Fox Chapel Area Senior High School

I graduated from Fox Chapel a few years ago and I must say I really enjoyed my experience there. They have an unparalleled selection of AP and advanced courses for students and a really strong student-teacher rapport. Countless opportunities are available for those who are willing to take advantage of them. However I have to be the first to admit that there is a prominent socioeconomic divide present in the district. Don't let anyone tell you different...Money, labels, and status make the world go round. Especially in FC.
--Submitted by a student

The school has a lot of social problems, and the administration is never there to help the students, however the teachers care about every student, as they make themselves available all the time. However some extracurricular activities have more funding than others do, making some activities less enjoyable than others. One can definately see the clicks as they would walk down the halls of this prestigious school, but the only great thing about it are the teachers and the extra curricular activities.
--Submitted by a student

I think that Fox Chapel offers alot to its students. However one downfall is that many of the students who attend this school are wealthy and for parents who are looking into sports they had better be willing to donate to the boosters or give something to the team. This goes for all of the sports teams in the school except for maybe cheerleading. Also wearing the 'right' clothes is very important. Aeropostale and Hollister are acceptible, any off brand will be noticed. The teachers can be really great but it is all what your child makes of it. Over all I think this is a good school if you can afford it It may be public, but the attitude of many of the students is that they are better than anyone and that mommy and daddy will buy them a good position for football, and can make life really hard.
--Submitted by a parent

I graduated from Fox Chapel only about a month and a half ago and I have to say that I learned great things from great teachers. However, I think the school is taking a turn for the worse as new administration is driving out wonderful teachers. The admistration's concern for reputation and state standards undermines the environment for learning. Its almost as if they are paranoid that we aren't learning. Teachers now have to write the words 'Students will be able to' on the board every day and then list meaningless standards and objectives that the state has prescribed. Teachers have been irked by these changes.
--Submitted by a student

Excellent academic programs with strong emphasis on Math, Science, and English. Only average foriegn language training. Also excellent Music and visual Arts programs. Good student spending by school district. Social environment resembles the movie, 'Heather's'. Very diverse sports programs with well maintained Athletic facilities. Level of parent involvement high in this relatively affluent suburban environment. This is among the top ten in city of pittsburgh.
--Submitted by davidcosine, a former student

Intelligent high school with lots of money from rich community.
--Submitted by a student

The Fox Chapel Area, and Fox Chapel Area School District is a unique and astounding one. Rarely anywhere in the state of Pennsylvania, or the rest of the country, will you find such a dynamic and beautiful area or highschool. Academically, the school ranks as one of the best, sending its students as representatives to nearly every ivy league, and prestigous school in the country. Athletically and Extracurricularily, the school offers so many programs, its hard to stay limited to only one. The school spirit and faculty made my memories at this highschool tremendous, I can only hope to send my children to a school as spectacular as this one.
--Submitted by a former student

I am currently a junior at fox chapel high and it is a great school. It has unbeleivable resources and qualified teachers. Along with awesome sports programs, clubs and afterschool activites. It is also a very safe schoool.
--Submitted by a student

I graduated from Fox Chapel and am fortunate to have received the education that I did. However, I am disappointed with the schools inadequate use of resources - in such a wealthy school district with so many facilities, Fox Chapel should be a nationally ranking high school but is not, possibly due to administration's concern of reputation over student development and wellbeing.
--Submitted by a former student

This is a wonderful school that provides excellent preparation for college and other higher education including very focused and achievemnt-oriented guidence counselors. Teachers are very involved and approachable. Extensive AP classes and extensive art and music programs. Extra help for under-achievers and intervention programs for students with mental of substance-abuse problems. Beautiful but workable facilities and expanded sports programs and fitness facilities for both men and women. Many opportunities to travel abroad and in the US on school sponsored trips. Our oldest daughter is now a freshman at a very competative college and has found that she is much better prepared than most of her classmates for the rigors of college studies. Just about everything you could want in a high school.
--Submitted by a parent