Northeast High School

my son loves the school The Magnet system and the IB system have some of the most amazing teachers you can have. he had made some really good friends.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently go to Northeast and am enrolled in the IB Program. It's a great school if you are in the IB or Magnet programs and even if you aren't! However, GreatSchools rating is based on test scores and why Northeast's test scores suck is this. A good amount of the kids in IB and Magnet do very well along with those in advanced classes, but all these public schools in philadelphia are getting shut down and turned into charter schools...and all the kids that don't pay attention in class at the public schools that get shut down that the charter schools don't want get dumped here because we have the biggest building in the district..so their bad scores make our school look terrible, but it isn't. I haven't seen a fight this year...my teachers are WONDERFUL..even the ones i had before IB when i was in advanced classes. Overall, Northeast is a great school but make sure your children are either in Advanced classes, IB, or Magnet if you don't want them to be surrounded by kids who don't care about learning.
—Submitted by a student

the problem with north east is not a problem of north east , but a problem of the public school system in philly . i have taken an informal poll of 20 students from girls high , to hallahan , to mastbaum , to northeast . here is the test . do you know what the 4th of july is ? all but two answered yes , independence day . the other two answered " NATIONAL DAY OF FIREWORKS " !!!!!!!!!! i asked independent from who or what ? of the 20 only 1 knew the answer . others answered , i dont know , the pilgrams ,. that is pathetic considering it is the most important day in our country's history and has been taught to them since elementary school . north east is overall ok . they put way too much emphasis on things that are trivial , ie. different notebooks (no spiral , spiral , composition etc ) for different classes , for whom and how strict the uniform policy is exercized , and not enough emphasis on actually getting the students to learn . last school year i had to buy 2 scientific calculators cost $125 each for them to be used 1 time . and yes if they didnt have the calculator that went against their grade . north east is a good neighborhood school in a poor school system .
—Submitted by a parent

Not a good school like it used to be.. A bad thing about public education in philly is how it doesn't let girls walk halls without being gropped, guys not be jumped... not a good school. My daughter was touched all throughout high school here at Northeast
—Submitted by a parent

NEHS is a terrific neighborhood high school. The Magnet Program and IB Program offer great academic opportunities for high achievers. The ESOL Program is the best in the city. As a large, comprehensive high school, it offers everything from sports to music and drama to academic clubs and programs. The school is safe, well-run, and has a positive school culture where learning is respected and involvement is expected. Don't pass over Northeast. It's still a wonderful school that is helping so many students live their dreams and reach their goals.
—Submitted by a teacher

I disagree with students or parents who do not like the uniform policy. If students did not dress with their pants falling off their butts and girls with their chests hanging out all over the place then there wouldn't be such a need for uniforms. Of course when you see some of the parents they look the same way unfortunately! You know they are not dressed like that working in an office. That's what the principal at NE is doing. Preparing students to dress appropriately for the real working world not South Street on a Saturday night!
—Submitted by a parent

This school was a good school until they brought in the uniform policy. A lot of things changed since then and thats all they seem to care about. I am in my third year and I don't like it anymore because of the unneeded strictness of this school. Northeast is NOT the best high school, but it used to be one of the best. The education is good and some of the teachers are nice, willing to stay after school to help you. They have good activities too. However, what drives me off the bus is that this school is just focused on the new useless uniforms. The announcements are long and about the uniforms everyday!!! Like telling students 'all outerwear TAKE IT OFF' and stuff. The staff and others could be better. I am unhappy here and I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone. I'm disappointed in Northeast high school..........
—Submitted by a student

I really don't think that Northeast is that bad. If you're in magnet, IB, Magnet, Health and Medical, or Liberal Arts, or if you're enrolling in AP and advanced classes, then you will find yourself a decent education. I have a friend in the Arts and Education SLC that also says she learns a lot at school. So honestly, it's up to your child if he or she wants a good education. I'm not saying NE doesn't have it's share of problems (I could go on and on about that), but over all it isn't a bad school.
—Submitted by a student

I love Northeast High school because not only was it the High School that my siblings and I graduate from but I knew back then that I wanted any future children that I had to also Graduate from Northeast High school the Teacher really care about the students and they do their very best to Teach in a way that all the children learn what is being taught to them. Also Northeast is very well known for al of their sports teams especially the Football team...It's just a wonderful school and I'm so glad that all 3 of my children has and will graduate from Northeast High School... In fact it's such a great school that Actor Tony Danza is not only filming a reality TV show at Northeast but is also Teaching a 10th Grade English there this school year...NORTHEAST IS THE BEST HIGH SCHOOL....
—Submitted by a parent

Northeast high school is a highschool you want your son or daughter to be in , The Magnet system and the IB system have some of the most amazing teachers you can have ,the facilities are great and the clubs and activities couldn't be any better All the students are friendly and you find people from all types and kinds. If your not sure about which high school to go to , or to put your children in , look no more , this is where you can secure their future , their social life and their safety and enjoyment . Welcome to Northeast High School
—Submitted by a student

