Northridge High School

If you come from the wrong side of the interstate you can forget them caring about you or your students.
—Submitted by a student

This school completely failed both of my kids. They both struggled, and both their dad and I tried to work with their teachers to get them back on track. We tried for 3 years to work them towards graduation. In the end both of them did not graduate and both had to go on to get their adult high school diplomas. I know my kids were in part to blame, but teachers and counselors should be there support the kids that are struggling instead of turning their backs on them.
—Submitted by a parent

I was shy and completely picked on all throughout my elementary school years, and finally started to blossom when junior high came. Northridge gave me that extra push, and now after my first year there I'm a complete social butterfly and have been performing better academically than I would have ever anticipated, with a year GPA of 3.7. The teachers here are incredible, I owe them so much. I'm a member of the PVA academy, and the administration doesn't do much to encourage students to attend the plays (aside from the major musical done every year) or the band/choir/orchestra concerts. But our school community is highly encouraging, and it's so easy for ANYONE to make friends there. The academies are amazing, and they surround you with people with similar interests as yours. I could not ask for a better high school experience! Can't wait for the next two years.

Honestly as a student... Northridge is a great school! My only complaint being that as a student in PVA (performing and visual arts) the administration never promotes the choir, art, or theater students anywhere near the other groups. Very unappreciAted.
—Submitted by a student

I'm a student, currently in my sophomore year. My first year here has been awesome socially, and certain teachers are simply amazing. I'm in the arts academy, (PVA), one of the biggest ones, and I love it. The teachers within the academy are all great. My world civ and English classes are decided upon my academy, and Mr. Hansen (who teaches world civ) is one of the most effective teachers I've ever had. Ms. Partridge (formerly Ms. Snarr) is the most hardworking, dedicated, experienced choral director I'll ever imagine to have. My theater teacher has recently been 'let go', and I loved his class. I'll definitely miss it in the years to come. It's true that the counselors are not helpful. I've made three appointments with them this year for help and it's the same discussion--what credits do I need? Forget anything else.
—Submitted by a student

My advice on Northridge and life in general- get involved! Northridge offers so many extra things you can do to learn and grow in your area of intrest. The classes are geared toward medical, business, arts, culinary ect... and you get to choose an academy to belong to which is geared toward your area of intrest as well. I was a student there. Just like anywhere you can choose to be bitter and have a bad experience or you can take control of your life and find joy in the journey. As far as the school being too pushy in religion- the people in the community have good values and morals- why wouldn't you want your kid to grow up around people like that?
—Submitted by a student

Good School. The people are really nice and approach you when you look like you're having a hard time find a class or your locker.
—Submitted by a student

Be ready to pull your hair out trying to get someone to return your phone calls or emails, and getting information about schoolwork and performance. And, yes, it seems it's all about CREDITS CREDITS CREDITS.
—Submitted by a parent

I my opinion that is the best school anyone could ever go to the counselors that they have been talking about about are extremely helpful and make sure to take care of the students. The principal is the best and he makes sure that the students are taken care of. I was a stdent in northridge for two years (sophmore and junior years) and i found it a great school
—Submitted by a student

I am a junior at Northridge and I am sorry to say it is one of the worst schools I have been to. I have had an older sister who went there as well and she has already commented on the fact that it is going downhill. The councilors are no help what so ever, they only seem interested in getting you to credits (Doesn't matter if you learn anything while you are at it) and getting you out of the school. The counselors are no help what so ever. My friend went in to talk to a counselor about making up some credits and some other stuff and the counselor kicked her out ten minutes in because she had to leave for her carpool. My other friend had her phone stolen out of her locker, and the administrators did nothing about it. They had her fill out a form, and took no action. She had to go buy another phone. I mean sure it may be a good school for athletic academic students (They have a lot of options), but other than that the business, the art, and the other academies are brushed aside. They have so few options and intricate classes to excel the students in there.
—Submitted by a student

I have had two children graduate from Northridge High School, and currently have a Sophomore attending. The older two children had a great time at Northridge. They were both in the Business Academy and loved the teachers there. One of them was a SBO and the Sophomore is on the volleyball team. Her volleyball coach is top-notch and the SBO Advisors were awesome! They helped her in many ways trying to get the best scholarships available. Also, the principal is great and truly understands teenagers. I have been heavily involved with NHS because they are great people to work with.
—Submitted by Sheri Lamb, a parent

