Newport Senior High School in Seattle, Washington

“Our children were B students yet were extremely well prepared for college by Newport. Our son, who graduated with a 2.6, just registered for college and earned an entire semester of credit for his AP work. Nice. Our daughter graduated with a 3.0 and now carries a 3.7 in college. She noticed immediately as a freshman the incredible quality of her preparation compared to her classmates. What students perceive as harsh discipline I would characterize as consistent and objective leadership. The environment is calm and well-managed, and we have not had the problems that other schools have had. Newport has an award-winning PTSA. Its annual Ski Swap has been the best of its kind for over twenty years. Bellevue's other high schools are also excellent. You can find the same curriculum at much smaller neighboring schools, which can be less intimidating and better able to provide a highly personal educational experience.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Newport High School have great programs in any field of academics a public high school can offer. Students are highly motivated in all areas--sports, arts, music, and academics. There are so many students taking AP classes and still manage to be well-rounded in other areas as well. Teachers are very supportive and almost all of them are willing to help students outside the class hour (the half hour after school). Newport High School is one of few high schools that really pushes all the students to try their best.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Great School! Its pretty big but there is always a lot going on. Not too cliquey, tons of academic, extracurricualr and athletic oppurtunities. K-N-I-G-H-T-S Newport Knighs are the Best!”
This review was posted by a student.

“Of course this school is hard! Its job is to prepare you for the real world. The classes are tough and there's the AP push to improve the school's image. Yet the teachers (most anyways) are extremely supportive and experianced. Both the admin and student ASB leave much to be desired, but the sports program is great. If your self-motivated child would thrive in a highly competative and large student body, Newport is the place for you! Go Knights!”
This review was posted by a student.

“Newport is best for the arts overall and probably for academics. There is less pressure to be popular and fashionable than at Bellevue, HS. For sports, it depends: Bellevue has football, basketball, but Newport has soccer, gymnastics, baseball, cross-country. Volleyball and swimming depends on the year. There are some incredible teachers and many fine ones who all care deeply about their students and their profession. Unfortunately, the administration leaves a lot to be desired; they have become more autocratic every year, with little regard for student stress levels or individuality. Student culture is not valued; there is a tendency to punish with a heavy hand. AP classes can be dangerous territory for many families: getting out of one when a student is over their head is just about impossible. Any counselor who shows a pattern of sympathy letting kids switch out of AP is shipped out to a lesser school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“All you adults who think the tardy policy is too harsh is complete rubbish. If you are late to work or don't bother to show up, you can't have your mom cover for you. Your boss will just fire you because he knows that he can easily hire someone who will be there on time. The real world is a harsh place, the administration doesn't have time for people being late either. So shut up, sit up, and stop complaining.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is my senior year, and I've spent my high school career the 'Newport' way. I'm involved in community service with two nonprofit organizations, I dance almost 15 hours per week, I'm taking 6 AP classes this year, and until last semester I had a cumulative 4.0. The experience was great for me, but the crazy thing is that I'm not considered an overachiever by most of the kids in my classes, or by my teachers. I have friends that don't handle that kind of pressure well, but what BSD has set out to do (prepare everyone for college, according to its mission statement) I think it does best at Newport. But we also have huge freedoms. we're allowed to wear hats, hoods and bandanas, listen to ipods when we're working quietly, no one enforces a 'language policy', all we have to do is show up on time and pay attention.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Newport High is a great school for the many students, but administrators are always shuffling the students who fall between the cracks. They have no concern for students who are unable to keep up with the rigor they have set for high standards. They are mostly concerned with keeping their national status. The school is too large to give everyone the education they deserve and desire. Class sizes are huge, and attendance policies are unfounded. It is all about scores!! What a shame that our local public school cannot educate all the children in our community, just the smart ones.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great academic program. More than enough extra-curricular activities. PTA is really strong.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Very highly educated kids. Very effective staff.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“this school does a terrible job of treating kids as learners and they instead treat them as numbers for their desire to be a blue ribbon school.”
This review was posted by a student.

