Jack C Hays High School

I went to Hays High School my junior and senior year. Some teachers care and some didn't. Most of the times the teachers had favorites and it wasn't hidden. The teachers try to be too much of a friend and gossip buddy. While football, band, ect. are all "important" things in every high school. I can truly say that if you are "somebody" at Hays, meaning you play football ect. you can get away with almost anything even failing grades. The Priorities at Hays HS are all Jacked up. Race is an issue. The issue isn't because of the confederate flag at all. It comes in with how they handle dress code issues with different races. Don't get me wrong I liked Hays for the most part. I also participated in many different clubs. But, I'm not going to say good things about it just because I had a decent time there. The school needs lots of improvement.
—Submitted by a student

I am a sophomore at this school, and truthfully, it is not bad. A good chunk of the teachers still know what it was like when they were teenagers, and are pretty easy to connect with. The only reason anyone really fails here is because they don not apply themselves. There are some "bad eggs" in this group, but there are a lot more respectable people than our rival school. I have fun learning here, and consider my teachers friends...but the APs are useless, and just like any school, you are judged by a number.
—Submitted by a student

i am a 9th grader here and this school is terrible im planning to transfer as soon as i can too Austin this school has so many problems like non helping teachers stupid principle low test scores it cares more about football and cheerleaders than academics its racist and sexist almost everybody does weed and drugs and gets away whit everything no parental involvement and so many other things i hate it here what ever you do dont move here and it will just get worse whit more and more diversity so please dont for your children's sake unless hes a red neck bone head joc then hell fit perfect here
—Submitted by a student

What a FAILING system being run at the middle and high school levels of this district! Does anybody at these levels work? You have teachers w/ mandatory tutorial periods who DO NOT utilize them...just another off period. The staff there focuses more on being your child's peer rather than support the child academically or socially. Why be the bad guy in education, when you can act the same age as the student and be their best friend. Where are the positive role models of life long learning?
—Submitted by a parent

Get as far away from this district as you can! My child went from A's & B's w/ Commended Performance on TAKS to failing with no support, parental notification, or effort of any kind. Let me put it this way, there is a WAITING LINE to get into SUMMER SCHOOL! Hays would rather profit off of your child's failure via $200/ course while your child sits in front of a computer being taught what a teacher should have been doing all year long.
—Submitted by a parent

Because we have an AMAZING debate program, even though we lack a coach. We just wen to our first tournament, and won it!
—Submitted by a student

I am a graduate of Hays and later returned to teach/coach. The above review stating 'if your kid is a bone-headed jock, then it's the perfect place' is incredibly inaccurate. While Hays is a school with a passion for athletics/cheerleading/band, etc, it also offers a talented theater department, a fantastic art department as well as many other activities for those don't fall in that category. The lack of 'proper education' doesn't stem from the teachers, but a lack of leadership from the assistant and main principals,etc. I believe it's apparent how little a principal cares for her students when she instructs the special needs students to 'stay put' during a fire drill and bomb threat...that's unacceptable. As a former student, athlete, teacher and coach, I definitely acknowledge that Hays has digressed in the last 10+ years, but to blame the athletic dept. is asinine.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am very disappointed in Hays. MY older brother attended Hays before it went down the drain, and because of how happy he was there I couldn't wait to go. I was very disappointed. The majority of the teachers couldn't care less about their students. Athletes are catered to while people who care about school and are trying their best, but might need a little help, are ignored. The school is more concerned about spirit days and cheerleaders than the severe drug problems, violence problems, and lack of a proper education. Students and parents are very uninformed about things going on around the school unless it has to do with sports. I guess if you or your kid is a bone-headed jock, though, this is the perfect place for them. There are too many good other schools in the central Texas area to settle for this one.
—Submitted by a student

My teachers do everything they can to ensure that I am getting the best education that they can give me. The councilors and administrators go out of their way to be certain that seniors have all of the information they need to get to into college. School spirit has everyone feeling like they are important and can make a difference.
—Submitted by a student