NEHS is a decent school compared to all the other public high schools in Philadelphia. However, unless one is in the IB or the Magnet Program, the quality of education greatly diminishes (one could argue that some Magnet classes are jokes also). The administrators at the school seem to care more about graduating the class (whether they're deserving or not) rather than preparing these students for the future. Some teachers are absolutely pathetic; they care more about collecting their paychecks than actually teaching the students. However, many teachers do try their best (in dealing with the lack of resources) to give the students the best education possible (ie: Mr. Frank, Mr. W. Jones, Mr. Carr, Mr. Meier, Ms. Handelman, Mr. Stern, etc.) Bottom line, high school is what you make of it, and NEHS offers enough opportunities for all students to discover their niche, whether it's sports, academics, or arts.
—Submitted by a student

I am in the magnet program. I have never been happier in my life. No matter who you are this school has something to offer. I never had any school spirit, or a social life untill I started here. Hail Northeast!!!
—Submitted by a student

I am currently a student at NEHS and it is my first year, but this school is absolutely amazing. Chaotic, yes. It has so many programs and the choir and orchestra are phenomenal. The school is so different compared to other schools in Philadelphia. It's clean and organized. That's how a school should be.
—Submitted by a student

Northeast High School offers a wonderful 'old-school' atmosphere for its students. I haven t found one high school in Philadelphia that holds on to its roots, including the overall school spirit and participation from the students. Being a local artist and musician, I must second the comment made below about the music program at Northeast. But NEHS is also home to its phenomenal choir ensemble, one of the best in the city! Most recently they were one of two featured choirs chosen to join Singing City on stage at the Kimmel Center for a performance of the Messiah. Many Philadelphians are excited to see what the NEHS music program will do in the future. Music, choral and orchestral alike, is so important for the development of young people today.

Because it was Philadelphia, I was not expecting much from this school. Boy was I suprised! There's so much to do there, and nearly everything's orderlly. It is overall a friendly and prideful school. But there is one problem: Its over 1000 students overcrowded. Its almost impossible to get to your locker and class in 4 minutes.
—Submitted by a student

Northeast High school has so much to offer. Their Magnet program is outstanding! They have SPARC, a program in cooperation with NASA for over 30 years. Their music program is amazing. Most of their music students, who audition, get accepted into the All-City Orchestra and Band. The opportunities available to the students is far above the availability in other surrounding schools both public and private. When your child starts receiving personal letters from Ivy League Universities asking that your child consider them as one of the students choices and person applications sent to the home from major Technical Universities asking them to apply for early decision. As with any school, it depends on the child and the guidance of the parents to make sure their child takes advantage of the opportunities their children are given. I couldn't of asked for a better education for my child.
—Submitted by a parent

It's easy to blame the school for the failure of the student. NEHS is a wonderful school for anyone willing to learn. Granted outside of Magnet and IB the school is cayotic, but overall it's a wonderful experiance.
—Submitted by a student

I was a former student at NEHS when it used to be a decent school two decades ago. My daughter spent the past almost 2 years at NEHS also, but things got so bad there we had to pull her out and move. This school is a complete and total mess. It is not the teachers' fault either, it is the students who don't give a woo woo about anything! The magnet school is to its credit, excellent. If your child is not in magnet then heaven help him/her is all I can say. At least my daughter was in magnet so she escaped most of the horrors of the regular classes. I cannot blame the school entirely because its not their fault. Most parents just simply do not care! The entire district is in a complete state of what I fear is irreparable discombobulation!
—Submitted by a parent

Hi. My son is in his 3rd year of NE High, in the magnet program. I went to public school and always knew that you, as a student, got out of it what you wanted or needed. It was entirely up to you. I really like the diversity found in the school. I love the magnet program. In any school, you'll find kids who don't want to be there. In any school, you'll find teachers and/or students you or child don't like. When there are things you strongly disagree with, you let your voice be heard. I have experienced teachers there who really want to teach and enjoy the kids and visa versa. Overall, I think NE strives to go higher and I give them a thumbs up!
—Submitted by a parent

I'm very disappointed in Northeast High. I've always heard it was a good school but I haven't seen in what area yet. My children haven't had a Math teacher (only substitute) since school started. The teacher's my children do have don't have any interest in teaching and most disappointing is there disciplinary actions. There no tolerance rule is based on what they deem tolerable. There practices are not fair and I am thorough disgusted with the whole school. There form of help has not been of any help to me or my children. They are too strict on minimal discretion and on the major acts they are extreme. They do not have a balance to anything that goes on at that school. How do they expect a student to excel under those conditions? Life is hard enough and they don't make it any easier.
—Submitted by Shanore Ealey, a parent