Curtis Senior High School

i graduated several years ago. there is a lot of cliques among students and rude/obnoxious kids who bully easy targets while others are indifferent to just sit and watch without telling the teachers. I don't know about now but back then they only offered basic classes and I didn't think much of it then until i found out some of other high schools offer design, computer science and even accounting class I give one star because some staffs in administration office were nice and attentive to what students had to say.

Now that i'm graduated from an university with people from diverse backgrounds I have doubts about what people in Pierce county had to say about CHS as a academically thriving school. well i think it's because it's surrounded by even worst ones in tacoma and lakewood. I found many CHS grads incompetent once they advance into 4-year universities and lag behind others from different schools. CHS puts too much emphasis on athletics and makes those who aren't involved in sports feel like an outcast. Don't send your kids here. There are much better high schools out there in Bellevue and Issaquah school districts.

School provides many good opportunities in academics, music, theater, and sports. Some superb teachers, a few disasters, most very good. District superintendent Patti Banks caves to bigots and has an adversarial stance in dealing with parents; needs to be replaced.
—Submitted by a parent

I currently attend cHS, coming from lakes. I have to say that curtis is a greay school. the teachers are outstanding and they teach so that you can understand what is being taught. Curtis is a harder school than lakes but the more complicated the work, the more your student will be prepared for college. CHS is wonderful and I recommend it to any parent who wants their child to graduate from high school with the best education offered from any public school.
—Submitted by a student

Great, school. Great teachers, great curriculum and a great neighborhood.
—Submitted by a parent

1. There is never one way to learn anything, because ultimately it is up to the student to study and learn the material, not have it spoon-fed by a teacher. 2. Cliques are a part of every high-school and I don't think they are overly prevalent at Curtis. If you just be yourself and stop worrying about what everybody else thinks, you will meet plenty of fun and interesting people. 3. If you take challenging classes such as AP and Honors, the coursework is harder, yes, but it is also more enjoyable and intriguing. 4. My family is not extremely wealthy and I do as well as, if not better than, my 'rich' peers. 5. The reason successful kids thrive here, is because they get involved, meet people, and want to improve. The students that do not, are those that complain about bad grades and then go home and play video games all night.
—Submitted by a student

I am currently attending CHS, and I have previously gone to Lakes High. The academics at Curtis are rigid, and embrace one style of learning, and have very little use for students who learn differently than this. At Lakes, it was easier to learn what was being taught, and the styles of teaching varied more. The social aspect of CHS is also more inflexible. There doesn't appear to be as many cliques as Lakes, but once you become immersed in the actual school setting, you realize that the dynamics of cliques at CHS are more invisible to the outside eye, however, more complicated and hurtful. I very much dislike Curtis and cannot wait to graduate.
—Submitted by a student

alright ill just be simple about it, I went to curtis graduated in 07 and loved every second of it. The students hated the teachers because they tried to get their best potential out and teachers got the worst of it, for doing their job. I mean i was a 3 year sport player and got mad at them, but they were doing their job everyday. I now thank them very much because they got me to college and now im going to georgia this next year with baseball. They do whatever they need to do to prepare students and when some kids get in trouble they tell parents different stories. Plain and simple they are 5 stars easy
—Submitted by a student

This school needs to rethink many of the teachers. If a teacher has to quit the day before school starts there has to me something wrong underneath. The school board only cares about parents with money, who know nothing about a topic they are 'in charge' of. On the flip side, there are great parents and great teachers who really inspire and make you want to learn.
—Submitted by a student

Curtis is an interesting high school. Because the surrounding districts are so poor in academic achievement, Curtis appears to be quite stellar. The teachers believe they are outstanding. They are not. What makes Curtis a successful school is that highly educated and motivated parents on the most part send highly motivated and prepared children. Teaching these kids is easy. Now if you have a child with learning problems or a 5014- or needs special help with scheduling- forget it. If you have a racial issue- forget it. The administration and staff at Curtis are just interested in the successful kids. Luckily, I had successful kids go through Curtis, but I felt that a lot of kids got cheated.
—Submitted by a parent

