Patrick Henry High School

I'm a freshman at PH and I love it. I was expecting a lot of stereotypes because of the contrast of the economic situations of some students. But it is not like that at PH. There is some of that but not enough to make it horrible. The classes are majorly set up well. The only thing I can say bad about that is, if your student is advanced in the foreign languages, they will most likely have a lot of upperclassmen in their classes with them. All around, PH is awesome!
--Submitted by a student

This school is absolutely AMAZING. I went here my freshman year of high school, I only left because my parents divorced and I was forced to move to Florida. NO SCHOOL CAN COMPARE TO PATRICK HENRY HIGH SCHOOL. ANY kid ANY! would love this school. There are no words to even express this school, it's just an awesome enviroment, amazing everything. GOSH! I miss it so much! I am a sophomore now, so not much time has passed since I've been there. teachers are great, students are great. Everything is just way above average. Roanoke City Schools are the best. WAY TOO GO RITA :D
--Submitted by a student

In addition to classroom learning and standardized testing, the students here are learning valuable lessons about life and becoming an adult. They'll be prepared to focus on important things and how to be personally responsible for their own success.
--Submitted by a parent

I sent my child to Patrick Henry Highschool and it was the worst four years of their life. One of my main concerns was the principal Ms. Ratcliffe and all of the hall principals who treated my child as though he was a criminal rather than a student. While I understand that because the school is so big and they have to keep a good handle on the students, I feel as though they abused their leadership to try and meet the states standards and put the idea of having a state accredited school over having smart and happy students. This is a school, not a prison.
--Submitted by a parent

I graduated from Patrick Henry a few years ago and am now attending one of the nation's best liberal arts schools. I decided to attend PH instead of go to a fairly well-known boarding school- I think it was a good decision. Your education at PH is what you make of it. If you're willing to work, teachers are willing to help you. The socio-economic and ethnic diversity get you ready for the real world (as opposed to my roommate freshman year of college, who had never attended public school and was afraid of every black, male student on campus for a semester) and the extra-curricular activities are plentiful. All in all, I'm glad I went to PH, and as a result of the good education I got there, my parents have elected to send my younger siblings there as well. Don't believe the hype.
--Submitted by a student

PH is mt alma mater. My three sons attend PH and love it!
--Submitted by a parent

I love that they have so many extra-curricular courses my son can take.
--Submitted by a parent

Your experience at Patrick Henry is largely what you make of it. The school is very diverse, but there is a great amount of self-segregation among the students based on socio-economic background (not necessarily such an awful thing). A lot of the students seem to have discipline problems & show a lack of effort, but both can easily be avoided -- there are lots of extracurricular opportunities (sports, clubs, etc.) and 'advanced' classes often have much more motivated students. Teachers & guidance counselors are largely hit-and-miss in quality & dedication, but overall I'd say most do a good job. I personally didn't have any problems at this school, and would say that if you're willing to get involved you'll have a much better experience.
--Submitted by a student

The teachers are sub-par, as is the guidance department. If you want your child to get into a decent college, this is not the high school you want.
--Submitted by a parent

I am ashamed at the lengths that some of the teachers will go through just to make sure that a student passes. Giving a student a passing grade that does not complete the work does no service to that student. The atmosphere at the school is very chaotic. The teachers and administrators to not have any control over the students. The students seem to 'run' the school. It's a shame that such a pretty school has such an ugly culture.
--Submitted by a parent