South High School

Better than many schools in CA but nowhere near my experience growing up.

I am a freshman at South, and no longer want to continue the rest of my three years here. I did not have bad friends, yet noticed the overwhelming amount of drugs at this school that goes unnoticed. So many students I knew always had something or was on something, and witnessed on multiple occasions students getting away with security simply because they "had no proof." On the other hand, teachers simply do not teach. One of them only shows YouTube videos and demands to print out excessive amounts of paper and creates ridiculously long tests on material we must learn entirely on our own. Another spends the entire period telling stories and almost everyone ends up with C's on test. Another teacher goes through material too quickly, and allows a single student to answer questions the entire period. My honors class is discriminating, clear favoritism is shown and have witnessed the intentional putting down of one of my friends several times. Gossip at South is ridiculous. My friend experienced slut shaming so bad, she left. So many racist people. Bullying is out of control. Yes, test scores might be "great", but I don't want to be in a miserable environment while trying to "learn."

There is absolutely no attention or repercussions for bullying. A very intelligent student who is tall, pretty, but quiet and reserved is living in hell at this school. I question the 4 and 5 star reviews. Perhaps made by the faculty to balance up the sad reality that I will be paying for an education for my children to avoid the senseless distractions of fitting the mold.

I just graduated and was apart of the Color Guard and several clubs. Joining and leading a volunteer club really helped me get involved while boosting my college application. Aside from extracurricular, the teachers really care and do try to help. The counsellors are great advisors and really put into perspective what colleges you can aim for. Yes they don't like to change schedules, but this is mostly because students want to change to an "easier" class with their friends instead of having real reasons for the counsellors. The AP program is amazing and gets students to not only pass for college credit, but to beat the national average. I've never had problems with teachers and the only complaints I hear are typical. I've been over-prepared for Math and English and it's helped me a lot my freshman year of college. I also never heard racial slurs like the other student, so that must've been rare or provoked. There's maybe one fight a year and they're broken up in seconds, which proves how safe the school is. There are no huge downsides to this school. People can complain about drama, but that's because a lot of people want attention. Just avoid it and you'll be fine.