Shaler Area High School

As a former student of Shaler Area High when the high school was on Mt. Royal Blvd., I found the curriculum to be excellent. I started as a sophmore there when the school district was ordered to include all school in the Etna, Millvale, and Sharpsburgh schools. While many people thought this was a bad idea they were very wrong in my opinion. The move was the best thing for the school district. The choir and band were excellent then. I was a member of the choir and other extra curriculum activities and it was excellent. The teachers were excellent except for maybe 1 or 2, but they really cared about the students and went out of their way to help them succeed. The rest of the support staff, principal, counselors, coaching staff and everyone had the students future in their minds. They were always very available and seriously cared about everyone. This is one of the best schools in the area. Students just needed to avail themselves of the various activities, AP classes, and and technical opportunities that were available. The student/teacher ratio was one of the lowest in the entire area. Everyone should encourage their children to take advantage of everything available.
--Submitted by a student

I had an overall positive experience at Shaler, and even landed a full ride for college, but I took honors and AP classes. Many of the students in the lower quartiles of the school do not get much attention unless it is PSSA time. A lot of the teachers are frustrated; even in an honors class, there are students that are unwilling to learn. Many students apathetically speak of getting a Shaler "eduamacation." My recommendation would be to encourage children to enter the higher tracks, starting at a young age, or else to encourage them to become involved with the technical programs. These are the best ways to ensure success at Shaler. Activities at the school, outside of athletics, are underfunded, but that is common at most schools. The school does have both an excellent choir and an excellent band. They are really worthwhile extracurricular activities, and they provide a good community for students. Overall, the school is average for a public school. There are trade offs and compromises to be made, but, ultimately, the school is what the student makes of it. If you encourage your child to do well, Shaler is more than happy to provide the resources that can help them succeed.
--Submitted by a student

Excellent honors programs. And, students who arent cut out for that tract are given the opportunity for career or vocational training through partnerships offered at area institutions of advanced specialty. The administration works hard to make sure that our kids can compete with Hampton and NA and it shows. Test scores are reflective of the fact that a very small percentage of kids do not care. Every October the entire community gathers on Mt Royal for a mile long parade and festival preceeding the big game. You dont find this in other area schools. That sense of community continues throughout the year. I paid less than $100k for our home and cannot believe how happy I am here.
--Submitted by a parent

teachers could be better and not as strict, but its a good school over all
--Submitted by a student

Shaler Area High School make my son what he is today, a great athlete, responsible citizen, stamina, knowledge, and a down right good person.
--Submitted by a parent

As a college student that graduated from Shaler, I have found that the opportunities that the school provides far exceed those of other schools. With all the AP and college-in-high school courses offered, I was able to obtain a full year worth of college credits by the time I graduated from high school. Also, almost all the teachers I had were excellent, with only a few that were below average, though no school has teachers that are all perfect.
--Submitted by a student

As a parent of three children within the district, I can say over the years we have only had one teacher I would consider to be terrible. Otherwise, our experience has been pretty positive. Growing up in a small town, I appreciate all of the opportunities afforded to my children that I did not have at my school. I believe that a child who is willing to work and succeed will do well here, and parents need to be involved with their children to complete the circle. It's true that Shaler is not perfect, but it could always be ALOT worse.
--Submitted by a parent

Shaler Schools are a joke. The programs are lacking and the educators are apathetic. Shaler aspires to mediocrity. Ask why the numbers here are so much lower than the other area schools.
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my children went to and graduated from the Shaler school district. As a parent I can say I am proud of the education my children received and the way they were treated throughout the school system. The teachers and councelors in all the schools are well trained in their field. Regarding any complaints about the addition to the high school, have they ever heard 'Temporary inconvenience for a permanent improvement'? Shaler area has a ton of kids and are doing what they have to to provide an education to all of them.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a going to be a junior at Shaler next year, and I hope the school is better then. This last year was awful- construction got in the way of everything. Some teachers care about the students, others about the standardized tests, and some don't seem to care about anything at all. Last year, everyone was really tense. It should be better next year after everyone settles in. It's an average school with below average circumstances and above average potential.
--Submitted by a student