Clarke County High School

My son and I are relatively new to Clarke County, having moved from the Prince William school system, a (Va). Many of the comments here state that Clarke County High School is more concerned with academic scores than the actual benefit to the students. Having come from a system where the schools are huge, and scared to death of students (impersonal), the ratings are all important, to the point of the students being just faceless numbers unless, of course, they achieve in the reflection light. Forget about the individual talents and uniqueness. This issue of scores over individual is state wide. What I have been very impressed with about Clarke County is the huge individual committment, most especially the teachers, and the greater freedom on the part of the teachers to teach using thier unique talents, and the personal caring they give each student.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has many problems. The teachers are great mostly, however the school system has allowed this school to be undercut by the board of supervisors so we haven't the money to put toward proper schooling for our children. If your thinking of having your children go to this school but can afford a private school, I recommend Foxcroft School for Girls in Middleburg, or Noter Dame for Boys and Girls inn Middleburg. This school has cut most of their AP and IB classes and now you (the parent) has to pay for all the extras if your child wants to go for the advanced diplomas. The new school board would like for the children of CCHS to 'get back into the fields' because 'we have done a dis-service to the farmers of the area by sending our children off to college' I'm quoting Philip Embry. Try a different school.
--Submitted by a parent

I have lived in the county for 20 years. Great dedication by those teachers and the administration at CCHS. I do feel that my kids as well as their friends that have been attending there and through the school system have been receiving a quality education. I am impressed with the number of students that have been accepted in various state and out of state colleges. The focus and attention to detail is quite obvious. The school's vision statement 'Each student will learn at high levels of achievement.' is true to form in as far as I am concerned. Keep up the good work!! The school deserves to be ranked in the top 100 (Newsweek).
--Submitted by a parent

Clarke County High School does some pretty amazing things for what facilities that they have to work with. I am a current senior at the high school and have somewhat enjoyed the experience. The small school environment is felt as you know about 90% of your classmates well enough to hang out with them. Also, the quality of teachers is quite superb. However, I felt as though the years that I was forced into higher level classes against my will. The administration cares more about how it appears on rankings like being #87 on Newsweek's best high schools than the student's wellbeing. I am taking a class I didn't sign up for and currently have an F. Another issue is that even with one person monitoring halls, anyone can walk in and out of the school unnoticed. I'm definitely not thrilled with this school but it's decent.
--Submitted by Sidney McDonald, a student

Clarke county high school is the biggest joke. Its all about numbers not academics at all. Parents get involed and keep on the administration you'd be surprised at what you see.
--Submitted by a parent

The Clarke County school system is very concerend with padding their 'honors' numbers. From my experience this comes at the expense of those who really do need acceleration in some or all curriculum areas. That said, the high school is small enough to allow a parent to 'work the system' if so motivated, to provide accelerated learning for a child that needs it. Guidance is an extremely weak point in this high school. Parents should expect to be very involved and persistent in curriculum and college planning. There's a new principal this year. (A promotion from within the system.) Will things change? Stay tuned.
--Submitted by a parent

Absolutely terrible school system. This system fails to enforce Virginia Code, does nothing about truancy, and allows unlimited amounts of time for students to make up work for missed days in direct contridiction of school policy. Step daughter in this school and for 2004 school year missed 34 days. Had it not been for teachers giving her unlimited time (up to 2 months) to complete missed days assignments and quizes child would have failed 3 out of 4 of her core classes, yet maintains a B average. Superintendent of school, nor school board members care about these issues. More concerned about keeping grade point averages up by whatever means necessary in order to obtain funding from State and Federal Government.
--Submitted by a parent

I graduated from CCHS and traveled throughout the entire Clarke school system. I feel that I got a fantastic education in this small school enviornment. Children get the special attention they need and help is around every corner.
--Submitted by a former student