Bellevue High School in Seattle, Washington

“Bellevue High has good academics if you take the AP classes, although they do push AP too much on students who are not ready or capable of it. However, if you want to take more than 3 or 4 AP classes, they will try to block you. I also found that the only way to move out of an AP class that I didn't want to take was to move into a different AP class, which reflects badly on their focus on AP classes versus what the students need. The counseling system is very poorly set up. Some counselors just don't care about their students, while those who do care are overwhelmed and slowly pushed under by the sheer number of students hey are responsible for (5 counselors for ~1400 kids). The administration in general is extremely unhelpful, with the exception of the people in the registrar's office.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Serious need of better counselors. Parents need to educate themselves about how to get their kids into college. Don't need an outside coach, just get engaged in the process. My daughter has an IEP and is a 4.0 student. Kids need to advocate for themselves with teachers.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son got into Stanford University and MIT from Bellevue high.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Bellevue is easily one of the best schools in the state. The student population is way more diverse than people say, it's demographics are rapidly changing with its generally upper-class neighborhoods. Academic programs are stellar, the majority of students take and pass AP courses. Obviously it has some great sports programs as well. In recent years other clubs and organizations are becoming involved. The mostly student-run LINK program has made tremendous progress in changing the overall attitude of students at BHS. Overall, Bellevue is an academically challenging school that will prepare your student for whatever they decide to do post-high school. Mike Bacigalupi and several staff members have helped transform this to a stereotypical 'upper class' school into a place where students are safe and learn about the real world.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“BHS is a very excellent high school! caring teachers, great extra curriculars and great student body involvement. Bellevue is easily the best academically and sports wise! One con is that some courses are more advanced than they should be. for example, freshman are learning sophomore math in HIAG 2! Meaning sophomores take 11th grade level math in HIAT 3! What is the point in that when only basic 10th grade math skills for the WASL?”
This review was posted by a student.

