Pea Ridge High School

Posted: May 14, 2016

Posted: May 14, 2016

Posted: May 14, 2016

Posted: May 14, 2016

Everyone at this school is like one family. Since the 2015-2016 year started this school is a totally different school from what it used to be. That goes both good and bad ways. The staff, parents, and students have always had a lot of pride in their town especially when it comes to sports. But this year was a totally different game. Since this year, the amount of pride this school has now is CRAZY. Pep-rallies were okay, but nothing like the games. The best student section was at basketball games. It would be so packed that some students wouldnt even be able to sit in the "section" for the students. They would have to start sitting in the section next to it. They were crazy loud, always had fun themes for each game that everyone would participate in, had lots of chants that they would yell all together like "nuts and bolts" (one of the favorites), and did fun things like the roller coaster. The student section was constantly laughing and having fun. They definitely had the whole gym all rowled up. From what I know, next year is going to be even better. There are going to be students who actually run the student section themes and pep-rallies. They will have meetings discussing themes and the school will purchase stuff for that theme for the students in the student section. They are gonna go all out next year with confetti and free t-shirts and everything. What a great experience. And the school store that will be opened next year is just another thing to add to the list of school pride the people of this town and school have. Definitely a one-of-a-kind place. They're right when they say this school is the best school in NWA. It would be hard to beat the nearby big schools like Bentonville, Springdale, Rogers Heritage, and Rogers High because of their big size, but without a doubt this school has them ALL beat.

Posted: April 24, 2016

My family moves around a lot so I have been to seven different schools across three different states and this one was by far the best one I have ever been to. The teachers are great and are very committed to helping their students and the academics, especially the AP courses, are amazing. The new flex mod schedule is great because it provides breaks for students throughout the day to work on their homework, get help from teachers, or even just relax. The principals seem very committed to improving the school in whatever ways they can, and they offer many great opportunities from ECE courses to AP classes to the charter school. In addition, the fact that it is a relatively small school means that the teachers, the administrators, and the counselor are able to know each student individually and give them the help that they need. They also seem to be very well funded as they are able to provide every student in the school with their own chromebook to take home, they are able to provide each calculus student with their own ti-89 to take home, and they pay for all AP exams completely (in fact, they even GIVE you $50 for each exam you pass).

The only reason I'm not giving five stars is because they focus too much on sports and not enough on the arts. They are able to put money and resources into building the indoor stadium, the new (very expensive) football field, and whatever else the football players need, but little to no money is given to the arts. They promised us a performing arts building and didn't build it until four years later, and when they did it was just a new hallway, not its own building. They tore down our stage because they promised we would get a new one when the performing arts building was built and then when they built it they did not include a stage. Drama was only given a budget of $300 for both drama class AND drama club for the entire year, and I believe that choir and art have similar low budgets.

Overall, this is a very good school and I would recommend it to anyone especially if they are a student who is looking to take advanced classes such as AP or ECE courses, go to a charter school to ensure good employment after high school, or go to a school where the teachers and other faculty actually know and care about their students. My only complaint is that they should focus less on sports and more on the arts.

Posted: August 20, 2013

I have went to this school for a very long time and just recently quit going because of how unorganized and ridiculous this school is. Honestly, I think no one at this school knows what they are doing. Worst school I've ever been to. Would never recommend sending your kids here.

Posted: July 19, 2013

We are new to the Pea Ridge Arkansas area. Today I went to the High School to find out information and register both of my kids for the school year. Not a single secretary or administrator could be found at the High School or anyone at the school district administration office which is connected to the High School building could be found either. All I found was one custodian who told me that everyone was off on vacation until sometime in August. No information packets or fliers had been prepared. This does not give me a really good impression that this school knows what it is doing. I hope the teachers decide to show up and teach my kids rather than the one custodian.

Posted: July 5, 2013

Not a school district that believes in the community. All of my cafeteria staff has been cut in salary to help finance the new 2 million dollar school football stadium. The majority of my staff makes approximately $10000 a year. They have kids that attend our schools, believe in our schools, and work hard. At least two cafeteria workers in each of the school district cafeterias shops weekly at the community food bank to put food on their families tables. I know they would not complain and feel guilty that I am saying something on a community posting, but I feel that something needs to be said. I have personally complained to the school administration, but have been told to keep quiet about this if I did not want to lose my job. So in my opinion, it is not a school that believes in its community, only sports.

Posted: May 15, 2013

Went to talk to the principal Mr. Lafoon about my son's failing grades. Neither he nor the assistant principal has been there all week because they have been to classes. I ended up speaking to the counselor Mrs. Miller. She did not know who my son was or that he was failing. She blamed it on that she was just learning the job and was not qualified to do it. Why is there nobody at the school in charge running it and why do they have unqualified people doing jobs they are not qualified to do?

Posted: May 12, 2013

I cannot get any of my daughter's teachers to return any of my calls or emails about how she is doing in class. Not all parents can just take off of work at will to go run to school to hunt down teachers.

Posted: May 6, 2013

If you like cheerleading and sports, this school is for you. I had to move my child to the Bentonville Schools because he was failing. I had a hard time getting any additional help or tutoring from the teachers. When I would go to the school to talk about my child's classes, two out of three times, all of the administrators would always be gone to a meeting, leaving me to talk to someone who never knew what was going on. This is a small school district that needs to get back to basics on teaching children instead of worrying about building million dollar athletic complexes for sports teams that only come close to even regional championships every 10 years. How many college or professional athletes do you know that have come from Pea Ridge Arkansas?