John W. North High School

This is honestly the best school ever! The atmosphere is very welcoming. Both staff and teachers are very kind and helpful. We have so much school pride. Not to mention the facilities are top notch. You won't regret being a husky because it will be a pleasure!

lA QUINTA IS BETTER. 14 TO 6

When going to North, you have to realize that there are essentially TWO schools which go here, not just the one which shows up on a piece of paper. There is the IB and AP program and the rest of the school. Within the IB/AP program you meet a huge amount of good students who are always willing to help anyone out, but outside of this group, you have a population which is introverted and isolationary. Fights are uncommon, and as long as you stay away there are few issues. As for the administration, there are some rough patches, including a now revised zero tolorence policy for electronics, but otherwise, they are there to help. The last rough patch was Dr. Sheffield, who's idea of what this school needed was distinctly different from the idea about half of the school had for it.

I have been involved with North for many years, currently have a student enrolled and one on the way. No, it's not a perfect school. North has hit a few rough patches, especially over the last few years, and the last principal abandoning ship after promising otherwise, wasn't very helpful. However, the school has an even better principal now; I believe Dr. Sheffield has the students' best interests in mind instead of her own advancement. My son's counselor is awesome; she seems to get to know her students and finds the right fit for them, not only with their classes but with teachers as well. I have found the experience here that the teachers maintain good contact when parents show an interest & make themselves available. There is a good curriculum available, too, including many AP, IB & ROP classes. As far as students go, there are good and bad ones everywhere. I like the diversity on campus; it feels like a true Southern California atmosphere and not the "bubble" that's typical of this area. When I've been at the school, the majority of the students have been polite and respectful. Once again, the school is far from perfect, but I'm happy with my choice to send my children here.