Hoquiam High School

I agree with one other rating on this school. Very early on each student is defined as to which GROUP you will be in. And most of the staff all the way down from the top don't help. They actually encourage POPULARITY in the school. If you have a name and know someone, your IN! As for a learning experience, I'm really disappointed with their academics. If a student falls behind the only way to help them catch up is a suggestion of a 7th period, for the following year. There is no tolerance in this school for students that just do not fit in. And counselors seem not to care. I would give this school a ZERO star rating if that was possible. I have had three students attend and none of them LIKE this school and have transfered . Even the parents play the popularity game on this one. They are not open to any new ideas. As far as sports goes, I think that all kids should have a chance, regardless of their academic abilities. But not Hoquiam. As a parent and graduate of this school I'm ashamed and VERY DISAPPOINTED in this school!!!
--Submitted by a parent

This is a small school with a large heart in a caring community. The teachers care about the success of their students and the community supports the school activities. Proud to be a Grizzly!

Hoquiam has several multi-talented teachers, young and old, that come from various backgrounds. My daughter has had a lot of success with the various classes she's taken with the business instructors and active involvement in drama, volleyball, and track.
--Submitted by a parent

Hoquiam High School Is a nice school. I like it because it's not to big, and most of the kids are pretty nice. They have an awesome arts program that opens up a lot of opportunities for kids to experience new things.
--Submitted by Leanne Boone, a student

I am currently a Senior at Hoquiam High School, and all I have to say is it is GREAT o be a Grizzly! Yes we have a lot of coaches for our football team and yes we do have a new boys basketball coach this year, but our football team has about 75 people on it, thus needing quite a few coaches. We do have a new boys basketball coach but not everyone can stay at one thing for forever. At Hoquiam High School I can guarantee that your son/daughter will have the best High School experience as possible. Everybody knows everybody and our ASB is VERY involved and is always trying to make our High School a better place for the kids. Take this from someone who has first hand experience, G-R-I-Z Hoquiam is the place to be!
--Submitted by Bailee Bridgman, a student

I am currently a sophmore here, going into 11th grade, and am in every organization you could imagine. Trust me, if you want info all you have to do is ask one of our ASB kids, or a teacher. Communication is great, the 'word' gets passed from mouth to mouth in a day. If there is a rooter-bus trip to go cheer for our team, everyone knows about it. I feel that anyone who isnt involved with our community witthin the school, has no place talking about it. We all talk and we all get along.
--Submitted by a student

This is probably the best school district in Grays Harbor county. My son attends Hoquiam High School and has a plethora of activities & classes to choose from. HHS has several creative teachers; from technology gurus, great writing staff, teachers that know their math, and overall supportive folks to be around. The district's only weekness is they tend to over-utilize rehire-retire for administrative positions or place current administrators in multiple positions. 'Half-timers' in key positions can hurt communication can some anxiety amongst staff, students, and parents. Another major weakness to this community is there hasn't been any major economic development in the area since the Jimmy Carter administration! To the parent below - most of those football coaches, along with the trainer, are volunteers!
--Submitted by a parent

Hoquiam is a medium sized school. It has some really good academic programs, but you have to ask. Most of the kids participating in the advanced programs are teachers' kids. The sports programs for the boys are very good. I understand our basketball coach is quitting after this season. Music and art take a back seat to sports. We have two music teachers and ten football coaches. I was at a football game and a parent from the other school made a comment about playing a bigger school because of the nunmber of kids playing and all the coaches. This was a JV game. Communication is not good. I am a senior parent & I just found out there have been maetings of the parents all year but I didn't know about them. A friend told me. The facility is good. It was built in 1968 and has been maintained.
--Submitted by a parent

I have mixed feelings about having graduated from this school. There are extracurricular activities but all but a very few require an invitation or passing other qualifications to participate. Students are defined very early on as far what group they as seen as belonging in. Once this is done, it is very hard to gain acceptance as anything else. Teachers seem to favor the same students throughout the four years. If one is in a favored group there are many chances for good educationally experiences. Others are left to struggle. The campus is surprising nice for a small town.
--Submitted by a former student