“*Counselling is abyssmal. Check out the huge student:counselor ratio.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Tha academic programs are excellent. My son enjoys taking musical course which merges into curriculum and gives students many chances of participate all kinds of orchestra. ESL (English as second language) teacher is very experienced. If anyone needs ESL class, this is the best one. Generally speaking, parents are highly involved in school activity.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“A strong public school with a wonderful music program. Extracurricular activities could be stronger, as could parental involvment. Also, rather privileged student-body population.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“It's a great public high school! People who have issues with BHS should be supportive with some possible ideas and solutions. Todd Morton”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school. They have a great sports program especially the football program. Parents are normally very involved in the school and academics. High stress on academics and student involvement in the school.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“This school is lead by their Football team. Although the administration hates the fact that 'their' school is known for its football rather than acamdemics. They try to cut out announcments and pep rallies for their football team. The ratio of white to black kids is horrible and doesnt set a standard of what living in the real world is going to be like.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Bellevue High lives up to its reputation of offering top private school education at a public school price. With few exceptions, the faculty is outstanding, very demanding, extremely supportive and flexible, and willing to work with a variety of learning styles, and an outstanding AP curriculum. My son reports there is high respect between students, and a large number of high-achieving students he can befriend. The biggest challenge is poor administrative services - it's time for the principal to focus on the counseling and administrative offices and weed out those who provide poor service to students and families. A survey of parents and students would reveal specifics that would aid that process (we parents compare stories and they are similar!). All in all, I rave about Bellevue High and am pleased I made the decision to live in this neighborhood.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Bellevue's solution for students with bad grades or discipline problems - send them to Robinswood (BSD's alternative high school). This school cares too much about it's reputation and test scores, and not enough about the individual struggling students. The school needs to be more lenient with students' grades, and also help them out, rather then suggest to and force students to go to the alternative school. Bellevue may be a great school that's well known, but that doesn't change the fact that it's a public school that needs to support all of its students - not just the 'jocks' and high achievers.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The AP teachers are great, but I think regular classes aren't doing as well as they should. However there is pretty good support for students falling behind, and most teachers are available after school. Bellevue has a young staff, a lot of great teachers have left, but a lot are becoming really good teachers. My complaints would include the 2.0 GPA and 40 hours of community service requirements for graduation. I think it's unrealistic to think every student can perform above a C average. And the 40 community service hours are ridiculous - I don't see how this can determine whether a student graduates or not.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“Bellevue High is a great school. Bellevue excells academically and athletically. It's now the largest school in the district, and more and more students are coming to Bellevue because it's such a great school. I don't think AP is enforced, though it is highly recommended. They realize that not all kids can pull off AP, and have good regular classes. My complaint about Bellevue would be that it seems students leave for the local alternative school if they get low grades. There isn't much support for students with low grades, and switching schools shouldn't be the answer.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“As for AP and Honors emphasis, our own children were not natural learners, their class rank was approximately 180-200/300 in their respective classes. However, we challenged them to take the higher level courses and found that with help at home and interaction with the teachers, our children were able to achieve beyond their wildest dreams. Both will graduate with 3.3 or better (one child took only 1 AP and 1 Honors Math class the other child took 3 Honors Math classes, 2 honors science classes and 4 AP classes) and both were accepted to 90% of the universities to which they applied! Oldest student is now a Freshman in College earning a 3.2 average. We believe that had they not attended BHS and participated in the advanced courses, our College Freshman would not be able to handle the demands and workload in college at all. Our BHS senior would not be a candidate to attend UW or the private university he has applied to. We think it's a great school for the money - gosh, it's free - and our kids are going to be well prepared for the hard work that will be required in college.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“BHS is a very academically challenging school. It has pushed many to exceed their own standards. Although, the new vice principles are terrible. They are extremly disconnected from the students and narrow-minded. They provide a very poor example to the students.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Too much focus on AP classes at the expense of students' GPAs and stress factor. Students are practically 'forced' to take AP courses and not allowed to switch out when grade is suffering and some are required to pay and take the (optional) AP test to get credit for the class. School is mainly interested in receiving high standardized test scores in IOWA and WASL, which are both unimportant for the student themselves. Math program does not teach necessary basic math skills needed for SATs or any other college placement test, but rather teaches higher math that is unecessary for a non-math major. Reading a chapter book in a math class is also required. There is not much interest in the students' well being in classes or grades, but in its performance on # of students taking AP classes and test scores compared to other schools in district. There are some really bad teachers who are egotistical and stubborn. Excessive focus on boys football and boys sports compared to girls sports teams. Bias towards star athletes.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“We have had our children attend BHS; we also have the experience of two other private high schools to compare with BHS. Unfortunately, under the direction of the current Bellevue District Supt.; Bellevue High School appears to be interested in graduating only capable (easily taught) students rather than focusing on graduating a higher percentage of the total students. If your child is a self driven high achiever she/he will do well. On the other hand; if your child is a true 'individual' who follows his/her own path then BHS will encourage you to attend elsewhere since their program is geared to AP students. The second problematic area concerns peer/social acceptance of new students; BHS student body has a poor record in making new students (not from the Bellevue feeder schools) feel welcome.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The administration and counseling staff at this school is awful. There are exceptions, but this school has poor leadership, which in my opinion is it's only problem. I've heard from other parents and students complaints about the counselors. And the vice-principals are awfully strict and unconnected to the students. They care more about credits and AP than the actual classes kids can benefit from.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Bellevue is so obsessed with AP courses since it was commended for it's high scores last year that it will soon be requiring them in order to graduate. Not all students at Bellevue High School should be in advanced placement, and ruining their GPAs for the sake of AP doesn't make sense. There is an extreme sense of racial favoritism towards minorities at Bellevue. A good school would care equally for all of their students no matter what their race is. Students who need to switch their classes because they are too difficult usually aren't allowed. Evidently the administration would rather have them try but fail then have them pass. It's all about credits, too. I've heard of students skipping levels, etc, then being forced to take a freshmen level their senior year. This just shows how disorganized the administration is.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Bellevue is an excellent school with great leadership, strong academics, mostly excellent teachers, and strong parent involvement. They really push the AP classes and community service, which is necessary to get into the top notch colleges. The office staff is not only rude to the kids but the parents as well. When girls LAX, swimming and track win State Championship,little recognition is given next to boys football!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Superior program for the bright, well motivated student. Wide selection of classes and programs. Very concerned and helpful teachers.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Parent and child are equally delighted with Bellevue High School - and we have a previous high school to compare with.”
This review was posted by a .

“My daughter, a high achiever motivated to go to a good college, thrived in this school. After graduation, she is accepted to the honors program of a nationwide well known university. The level of academics in this school is comparable to college prep private schools found throughout the region. So any student with college aspirations and motivation to work hard will find what they are looking for in this school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“If you're son is looking for a football experience that no other school on the westcoast can offer, this is the school for him. the football team is one of the top programs in the country and the staff is hands down one of the if not the best in the country. It is loaded with ex-nfl and college players who truly care about the kids. The players learn valuable life lessons through the program, lessons that cannot be taught in the classroom. The coaching staff stresses progress and success in the classroom and will not allow a player to play if they feel he is slacking in school. The basketball teams as well as the lacrosse team are very talented as well.”
This review was posted by a parent.