I loved Curtis because it offered me AP classes that my private school refused to enroll me in. The education was much better, putting a lot of focus on teaching students how to prepare for careers and college. Howver, I was disappointed that they had issues of racial tension (homecoming theme), therefore, I only give them a 4-star rating.
—Submitted by a student

I went there and it was the worst time of my life. The teachers look down on the students and the students hate the teacher. Most of the teachers thinkthat they are the end all and be all of the teaching wold and do not care about the kids. Do not send your kid there!
—Submitted by a parent

Curtis Senior High School, i have to admit that this school is really good in the academics department. My son wen to Curtis for at least 2 months and he didn't like it because of the changes in the curriculum. It was a surprise to see my son, a straight A student get B's and D's and C's. I don't know it depends on the person who can adapt well to a new school. All i have to say that Curtis is a good school if and only if you have been into the district before.
—Submitted by a parent

Its funny back in the 80's/90's you could pick the teachers out from the students now days its hard to, Curtis has so many cliques, and ungreatful students and PARENTS. They sure know how to cover up messes with their star athletes. In a nutshell 'If you dont drive a nice car you wont fit in here' that should be there slogan, i worked here and saw the same things as when i went here. things never change.

I am a very satisfied parent. I have had four children go through Curtis Sr. High School. All four have been thoroughly prepared for their life after high school. Because of their great education, many doors have been open to them that would otherwise not have been. This school has the best administration around. Each student has many opportunities to shine if they choose to. Great school spirit. Submitted by a parent
—Submitted by a parent

I went to Curtis 21 years ago. My son went there too. Unfortunately, I find the same problems as in 1986. The school is very elitist and only there for kids with money. They focus on athletics and literally do not put effort into helping kids that need academic scholarships. I was told point blank by more than one counselor and admin staff that my son could not apply for a particular scholarship because there was too much paperwork involved and they didn't have the time! Curtis even turned down the opportunity to be a Gates funded school! This eliminated numerous more scholarship opportunities. Disappointing. Many of the staff are still there from 1986. I received zero help towards college from Curtis counselors and my son experienced the same. My son carries a 3.5 GPA and is well liked. I enrolled him in Foss and he is very happy.
—Submitted by Michael E, a former student

Academic programs are tailored with college entrance in mind. This is as it should be with all high schools. Unfortunately, programs or classes do not consider students that inadvertently fell behind in late junior high or early high school. Accelerated students should not be held up waiting for others to catch up, and struggling students should not be expected to keep up with accelerated students. Grading students in both categories attending the same class must be extremely difficult.
—Submitted by Mike Riley, a parent

This school is taking a step backdwards with the change to a daily 6 period schedule. Elective offerings are diminishing.Record numbers of students are opting for running start due to this fact. District leadership is questionable due to the turnover of Principals accross the district especially at the High School in recent years. The current Principal was hired 1 year ago as an associate and has only 2 years High school admin. experience and only 1 year teaching at the high school level. Choosing this person was a very closed process. The vice principal in charge of discipline is a retire rehire who is very weak at his job. Excellent faculty and athletics.
—Submitted by a parent

Curtis High School is an amazing school in a beautiful little community. Every person who works at this school is warm and friendly. The students (for the most part) want to be at school. There are cliques, but everyone knows everyone at this school!
—Submitted by a former student

Curtis High School offers young people an opportunity to excell in academics, extracurricular and community service activities. The district, school and community leaders work together to create an environment that actively supports all members of the community. Food drives, adopting families for Xmas, raising funds for medical services, participating in cancer relays are examples of the service focus of the school. Academic organizations, peer tutoring, vocational opportunites, master teachers, athletics and supportive parents combine to form a school of excellence. All five of my children have attended Curtis and all of them are currently excelling in college and post college careers. Focus and leadership from our superintendent and our parents continues guide us in the right direction.
—Submitted by a teacher