MacArthur High School

This school is the bare minimum. Everything is done on the computer and there are no hands on teachers. A student can easily get lost and loose hope with this kind of environment. Most of the kids don't care and are just as disconnected as the teachers. If your child needs attention and hands on instruction, this is not the school for you. My son attended one semester and I suffered due to the severe change in his personality. He gave up because he felt ignored and did not receive good hands on teaching. The school does have good school spirit and I find that odd in this kind of environment, but it is a 5A school.
—Submitted by a parent

Lousy teachers with no teaching experience and sometimes no certification, definitely a warehouse school, runs like a cattle drive, lousy counseling, cafeteria food very unhealthy, campus too large, teachers aren't preparing students for state tests, and after school, no programming or effective tutoring, and very high failure rate. Principal cares only about sports.
—Submitted by a parent

Get the most out of MacArthur. I am a junior at Mac taking many AP classes and involved in many activities. If you are a student, get in to as many extracurricular activities as you can. Not only will it enrich your high school experience, you will feel like you are actually part of the school. Personally, I am a leader in Band, an improviser in Jazz Band, a healer in Sports Medicine, a tutor in UIL Science, and a team captain in UIL Literary Criticism. Regarding the school's AP program, Calculus is strongest due to Mr. Tillerson's skill and experience at being both an AP teacher and grader, but Physics and Chemistry could be considered substandard AP classes; yes, the subjects themselves are difficult, but the teachers simply are not cut out to teach AP which reflects in students' AP exam scores. Other AP classes are slightly above average mainly due to some well qualified AP teachers. All in all, MacArthur is a school best for those who wish to be a part of its legacy and motto, Fide et Opera.
—Submitted by a student

I graduated from MacArthur, and I thought it was great school. School spirit is high, and for those students who want to excel academically, every opportunity is there. There was a remark earlier about MacArthur warehousing kids and it bothered me. It is the parent's responsibility to make sure their child succeeds. I loved my years there and it was always safe, clean, and fun. Go Mac!
—Submitted by a student

Mac Arthur is all about the money. Unless your parents make more that 100K a year you are nobody. The halls are overly crowded and people all try to be something they're not. I hated MHS because they are all stuck up even the staff.
—Submitted by a student

This is truly an exceptional school. It has a diverse student body with programs and oefferings for every kind of student. It has a true family atmosphere. My daughter has been very successful here. I cannot imagine her going anywhere else. It is no wonder the school has been a Blue Ribbon School and a 21st Century School of Distinction!
—Submitted by a parent

MacArthur provides a great Academic Curriculum for the people that want it. It offers AP, Honors, GT and Dual Classes. It has many extracurricular activities and you even have the chance of strating a Club yourself.
—Submitted by a student

MacArthur has a good GT program that prepared my daughter for her first year at UT in Austin. They definitely could improve however, when they deal with a struggling student. They must have mandatory telephone or email communication directly with a parent. There are no guarantees on delivery of information when it comes only through the child.
—Submitted by a parent

About 25% of MacArthur graduates are educationally qualified to go to college. Many wind up at UT Austin. Some few get partial scholarships. Some national merit scholars. Fewer than 25% are eventually qualified to enter the professions. Most teachers are dull to moderate with a few bright professionals thrown in. English papers do not get corrected. History classes are weak. Many graduates have poor writing skills, as papers are graded but not edited or improved. Classes are large, students get little individual attention or college counseling. You are own your own! The bright students take care of themselves and the rest are warehoused for 4 years.
—Submitted by a parent

As a recent graduate, I can say that this school is amazing. Both of my older siblings also attended Mac and equally enjoyed the experience. Our sports teams are great. Band always does well in the UIL program. Last year, we produced the state champions in UIL Literary Criticism. The theater program is definitely one of the best in the state. One of the head theater directors is the nationally acclaimed Bruce Coleman. Tracie Fraley, the principal, truly is a great leader and role model. She leads the faculty and staff and maintains a very high energy atmosphere that is very condusive to quality work. Most departments of the school are filled with some very qualified teachers. The counselors are always willing to help. The student government is very involved and a great experience. This is a great school!
—Submitted by Thomas Close, a former student

I think this school is extraordinary.
—Submitted by a student

MacArthur provides good academics that have held through much more than any of the other public high schools in Irving. The classes are not to large providing a stable learning environment and i have found this school to be excellent! Not to mention that hey have wonderful sports teams!
—Submitted by a parent

MacArthur is just fabulous!
—Submitted by a former student

Extracurricular activities are numerous, however, the money to fund each of them is not evenly dispersed. Some activities that need more funding get skipped over to fund the school's football team.
—Submitted by a former student

When I had the choice to move my youngest daughter away from Mac, I jumped at the chance. My oldest on was not prepared for college by Mac. They were more worried about glitz and glamour rather than education and safety.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter goes to Macarthur and she is overall satisfied but I am worried about the safety of my daughter. Almost every week there is another bomb threat at Macarthur. The school is great but I am not sure about the safety of my daughter when she goes to school. I am thinking of sending her to Irving High School since it is in the same city and a little more safe.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two boys graduate from MHS and one that is now a sophmore. MHS has been great for kids needing advanced classes. [We] can visit anytime of the day and not see anything questionable. Teachers and admin staff are on top of everything. I would recommend MHS to any family.
—Submitted by a parent