Summerville High School

This school is far too large to be effective in teaching our children. At 3100+ enrolled students the school becomes a small city when in session. There are multiple full time police officers assigned to the school. Due to it's location the school often goes on lockdown when violent crime is reported in the adjacent neighborhood. I do have to say, however, that the new principal seems to be very effective and has a great background. Our son really enjoyed his time there and had many great friends. Academically the schools offerings are diverse and challenging. DD2 needs to keep up with it's booming population and build another high school.
--Submitted by a parent

I received an excellent education at Summerville High. The Honors and AP courses I took were challenging, and I learned a great deal. I scored well on the SAT and ACT and graduated from with honors from Furman University. My teachers at SHS genuinely cared about their students' well-being and success. I remember fondly my time at Summerville and know each student can receive a high-quality education there if they put forth their best effort.

My son excelled at SHS. Their math, science, and counseling staff include military veterans who, along with JROTC, are helping my son make successful applications for the Naval and Air Force Academies. My daughter had a very negative experience her freshman year. Teachers assigned to freshman academy acted more like college buddies than professionals, then struggled to contain personal feelings when they later tried to regain authority. Overall, student population is too large for the facility. Ashley Ridge should be considered when buying. The new principal (2011) is outstanding, renewing professionalism in staff dress code, staff conduct, and student leadership.
--Submitted by a parent

The academics at SHS if mobilized would be substantial. Our children would have purpose,vision,responsibility,opportunity and be successful members of our communities or other places they live. Our elementary schools put so much time ,energy,compassion,devotion,love and an awesome foundation of education into our children.The communicaton between parent and teacher gets lost in middle school. At SHS you have to make sure your chidren are taking the proper courses for thier desired education goals.SHS does have many chidren left by the wayside.As parents its our responsibility to instill love,morals values,beliefs,responsibiliyt, accountability,experience and goals in thier lives.Hopefully no more students with high academic achievements and community involvement won't be left behind. I feel The PTA should not worry so much about fundrasing, and more about communication from teacher to parent. and to help diminish SHS high drop out rate.
--Submitted by a parent

The school itself was an awesome experience for myself. The school is huge but its not big enough for the overpopulation of students attending. Coming from someone who has moved around their entire life i feel like Summerville High offered the most opportunities for young adults. The cons are that with it being so BIG and with 3500 + students there is not enough supervision. I had never gotten into any trouble in my life until i graduated to a freshman and summerville high made it so easy to mess up. But overall i loved the school.!
--Submitted by a student

I loved going to Summerville. I can't say that I agree with all the things that the school does, but I had a lot of fun and enjoyed being a part of the green wave community.
--Submitted by a student

they put the children first!
--Submitted by a parent

Summerville High School is the largest school in the state and has great kids and great teachers!!
--Submitted by a parent

I am a former student and graduate of SHS and the four years I spent there were great. The teachers are very helpful and concerned with their students.

First of all, Summerville High School has an extremely large student body. Many of the teachers are either not interested or overwhelmed or just bad teachers in general. I am an honor student who always had at least a 95 average in English, but when I moved, I began classes at Summerville, my grades slipped to barely passing. It was nothing on my part, the teacher was lazy and simply didn't teach. There are some really great teachers who put their all into what they do, but most (esspecially with cp classes) don't help their students to excell. The guidence counselors are impossible to get intouch with! As a senior, I think that was one of my biggest disadvantages here. The school tends to obsess over little things such as IDs and dress code violations, which in the end results in the lack of intimacy in the classroom.
--Submitted by a student