Memorial High School

While Memorial is easily the best school in the SBISD district, it is very isolated and easy to dislike if you're a dedicated person with values. The kids I go to school with party all the time and are very involved with drugs and alcohol and sex all while keeping up the straight-A sports fanatic facade at school. The kids as well as the teachers are elitist and the school feels very exclusive. Our sports are very well run and do well, but every other EC is lacking. Fine Arts feels completely over-looked. The teachers do provide rigorous classwork, but that's not every teacher. Many do not know what they're talking about. If you keep your eyes open it's very difficult to live in this bubble and be happy, even with the renowned Memorial title.
—Submitted by a student

First off, let me clarify to some degree who I am: all core APs, straight A's, high PSAT/SAT/ACT/AP scores, high student involvement For someone who strongly values their education, MHS provides almost everything you need, except for very few slip-ups in the teacher department (don't worry- they get fewer and farther between as you rise in grade level, except for the physics department and a particularly corrupt English teacher). If you have the initiative, this school has the resources- all the issues (idiocy, apathy, strange social dynamics) that supposedly define the school virtually do not exist in AP/Pre-AP/GT classes. Outside academics (which- I stress- are amazing), this school appears to be lacking in a few key sectors: student involvement outside class (theater, debate = awesome) is tricky and football still dominates the list of "student activities" at the moment. The largest student organizations are parent-run and full of favoritism and amateur elitism on the part of those who refuse to comply with the will of technology. Clubs aren't fun here, and too many of the parents really have no idea what they're doing. Principal, though, really cares- he's done so since '62.
—Submitted by a student

No nonsense. Without doubt the best large public school in Houston. Prestigious, top notch universities are vigorously recruiting top graduates. Students that wish to learn face tough, rigorous competition in preparation for college life. Students that graduate in the top 10%of their class are virtually assured success in their quest of a highly rated university. For the students who value their social life above all, there are also many activities and programs to occupy their high school years.
—Submitted by a parent

I am not impressed at all about the school. This is the 3rd week since school started, my son is still waiting for his text book (two more weeks to go). Total of 5 weeks before the kids can have their books. Most of the kids are registered for the course before the summer. I was told that the teacher was so lost, it took the kids 5 mins to explain and correct her mistake. Is she supposed to be the expert in the subjet?
—Submitted by a parent

Good school just not the school for me. Teachers are superb and really prepare you for the SAT/ACT/AP tests. However, one thing that was difficult about this was how competitive the ranking system was. In order to be in the top 10% you must have all A's and if you make more than a few B's expect to be bumped out of the second quarter. It is much more rigorous than most other schools. Also the area is much too expensive to live in for a normal working class family. The students there are mainly of the upper income status and I was not. It felt very exclusive there and the students are not very welcoming. Even the teachers act elitist,for most of them are former mustangs, and everyone, student and staff, live in what some of us students call the "memorial bubble", because it's so isolated from the real world. All in all, I give it 2 stars.
—Submitted by a student

The new Principal does not seem to achieve anything to the school yet. Can not find any email communication to students/parents. Appeared to be very much slack off compared to Straford High Principal. At least one of the Spanish teachers can not speak English very well at all. Students can not understand her English nor Spanish!! Some of the teachers did not grade the tests/quiza promptly.
—Submitted by a parent

Memorial High School has a great education. Although education is very important, my daughter disliked this school. She felt as if you have to act or dress a certain way in order to "fit in" with the popular teenagers. This made her feel very left out. I'm not naming names, but certain girls were disturbing and picking on my daughter. I tried to talk to the school about this but they seemed to not do anything about it. I ended up getting a better price range on some apartments zoned to Spring Woods High School. My daughter felt so much better here, and everyone made her feel comfortable.
—Submitted by a parent