“A very good school. All kids can extend their special talents at this school. It is not only good at academic, but also sports, music, art. I think it is the best public high school at eastside.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“One of the top 20 high schools in the nation according to Newsweek. Blue Ribbon Scholar award winner. Academics are extremley important. A school that was once a power house in all sports has now shifted more towards academics but great sports programs do remain. Rigorous scheduals are pushed so hard by the administration they are all but required. The number of students in Advanced Placement is astounding. Students are so overwhelmed with school work that the environment at school it often depressing. On the upside Newport has only the best teachers who are well payed.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Good quality instruction. Classes can be large (up to 40 in some cases) but thats not that abnormal for a public school. They have a bunch of 'advanced' classes that are really only in name. Many are easier than their regular counterparts. May just be the teacher, but the emphasis on everyone taking an 'advanced' class just means just changing the classes name in some cases. The attendence policies are rediculous. They say it really will prepare you for college and whatnot. College doesnt require attendence at all! just show up to exams. If you can do the work, whats it matter. all in all, one of the best public educations I think you can get.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“Newport High School is a very challenging school. This school is for those students that are more serious about the benefit that your grades and extra-cirricular activities can impact your college career. There are some really fantastic teachers, and some interesting class choices. However, as said before, they have a ridiculous attendance and tardy policy that makes students feel like they are in kindergarten rather than in high school.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“This school would be much better off if the administration was not as strict. When my child told me that she had detention for several days I, of course, was mad until I realized it was for being 3 minutes late. They need to loosen up on all the rules and let the students learn on their own and learn to be an independent, self sufficient person, by themselves. It may take time but they will need to get over that because for the students to be in a safe, comfortable environment they need to not be scared that they will get in trouble for everything they do.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My freshman would like this school, if only it didn't start so early (7:30). Teenagers biological clock sleeps late and awakes late. It would help if school started even half hour later (8:00) and preferably 8:30. Every student would be refreshed and ready to learn. Whereas now, kids drag themselves to school, to beat the tardy regulations (which are too harsh) and then snooze through first period, or near collapse in 7th period, because they are just too tired. The class sizes (30 average) are way too high and stressful, for students to think clearly and have quiet moments to reflect, they are always surrounded by noise and a lot of swearing which goes unchecked. Newport needs to set a language policy in the classroom. I'm sure the large class sizes hinder quality teaching and teachers are overworked and overwhelmed, seeing each student as another report card to complete.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This was a great school for my child! My child had a wonderful overall experience at the school. The only downfall of this school is the administration. They are whipped by the superintendent, and do whatever they are told to do. They need to prepare these kids for the future by letting them grow up and experience natural consquences and not be over-protective about everything and anything.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“For the outgoing, motivated, disciplined, well-behaved teen, Newport High is great. It has very high test scores, and in comparion to other school districts in the state, I believe it has the highest success rate in college, and is certainly one of the 'best.' It also has mny activities, as any large school does. I do not, however, think this makes it a good school. Like its students, a school must be well-rounded, and this one is not. The work load is tough, and there is a lot of pressure to not only succeed, but be involved in all these other activities, take harder classes and do lots of community service. That can be very good, but only when it still feels voluntary, because these things are not right for everyone. Classes are fairly large, and it is easy to dissappear in the crowd. It is tough for both parents and students to find the time to meet with and get help fom a teacher. When a student is falling, or has long since fallen behind, action is not taken and parents are not notified until it is almost too late, and the problem is often overwhelming by then. In addition, Bellevue School District's (and possibly Wa state's) attendance policies are excessive, a waste of everyones time, ineffective, and unfair. It is ridiculous. If you are wondering who this source is, I am a 19 year old former student. In the middle of my sophmore year, I transferred to an alternative high school, because I was shy, depressed and I had motivation issues (all of which still affect me today), s I was faling 4 of 7 of my classes. Gradually, with a little more ATTENTION and CARE AND COMPASSION, along with a few other changes in my life, my grades lifted. I graduated on time with a poor track record, but then I earned a 3.39 GPA at a community college, and earned a space on the dean's honor list in the winter. I will be starting my second year shortly, and hope to transfer to WSU in the spring. Regardless, I will earn my masters in architecture. Oh, and one more VERY subjective thing. The social atmosphere at Newport (with its often well-off students) was rather suffocating, whereas the alternative high school, filled with those who did not fit in at regular schools, was substantially more welcoming (although still high school, and everything that means), even though I am simply a shy, good girl, at heart, with little confidence or motivation. Anyway, draw your own conlusions, and, as always, please think carefully about the shool, its environment, and your teen's unique personality and situation before making any decisions. All I know is, I intend to work very hard to put my future children in smallish private schools.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“If your student loves music but also wants to focus on academics, go to Newport.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The administration is too tough on these kids. They need to learn to relax and let the kids have fun. The tardy policy and many of the schools policies are really outrageous and too harsh. The school board should overall be more easy going on the kids.”
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