Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, Arizona

“The school has great teachers that care about the students by working with students after hours, even over the phone and e-mail!! They really go out of their way with teaching.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“There is nothing special about this school. Whatsoever. Myself and my 3 siblings graduated from this school...and none of us was truly prepared for college at the level really necessary. that being siad, I doubt that it is any better or worse than other area valley schools.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“SMHS is a great school. My daughter's transition to this school from out of state was better than expected. Ms Peroutka in the counselors office made a positive impact along with all her exceptional teachers”
This review was posted by a parent.

“SMHS is an excellent school for any parent and child who wants to recieve a great education. The teachers are great and the sports programs are outstanding”
This review was posted by a student.

“I loved Shadow Mountain High School and even though I only went there for 1 1/2 years I fell in love with it. I wish I could go back but I can't because I have already graduated. The ROTC program was the best part of Shadow for me. I love Cheif Master Sargent Gatewood and Lt Col Ribarich. They were like second fathers to me and I love them both.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“I had the please of attending SMHS this past school year. To tell you the truth, I would'nt trade it for the world! I met some of the best teachers and friends. I learned things that I never thought I would and did things that really made the school year great. Im now a senior at Davidson High School in Mobile, Alabama. Its horrible...Im always talking about SMHS to all my friends and telling them how wonderful it is. I wish I could go back and enjoy it for my last year. I hope that if any other student out there gets a chance to go to SMHS, do it! It was my best year!”
This review was posted by a student.

“High level of academic skills. Athletics are improving with the change of new coaches and administration. Parent involvement is to intense.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Shadow Mountain has most things that all high schools have, the basics...no more. Many of the schools sports programs have been cut over the past years. After school clubs and activities are lacking. The thing that bothers me the most is the schools approach in setting the students up to succeed. I, as a parent of four, one in Shadow, two at Shea, one at Desert Cove and a former student of all three schools myself, find myself wondering if my children would do better in a different educational setting.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Shadow Mounatin High School overall is a great place of education. The only thing that would strike against them would be their principal leaving mid school year and allowing a vice principal who has only been there one year to take over.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I think Shadow's discipline of students leaves a little to be desired. These are teenagers and they still get put in 'timeout'. Also, instead of sending students to 'SWEEP' when they are late to class; instead they should use the 3-strike rule and after three tardy's, give the student detention. From what my son tells me, the students are ruling the class -- not the teacher. Change the disciplinary procedures in this school and you'll see a difference. Additionally, marginal learners at Shadow are apparently being overlooked as well. From what I can tell, the educators don't really care if a student passes or fails.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“While sports are important to the well-rounded development of children in school it's my opinion academics should be the number one priority. Most schools are as good as the teachers it has on staff. My child has been in the special resource curriculum for the second year now and is extremely happy. She is learning, albeit at an appropriate level, increasing her self-esteem, feels safe and is enjoying school at SMHS. This I attribute to the school employing excellent teachers for the program.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I find the teachers at Shadow to be overworked and underpaid. I would like to let them know that we, as parents, are doing everything we can to allieviate this unfortunate circumstance and ask that they try not to allow their circumstance as victims to be projected on to their students who will have more than enough opportunity for this as they enter the real world. May I suggest that this is the very best time to go above and beyond for the sake of our future as a community.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Overall, Shadow Mountain has a lot to offer, ROTC, a vast sports program and a vocational program. The music program has gone down hill and the quality of the football program leaves a lot to be desired. As a former student, I have seen very little be done to improve these aspects since my tenure (graduating class of '96). However, the swimming, basketball and wrestling programs have produced world class athletes.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“Shadow mtn does not have the student in mind and i believe kids 'slip thru the cracks' at this school. When you have a compaint they seem to address it with you but not take any action on it.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Very well done, very pleased.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is very prejudice, there are no extra-curricular activities for kids of minority races. The office staff also looks down upon people of color. There are no teachers or staff members of ethnic origin to at least give student the ease of going to if help is needed. As far as sports are concerned, if you a make a considerable financial contribution your son/daughter will not participate!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Shadow Mountain is great for medium- to high-achieving students who can get through the system on their own. Shadow Mountain is not a place for students who have special needs, such as ADHD. Neither administration, counselors, nor teachers are particularly attuned to or interested in assisting such students. Shadow s average class size is 30 40; teachers really can t deal with individual student issues. One counselor told me that my son shouldn't bother with a special learning plan; he should figure out how to cope on his own. Another counselor gave a 'pep talk' about staying at Shadow, as if this was all it would take for him to succeed. The principal happily admitted that Shadow is not for every student, never thinking that the school/she might have responsibility for the success of unconventional students. We found a school with smaller class sizes and a different approach to teaching.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Overall I have been happy with the school. My daugher is a freshman and her first year has gone well. The teachers she has had have been great, with the exception of one. Even this was handled in a great way by the department head and the issue was resolved. I do see some opportunities for improvement, especially in the area of administration/parent communication.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“After the new principal arrived two years ago, the school starting showing vast improvements. However in the sports dept. I believe the coaching in both boy's basketball and especially football is truly lacking.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My freshman is enrolled in 3 accelerated classes. The English dept. alone has one at every level (that would be 4 total for just English). Social Studies offers 1-2 for 10 12th graders, math and science have at least one at each level. I have been very satisfied with most of my 11th grader's teachers, although some could communicate better with both students and parents. Most instructors seem to love students and their subject and convey that attitude to others. Shadow Mtn. also offers a wide range of activites for students who want to become involved in other ways.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The school administration, does not concern itself with the welfare of the students. The school has lost it's ability to relate to the students and the staff needs.”
This review was posted by a .

“I had two sons attend SMHS. The oldest was an honors student who went on to law school on academic scholarship. He received a top notch education from SMHS,challanged, introduced to and solved several interesting problems in math and science, critical thinking skills and solid reasoning and writing skills development. With his AP credits, he started college with 33 credits and a sound preparation. The younger student is in special ed, he is developmentally delayed, but is also finding SMHS to be a great school. He is a sophmore in the band, taking several mainstream classes, receiving the help he needs to achieve A's and to take advanced biology and math classes. Band has great comraderie, works hard and sounds great! I find the school to be excellent in a couple of very diverse areas - honors and special ed!”
This review was posted by a .