Fayetteville High School

Both my son's graduated (2006 & 2010) from Fayetteville High School and, as parents, my wife and I feel like they were well prepared for college thanks to the extensive AP program offerred by the high school. Both received scholarships and the first has graduated from the University of Arkansas, while the other is finishing his sophomore year in engineering and physics. As a college town, our kids grew up with others whose parents are professors in a large college, so lots of expectations about doing well at school. Besides AP and sports, many of the other programs are very good as well. Both of our sons were in band, and one marched in the Rose Parade (and Fiesta Bowl parade), the other marched in the Macy's Day parade. Yes, there are some teachers that could be stronger, but overall we were very pleased with the school district's efforts to prepare our kids. Note: the high school will be new in 2014, and over half of the other schools are less than 10 years old (exception are the junior high schools). This is one of the top high schools in the state, although it is large (over 1,500 students) and the course catalog looks like a college-book.

Fayetteville High School is a very unfortunate case. For a school that prides itself on how many academic scholars they have, it takes very little time and effort to recognize or reward them. It is a shame for me to have to report that the school places very little importance on anything that isn't sports. Basketball, baseball, tennis, bowling, and, most importantly, football. It seems as if the only thing that this high school cares about is sports.
Couple this disregard with a surprising amount of apathetic and, frankly, pathetic teachers who "teach" no more than a monkey would, or could, and the result is a mixed batch. For some, the year(s) are good; for others, bad. On the topic of teachers, there are a few (two, to my knowledge) that, for some strange reason, pride themselves on being "the best teachers" in their field. I have a teacher this year who will not answer my questions. I have tried, believe me. This teacher gives ridiculous and immature responses to my honest questions and the result is a low C in the class. I am a straight A student, and the only reason that it is not so in this class is because of the irresponsibility of this teacher. Another teacher is so bad that I have had to tell my friends to look at MY teacher's website, where she, ever so helpful, has put up all of her notes.
Fayetteville High School doesn't care. The office women are rude (I once tried to get a form signed; all three offices looked at me like I was an imbecile, and told me to go to each other - I eventually choose a man at random who looked like he could help me.), every year students go through a game of chance with what teachers they have, and the school doesn't care for anything but sports. I only go here because I adore the choir program - which, if you haven't heard anything about, is understandable - and I love my friends.
I would never send my child here, if I even decide to stay in Fayetteville. Don't get me wrong, Fayetteville as a town is fantastic. I love it. But the school system - really, all of it - is screwed up beyond belief. If you asked me, I would say the people who run the school and the system should be bulldozed (okay... maybe just fired!) with the rest of the school.

2/5 stars