Great parent groups and booster clubs. Most of the teachers are wonderful. Admin could use some house cleaning. Overall, a great place to raise a kid!
—Submitted by a parent

hays has changed way too much in the past 2 years. I dont know why. But im glad i left. Anyways. they are putting up to many rules and regulations. Not to mention shortening Students lunches, The problem with that is that the population has doubled. I dont know whats going on, But someone should come along to fix it. And this isnt the only problem with the school either.
—Submitted by a student

Things have changed since 2004. New buildings, new administration, new staff. Teachers are very concerned about student development. My son graduated from Hays HS and we were very pleased with the school. His experience was great! He was involved in many school activities. The school even created a class for him, taught by a teacher who already had a class. We were very pleased with Hays HS.
—Submitted by a parent

As a former student of Hays High I got to see a variety of events unfold while I was a student. Prior to graduating in 2004 I was a member of many organizations and teams at Hays. The school has its share of problems, but what school doesn't? A school is supposed to provide an academic service for students, not a baby sitting service for parents. Most teachers within the school are interested in student learning, and development towards a better future. There are challenging courses and extra curricular activities to keep students involved. This is a great school that facilitates a good learning environment.

I graduated from Hays and am currently working on completing my doctorate. I was in college bound courses, and was for the most part pleased with all of my teachers. For all the parents that complain about the school district and the lack of teacher support, all I can say is that it is up to you, not the teacher to take the lead in your children's education. Join the PTA, get involved. This isnt a 2A school anymore and the individual attention that your children may need will have to come from you.
—Submitted by a former student

My daughter went from an A & B student in middle school to failing every subject in 9th grade. Several teachers did not answer my phone calls. Even if 30 seconds late they are not allowed to attend class. The hall monitors were rude and unhelpful. I rate this school 2 stars.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a Junior at Hays, and in the years that I have been there, many positive changes have been made. We got a new principal who gets to know students personally, supports extracurricular activities, and encourages faculty and students to bump up rigor, relevance, and relationships. The academics are good; work is challenging in higher level classes. My only complaint would be that teachers, at least in the lower grades, spend too much time preparing for TAKS. Once you start taking AP classes, however, the focus changes and classes are much more interesting. My mom is a member of the PTSO, which parents are encouraged to join. By being a member she is updated on all upcoming events. She has been very pleased with the experiences she's had with the faculty and administration. There are cliques at Hays just like at any other school, but most people are welcoming and friendly.
—Submitted by Andrea, a student

Move to Austin if you can. As a general rule, Hays HS does not assign daily homework. I was told that to many students were not completing their homework anyway. What are they teaching our children about accountability and responsibility? We moved to Hays, not because of the school district, but because the homes are cheaper. We will move back to Austin when our child enters middle school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been Attending Jack C. Hays for about one and a half years now...they have a good education program but are a little strict with there computer policy. I have been to at least eight different schools in several different states in the last few years...yet I have found Jack C. Hays Internet Security Policy the hardest to work with. They are currently working on setting the security sytem to allow only education use...and I believe that that could severly limit the amount of research we are able to do at school...I believe that A tracking system and regular checks of student Internet history would be a much easier and logical choice of programs...other then just blocking all of the site that we would use for research.
—Submitted by Mianthis Heartfire, a student

Jack C. Hays is a good school. I have three kids that have attended that school. One of them is a senior there now. My oldest two graduated in 96 & 97 when it was a 4A school. The school has certainly grown since then,but it is still a good place to send your kids. The thing I like best is that each teacher has e-mail there and you can contact your students teacher and get a reply fast usually within a day. If you don't get a fast response contact the Asst. Principal she is good at getting them to respond. The only thing I think that they could improve on is making the math classes smaller, math was the hardest subject for all three of my kids. They need a lot more individual attention and help in this class. They have great school activities and organizations.
—Submitted by Kay Burkhart, a parent

Im a student at hays, and I love it there, all these people are saying negative things about it. Anyways they have great teachers and a great pep program giving school aged parents and pregnant students options for graduating. So, yes I love hays, its a great school. Dont judge a book by its cover. The principle could be better, you hardly ever see him out of his office. Its a miracle if you see him one day.
—Submitted by a student