Brashear High School

I think it is pretty hard for parents to judge upon what their child tells them that goes on at school. Brashear has wonderful extracurricular activities, and teachers that do care about learning ethics, and the teachers that seem like they do not care usually seem like that because the child does not care. As far as boredom goes teachers can only put in so much effort the student must complete the rest, this is not elementary school anymore. The safety at Brashear is extraordinary. I would say it is one of the safest schools in the city and maybe even the state. As far as the principal goes I would not say that I liked her or that she was the friendliest person, but she was the reason that our school was so safe and kept in line. Without her it would not have been as safe and structured.
--Submitted by a student

I'm not totally sure about the academic programs, my daughter is freshman this year and she has brought home a near perfect report card all 3 semesters. She is in the PSP classes and she states that she is re-learning material she learned in 8th grade at small Catholic School. I have never gotten a report/phone call fromany of her teachers. She has been falling asleep in her Civic and Science clases because the teachers are so boring she tells me. The extracurriclar academics seem wonderfull. Brashear has a lot to offer in that field. My daughter has been asked to appply for an apprentiship program from her counsler, because she knows that she is interested in becoming a vet. As far as parent involvment goes, there is none that I see. i am on the Band Board and maybe 3/4 parents show up. I've never been abelto make a PTA.
--Submitted by a parent

There is a divide in the quality of academic programs acording to the schools tracking system Students that score higher on IQ tests recieve far more attention than students that in fact may need more attention. Also there are elements of racism and sexism in the school, at least i have experienced them. I have a memory of sitting in an AP history class and skipping over women's history and slavery because it 'wasn't important', this is just one example. As far as extracurricula activities there are an abundance including several art and music programs.
--Submitted by a former student

My son is a senior this year at Brashear. He is very bright, but has motivation and work ethic issues. I have had numerous problems with the school support staff this year, and overall have been dissatisfied with the school in following the attendance and discipline procedures set forth in the code of student conduct document that is posted on the school district's website. My son has a large number of unexcused absences which should have been brought to my attention after the 3rd day. I found out by accident that he had cut 13 days when I called to inquire about an early dismissal. I also had an extremely difficult time trying to actually speak to someone in the counseling department. No one seems to want to return phone messages. If I had the choice to make again, I would not send my teenager to Brashear H.S.
--Submitted by a parent

The school is very safe. The teachers tend to care greatly about a student's progress. The Students get involved in activities and there is a lot of school spirit. Everything about the school is wonderful, except for the prinicple. She does not know how to talk to parents. She tends to talk down to them and usually hangs up on them. So a warning to parents.
--Submitted by a former student

My son has been at Brashear for three years. It is well run, and the education is great. My son plays football, and the program is one of the better ones in the Pittsburgh Public School system. Highly recommend this school to other parents in the school system.
--Submitted by a parent

I graduated in 1981 and was glad to get out of there. I remember a lot of fights, riots and teacher harrassment.
--Submitted by a former student

Brashear High School is one of the better public high schools in the pittsburgh public school system I think. I went there and so did my sister and we both did okay. If the school is still open I think I will send my children there if isn't too bad as most of the Pittsburgh Public Schools are getting.
--Submitted by a former student