Council Rock High School North

Let's see...a large number of students initiate a huge food fight. Instead of dealing with it proactively, Council Rock, again, deals with it by having a 'police presence', then later, of course, overreacts and actually has some kids arrested? But alas, the usual 'my child does no wrong' parent strolls in and threatens to sue? And this is a well-disciplined school? How about calling the parents and telling them their kids WILL be responsible for cleaning the mess up after school? This type of behavior happens constantly. What do the well-behaved kids gain from this? Not a school district I want my kids to be in again...ever.
—Submitted by a parent

This school, I believe, was better than Newtown Middle. The reason I don't give higher than a four is: not much help at times, some teachers make you feel like nothing or annoying, and the only way you get kicked out is by doing a serious crime, other than that everything is pointless rules or the trouble people cause are little to nothing to the district.
—Submitted by a student

Council Rock High School North has proved to be an excellant education center for both of my daughters (one who has graduated and one who has just completed her junior year). CRN offers a safe, collaborative, challenging and engaging school environment. The curriculum is comprehensive and far reaching. The administration is first rate, not only at this school but throughout the district and the teaching staff is one of the highlights of the school. That said I would say that I am not sure of the overall quality of the Math department as both of my children, who are otherwise very good students, struggled with math throughout their durations at CRN. However, overall the school offers a quality education, a full range of extracurricular activities and very adequately prepares high school students for college.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a student at Council Rock North, and I can honestly say that I hate it here. The school, in terms of academics, is excellent. However, the students who attend this school are some of the most low-quality human beings in this world. If you are a transfer student, like I am, you're life here will be a living hell. Do not come to this school.
—Submitted by a student

We moved to Newtown with high school aged children and I have been so pleased with Council Rock North High School. The counselors have done a great job in helping my children feel welcome and adjust to a new environment and have gone the extra mile in making sure they were placed in appropriate courses. The academics have been outstanding. They have a history program that builds from year to year, an English program that focuses on vocabulary, grammar and the classics, excellent math and science teachers that engage the students in the learning process and their after-school clinic is a great chance for all students to receive extra help in any subject as needed. There are a wide range of extra-curricular activities that allow every student who wants to get involved the opportunity to do so.
—Submitted by a parent

Both my children have attended this school and got a great education Once they got to college they found exactly how good their high school was. They were ahead of many other college freshmen.
—Submitted by a parent

What a school district! My three sons have all gone through Council Rock North and have achieved so much! The teachers are incredible, with degrees from Penn, Georgetown, UVA, Penn State and Colgate. The honors programs, AP, and accelerated academics are unbelievable! If you're looking for a great town to live in with topnotch schools, Newtown/Washington Crossing is the place to settle down!
—Submitted by a parent

My son, a Junior, rarely expresses enthusiasm about his school, CRHSN. Neither did my two daughters, who also attended CRHSN. They aren't alone; many of the students here appear overwhelmed and harried. Animated conversations among students and cheerful dispositions do NOT abound. If CRHSN students seem to carry heavy burdens, it is because they do: both literally and figuratively. The backpacks probably weigh 30 pounds apiece, laden as they are with the entire contents of the students' respective lockers. If the youth at CRHSN seem plagued with pressure and angst, look no further than pushy, ambitious parents who will settle for nothing less than the whole package: Honors, extracurriculars, clubs, sports, etc. The teachers? They are excellent, as well as being highly disciplined (how else to explain their adherence to a 7:00 a.m. start-time?), and are only giving parents what they demand: Fast-track, type 'A' college-bound achievers at any cost.
—Submitted by a parent

As a former student I would Like to say that council rock north prepared me well for college. I was mostly in ap and honors classes throughout high school. Compared to my fellow students in college I am a head in my math and sciences. The one problem that council rock has is that all of its best teachers are retiring within the next 5 years or so.
—Submitted by a student

This school is a hell for me. I still attend and I'm in high level courses, all of which fail to challenge me. The graduation requirements are extremely annoying as the school offers many courses I'd love to take, but because of the requirements I can't fit them in my schedule. The teachers are both ways, either retarded or brilliant. Level of interest from the student body seems extremely low to me.
—Submitted by a student

Great school if you're in the honors program or special ed. Otherwise it's a very mediocre school. Tons of the teachers should have retired or fired by now, but the union is too strong.
—Submitted by a student

This school is large. It is impersonal, somewhat like a mini university. There is an abundance of school papers flooding the student's backpack on any given day. The teaching method which seems most efficacious (for the teachers, at least) appears to be the one that employs lectures, memorization from textbooks and sending home papers to support the lesson. Also, there are papers that are sent home regularly so that the student can prepare for the ever-imminent quiz or test. There are many extracurricular activities if a student is willing to be flexible. Safety and discipline are enforced regularly due to the hypervigilance exercised by security as well as staff members in general. Overall, this school, in my opinion, is average to a tad above average. There is nothing special about it except for the fact that it is located in Newtown.
—Submitted by a parent

the quality of programs at cr-north is essential. the extracurriculars are amazing, and the teaching staff deserves to be commended.
—Submitted by a parent

Education is fabulous, the social dynamic needs major attention as do the extra=curricular programs and CR needs to address the mass exodus of its best teachers (due to retirement) because the new ones just don't match up.
—Submitted by a former student

This school is a mega-school yet with the right amount of motivation, determination and ambition (which abounds, thanks to the parents in this moderately well-to-do to affluent distict), a student can excel. There are activities and human-interest organizations in the school; everything from 'M.A.D.D.' to 'AIDS Awareness' with the usual plethora of sports teams. Ice hockey, however, is a sport that bears the high school's logo but is not quite recognized by the school itself. Unfortunate, considering the ice hockey team has proven itself to be highly competitive and has carried home more than a few trophies over the years. On the downside of this school, the sheer number of students detracts from any small-town ambience that one might expect in the school after moving to, say, Newtown or Washington Crossing. On the plus side, the leadership here is excellent, with the administration and staff giving taxpayers their money's worth.
—Submitted by a parent

With one of the best academic programs in the state, this school can guarantee your student will get into some college if they put in the effort. Unfortunately, with such a large student body, a student can blend in or be lost in the crowd. For those go getters, it is a great place with wonderful opportunities and teachers to insure a child's success.
—Submitted by a former student

This is a wonderful school district with many extra curricular activities to choose from. The academics are remarkable. The teachers are very well educated and there are so many classes to choose from.
—Submitted by a former student

My family awards this school a #5 for academic excellence, teacher professionalism and loyalty of the students to the school. We are the proud parents of 2 daughters attending the high school. Both have the benefit of highly academic and diverse course selection. Teachers are committed to the students and offer their time willingly to the student as well as the parent when the need arises. Back to School Night is well attended and the classroom presentations by teachers are informative and enthusiastic. Colleges welcome CR students because the school has a reputation of preparing kids for college. We wouldn't send our daughters any where else!
—Submitted by a parent

I attended Council Rock myself and graduated 1976 - two of my daughters have graduated from this fine school district and my third daughter currently attends - Quality education is fantastic - extracurricular activities vary and compliment the district - administration and teaching staff are courteous, caring, and top quality - my daughters were in private school for three years before entering CR - This district far excels local private education!
—Submitted by Beverly, a parent

I graduated from CR North in 2000. I feel privileged to have gne to such a fine school. I was overly prepared for life in college