Charlottesville High School

We have had two children who both attended CHS, one graduated with honors the other did not feel safe after the first year after being solicited and then threatened by another student. I do appreciate the responsiveness of the admin. and the full-time security officers. Since there is a very high teacher turnover at CHS (about 30% each year), our second child was not able to get the same great teachers that our first child recommended. Sadly, those teachers were simply not at CHS four years later. Because the guidance counselors were all new and unfamiliar with the teaching style of the new teachers, they could not recommend a good fit for our intelligent underachieving child. CHS is the only public High School in Charlottesville there is no other choice. We are thankful we could afford a private tutor for our oldest child. A personal connection with an experienced teacher, who feels secure in keeping their job from one year to the next, would help to create better students than a personal computer for each student and a smart-board in each classroom.
—Submitted by a parent

My children had wonderful educations at CHS. Not only did they have great academic opportunities, but they also had wonderful music and physical educational opportunities. CHS is an amazing school with great diversity!
—Submitted by a parent

CHS is so cool!!! For decades they have had atop notch arts program and a great science program too. The building looks like its right out of a John Hughes movie.

If you have the right attitude toward your education, CHS can absolutely be the best choice. I am a current student, and I can say from personal experience that most of the AP classes are terrific. The fine arts are the best around, and many sports are both competitive and inclusive. The great strength of CHS that parents overlook is the diversity. If only in 9th and 10th grade gym and health and a few advanced classes, students can really learn a lot about other cultures -- I have made friends from all over the world. CHS is not the best place for students who wait for hand-holding or who are going to rely on guidance to sort out their college applications, because CHS students need to know where they want to be and take themselves there on their own. However, if you want a wider perspective, CHS is it.
—Submitted by a student

This school is not as great as many think it is. If you take a walk around this school you can see there is a nice level of achievement among students in honors and AP classes, but if you take a look into the lower level classes its completely different. I take honors level courses and, I hate to say, there are few minorities taking these courses with me. Its like night and day when you take a look into a general level (and even advanced level) class. The students are loud and rowdy and the teachers don't seem to care. Fights constantly break out among students. Sometimes I even question my own safety.
—Submitted by a student

I am currently a student at Charlottesville High School and it is a wonderful school.The athletics are great and as of now the Girls Basketball team is 11-0. The lacrosse and track teams are also outstanding as well. The fine arts program is booming. The band has been a Virginia honor Band for a numerous amount of years and holds the state record with Lake Braddock for the most superior ratings at Festival. The academic courses are exceptional for gifted students. I am currently taking all honors classes and they are top notch. Lastly, the overall atmosphere at CHS is wonderful and filled with a wide range of diverse peoples.
—Submitted by a student

The academic programs and the extracurricular activities are really good. The orchestra is large and have recently obtained the title of Grand Champions for the cruise festival they embarked on in March-April 2005. The orchestra program is excellent. The other programs such as the band, theater, and art are also really good. Sports are really encouraged here. I see parents being really involved with orchestra, I cannot say for other programs. The teachers expect excellence and they are good at what they do. The school is currently under renovation, so it does look a little bad, but the improvements so far have really helped.
—Submitted by a student

I am currently attending CHS. The school has a rich diversity that the other area schools lack. This year, I'm enrolled into advanced and honors classes. The school turns 30 this year, and a lot of renovations are being done this summer. I can't wait to go back in late August and see what it looks like! The information on this website is a little out of date. The school now has around 1300 students. The art programs at CHS are amazing. The band has kept a superior reputation for 22 years. The orchestra has also been a fine program since 1987. The theater is marvelous. This past spring, the theater did Peter Pan. Great show. This school really blends fine education with performing arts; and don't forget, Charlottesville has been rated the #1 city to live in! Bottom line, great school, great city.
—Submitted by Tony, a student

We have had two children graduate from CHS, and one is still there. They have all had a first-rate education. Fine arts programs can't be beat. More AP classes than any other school in the area (someone once said than any in the state, but I'm not sure about that). Athletic programs are pretty decent. For top students, CHS is absolutely superb. For less able students, it is still pretty good. It is about 50-50 white-black. Race relations are pretty good -- not perfect, but no major problems or incidents in years. The physical plant is pretty well maintained for a school that is 30 years old. Over all, our family has been very pleased with the education that our kids have received at CHS.
—Submitted by a parent

CHS is a wonderful school, with an excellent curriculum, staff, and opportunities for students both in and out of the classroom. The rich racial diversity enhances everyone's educational experience.
—Submitted by a former student