Harpeth High School

I have taught at a bunch of schools through my career and I liked this one the best. They do NOT focus on sports as much as other schools. The students here I believe are gifted and the staff here DOES care. They do very well on their test results, which is a product of the students and teachers from k-12. Very comfortable and friendly place to live and work. Former Art Teacher.
—Submitted by a teacher

I'm currently (well, I would be if we weren't out early for the flood damage, so I guess now I'm a sophomore) a freshman at Harpeth High School. I know that my school isn't perfect- we're poor, we focus a lot on sports (much to my chagrin), and some of the teachers could use a lesson in classroom management- but I really feel that, compared to other schools in the Middle Tennessee area, we shine. For example, even though we're a small school, we kick some serious booty when it comes time to take standardized tests (who got a perfect on the English ACT? I know a few people). Most of our teachers are extremely dedicated to their subject *and* their students. I mean, Mrs. Arrington is my savior when it comes to math, and I wouldn't love history the way I do if it weren't for Phil's class.
—Submitted by a student

I am looking forward to my son entering HHS this year. He has been in the HMS band and has been receiving instruction from Dan McNally and Joe Hobbs. I can base my review mostly on the dedication of these two teachers which is exemplary. During the open house I had the pleasure of meeting the Librarian who was very enthusiastic about the school and her job. I have observed that many kids that struggle in school often do not have the study skills they need at the high school level. I would not necessarily blame this on the quality of the teachers, but maybe a lack of preparation in earlier grades. The lack of parent involvement drops off at Middle School and becomes even less at the high school level. I hope we will be able to keep our Blue Ribbon School status with more parent involvement. Leslie Allen
—Submitted by a parent

I am very disappointed with Harpeth High School as a whole. There are a few teachers that seem to care about their job performance (another words they care if the kids are actually learning in their class) but there are others that simply hate kids. I can see where 'good kids' are catered to and do not receive the same treatment as 'problem kids' That's just not acceptable. And there is a huge problem with gossip among the teachers, about each other and about the students. I feel sorry for the students targeted by teachers with chips on their shoulders. Then again, it is a public school.
—Submitted by a parent

I attend HHS currently and the school overall is great. I feel like Im entering college well prepared and that was with all the help from the teachers, which happen to care about their students. Tutoring is available to the students that want to learn and strive to do better. The extracurricular activities lack in a sense that there is not much to do to become involved with the school, unless you're athletic. Leadership comes by fellow students, which is encouraged by the teachers, but once again isn't always effective, depending on the student.
—Submitted by a student

I'd say that the school is very divided in there ways i dnt think that hhs is a bad school but its not the students that are making the school look bad it is th teachers. im not saying that there are not some students that are in there that are a handful but there are some teachers that dont care how they talk to students an there are some that are rude and dont care about there students they are doing it for the paycheck. But i can say that there are a few that do care about the students in the school. The one thing that i can say about the parents are that we are very active in the school and the activities that there child participate in the school.

I'd say that HHS is an average high school, no less or more than most schools. I wish too that the leadership in the school tried a bit harder. The kids need to be tutored that struggle, especially in math. They need to be prepared for college also. The kids need encouragement. I appreciate the teachers who do go the extra mile to help the students. :)
—Submitted by a parent

I would have to disagree about the bad reviews of this school. I graduated well in my class, though not in the top ten percent. I was admitted into college and struggled about as much as any average college student. College is harder than high school and requires more work. Harpeth more than prepared me with teachers like Mrs. Orman, McGaha, King, Sparkman, Arrington. We worked for our grades and I loved all the extracurriculars. Loved this school and would love my children to attend one day.

The reason I write review so low is because i the leader ship in the school. There are teachers that are not fair to the student some teachers play favorties.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is a not a school for crybabies. I hear all these parents whining because there kids are lazy. My son went to harpeth and is now on the deans list at Vanderbilt University. Also the sports programs are good all exept football , our football team should not be allowed to even walk out on the field , and our baseball team as of rececnt lacks talent , after all the class of 07 left. I think that harpeth is a great school and everyone who disagrees is an idiot.
—Submitted by a parent

Harpeth is very disappointing all around. It lacks in it's standards in teaching and preparing our children for college. The staff...starting with adminstration...is not knowledgable or have lack of concern. It's run on a policatal aspect and based more around sports than academic. High rate of drop out. Guiadance lacks in it's department in preparing students for college enrollment or offers of scholastics.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been both to private and public school. There is no comparison between the two. I just wish I had kept them in private school. My oldest is in his 3rd year of college, still struggling with basic math. My youngest is still at Harpeth, on the honor roll. I worry about her college career. There are some very good teachers, but the bad ones can really ruin a child's life and Harpeht has several of them. Too much emphasis is put on sports.
—Submitted by a parent

Academic standards are very low compared to most Tennessee High Schools. Check the state's report card for this school. Many teachers do not make full use of the block schedule time allotment, and students end up being underchallenged in many classes. In regards to discipline, students are not held accountable and there is much inconsistency. Both of my students are on the honor roll, but much of their education has been supplemented through tutoring and outside resources. We do this to keep them from having to take remedial courses at the college level. We know several former honor students who have graduated in the top 10%, but aren't prepared for college. Little or no progress has been made even though administration has heard many complaints regarding these issues. We wish now we had paid for private school.
—Submitted by a parent

Harpeth is simply a great school. Very solid faculty and admistration. Unfortunately some peope have tried to run this school down, but we could not be happier with it. Great academics and a great extracurricular program.
—Submitted by R.C., a parent

Harpeth High School is great in the fact that it offers several languages. My children are both honor role students, but we have noticed specail treatment for athletes. If they are caught cheating they get away with it. I've heard this is normal. I wish more emphasis was placed on academics. I know that children need to be well rounded, but lets hold a high standard when it comes to cheating.
—Submitted by a parent