Pennridge High School

Although school never tops the list of places students want to be, being at Pennridge is a great experience. I'm in my junior year at Pennridge, and have been in the district since kindergarten. All most all of the staff is wonderful and sincerely care about us students. The facilities are usually very clean, and almost every room is almost bran-new. The students here are very nice, and there are very rarely any harsh bullying incidents. The extra curricular activities are always welcoming new students, ad there is a plethora of things to chose from: there's no reason why any student shouldn't be involved with something! Unfortunately, Pennridge is obsessed with the PSSA testings, and in the spring, we are tested to death! But, Pennridge is one of the highest ranking schools in PA from PSSAs. Next year, I will be proud to say I graduated from Pennridge, and I would highly recommended sending your kids here!
--Submitted by a student

I have four children in the district today. The twins will be entering 5th- the youngest in 3rd and the oldest into 9th grade. I moved from NY 2 years ago. I came from a nationally top rate district so finding a replacement that I felt would be best was not the easiest. I can however say, with both gifted students and one that has struggled and needed an IEP-all have excelled far beyond my expectations. This district is a sensational organization rich with academics, activities and encourages culture. Teachers care! the coaches on teams care...and I haven't met an administrator yet showing any signs of lacking in their focus on the students. If you are looking for a great place-that they are safe in and they come home and tell you without asking how their day was-what they learned and what's coming up-find a way to live in Pennridge
--Submitted by a parent

Great School! Strong academics and extra extra curricular activities!
--Submitted by a student

I've only been at Pennridge High School for a few months, and I greatly miss Penn Central Middle School. Back then, the Principal actually cared about the students, and it was a great learning environment. The High School has a horrible principal, and it seems as if the assistant principals do way more work. How is it, that in middle school I had a 'Dr.' and in High School I have a 'Mr.' who doesn't even care. Besides the principal, the school is pretty cool. However the Language department is horibble, they can barely speak the language themselves! Most of my other teachers are awesome though, and I still enjoy school for the most part.
--Submitted by a student

The High school is large. The middles schools each have their own flavor. Most of the teachers are extremely kind, and compassionate, but some are resentful to the Kids. They put more into the special needs and gifted children leaving the general population with poor teaching and little guidance. The high school guidance counselors do a poor to fair job, The support stafe are great. The senoir principal at the high school only cares about football. The assistant proncipals are great. The strive for a no tolerance policy for discipline and it is worls. Many children pass with out really knowing the material. They care more about state testing then teaching. Music, art sport teachers are good. The superinedent needs to be changed. They do not bus kindergarden, it is not mandatory in the state of Pennsylvania, so you drive you children. They refuse to listen to the community.
--Submitted by a parent

I would personally rather go back to Penn Central. The teachers are average - there's nothing great about them. It truly depends on who you get. Regarding the principal and superintendant, they should seriously be fired. The principal only cares about senior popularity, which is absolutely pointless because you end up still hating him from years past. In my personal opinion, it's pathetic that doctors are principals in the middle and elementary schools but not the highschool. It is completely backwards.The superintendant does absolutely nothing - he's getting paid close to or at least $250,000 a year to sit on his butt all day and take luxurious vacations. The building is nice, and there is a lot offered. Overall, the school is pretty much like any other highschool, just with a horrible principal and a lazy superintendant.
--Submitted by a student

I am a parent in Pennridge, I have 2 Gifted Children on the way up the academic ladder(6th and 2nd grades) We may have to relocate to another PA school district and I am having a hard time finding a comparable school district. I feel the children are doing very well in our district. The sports are encouraged, as well as the music and arts. The gifted classes have been very well established, but I do feel the average student may struggle to be recognized for effort or potential. They have not reached high school level yet, so it is unfair to assume the trend continues. Elementary and Middle schools are excellent. The teachers care about their futures and their present struggles... What a community Pennridge has too! A+ Pennridge! Wish we never had to leave! You're acedemic record preceeds you! Wonderful test scores and safe environment!
--Submitted by a parent

I believe Pennridge teachers do a great job overall. I had one child graduate 5 years ago. She was gifted and did quite well. My next child struggles. If it weren't for some of the teachers this year alone, especially his health teacher/lacrosse coach, I don't know that my son would have made it. This teacher was concerned with the young man my son is going to become. My third child is a lot like the first one and she does well also. My advice is, before you criticize the teachers, look who is at the helm. Also, we need to look to the parents. It's their responsibility to set boundaries and help the children. Stop blaming and start looking within the superintendent and yourselves.
--Submitted by a parent

Hey, Im a student at Pennridge. I take all APs and Honors courses, and I can tell that if I dont really put a lot into my work, I can skate by and get straight A's. They spend a lot more time helping boost up the lower end students than they do supporting the abilities of gifted students. However, if you work hard, you can learn as much as you choose. But if you have a kid who is above the level of most students, make sure he/she is being challenged. Also, I don't like the comments prior to this about the teachers. All of my teachers to date have cared about our education, some go way above their call of duty. I think it is terrible that parents who haven't been in class with these teachers feel it is okay to slander them. ~PHS Student
--Submitted by J, a student

Academics vary Greatly based upon the teacher assigned (some are outstanding and some don't deserve to be teaching in a High School environment). The principal seems to have a very hard time selecting a well rounded staff - even with 4 assistant principals available to help. The school definitely has a solid and varied offering of sports and clubs. As long as your child can avoid the poor teachers and the principal, who seems to care only about his popularity amongst the Senior Class, they should do well.
--Submitted by a parent