Dan River Senior High School

I am a student at Dan River High School and I believe the students are the ones that know best how wonderful our school is. Since the renovations have started, the school looks a thousand times better, I can't wait to see the school when its completed. The teachers at Dan River genuinely care about us students and want us to succeed in everything we do. The administration this year had improved greatly, I especially like thier level of involvement. This year has been the best yet since I have been attending Dan River and I know it will only continue to improve in years to come. Go Wildcats!
—Submitted by a student

This school is awful!! It was so much better when Mr. Ringstaff was there because he was everything that the staff now is not!
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a student at DRHS and this will be my third year of being here. I do say that the old administration did not 'crack' down on certain rules but they did get to know the students. The teachers here are the best but I do have to say I never see the administration around except for Mr.Hairiston (sorry if it's misspelled). To me it feel likes we went from a school where everybody knew everyone to a school that treats everybody like a criminal. I do not and haven't seen a disipline problem here, and the ones that were excessively bad were handled. I love this school and would not choose any other school in the county. As of now it does look run down and 'ghetto' but that's only because of the renovations and it will soon be better.
—Submitted by a student

I am a Guidance Counselor here and over the years since I have been here it has improved. I do acknowledge that the school needs work and currently it is being renovated. The teachers are concerned and caring and now that we have all new administration a lot of the rules that were not followed are mostly followed now. The discipline issue has decreased considerably. We are the smallest school in our county and right now we have more of a family or team atmosphere. Our Basketball teams(both girls and boys) are excelling and winning. That helps a lot of school spirit!! Dan River and its Wildcats Rock. It is a good school getting much better.

I am a current student here at DRHS, my opinion is that the state needs to grant us some money to fix up the school. It is not fair that some of the classes dont have AC when gets to 90 degrees outside. The falculty and staff do not enforce the rules as they should. They need to crack down on the system. We need teachers that actually know what they are talking about. The school lunch tastes like cardboard. The bathrooms are so unsanitary. How are we suppose to wash our hands without hot water? We have got to do better. Think before you come here to the River.
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at Dan River High school and in my opinon the school need fixing up. Some rooms don't have A/C. The Science Department need some more money to buy supplies for the class room. It need to offer Japanese course and more classes.
—Submitted by a student

As a former student at Dan River I know first hand how badly the building needs renovations. The faculty, although very friendly, really needs to crack down on those students that are unruly and disrespectful

Dan River high school doesn't force the school rules. The school has bad AC, on the bright side it has great heat. When I went to this school I never like it with the bad choices of food to the bathrooms. The library was nice, and so was the gyms. The school overall had two much drama, as people in the school didn't care about the punishment. I would say you would have to be brave soal to come to this school. The ROTC teacher was great and most of the other teachers was awesome too.
—Submitted by a former student

I went to DRHS and think that is a great school. It prepared me for college and provided the discipline and knowledge I needed to succeed. Over all I think the school is the best in the county.
—Submitted by Steven, a former student

This school has been a disapointment for my family. I have one child of 3 there and have chosen to place the other two elsewhere. The main reason is lack of communication. The teachers he has had this year will not return calls made to them on my son's behalf. Also, the school system has a rule that progress reports are to be handed out after 3 weeks into the 6 weeks. This does not happen and it seems there is not an administration policy to see that this is followed. Teachers have an email address also but don't check it on a regular basis. Ms. Clarke (Asst. Principal) is very concerned about the kids but can't do it all by herself unfortunatly. The principal is very nice but not very effective in getting solutions to problems and getting back with the parents with these issues.
—Submitted by a parent

I myself went to DRHS, & so did 5 of my children, I think it rates one of the best school's in this country!
—Submitted by TIM HUFFSTICKLER, a parent

At first glance you would think that more funding was needed for updating the facility. Once inside meeting the teachers, faculty and staff you realize that the atmosphere is that of the old schools. Respect and honor are maintained throughout. The students respect teachers and the students understand why they are there (to learn). I would not send my children anywhere else.