Ponder High School

Majority of time, money and energy spent on Athletics and Agriculture programs. Academics takes a back seat. Teachers try hard but don't have all the resources they need. Due to school size and re-districting, athletes are required to travel long distances and have many very late nights.
--Submitted by a parent

Ponder High School has been beneficial to our child. He has a close group of friends who spur each other on academically. I notice that the teachers seem interested in the proper development of each child. We also have a lot of confidence in the counselor, who seems to be bending over backward to carefully advise my child in course selection etc., as he aims for college in the future. Sports are highly valued at this school, but academic competition is also available and supported by the teachers. Negatively, a few of his teachers have seemed lack enthusiasm for their subjects. There are not a lot of opportunities for parents to be involved in this school, aside from attendance at athletic events and fund-raising.
--Submitted by a parent

I have always been pleased with the teaching staff and class sizes of Ponder High, I do however feel that there are not enough extra carricular activities but I attribute that to the size of the school. On the down side, if you are not one of the more active parents or your child does not excel in basketball you are not treated the same by the staff and other parents of those students.
--Submitted by April Sims, a parent

PHS is the greatest school on the planet, what it lacks in size it makes up for in character and tradition. It has an excellent sports program and its acedimic insturctors are superb. I will state again that it is the number one school in the state, country, and planet.
--Submitted by a parent

As the parent of three past students and one current student at Ponder High School, I have been very pleased with the overall experience. There is personal involvement with the principal and teachers. If I have a problem, and I call or write in to complain, I know I will receive a personal reply and swift response to the situation. Your child's school experience is determined by you and your child. Be visible and involved in your community, and in your child's schoolwork. Brains and drive come from within.
--Submitted by a parent

As a parent with a student at Ponder High and educator for 15 years (in a couple of other districts), I have been pleased with teachers' knowledge of subject area,the use of different approaches and techniques used to enable all students to learn and enjoy learning, and rapport with students and parents.For a small 2AA school there are several sports and academic teams available. Problems such as dress code, drugs, tardiness, etc. are handled quickly and without disturbing the learning environment for those not involved.
--Submitted by a parent

Most of the rules are unfair to the students. Parents get no says so in anything. The student dress code is not updated. There are not many choices for extra curricular activities like there aren't many different sports they can play or languages they can learn. In 7th, 8th, and 9th grade there is no study hall which would be useful to the students. The only thing I really like are the teachers and the class sizes.
--Submitted by a student