I love memorial! I am currently a student there and it is such a great enviroment. I came from a private school and this is my first year public and it is a GREAT change! The teaches really do want to help and try to encourage you as much as they can, that lacked at private schools. My fellow students are really nice and great. Don't listen to the stereotypes of "you will only fit in if you have a BMW or Benz" haha no that is not true. If you are nice to others people will like you :) I would really look into sending your child here because it is a great expierence and i know it is getting me well prepared for the finest colleges! The class of 2011 had over 50+ students going to University of Texas this year! WOW. Tell me you are not impressed?
—Submitted by a student

Memorial has really good teachers in the pre-AP and AP track classes, particularly math and science. It does not have comparable strength in English, languages, or social studies, and the "grade level" classes are very unevenly taught in every subject. Because of extra GPA weight given to preAP/AP classes, good students with all As in their classes can rank in lower half of the class below students who had Cs in preAP classes and may not learn key concepts. So if your child did not take HS science or math in middle school, or is smart but disorganized, they may not do well here even if they try hard.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is amazing! I am attending this school right now and I am about to graduate. I had an 89 in Math when I applied to Harvard University, I know, it sounds crazy. BUT I GOT ACCEPTED JUST BECAUSE I WENT TO MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL. this school is so greatly recodnized, it's unbeleiveable. can you beleive harvard accepted me when i had an 89. IMPOSSIBLE!!!
—Submitted by a student

My daughter goes to this school and is in love with it. All of my children have gone here and now go to some of the most prestigious colleges in the world. Many, many, many extracurricular activities are available. I'm not going to lie, this school has money. They have the ability to buy and remodel, and they have. Most of the sports are the best in the city and their fine arts program is outstanding.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter goes to the Memorial high school and is not a very trendy person at all but very good in education has lot of friends like her .We are just very simple life style people.Education is really great in this school which matters a lot for us and for all the parents everywhere . My kids ride school bus which is great here in spring branch and very safe So if you are looking for great education and good neighborhood this is where you want your child to be.
—Submitted by a parent

Exceptional public school with difficult curriculum and college prep classes. Only negative, my daughter says it is very snobby and upscale. Be prepared to dress in juicy couture, drive a mercedes and be a size 0 to fit in...none of the preceeding fit our lifestyle, but the education is top notch.
—Submitted by a parent

I like this school a lot! Compared to a other public schools, it's the best in the state!
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from Memorial in 2007 and it is a great school. I am at the University of Texas now and I am much better prepared than students that attended the 'best' private schools in Texas. I would recommend this school to anyonel.
—Submitted by a student

My daughter transferred from a well known private school in Houston. I can say without a doubt that she has grown so much this year both personally and academically. Everyone in my family has been private school educated but Memorial along with the dedicated staff, programs, and technology have enriched my daughters outlook on her future. When I attended the sophmore orientation I was shocked to meet such polite, and down to earth students. You can't go wrong with this choice! Signed, A very grateful parent!
—Submitted by CHRISTINA SANCHEZ, a parent

Good school, very challenging for a public school.
—Submitted by a parent

Memorial gives the students the chance to be on a one on one with the teachers if they encounter a problem. The faculty greatly will help the student. Counting with all the necessary equipment for sports it creates an extraordinary and confortable habitat. Principals and teachers stand with you all the way to make sure you graduate. Because that is their goal. Computer labs are available for the use of the student, since almost all classes have projects that involve the knowledge of a computer. Also students have the opportunity to get involved in extracurricular activities. One of the most important topics for parents is security. Memorial makes it challenging for the students in case of an emergency, practicing drills for security of the students, at least once a month. Counting with an auditorium, library, soccer field, basketball courts, tennis courts, football field etc.. making the school one of the best.
—Submitted by Talia Cano, a student

Memorial is such a good school! It's in a great area with a nice history background to it. Parents can be involved with the school in many ways. It really is a great place for children to grow up in an open campus, surrounding with many, many trees and with great teachers! This year they are also giving the school with a new look. This will allow the school to stand out more and also be a more inviting school than it already is! I would really recommend your child to attend Memorial High, he/she will definitely not only have a wonderful high school experience, but they will also receive a lot in education-wise.
—Submitted by a student