Believe me when I tell you, but this school is by far a sad excuse for a school. Communication from teachers to home is terrible. Most teachers just don't seem to care. The education level is ridiculously low, but from my understanding that's everywhere in the South. I can't get over the lack of education here. I'm from the North, and what my child is learning in most of his 9th grade classes here, he already learned in 7th grade. He was even placed in some 10th and 11th grade courses to be comparative to what he was learning before the move here and they are still lacking. Unfortunately for where we live, this is the school he had to go to. Besides the lack of quality education, safety is an issue. Every single day there is atleast one fight that my son has seen. It's crazy! I can't wait to move and get him into a better school. They need a total educational revamp!!
—Submitted by a parent
My daughter is a Freshman at Bayside Health Science Academy and my husband and I are very impressed by the teachers and their enthusiasm in teaching our kids. The Advanced Studies Diploma curriculum is intense, but it is amazing to hear our daughter discuss her classroom topics. She has learned so much already in it only the first semester. We were also very impressed by their use of technology to teach with; smartboards, edmundo, etc.
—Submitted by a parent
Good school. Very diverse. Does not have the horrible reputation that many residents in Virginia seem to give it. Sports events are very fun.
—Submitted by a parent
We prove to the world that being diverse can make a school stronger!
—Submitted by a parent
This is my second year at Bayside and i have to say that i am impressed. I had asked people about it and they only gave me negative feed back, so when i went, i was scared to death. But, they were totallt wrong. Yea there drama and fights, but thats at almost every school. Bayside is not nearly as bad as people make it sound. Im actually proud to be a Marlin! :)
—Submitted by a student
Bayside is the best in the Beach!! before my first day as a freshman, my sister, a student at kempsvilleat the time, told me 'oh you are going to get shot if you go to Bayside!' But boy was she wrong!! Bayside is one of the safest schools i know of! I feel more safe here than i do anywhere else!! If a parent is worried about their child's safety, they have no need to worry about their safety here!! there are very rarely fights!! maybe 1 or 2 every couple of months!!!! We are Bayside!! And we are the Marlin family!!!!
—Submitted by a student
I went for two years. I was part of the health science academy and just figured that it wasnt for me. Compared to kempsivlle where i am now for my home school, bayside was better when looking at the over all school. Kids are very spirited about their school, the teachers are some of the best and you can really feel that they are stiving to see you succed. The rest of the faculty other then the teachers are friendly and just as kind. Bayside should have the rep of being a bad school, its jsut one of the best.
—Submitted by a student
I'm currently a student at BHS and I would have to say that this school is awesome. Of course, like any other school, there are fights and A LOT of drama, but what would high school experience be like without it (it seems like it would be better, however, 'without suffering, there would be no compassion') ? All the friends I've made at Bayside so far have made a significant impact on my life. The students are pretty chill. The teachers are pretty understanding too but, of course, there are always a few teachers that everyone dislikes. Overall, I'm stoked that I go to Bayside High School :D <333
—Submitted by a student
i love this school and i only went for a yr
—Submitted by a student
Bayside has a great group of students! They are WONDERFUL. The majority of teacher are absolutely fantastic. It is unfortunate that the administration hinders the great teachers at BHS and supports the not-so-great ones. The principal and administration is lacking. Students need guidance and consistency rather than being babied by the admin.
Im so glad im i the Bayside Health Science Academy....or i would never go to this school. The only good part is the academy kids and the rest of the students dont really care about their education. Don't send your child here no matter what unless their going to be in the academy then its only worth it.
—Submitted by a student
I am a graduate of Bayside High School class of 2000, and I can say that what people assume about the school being dangerous or bad is untrue. I felt safe there, and got involved in everything from cheerleading to forensics to the Darlin Marlin's, and loved every minute of it. The teachers are amazing and I will always remember Mrs. Wilkes the chorus teacher and how she brightened up my life. --Sharee Brantley
—Submitted by a former student
BHS is the Best School I have been to. It not only has many many extracricular activities but has school spirit and a high achievement level. BHS is also the host school of BHS health Sciences Academy. So far in this school I have not seen one fight (which is very good). Not only do you learn to your highest but you also become part of the BHS family. We would love to have you come and learn with us. Tia Combs - Freshman
—Submitted by Tia Combs, a student
I graduated from Bayside along with four of my family members . When I went to Bayside we were like family.Like a family we as students laughed, we cried and sometimes got in fights. I have such wonderful memories of Bayside.I played football and ran track. I remember the great pep rallies before the games, school dances , kissing in the hall ways, skipping class as seniors and hanging out at the beach with friends. Bayside shouldn't have a bad rep, that's just students being negative, typical of adolescents going threw growing pains. Nothing is ever as good as we would like it to be, and you have problems at all schools. Even private schools have issues. Love your school no matter where you go, you only get to go to high school once. I'll be a Bayside Marlin for life, and proud to say so! Scottie Walker
—Submitted by Scottie Walker, a former student
I am a graduate of Bayside High School and I have a child attending Bayside this year and I wouldn't have it any other way. There was never a time I thought sending my child to school here would be dettrimental to his educational experience. The staff of Bayside High is, in my opinion, the best in the Beach! It's a shame that after all these years, Bayside still holds a 'bad rap'. I think it is time for people to realize that things have changed and what happened in the early 90's no longer happens here, because at Bayside: 'We are Family'.
—Submitted by a parent
This school is such a great school. Stereotypes give this school a bad reputation. Dr. Cooper has done such a great job. Everybody in the school feels safe. None of the parents feel they need to take there child or children out of Bayside Middle. This school has never been a problem and parents are very involved with their child's or children's work.
—Submitted by a former student
Many people take Bayside the wrong way because of the multiple stereotypes that people give it. It's a shame that it has to be that way since Bayside IS such a great school. Another stereotype would be of the principal, Dr. Soltner. He arrived at Bayside last year and has done much to improve the discipline shown by the students. Although his rules are harsher than most, they are usually very neccessary. I believe that he is doing this to ensure Bayside's reputation in the future. Also, Bayside's SOL scores are one of the highest in Hampton Roads, specifically the exceptional math department, who has been first for the past many years.
—Submitted by Gregory Weaver, a student
I think the school gets a bad rap. The teachers I have dealt with are wonderful, the school is old but very clean and quiet, the discipline is awesome, the principal does a great job. My child went to a different VB school that was considered 'better' and I find Bayside met my expectations more than the other school.
—Submitted by Phyllis Fedele, a parent
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