Carroll High School

This school puts no value on any students who aren't involved in sports. My first semester of high school I had moved from a different state and was not caught up on math at all. I failed my first semester of math, but by the second semester I caught up and brought my grade up to a 85 which I was told would be enough to move on to the next grade level in math. However, to my surprise they put me in the same math the next year and set me back a year. They said they were supposed to inform me that I needed summer school but I, "Slipped through the cracks." Not only did this happen to me, but the EXACT SAME SCENARIO happened to my brother. Their students "slip through the cracks" academically. Their teachers refuse to offer you any help unless you need to pass for athletics. My semester that I failed, my teacher told me to come to tutorials with her in the morning. Every morning I sat outside her door until 8:30 when she would arrive and I say, "I was at basketball practice. Just come tomorrow". And repeat and repeat and repeat. THIS SCHOOL DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR STUDENTS ACADEMICS AND REALLY COULDN'T CARE LESS IF YOU'RE LEARNING OR NOT. JUST AS LONG AS THEY DO WELL IF FOOTBALL.
—Submitted by a student

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.

Carroll is filled with children from the upper middle class. the school is really safe, i have never seen a fight in 3 years. I personally think that the students and faculty are very friendly, although the students can be a little snobbish sometimes. The football and music programs are great! i really like my school.
—Submitted by a student

I am from IL and my husband is from NYC. We were worried about coming to TX because we didn't think the schools would be up the standards of the private schools we both attended up north. We are extremely pleased with the academics at Carroll High. The principal is friendly and caring and the friends my son has made are wonderful. Very hardworking, polite, and wholesome. We haven't seen any snobbery, but it could be lurking somewhere.
—Submitted by a parent

I would have to say this is your typical upper middle-class suburb high school. Teachers quality is rather good. School is extremly safe; you'd likely find more fights at a senior center than the halls of Carroll. There is a very high emphasis on sports and a high level of elitism. Generally, kids are either accepted into the social cliques or totally ignored. Moving in mid year would be very hard on your child.
—Submitted by a student

Football, though very popular and fun, is just a small part of the school and both campuses are exemplary academically. There are clubs and programs for all types of sports, art, jazz, concert band and choir, drama, Computer science, forensics, debate, service orgs., winterguard, book club,international club, newspaper, yearbook, photography, recycling, UIL, the list goes on and on. Carroll is one of the top schools in TX!
—Submitted by a parent

My son is a freshman at Carroll, he HATES IT. Carroll is based on football,football,and the belles(School award winning dance team). The Band is ok, the marching program is always exceptional. If your not in football, you might as well not go here.
—Submitted by a parent

Carroll High school is incredibly academic. THey pride themselves in the high TAKS scores. There is an abundance of extracurricular activities, and Carroll has won 2 out of the past 3 state football championships. Parents are very involved, volunteers are seen on all campuses.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a good school, however, it is hard to have a good class rank. A 96 GPA will put you 130/600. Many kids here are also snobby. Its very wealthy. However also exteremly safe.
—Submitted by a student

What used to be an exemplary school, I feel as though the school is not as devoted to academics anymore. The level of the academic program has declined in recent years. However, the school has its own band and music program, and private lessons are available through the school. Also, the school has a decent physical education program. The students can choose which program they would like to do, whether it be the regular P.E. course, or some other sport, such as track. Carroll has its own athletic teams in which student can participate, ranging from baseball to ice hockey. Its football program is particularly strong, having won a couple state championships. Other extracirricular activities involve clubs, such as art club or the animal caretaker group. These groups meet after school for their activities.
—Submitted by a former student

This school is great! parents are really involved. The music availability is great! the sports, and art are incredible! this is my school! i love this school!! i wouldn't go to a different school. The principal is so awesome! he's so easy to talk to. The teachers care about their students. This is one of the greatest schools i've attended!
—Submitted by a student