Carroll High School

I am a girl new to the state and the school district, and I'm also a freshman. Coming into this school, I read the reviews on this exact website and saw where parents put how their children had no friends and how Carroll was all about cliques and not welcoming. I have to say I disagree. The first day of school was not bad at all, although I did find lunch awkward but that's just how it always goes no matter where you are. There are always girl cliques and sports cliques, and I don't see how people can't expect that. The academics are definitely challenging for me, but that's a good thing. The teachers, students, and staff are very welcoming and nice. I would suggest joining Power of One, a club, or a sports team for sure just for the fun and the group of great friends you can make. I love Carroll and disagree with half of the responses posted. It's a great district with great people.
--Submitted by a student

I am new to the area and I'm going into 8th grade. I'm relived that I'm not going in to high school because of all of the coments. How is Carroll High School for a fairly new GIRL? I'm involved in track, choir, and I take AP classes. I am happy with what I have seen so far of the district.... My family is excited and nervous to move. Please let me know how the school is for girls!

CSHS excels on many levels: many active clubs and activities, parental involvement and teachers who care. I had two very different types of students-- one focused and high achieving and one social. Both found friends and classes (many AP's) that challenged and both are going to high ranking universities with scholarships. The school is very competitive, but welcome to the real world-- so is life. Football is big, but is very inclusive, with roles for band, belles, and more-- it brings the community together to support the school. I do think the English program needs improvement. We've loved living here!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter went to Carroll High and this school is so obessed with the TAKS rating. We had her tested and they found so many gaps in her learning even though her TAKS score is Commended on which she missed only 3. The kids are mean and clicky to the ones who aren't involved in the sports oriented activities. We took her out of Southlake Schools and put her in a Private School so that she can fill in the gaps in her education at Carroll ISD. This school sacrifices real education to teach their kids how to score high on the TAKS test, so it makes the school and the Superintendent look good but not good for the students future. How can my child score a Commended rating on the TAKs and low on a education evaluation test?
--Submitted by a parent

Not welcoming to new kids. My son went through his Sophomore year with no friends. If you don't play sports or are in the band, be ready for a lonely time. Asked a teacher about joining a club and she told him that he could only observe; he wouldn't be able to participate because he wasn't part of her class the past couple years. Academics are good; can check grades online. I rated the school low for social acceptance.
--Submitted by a parent

As a former student who went to another high school the high school is excellent. I hear a lot of parents talk about how sports run the school, but I disagree. Extracurriculars run the school, whatever that may be. They create this environment to help kids get into the colleges they want. The school is also very competitive academically.
--Submitted by a student

We've lived in Carroll ISD for 16 years and while we have loved the lower grades, high school is way too big and impersonal. It's highly competitive and a lot of kids fall through the cracks academically. My son is a very talented athlete and dreamed of playing Dragon varsity, but the program is run more like a major college and the coaches only focus is on the stars. He wants to join the growing number of his friends transferring to private schools like Fort Worth Christian just to be able to play football without the intense pressure. Academically, it's been hit and miss. Some teachers are great, others merely phoning it in. I hope at some point the district breaks up into two high schools, but that won't happen while football rules.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is very unstructured and needs to enforce their rules.
--Submitted by a parent

Contrary to the other poster's opinion, we moved here midyear and all three of my kids were warmly and readily accepted by the others. This is such a transient town that mostly all the kids have been 'the new Kid' in school at some time. Best school academically, kids and parents really care about their studies. Yes, football is fun, but not the main focus for the whole year!
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers truly care about their students and are above average, though extremely over worked, in that classroom size is too large to accomodate the needs of all students. As a result students receive lots of homework. This is why I rank the school as average. CHS football is ranked #1 in Texas/Nation, CHS is not ranked #1 in Texas/Nation.