Smithfield Senior High School

I am a former SHS student who was a RI Honor Society member, played sports, had lots of friends and never really had issues because I pushed myself. However, I saw many kids who fell through the cracks in this school and never came up from it. I attend a great business school in Boston and I struggled big time my first 2 years having to go to summer school for Math!! I had never fallen behind in any academics in my life and I must say, day 1 in college, I knew SHS did nothing for me Math wise. I was shocked at how advanced the other students were versus my skills. I also thought the guidance department was terrible, thankfully my mother helped with all college pre duties and setup interviews at my top schools. Someday I'll come back to RI and settle in Lincoln so I can send my kids there. They have the best public school.
—Submitted by a student

The school is great, a lot of activities to get into. As for the curriculum, some books need updates, but they are still recent enough to include all major changes in the past 5-7 years. Teachers treat the students like adults, which many actually want. As for the school programs, the construction has metal working, robotics, wood shop. The business department has the Academy of Finance along with law classes and accounting and such. All in all, an excellent school where students are pushed and even the lazy people actually get work done.
—Submitted by a student

The teachers are enthusiastic about teaching and helping students, but the curriculum itself is severely lacking. Math class needs to be reconstructed entirely, while MANY students lack interest in both Math and English. Morale and school spirit is high here, thanks to the very friendly faculty. The administration needs to start sitting in these classrooms and see firsthand what's working and what isn't. It isn't the teachers' fault for poor standardized test scores; it's the [out-of-date, heavy, and sometimes confusing] material they are forced to teach the students.
—Submitted by a student

my daughter came to this school from another state. The community her accepted her without prejudice. All the grades from 9-12 th as she states, hang out together, there are no cliques or groups, everyone is equal, bad language is rarely used here, which is great not what were used too. I couldnt believe how well my daughter adjusted here. Now its time for us to move and shes reluctant to do so. Im reluctant to as well because of the unusual positive experience shes had. I would recommend this school to anyone. It is very old and could use updating and new books. Maybe some new electives that would go with todays interests would also be a good idea
—Submitted by a parent

I am a recent SHS alumni. I came to Smithfield as a freshman, and I believe anyone who wants to make friends can do so. A very close and accepting student body and excellent teachers made my time here memorable. I am now in a good college and feel quite prepared.

my grandson goes to Smithfield High and as one of the other parents stated, he has been stereotyped. There is only one teacher that who has taken the time to really get to know him, the others are just there to put in their time. I had heard so many good things about this school and have been greatly disappointed. When a teacher belittles a student in front of the whole class I don't feel that that is beneficial to any student, especially at this time in their. But I guess if it makes HER feel better about herself that's all that matters. I would not give this school a good rating & am upset that my tax dollars are going to waste.

I have 2 students in this school, both with different needs and yet the younger one has been 'stereotyped' {Learning disabled, slow, below average intelligence} as if she were her brother. With the oldest I have attended IEP meetings, have been treated as if I don't know anything. Very poor communication and now we get a RECORDING from the principal if something is wrong {tardiness, etc}. Both of my children will be so glad to be out of there, but as another individual said, they were NOT prepared for life after HS {college}. I agree with shutting it down and allowing the students to go to another district!
—Submitted by a parent

I'm an alumni of SHS and I attend a local college. Every day I'm at RIC I'm remined of how baly prepared for college I am. During my time at SHS it was nigh impossible for me to get adequate help for my Learning disability. They spent more energy circumventing helping me than they would have if they had just done their jobs and given me proper help. From the quality of education there it would be best to shut it down and send the students to another district.

My name is Nathan Lawton. I am currently a jr at Smithfield High School. Authough this school has it's ups and downs, overall my experience has been great. I have had awesome teachers and wonderfull friends to stand by me and help me along the journey that is high school. I love this town, I love my friends, and I love this school. Without SHS, my life would be incomplete.
—Submitted by a student

Very poor Special Ed Department, No proactive approach to prolems, particularly diversity issues. Parent-teacher communication is poor, despite apparent email. Has not helped either of my children achieve anything close to their potential. Cannot in good faith recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

Poor communication, horrible LD program with few highly qualified teachers, very negative atmosphere!!
—Submitted by a parent

I had to leave the school because it did not even come close to offering me what I looked for. My brother and sister are both alum of SHS and they both hated their time there. They both ran out of classes to take because they were so accelerated, IMP classes are not accepted by most colleges and it is unacceptable that any school would lie to their students about such things. I will never return or encourage anyone to go there.
—Submitted by a student

The administration is just horrible in our school. There making so many changes at once that the students aren't ajusting well. But The teachers are great they get you into the lesson by comparing modern subjects to the ones are are learning in class. The teachers make it fun, which in turn helps us to remember.
—Submitted by a student

Schools are more focused on sports than academics.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a graduate of the schol and the administration was not the best but the teachers were great. Many of them were very good looking and made me want to go to school. Ann Andrews and a great teacher and is very pretty.
—Submitted by a student

As a graduate of SHS, and currently enrolled in a tier II college, I must say that SHS did not prepare me for college. When I arrived here I had no idea what was going on. I had never heard of AP credits, my EEP did not transfer. I was not prepared for exams or term papers. Also, grammar and mechanics were never taught to me while in Smithfield School systems. I entered college lacking the basic understanding or proper grammar usage. Let comments from currently enrolled students bear witness. Most of my classmates, including myself have stated that we were not ready for college. SAT scores are rather low at SHS as well. It is too easy to do well at SHS without doing work or studying, standards MUST be raised.
—Submitted by a former student

The administration is the worst I have ever seen at a school in my life. I have taught at several schools but Smithfield High is by far the worst(administration wise). The administration does not get to know anyother students except for the ones who are always getting in trouble. The administration is the worst, period end of sentence. However the teachers are excellent!
—Submitted by a teacher

I am a student at SHS. Few problems. Administration is horrible. The school however does have great teachers that don't mind getting out of their way to help you, or talk about modern topics
—Submitted by a student

I am a senior at SHS and I have to say that I don't think I could have been more successful anywhere else. I took all honors classes, which, except for a couple of math classes, were great. I feel extremely prepared for every college that I am applying to. The teachers are so helpful, although the administration really is not. The principal is horrible and does not make an effort to really get to know the students. The extracurriculars are great and if you want to do something that doesn't yet exist at SHS, you can find a teacher willing to run it and start it up. Because of an injury freshman year, I do not play sports anymore. SHS is great if you do or don't play sports. I am part of yearbook,class council, SADD, FBLA, newspaper, litmag, etc. I love this school and am so sad to leave.
—Submitted by a student

I am appalled that anyone would make such an obtuse statement as, If your child is someone who 'causes trouble', or doesnt attempt to fit in with the crowd, than your child will probably not have a good time at shs. These are the years that our children are supposed to find themselves. But if they adhere to group thinking or if they try to fit in, they only discover who everyone else is. To make a correlation between those who cause trouble and those that do not fit into the crowd stumps me; and there are in fact those who do not fit in that have a great time while at SHS.
—Submitted by a former student