Western Hills High School

As parent, teacher, and principal-in-training, I view the educational environment from several perspectives. I've had children in South Louisiana, North Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Texas schools. My children attended Western Hills for four years. Teachers were professional, caring, and responded quickly to a question or concern. EVERY teacher showed up for my daughter's 504 meetings. The weakest area is the administration. I wouldn't recognize the principal if I bumped into him in the local grocery store. Fort Worth ISD doesn't assign teachers and administration in the communities where they reside, so there isn't the loyalty that should be there. Parents and students need to see teachers and administrators around and about their community. I do feel that WHHS is one of the better schools in the FWISD, but that's not saying much. I spent five years teaching at a local alternative school, so I am more aware than most where the worst schools are. My children did well because of teachers, and the support and attention of my husband and myself. We have now moved away. ANY school is better than what we found in the FWISD schools.
—Submitted by a parent

I use to go to this school and honestly it has got so much worse. The only thing good about this whole school is the extracurricular activities they make the school. That is all they care about.

This school looks a lot better on paper than it really is. The facilities are deplorable (as are most FWISD high schools), and leadership is unimaginative and sterile. But we have a new principal this year and hopes are high the school can be turned around back to where it once was. Despite the school the students are great.
—Submitted by a parent

I believe Western Hills High School was a great school. However, I found some of the teachers lacking. Personally I believe that the teacher that wasn't impressed with the administration should go to a different school bc obviously you don't care much about WHHS and shouldn't be there. The administration seemed genuinely interested in the success of the students not just about scores. If WHHS weeded out the bad teachers it would be an amazing school.
—Submitted by a student

I'm a student involved in the honors courses, which, for the most part are great. There are a few teachers that I found had very little interest in teaching, but most at least attempted it. Extracurricular activities seem to be more important than school sometimes.
—Submitted by a student

Good academic program and school activities. Fair level of parent involvment.
—Submitted by a parent

To be quiet honest, our school could be so much better. For the most part, it is very uninspiring, and lacks care in general. There are a handful of teachers who are amazing, but the amount of careless teachers far outweighs the good. I was always excited a few years back in middle school for school spirit, and all the things I thought highschool would be. I came to Western Hills and found no spirit, no love, and a depressing atmosphere. It's sad that I have to say such bad things about my own school, but it's only the truth, I wish people would step up and pull this school up to the potential it has.
—Submitted by a student

Parents care about the school and our extracurricular activites are very good. However, our academic programs could be much better if the administration of this school would let the teachers teach and the students learn. Instead we have an administration more into data and percentages showing their success than the giving students and teacher what they need to make the students successful and the teachers happy. The teachers at this school are more dedicated to the kids than anyone will know, but many will leave if changes aren't made at the administration level.
—Submitted by a teacher

This is an Awesome school. The support from the community built with the support from Administration allows every child the chance to succeed
—Submitted by a student

As an educator myself, and enrolling my son from another district, I held Hills to the standards of another high school in Texas and this may create some bias. I found the administration somewhat lacking in concern for its relationship with the students. Most of the kids I spoke to did not like the principal. It lacked a friendly atmosphere when compared to others. Politics seemed to overule other priorities. Many of the teachers were very good, while others were not up to par as far as caring for the kids. My son graduated from there last year, spent his junior and senior years there, but has no desire to go back as alumni, and has no pride in the fact he went there. That should say something about the environment.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best school ive ever been to! hello im a former student of western hills and i would just like to say that if i ever got the chance to go back i would im currently a student at nort crowley and even this school dosent compare to the teacher quality at western hills the students there are one of a kind and i am proud to have come from such a great school!
—Submitted by Dina, a former student

I think the faculty and supporting staff are just great! The RotcJR AirForce are also just Tops in my Book! My daughter has had a great and wonderful yr. so far and its her first yr. in high school!
—Submitted by Lisa Smith, a parent

I am not a student at Western Hills (aka 'Hills'), but I used to go there, before moving across town. The bad part of the school is it's age: it's just an older school. But the opportunities are excellent and there is a constant, attainable challenge for the students. The band was awesome and the school policies were much better compared to my new school. I reccommend WHHS.
—Submitted by Stefanie Geoghegan, a former student

Instead of a parent or teacher, I'm a student at WHHS and I am very pleased. The teachers are awesome and actually care if we succeed. The athletics are great especially the baseball. Be looking for us in the state championship game real soon. But other than that all I have to say is that WHHS is the school to go to.
—Submitted by Jeffery Hamilton, a student

Western Hills and Benbrook are the best kept secret in FWISD! Now that we have a pure pyramid with no division that sends our kids to different middle and high schools, I see more parental involvement, a more dedicated student, and a more energized teacher. I am excited that all my kids have the privilege of attending this school. WHHS students are great kids and we are very proud of them!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student who is now a parent of a new student. Two generations and still going strong. The staff was excellent when I went there and now that times have changed, the security and neighborhood around the school is wonderful. Low crime area and troubled causing students are not tolerated. Great marching band. Sports galore and class clubs are numerous. Benbrook is a wonderful place for your family and your students!
—Submitted by a former student