I am not a parent, but I did attend NHS and graduated in 1997. I think that my high school experience was great. I had a lot of friends from different 'social cliques', played sports and attended extra cirricular activites. My parents supported me in academics as well as my sports. I am not of LDS religion and I didn't feel like any students or teachers were shoving the religion down my throat. Since graduation, I've moved to Florida and have finished my college degree. Most of the people I've met after high school, didn't have a good experience in high school like I did. Knowing that, makes me proud to say I am an alumni of NHS!
—Submitted by Krissta Burgess, a former student

My daughter attended NHS 9th thru 12th and I have to tell you it is an excellent school. The drama and music program have teachers who care and who bring the best out of their students. My daughter excelled beyond my and her belief. I never saw a student that loved school so much. My interaction with her teachers was always positive. My daughter has since moved on to the University of Utah and has made the deans list (straight A's) for her freshman and sophomore year. Mr. Ward, Ms. Ryan, Mr. Wright, Ms. Snarr take a bow for a job well done... Bravo to you Northridge for all you do...from a very proud parent.
—Submitted by Rosemary Culver, a parent

My daughter has had a wonderful time at NHS and has received a superior education in comparison to other public schools. I have a word to say concerning the previous parent reviews I have read though. There are many states in this country where one religion is more prevelant than another. For example, North and South Dakota, New York, Florida to name a few. Utah is among these. If you don't want to live here, then you must ask yourself, WHY do you? If you are so unhappy about a school because it's students and/or teachers belong to the dominant religion, why torture yourself and stay? I'm sure nobody will beg you to stay. What is the problem, really? I have lived in Utah my whole life and I have never had anyone shove religion down my throat. On the contrary, people here are very neighborly. The folks at NHS are among these.
—Submitted by a parent

Fine school. The socio-economic atmosphere at the school is obvious at times, but overall the resources offered at the school are amazing. I wish I had them when I was in school!
—Submitted by Tim Beckstein, a parent

I have had 3 out of 4 of my children attend Northridge HS. My oldest child experienced deep emotional problems while in high school and fell through the cracks - she dropped out the 1st semester of her junior year. I agree that the couselors are not helpful at all. My 3rd child has gone the rounds trying to get into the right classes. As far as religion goes, Layton HS has released time for Catholic students as well as LDS (Utah is not the only state that does this). There are a few teachers at NHS that cross the line on religion based lectures. Overall, I feel that NHS is a good school with a wide variety of classes to offer, and a diverse ethnic student population.
—Submitted by a parent

I am the parent of a child attending northridge high, he is a srn at this time, we have had no problems with is education, and the councelors seem to be very helpful, thorough, and kind. Northridge has a lot to offer any child, with many programs to choose from and credits towards college. With many academys to choose from. I also agree that your child does have to have their own strong beliefs and must be able to ignore the religion shoved down their throats.......Good luck!
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers overall are concerned, look out for the needs of the student. Vice principal-hard to reach,cold,uncaring,appeared not to want to talk(even to parent!). Few counselors really help your student. I am tired of hearing how over worked they are, we all are. Seniors should meet with their counslor before selections are due. Kids deserve a decent schedule and class selection. Parents look out for child, find a good teacher to assist you. The teachers make this school; ask them to help you do what administration tells you is impossible. On the positive side, the course selections are good. Good preparation for college. Wish the AP and honor classes were 'weighted' like most other schools. Kids doing more academic type classes would see a refelection in their class rank.
—Submitted by a parent

My overall experience at Northridge was great although I found that many of my former teachers were pretty much geared towards expressing their religious convictions to their students rather than what should actually be taught, such as our scientific relationship to monkeys rather than our relationship with what the church says our relationship is with monkeys. I also found that sports takes precedent over any academic subject. Not only are athletes who have not even taken an honors or AP class eligible to graduate with honors, but they also have classes for specific sports that do grant credit. Evidently as any other Utah high school, students are able to take religious-based courses. Although they do not grant credit for these classes, students are given the option to have these classes as a class period. I have asked myself many times whether or not our legislature realizes the distinction between church and state. Northridge is a great school if you hold strong to your beliefs and have the ability to ignore all others who disagree with you. Northridge is also a great school if you wish to indulge yourself with as many extracirricular activites you deem necessary and admirable. Also understand that when living in Utah, you have placed yourself in state governed and controlled by the LDS religion. But also know that there are those that are willing to share their experiences rather than impose them upon you.
—Submitted by a former student

Compare to any other schools NorthRidge is much the same in quality. I was a transplant from Clearfeld and was very pleased with everthing at NHS!
—Submitted by a former student