Brentwood High School

The review from Dec. 29 has some incorrect information. The arts program in all county schools as a whole here are only fair. But the system and the school absolutely DO NOT "add on the extra to football." The departments are separate, and there is no "extra" in the county budget now anyway. Funding from football comes mostly from the county and from parent booster clubs to some extent. Also, the children are not the rudest in the state by any stretch. That comment is obviously hyperbole.
—Submitted by a parent

We have a student here and another who will attend in 2yrs. BHS is the best non magnet public high school in TN and one of the top 300 in the nation as ranked in Newsweek Mag. It is a public school with private school quality. The home values reflect that. Our student is enjoying and excelling here. We do wish there was a JROTC program.
—Submitted by a parent

As an Arts student, the school is simply average and focuses highly on athletics. When performing arts budgets are severely cut, they simply add on the extra to football. Everyone there is the same, and the school strongly lacks diversity. The principals are indeed excellent, but many teachers pick favorites, and it shows. The academics are spectacular, and I have no fears about college. Although, this school does have an excellent academic program, many of the students there are arrogant and have a reputation for being some of the rudest children in the state. The academics are amazing, but I would not send my child here.
—Submitted by a student

Very great School. Im a freshman here. Im in the color guard and winter guard which is so much fun. Im in the special ed program here. The special ed and IEP people are amazing.
—Submitted by a student

BHS is an amazing school...Kevin Keidel sets the tone for a wonderful atmosphere for learning and personal development. I now have 3 children at BHS and they could not be happier! Outstanding athleic programs as well as academics.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a Junior at BHS and have been extremely pleased with the academic offerings and great teachers. The principal insures that the school runs like clockwork every day. The students come from highly accoomplished and caring homes and are top-notch. The choral and band programs are just awesome. The students are given many travel and performance opportunities. This is a fantastic school!
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from BHS in the spring on '07. I loved that school, and I loved the band program even more. Randy Box is a great band director, and he pushes his students because he knows their potential. I did marching band all four years in the percussion section, and the instructors are great. The teachers at BHS are great, but there are those few (like at every school) that can be to harsh, or not able to teach as well as they should. There are plenty of tutors at BHS if your child was having trouble in a class. There are a lot of options for parents that want to get involved in the school. For example, there is the PTO, POGS (parents of graduating seniors), office assistance, help out in the book store, etc..
—Submitted by a student

Brentwood High is rated the # 1 public high school in Tennessee. The reason is parent participation. The PTO has a large budget and they meet it every year. Mothers and Fathers are very involved in their child education and it shows. They demand a lot from the faculty and if they don't perform they are told so. I have had 2 boys graduate from Brentwood High and they are performing well in college now.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school with quality teachers & a broad range of academic & extracuricular activities.
—Submitted by a parent

Great parent involvement, but poor teachers in general subjects for 9th and 10th grade. Our daughter is an honors student, straight A's for 10 years. If she needed instruction in Math, Science or English we would have been in trouble. However, the Euro History and Spanish teachers are exceptional. I completely agree with the previous review stating that teachers are kept for tenure reasons, even when they are terrible. My child's English teacher wasn't able to write clear instructions for any assignment-- we guessed what she was trying to say, just to complete the projects. My next child will be going to Franklin High, since I doubt the freshman and sophomore teachers could be any worse. I'm willing to gamble that they will be better.
—Submitted by a parent

This was my first year in Brentwood High School. I made so many wonderful friends from joining there marvelous marching band program. They have a few obnoxious teachers but there are also lots of great teachers who can help you out a lot. It's a safe school with very little violence. I'm looking forward to my next three years here.
—Submitted by a student

The school building is the oldest in the county and was sinking this past year. It could use renovation. In addition to a deteroriating school, the teachers in some areas are not strong at all. That being said not all teachers there are incompetent; but overall, they could be improved.
—Submitted by Jerry Jackson, a student

Acadmically, one of the best in the state. Honors and AP courses challenge kids. Principal loves the kids; they know it. He needs more academic leadership to set high expectations for all students and teachers, not just the high achievers. Math department has reputation of old teachers who can't explain concepts. He has tried to purge teachers that don't reach kids, but tenure makes it difficult. Guidance department is understaffed and weak. Band, athletics, forensics, drama, chorus and many clubs are led by dedicated teachers. Outstanding! Something for everyone, but more effort needed to include more kids. Lots of enthusiastic parent involvement in extracurricular activities, especially for raising money for those programs. Parents step up to pay for things that the district wont. The many talented and professional parents are discouraged from making changes or innovations. Overall, a safe, positive learning envoironment. Students are generally mature, well-behaved and welcoming to newcomers.
—Submitted by a parent