Jim Thorpe Area Senior High School

I feel that the high school is being misrepresented by the other comments/reviews. I am currently a senior at JTHS, and I can think of three teachers that aren't the most suitable for their position, but the abundance of teachers who ARE suitable and supportive out weigh the others. One history teacher is a civil war reenactor, and he truly captures the excitement of American history in all of his classes with his own time-period collection for students. Also, the physics teacher shows a true interest in the subject himself, by building amps, working the sound booth, etc. The observed involvement of teachers in their own subjects makes classes more enjoyable and purposeful. While there are classes that may not be as meaningful, students don't need to take these classes. It is general knowledge of the student body which classes are meaningful and not, and intelligent students will obviously choose the more challenging, which are certainly available. College classes are even offered through dual enrollment with LCCC. As for athletics, there is a true sense of olympian pride! I would recommend this school but with the understanding that self-motivation will be required by the student.

I moved back into the area because I truly enjoyed going to Jim Thorpe High School, and wanted my children to have the same. Boy was I wrong! I'm not sure all of the teachers are capable of teaching... nothing like your child sitting in class all day, only to come home and me having to re-teach them! And now with their STRICT dress code "no mismatched socks" (REALLY???) I think they spend more time enforcing dress code then they do teaching! If your child is into sports and has excellent grades.... you'll do just great. but otherwise... stay away. I have to children in the high school/middle school (hoping to get one into the preforming arts school in 9th) ... but let me just say my two toddlers will be home schooled!
--Submitted by a parent

Horrible school. Unless your child is athletic or has superior intellect, please avoid this school. Staff is uncaring and when yo try to address issues before they get out of hand, the principal/dean of students/guidance team up like wolves and look down on you as if anything could be wrong on their end. Really a sad situation. Children are bullied by the staff as well as the other children. And what I have read here holds true with persuading the children to attend vo-tech. these years are so important as the spring board for your children. Please reconsider sending them here. You will find they spend most of the time "training" them to take the standardized tests, because they test so low (check it yourself). That is why they ship to the vo tech and alternate school. They will lose funding otherwise. The state of the economy has made everything worse.
--Submitted by a parent

great school..mucho offers from many colleges with full rides on tuition. i highly recommend. programs are great and this school rocks
--Submitted by a parent

The Jim Thorpe High School is the best!!! Their band rocks (I'm going to join it next year), they have great sports teams, the teachers are great, and you get an amazing education. Don't listen to the negative comments. Those people need to get their facts straight or leave the distrcit. I'm a student at this school, & I can honestly say, it's a phenominal high school. And the people with the negative reviews, get a life.

If you can avoid it, do not move into this school district. Especially if you have a special needs student. They are not accommodating. Because of bad experiences with my son and the guidance counselor, who had a degree in psychology, I tried to have the counselor switched to the second of the two they have there as an accommodation in the 504 plan.. Apparently they couldn't handle that and just kept saying, "but it is alphabetical". Guess one student who wasn't M-Z would be there undoing. If that causes too much confusion, how can they teach your kids anything? After one insufferable year, I pulled my son out to go to cyber school, and I plan on putting my younger one in too so he does not attend this atrocious school. The housing market cannot turn around fast enough to get out of here. Low ranking/terrible teachers/bullying, by staff and students/uncaring/unapproachable/rigid staff/unprofessional. Unless your child is in a position where he can basically teach himself, please don't move into this area.
--Submitted by a parent

Low state ranking. Uninvolved teachers and school officials. LB Morris kids far more advanced than Penn Kidder kids once entering HS. Avoid this school district if you have children, especially if you have dreams of college!
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent with 2 children in this district and one who just graduated. I also worked in the school. I nor my children were born and raised here and yet we fit in just fine. The residents and school staff of Jim Thorpe are friendly, wonderful people who will go out of their way to make you feel welcome and make sure your child(ren) receive the best education possibly. I highly recommend this school!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Positives: If you come into this district with an IEP you should be good, but they will most likely try to turn you to the vo-tech school. If you are an outstanding student, you will have a positive school experience. Neg: If you do not come in with an IEP and require one, they will try to remove you to the alternate school, or the vo-tech. The teachers aren't trained in spotting issues that may be helped through special programs that will benefit the child. All material MUST be presented in writing, preferably email, as it will go 'missing'. If complaints are made, they are dismissed out of hand if the principal/dean of students don't believe you. This may be the best school around here, but the bar is NOT that high.
--Submitted by a parent

This school had a bad drug problem. They even have their own rug sniffing dogs. I would think twice n sending kids there.
--Submitted by a parent