Wyoming Valley West Senior High School

I am a graduate of this high school who is currently enrolled at a senoir military college, and i could not even begin to tolerate some of the reports I had to do while in high school. Quite to the contrary of what seems to be popular belief, the junior class research paper is very effective in preparing students for college. Sure, the students may not need to write at such a level during their freshman years in college, but what will a student, who has not had to do such a project before, do when presented with the requirements for their senoir thesis? For the students currently attending the highschool, it is wise to continue to work hard to get where you want to go. Do as you need to as long as you are certain you will not regret it later. As for my alma mater, -Fides Semper Omnia-

My daughter will be graduating in 2010 and I am so thankful that will I won't have to deal with this school anymore. I don't feel they should have a dress code. It doesn't make them better students. Just look at their PSSA scores, instead of getting better they went down. Some of the teachers are not one bit fair, and my daughter was penalized because she was absent, with a doctors excuse. The 11th grade research project was so involved that even a college wouldn't expect it of a student. It was concentrated more on the rules they made such as 100 index cards than on the actual content of the paper. Instead of spot checking, they had to sit for an hour and match the sources. They should be more concerned on teaching them how to write. No wonder the PSSA scores are so low.
--Submitted by a parent

I think the school is great and my daughter is having no problems
--Submitted by a parent

There are some good teachers here. The music and arts programs get shamelessly shafted by the sports programs. (See multi million dollar turf installation compared to a stage littered with holes and broken curtains/flys) Its a shame. This school fosters sports so much. I (and the rest of the cast of the Fall Drama this year) have been forced to end a rehearsal early just so the football team could watch clips of their last game. I don't care for this school, I wouldn't recommend sending any artists or musicians from your family there. The athletes though, will do just fine.
--Submitted by a student

I'm a sophomore (class of 2010), and I have to say that WVW has really made me who I am. Sure, the actual building itself is terrible, as are some of the teachers and students, but overall the learning experience is very thorough. On the other hand, however, I do wish the school had more mature students and less dirtbags.
--Submitted by a student

the school is good for those who are above average grades. For the child who is middle of the system to lower side, forget about it, they will just fall through the cracks.
--Submitted by a parent

I think Valley West is a great school. There are many electives as well as activities and sports. Considering the geographical size of the district and the amount of students I think as long as parents stay aware and informed their child will do great at this school. My child is involved in few things, not everything and at this point is doing extremely well. Her Elementary School (Dana) and Middle School years were great. I have had no problems with teachers at any school in this district.
--Submitted by a parent

As long as your kids get the right teachers, and it is hard not to, your child will be very prepared for college here.
--Submitted by Kiera P, a student

I was a 1999 grad. from WVW and spent my entire education in the school district. How many times did I ask my parents to home school me because of WVW? One too many! High School, was the worst. When I attended, students in the Honors Programs where the students who got the attention & recognition. I was not a terrible student, but a quiet one and for that I was penalized by teachers & students. The building itself was not built for the geographical location. It was originally designed for Texas I believe. The inside was built to cut corners. You bake in the summer & freeze in the winter. Some areas had not even been updated from when it had been orginally built. Holes in walls, chipping paint, small bathrooms. Thank God I live on the beach in NC now!
--Submitted by Diane Hoffman Lamoreaux, a former student

I am a 2001 graduate of WVW, and I honestly wish that I wasn't. I had trouble in math and I was totally lost by my senior year. I noticed that none of the teachers tried to work at a level that was steady. Instead they picked the smartest kid in the classroom and worked at their level, leaving the rest of us in the dust. Also aside from the very few teachers there that really do care, most of them can't even remember your first name by the end of the school year. I now have a two year old son, my husband and I are greatly considering not to send our child to WVW when its time. Knowing how the teachers act and knowing the chances are high that my son might fall into the wrong crowd, we rather spend the money for a private school.
--Submitted by a former student