Great Bridge High School

Great Bridge High School at one time was a jewel in Chesapeake, unfortunately over the last 10 years the city school system has plundered and pillaged the teaching staff and administration to fill newer schools, touted to be innovations (not nearly as impressive as they are supposed to be). What is left of Great Bridge is a shell, with few exceptions. Teachers who spend more time checking their email during class than instructing and substitutes who are not qualified to teach in the classroom where they are placed. Someone in city admin desperately needs to look behind the smoke and mirrors and return this school to the jewel it once was.
—Submitted by a student

GBHS is not all its cracked up to be on this site. Frankly, the teachers are like everywhere else - you get some good and some bad. More bad than good. FYI to the teachers - you are not there to be the kids' friend and talk about keggers. You are not there to indoctrinate them into Liberalism. You are there to teach reading, writing, math -- whatever elective that they choose. Try sticking to that. I'm glad to be done with GBHS!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Both my children attended Great Bridge Schools from Grade 1 thru Grade 12. They were well prepared for college at William and Mary for one and Old Dominion for the other.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school! It is rather large but it has great facilities and talented teachers. They offer a wide variety of classes and after school activities too.
—Submitted by a student

Great Bridge is tremendous place to excel in any category. It has one of the most distinguished band programs in the state. As far as academics, GBHS has the ability to cater to just about everyone's needs, from great special ed, all the way to AP and dual enrollment with the local community college. Great Bridge is truly an amazing place for everyone to succeed, and really helps to prepare students for college. There are numerous extracurricular activities that offer students to excel outside of class: Marching Band, Baseball, Gymnastics, Debate, etc. As a member of the music program, I can truly attest to the music department and its wonderful instructors. If anyone ever has the opportunity to go to Great Bridge, go for it.
—Submitted by a student

Our children have been in GB schools for eleven years and the first will graduate this year. We can't say enough good about the schools especially the incredible music program (concert band, marching band, jazz band and ensemble) -- Mr Carroll and Mr Oare are exceptional teachers and mentors who are passionate about their work, and what they say about music improving grades and test scores has certainly been proven true in our experience. Hard work is encouraged and rewarded at GBHS. Our children have been starters and bench warmers on varsity teams, the coaches have selected them based on their work ethic. We are a military family with no roots in Great Bridge and have never experienced any sort of "bubba mentality" with regard to team selection. The only bias we see is toward hard work, on the field and in the classroom. The teachers are excited to teach and mentor hard working students. The new principal, Shelli Porter, is second to none. She has created a warm, nurturing environment and is responsive to parents and seems to be very supportive of teachers. As in all schools, not every teacher is perfect but the administration's response to concerns is excellent.
—Submitted by a parent

My son graduated from Great Bridge. He had a choice of colleges.The teachers at GBHS prepared him well for the rigor of college classes. We bought a house in Great Bridge because everyone told us how good the schools were. We were not disappointed.
—Submitted by a parent

GBHS is an outdated school with poor facilities and equipment tp properly teach the children. School is over staff for the number of students. Academic curriculum is outdated and does not prepare the students for the global enviroment they will enter upon graduation. Education system needs to get into the 21st century.
—Submitted by a parent

My children attended Great Bridge thru out there junior high and high school years. They loved it and fit right in. As for the Bubba system comment on making the sports teams, Great Bridge has a top rate sports program, and, if you are not good enough, you won't make the team. Making the teams has nothing to do with how long you have been going to school in Great Bridge. The overcrowding issue is not a problem since Grassfield opened. Overall, the teachers and staff realy care about the students, and the students welcome new kids with open arms. The kids that go to Great Bridge are realy good kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Talented in Music and pretty much everything else.!
—Submitted by a parent

My family chose to live in Great Bridge because of the small town feel. My sons graduated last year. They began Great Bridge schools in 8th grade. They wrestled and played football. One boy has gone on to a private university on full scholarship. The other has his choice of schools to attend on scholarship and will go this fall. Both were accepted at every school they applied. Though every day was not perfect (that's just living with teenagers in general), our years at Great Bridge have given them a solid educational foundation, wonderful memories and friends that they will keep for life.
—Submitted by a parent

