George Washington High School

Great academics. If your top priority is academics, then this is the school for you. For kids who are not self guided, this may not be the right school for them. If you are concerned about fitting into cliques, this may or may not be the school for you, because you may or may not fit in. If your number one goal is being prepared for college, competition, and life in general, this is definitely the school for you.
—Submitted by a student

I have 3 children who all graduated from GW. It is a great school. The modular schedule is wonderful and not at all difficult to follow with minimum effort. Most of the teachers will go out of their way to help you if you demonstrate to them that you are really trying. My children spent a great deal of time studying (took all AP or Honors classes) but were also active in sports, music, and clubs and still managed to graduate with honors. They are doing well in college as they learned how to schedule their time well in high school.
—Submitted by a parent

GW is a great school. My child went to GW from out of district and I am so glad. He learned so much, including self direction and responsibilty. The large group lecture setting is a definite prep for college. Yes, occasionally there are some of the parents who are cliquish and think they are better than others and better than the teachers, but overall, most parents & staff are nice. Students are, for the most part, pleasant. If your child is suspended often, then why don't you attend school with them? You can follow them around all day to classes and at lunch and see what they are doing (or not doing) that is getting them suspended. I wouldn't want my other children to go to any other school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am an alumnus and give GW 4 stars, based mainly on academic programs. But there are some downsides that you should know: **SOME** teachers pick favorites (usually children of rich/important families) and balance it out with 'pick-ees' based on personality confilcts. Also, the 6 day modular system makes no sense to me. It requires a great deal of effort just to remember where you are supposed to be at any one given time. I went to a big 10 college and had MWF or TTh scheduling, so I don't know why GW throws in the 6th day. I actually did alot better, GPA wise, in college than I did at GW. I don't know if that means that GW prepared me well, or that I underachieved at GW because of the modular system.

i have 4 kids in g.w. and i personally think they are the worst school ever. they have no control over the students, do not know were the students are half the time. the get their favorites to pick on then keep suspending them. and this is not only my kids, i have many friends and realitives that have thought the same.
—Submitted by a parent

Don't get me wrong: I sincerely believe that George Washington has its faults. For the person that stated 'my daughter tells me most teachers either read a script or pass out a handout,' your daughter is obviously taking the wrong classes in the school if this is not what she desires. That's what so great about the school: you can get whatever you want. If you want discussion, you can get that by taking the upper-level classes (i.e. AP, and sometimes honors). This school is what you take out of it. We have great teachers and great comrardery among students, if you are just willing to put yourself out there. GW is a great school that prepares you tremendously for college. I even know of a girl that got in front of her college class and explained a concept because she explained better than the professor!
—Submitted by a student

As a former student and parent of current student I am happy to say the school still represents the finest in public education available.
—Submitted by a parent

great school for our children they love the atmosphere that the school gives off. they do great acidemicly. and have many friends there aren't that many clicks.
—Submitted by a parent

It's an exclusive school, that's for sure. But exclusive means exclusionary, and the way the classes become so terribly close is by excluding anyone who didn't start with them in kindergarten. I'm sorry I ever took the trouble to get my child in -- neither I nor my child were ever made to feel welcome no matter how hard we tried to get involved. I lost count of the number of times and people that walked away or at least looked away while I was trying to speak to them. Talk about feeling invisible! We will not go back next year, and far from feeling like anybody will be glad of it, I doubt they will even notice we're gone!
—Submitted by a parent

Yes, there is a modular schedule, which is nice, but it's hardly unique in the country. The principal is nice and sincere enough, but she's the third principal in four years and one of the vice principals was fired last year under a strange and not fully publicly-understood set of circumstances. My daughter tells me most teachers either read a script or pass out a handout and she is thrilled if a teacher actually lectures or freely discusses a subject with her and the class. Several teachers I have tried to have discussions with over the subject matter are highly defensive and even openly hostile to 'being questioned' by a parent. Yes, the band and sports teams are great, and there is a lot of parent involvement, but if you haven't been in the area for most of your life, a parent can also be shunned.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a good school. We have a great principal and staff who are genuinely interested in helping the students learn. Facilities are acceptable. Students sometimes act up, but rarely, and it is a very safe environment. Students are involved and possess lots of school spirit. Some of the best academics, band, and sports in the state!
—Submitted by a student

This school is what you make of it. If you don't get involved and don't take advantage of the unique mod schedule, you will be unhappy. GW's mod schedule is the only one of its kind. I loved it. my only gripe is that, because it is one of th best high schools in the area, way too many kids are allowed in from out of district, leading too some severe overcrowding problems. Our principal is simply the best. Everytime she speaks about the school you can hear the happiness and love of GW in her voice. This school is Fantastic!
—Submitted by a student

Poor facility, poor education, low class (morally) people. Hated it.
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent academic standards and wonderful system of self-direction really allow students' intelligence to blossom and reach full potential.
—Submitted by a parent