend this school. You're not allowed to wear bandanas, headbands, or anything gang-related and they are very strict about this. The teachers are okay, but classes are sometimes too big. It's an overall 'okay' school, but the conditions of the school are what make this a worse place then it really is capable of being.
—Submitted by Elanah Feliciano, a student

I wish the support for Learning Disabled children was stronger. I sometimes feel my child is being forgotten and neglected. I am not informed on his academic progress as I was initially promised, and it is sometimes not until his letter grade has dropped to a D or F before I am notified. His teachers overall are very good, but I feel he isn't getting the additional support he needs and he is legally entitled to.
—Submitted by a parent