Oak Ridge High School

I really dislike this school, a majority of the teachers rather see their students pass than fail, the science and math department are horrible, and if you aren't brilliant, you don't shine at this school. It's really hard to fit in, everything is so cliche-ish. I honestly wish I could go to another school, you have basically been with the same people in school since preschool. If I knew someone was moving to the East TN area, I would make sure they steer clear from Oak Ridge and ORHS

Excellent school. Both my son and daughter attended ORHS. I have been very well pleased with their preparation for college. They said they were far ahead of their college classmates in every area.
--Submitted by a parent

My children are recent graduates of ORHS (2008 and 2011). They were what I would call conscientious and hard-working but probably average ability (for ORHS) high school students. My concern was that they would not benefit as much from the excellent academic programs at the high school as the many gifted students (e.g. in the past year 50 of 350 students scored 30 or higher on the ACT), but I was pleased to observe that they did benefit. There is a culture of excellence within the school and it gets imprinted on most of the students. My older child, who was average academically at ORHS, is consistently making the dean's list in college. She says that ORHS prepared her well for college. Socially, there are many extra-curricular clubs, sports teams and activities for student involvement. Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Schools are are probably the most ethnically diverse town and school system in East Tennessee, which is not saying that much. A significant proportion - maybe 15% - of the high school is non-white and many of the students are children of immigrants. This might appeal to some who would like their children to experience a less-homogeneous high school "demographic."
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a senior. She has a scholarship to William and Mary. Three of her classmates will be attending M.I.T. At least one other student will be at Harvard. Other schools I know of where Oak Ridge graduates will attend are: Vanderbilt, North Carolina, Duke, Stanford, and 2 service academies. I think all this speaks for itself.
--Submitted by a parent

It is the best public school in the area. It has a wide range of student activities and good teachers. Plus me and my kids attended there!
--Submitted by a parent

This school rests on past glory, but has been in decline for a number of years. It has gone from one of the top 100 schools in national surveys to below average. The school has dedicated teachers but has endured years of constrained budgets and policy disputes between the principal, school administration and school board.
--Submitted by a parent

Oak Ridge was highly recommended by Dept of Ed. for TN. Jefferson Middle-School was awesome. Personal attention to all students. Then came the high school. Still in High School but deeply disappointed. If you don't meet the 'Oak Ridge critique/clique' you're on the out....and counsellors don't even care. So do the work, get the paper and move on.
--Submitted by a parent

This is an extraordinary school for any student who is bright and motivated. There are wonderful opportunities to excel and a highly involved staff that deals with the students on a personal level. However, a student who is not motivated will soon find himself left behind. The students themselves value hard work, talent, and motivation. My children had a life-altering experience here.
--Submitted by a parent

If you want the best in everything - academics, music, art, sports, extracurricular activities, community support, etc. - then you would enjoy, and appreciate Oak Ridge High School. The community is very diversed given students an educational advantage in life. It continues to be a nationally ranked high school. The private schools in the area cannot rival the education and success that our students have achieved. The academic facilities are in the process of being updated to rival any in the country. Some of the sport facilities mainly football needs to updated to match the programs success and tradition. The school is much like a junior college. When your son and/or daughter goes to college and after they graduate, they will notice along with their peers and professors that they are much ahead of everyone else.
--Submitted by a former student

A great school for the top kids. Average kids- that might do well in other schools- have a hard time and do not appear to be valued here.
--Submitted by a parent