South Whidbey High School

SWHS is a great school. Athletics have been good, some years great. Academics are good and you can get a great education if you choose the right teachers, which is the same in any school. Many of our AP teachers and classes out perform private schools across the state. There are many ways to be involved in the school and community and the blame cannot be put on the school if a student chooses not to be involved. You get out of the school what you put into, if you want a great education there are the tools necessary to achieve one.
--Submitted by a student

The review submitted October 12, 2007 hit it right on the head, but it's worse now. We've had 4 kids go through SWHS, and I have wished many times that we could have moved and/or sent them to decent schools on the mainland, but could not manage it. Band, AP classes and Running Start have been the only saving graces. I know there are teachers at SWHS who care, but the kids are not getting a good education (see "board" student reviewing 5/11/10). I was amazed to find that the kids are routinely given photocopied novels in English, and yet the teachers have new electronic blackboard setups this year. What??? When Our first child started kindergarten in 1990, there were so many more families with children on the island. Now, enrollment is so far down, schools are closing. Weekenders and vacation home owners are more and more plentiful. This is no place for kids anymore, and SWHS does not prepare students for the world after high school.
--Submitted by a parent

South Whidbey has an unsatisfactory approach to 'higher' learning. I have attended a few high schools and found that SWHS lacks academically challenging courses. During my time here I have been extremely board in my academic career. I f you are looking for a school for its art department you choose right, but not for academics. Two programs that this school has going for it are its football program(single A), and its high school fire fighting.
--Submitted by a student

The academic program is outstanding and the people are all friendly and wonderfully competitive.
--Submitted by a student

I am a senior at this high school and I love it. It's academically challenging, is full of excellent teachers, and is part of an amazing community. It was given a National Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence by the US Department of Education (one of 300 schools nation wide to earn this honor). It is number 1 in the state for its size. It has an excellent arts program, athletics are usually pretty good (with football finishing 2nd in Conference and 12th in state), and there are many great extracurriculars. So maybe textbooks aren't in great shape, who says that text books are the best way for kids to learn? We are living in an evermore paperless world, and I for one think it's better that teachers are opting not to use textbooks because it means that they spend their class time teaching and not simply having their kids read.
--Submitted by a student

I have a student attending this school. Declining enrollment and high administrative turnover are taking a toll on the quality of education, communication, technology available. This area has gone from family friendly to mainly retirement and vacation. While I find the environment to be safe for my child and the overall attitude of the students to be very welcoming and kind, I am not happy with being in the middle of a district in transition. The band program is great. My child isn't in band. Too bad for us. The textbook situation is so bad many teachers opt not to use them at all. Most parts of the website haven't been updated in years. The only of my child's teachers to post online grades and comments is the PE teacher. I am not sure we will stick around this district long enough to send our second child to this high
--Submitted by a parent

I have a student attending SWHS right now and another that will start there next year. My overall impression is that it's a decent school, however the text books need serious updating and enough for each class would be wonderful. I appreciate the teachers that keep their online grade books updated so that I can keep track of what my kids are and aren't doing but so few of them keep them current. The teachers have been very willing to meet with me when I have concerns about my daughter's progress. They do what is necessary to help my daughter stay on track or get back on track if she's having problems.
--Submitted by Danielle, a parent

Very high quality if selective...but best to see counselors to assure good placement and to get good support and guidance...there is good babysitting available also for those not interested in learning... the school is known for its art programs and phenomenal teachers.
--Submitted by a parent

I think this school is kind of bad in quality. Its arts/music/drama program is ok though. Choir class, and band are great!
--Submitted by a student

Best non private school in the state. I have never felt more cared aboved or loved by these teachers. They are honestly motivaded by helping students succeed in education but more importantly life, school was above states average in test scores. Great sports and club coaches. Never could see myself be anything other then a falcon.
--Submitted by a former student