We're military and my daughter arrived at Great Bridge H.S. in her senior year. She found students very friendly and had her best year ever. The teachers are dedicated, school spirit and traditions are strong, parent involvement is high. My daughter loved the 4x4 block schedule, which allowed her to take eight classes this year. Her counselor was very helpful and kind and worked with students on schedule preferences. My daughter graduated with great memories and lots of new friends, and wishes she had gone to Great Bridge all four years! We love this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent school. We are a military family stationed here for two years. Our oldest son graduated and our youngest completed his freshman year. Exceptional band program. Top notch. Best school in our military career and highly recommended. Kids are reflective of their parents values, hard working, respectful and accepting of varied opinions. Hate to leave it. Yes it is overcrowded however the new high school opens up next year and that will alleviate most of those concerns. No gang issues, notable discipline problems etc. Every school has a few nuckleheads and GB did too. But they are the exception and not the rule. If your heading to this school, you won't be disappointed. Kudos across the board.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had five kids go through the Great Bridge School system. We are Navy and were stationed here for several years and went overseas and came back to Great Bridge. Outstanding school system and community. The portables should be decreasing as new schools come on line. Second best decision my wife made was having us buy a home in the Great Bridge School district. Teachers will take the time to assist all the students. At the open houses, it is standing room only if you arrive late. Great participation in shool by parents, students and teachers to make the school outstanding.
—Submitted by a parent

We are a military family who moved into the area last year. Academics for the most part are above average. My son has had trouble 'fitting in' because we aren't from here. If your child plays sports, especially baseball, do not attend Great Bridge! My son is extremely athletic and has played H.S ball before. He didn't make the team because it is a bubba club! They want Middle school boys they have watched for years rather than an 'outsider'. We have lived many places and all of my kids have attended many schools. This area in particular has been the hardest for my kids to adjust too.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school system. Don't buy the argument that 'too many classes are in portable classrooms.' That is true but it doesn't detract from the education unless it is used as an excuse.
—Submitted by c p, a parent

I am a parent of two students at this school: one gifted and one with special needs. Here are my opinions: Pros: friendly and accepting classmates; very few problems with drugs or violence; the teens seem to mind their own business and let each other do their own thing; block scheduling offers chance for 8 classes per year; late start (8:40 am) helps tired teens make it in on time; extra curricular programs are plenty including athletics, drama and music; excellent band program, it s a VA State Honors band; faculty and staff are caring, but there are always the 'bad' teachers in every grade; parental involvement is good, but not over-the-top. Cons: extremely overcrowded with too many classes held in portables, but this is a problem in Chesapeake Public Schools, not just Great Bridge. Facilities could be modernized and kept cleaner. Overall, this is an excellent environment for your children.
—Submitted by a parent

As a minority, this was not the greatest school ever. My fellow minority classmates were made to feel like second class citizens. We were always the students, checked for contraband, we were always the students questioned when something was stolen or a problem needed investigating. Attention parents of minority children, think twice before sending your child to this school system. The school smiles and opens it's arms in public, however the true discrimination is alive and practiced. Great pains are taken to insure lower income minority neighborhoods are not included within it's school zones. Check the racial breakdowns. As for myself, I was an honor roll student who had to work harder than my white classmates. It was not an experience I would do again if I had had a choice.
—Submitted by a former student

I graduated from Great Bridge in 1997, my parents graduated from Great Bridge as well, as will my children. This school is moer than wonderful! Teachers are more than dedicated to their students, the extracurricular activites are more than you could ask for (they offer everything), wonderful nurse! Guidence counselors are really there to help kids with academics, college, as well as personal issues. They even offer a class for GED student; if they go to this class everyday, to study for the G.E.D., they will also be able to march in the graduation ceremony like the other kids. I think that is just wonderful! Five Stars!
—Submitted by KAtie Spruill, a former student

Overall, a very good school. I have two kids that are juniors this year and have been in Great Bridge schools for 5 years now. They have a nice variety of classes, Honors classes, Advanced Placement courses, and extracurricular activities. We have had the pleasure to be assigned several outstanding teachers. Most teachers offer extra assistance before and after school, inspite of their heavy class load.We are a transplanted military family and chose to live in Great Bridge due to the high quality of schools here. Many people recommended the area to us, including several teachers from other state. One area of concern is overcrowding and the large number of portables. The overcrowded halls make arriving to class on time a challenge.
—Submitted by a parent