North Central High School

My child is in her 2nd year at North Central. I have been so impressed with the staff, the quality of the instructional materials and curriculum the school uses, the emphasis on taking rigorous classes and the constant message to the student that the more they learn in high school, the less they'll further along they will be in their college plans. The homework center helps students who have fallen behind, 87% of the students have passed their WA state Math test, the special teachers and the reading program has remediated young kids who failed their 7th grade reading tests and had them passing their 10th grade test. My daughter is taking 3 college level classes as a sophomore, and many of the students that have taken classes from her teachers have passed exams and received college credit! You can't get ahead like that at a private school! And the kids are so nice there. I work at the neighboring high school and I couldn't believe how weak the discipline was there, the bullying was shameful and rampant, and the cheating was out of control. Ask the kids at my daughter's school and they'll tell you that the discipline is swift and strict and the teachers are fair, but demanding.
—Submitted by a parent

I loved my NC experience. When I hear about others' HS experiences, I feel lucky to have gone there- in my four years I can say with 100% confidence that everyone got along. No 'cliques', little drama. We were there to get an education and get into college. They were preparing us for college from the first week of our freshman year, and the teachers were there for us; they took a strong interest in making sure that we all reached our potential. There was also always something to get involved in and so much spirit as well as tradition. While it did make me sad to hear about the changes that were made for the sake of political correctness, I'm glad that the proud heritage continues!

Going to this school has been great! The whole atmosphere and everything is awesome. The teachers I've had have been A+ by my standards. The school spirit is amazing and I'm proud of having attended such a great school which by the way just turned 100 years old. Continuing the Legacy!
—Submitted by a student

When I was a student at NC Spirit, Pride, and Tradition was every where. I thought that over the years it may have lost some of that heartedness, but when my son started going there I found out that they have even more Spirit, Pride and Tradition than ever before. This really is a great school
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. I am proud to be the parent of two NC graduates. I also married into a family of proud NC grads. and am looking forward to my other kids to get there. NC pride runs deep.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school for people to attend. Everyone is always looking out for everyone else. We also have great spirit too.
—Submitted by a student

North central is a great school.. there is no problem with the kids there and it is great for learning.
—Submitted by a student

I currently have a junior at NC and a son who graduated June 04. Our experience has been nothing but the best at N.C. The teachers have been very connected with our sons and truly show personal concern with their achievements. Coming from a private school background not knowing what we were entering into, I can truly say that I would recommend NC the highschool of choice.
—Submitted by Gail Lytton-Hartford, a parent

North Central is the greatest school in Spokane. Besides the random fights and the leaky pipes in the shop hall it is a great school.
—Submitted by class of 1972, a former student

I am a former NC special ed student. I completly agree with the lady that wrote about it. She was completly right about everything. I was just lucky enough to graduate. The strive program became a joke my senior year. They didn't help with anything. My junior year they did help me for the most part but still not as good as it should have been. The special ed dept also never got me prepared for College and now I am struggling to even be able to stay in. I want to make something out of my self and was not properly prepared. I loved NC but the special ed dept teachers need a lot of work and to teach actually what the students need for later in life.
—Submitted by Amber, a former student

North Central High School offered a wonderful learning experiences, not only for educational purposes but also taught me lessons useful for my life. That staff was caring and always ready to go beyond the call of duty for those students that strived to learn. If I had gone to a different school, I know I wouldn't be the person that I am today. Thanks NC, much love to Ms. Crowe
—Submitted by Omar Lopez, a student

NC is a great High School. I currently have one senior going to school there and he is the last of three. They all had wonderful experiences. This school has a rare quality that most schools don't. There really seems to be no clic's at this school. All the students get along with each other and everyone is encouraged to participate. It would be almost impossible to be an outsider at this school. I really do appreciate that and I know there aren't many schools that can boast of that kind of quality.
—Submitted by Elizabeth Thielen, a parent

NC like most Dist 81 schools have some real issues they need to deal with regarding special education. Students in special ed often complained that they had no access to text books and were literally baby sat in segregated classes. Their instruction was a daily find something interesting on the internet and write a report about it. The strive program that was supposed to help prepare my son for employment did not exist at all! My son never attended a strive class once in a while saw the instructor in the hall. Amazingly it was the one class he recieved an A in. The day he turned 18 he quit school. I am sorry he did but he knew and I concur as a special ed student he never would have received a diploma from North Central.
—Submitted by a parent

I really think that North Central is a good high school. It is a very diverse school and really like that my kids go to school there. However, I am really concerned about the way the school wants to change it into four small schools. This is going to drastically change the make up of the school. It is going to segregate the school by making four small schools within one school. More parents need to get involved and see how this is really going to change your childs high school experience.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just graduated in June 2003. over all North Central is a pretty good school. The teachers are fair and caring for the most part . there was a few problems here and there . but the teachers or counselers were all ways there to help especially my daughters counseler. Greg Lamana Not sure on the spelling. he was always there when we needed him. thanks for letting me put in my input
—Submitted by a parent