| Date | Who | Comments |
| 3/20/2012 | student | this school is filled with great people and a great staff of employees but there is just a little more bad seeds in the patch which gives Academy Park Hs a bad reputation. Us kids that actually care about education cant get the attention we need to actually learn and the teachers try so hard but cant handle the kids that like to smart mouth and talk back or just be plain ignorant but i am not rating this school on the bad kids in there because it is not fair to deny great scores to the kids that try and work their butts off and thats also why alot dont try because they figure that theres no point to work hard when noone is going to compliment me on it so they give up but i would like to give it up to the kids that care and try everyday along with the staff(bless their hearts)for putting up with this malarchy for this long You are GREAT SCHOOL!!!! no matter what some website says |
| 10/16/2010 | teacher | Academy Park is a great public school. The teachers are dedicated, the kids want to learn and the parents care about their childrens' education! |
| 12/26/2009 | student | I'm a current student and honestly there is nothing wrong with our school. Very few fights and when there is the problem is taken care of right away. I don't see what everybody thinks is so wrong with it. The last time I know there was a big fight was in October and since then none really. A quick argument and then the vice prinicipal or the cops come in and stop it. The school is actually a great school and alot of smart kids go there. |
| 10/5/2009 | parent | Academy Park HS educated my daughter from 2002 until 2006. She's now a sr. in college and has made the deans list six semesters out of 7! APHS prepared her for the success she's seen in college. |
| 8/7/2009 | parent | I am parent of a former Freshmen of a AP. The school academics I really do not have a problem with because the teachers do challenge the children when it comes to tht aspect. My main concern is that the School District and the Admininstrators are ignoring the fact that the school has a hugh Gang problem and nobody is trying to take control of the problem. My child said to me, 'Everyday he goes to school he has to watch his back.' Just because of were he lives or who is his freinds and evening the type of clothing he wears. I had to approach the school on many occasion about him being treatened by another child. Another issue is that the kids does not wear uniforms. |
| 1/31/2008 | parent | I'm concerned about the academic advantages that AP will give our daughter. She is and has been on the honor roll since grade school. I want her to be prepared for college and I'm not sure AP can do that? I am very concerned about their Music program and other extracurricular activities. This is the only Public H.S. in Sedelco and I think they could offer a lot more for the students in this area.I also know that you can't base everything on test scores. You really must be a advocate for your child and the children in your community and stay active and involved. |
| 11/1/2007 | former student | I was in the second graduation class of AP; I can say without a doubt that the teachers were the best thing about AP. I left the area and attended Jr. High and some of High school in Philadelphia came back to AP in my Jr. Year. The teachers at AP were the most involved and concern group of teacher I have ever met until now I currently have a child that attends an all girls private school on the mainline. Therefore, I am currently paying tons of money for the attention that my child receives, that when I was in school I got free. . These teacher are tools that we are supposed to use in conjunction with what we teacher our kids. |
| 9/10/2007 | parent | Another thing the gets under my skin about AP is that whenever you try to contact someone in the school. You go straight to voicemail instead of getting someone on the phone to express your concerns. I think someone should be available to talk to parents. |
| 7/23/2007 | parent | I have two children in Academy Park, everyone is quick to blame the kids for the poor test scores, but you must know that not much is being done to help raise them by the staff. Most teachers just want to do their 8 hours and get out. The school is just not getting the funds it needs to help these kids-and lets be honest, it's because of where the school is and who attends it. If you want great education, teachers and programs you would have to move further out into the county. Our society gives opportunities to those who can 'pay' for them. Nothing is equal opportunity not even free education. |
| 6/29/2007 | former student | I am an alumnus of Academy Park HS. The school started off with great expectations, with a great athletic program and lot of potential academically after merging 3 high schools together. I hear some of the students support the school and I applaud them for their school spirit, but the bottom line is the majority of the students are not receiving an adequate education. The state, as well as colleges and others look at the schools academic performance and it s not making the grade. I have moved far away from the area and when I compare the scores of my old high school and my children s high school and I m disappointing to see less than half of the students are not performing at grade level Math and reading. Although the scores are not first rate right now I am happy to see the school is improving. |
| 4/16/2007 | student | I am currently a student at academy Park (class of 2007) there is nothing really horrible about our school. their used to be a lot of tension but the new principles has straighted and strengthened the school's relationship with one another. With monthly 'bench-press' test, students have better chances of being prepared for pssa's and sat's. teachers are available everyday after school for daily tutoring and homework help. A lot is different now, new principle, new rules , and less problems. |
| 3/18/2007 | former student | I went to AP and graduated in 2002. I had good times while there and learned a lot. AP gets a bad rep, but I think it is a good school. It does have problems, like any school does. However, it is no where near as bad as everyone tries to make it out to be. I had a lot of good teachers and made a lot of friends. My family did not have a lot of money, and I loved being able to go to a school every day where I did not feel sub-human because I wore cheap clothes or lived in an apartment. |
| 6/23/2006 | former student | As a former student of AP, I think it is important to hear that there are stories of success. I graduated in 94 and have gone on to a very successful teaching career. This would not have possible if it were not for my teachers at AP. They changed my life, believed in me, and cared for all of us. I have been back many times, and I still see those same characteristics, so much so, that I would choose to teach there in a second. I was not a 'smart' student, or special in any way, I was a normal kid that worked really hard. Before you judge a school, look at yourself. Education is what you make of it;AP offers a lot, and if you want 'out' of the community,rather than complain,do something. I have my masters degree, and am working on my Phd at Penn. Thank you AP. |
| 6/18/2006 | parent | AP used to be a good school. I had 3 children graduate from there and they have gone on to be sucessful adults. Now, there is a reverse racial problem, the dropout rate is unbelievable. If you have a child with any kind of special needs it is not taken care of and there are many children who are being pushed through who can't read. Parent involvement is not what it should be but to most of the teachers working there is just a job. The district has an awful rating and they are just worried about the PSSA scores, not teaching the children. Many children have and continue to fall through the cracks and there is no one to pick them up. Alot of us are stuck here for many reasons. |
| 5/29/2006 | parent | APHS can be a great school. The teachers there are very involved and care about their students. More parental involvement is needed to keep kids out of trouble. You can only do so much with kids who are allowed to get away with murder at home. Unfortunately, it is a few bad kids that give the school a bad reputation. |
| 4/30/2006 | former student | Problems do not all lie in the students alone. The faculty and administation are apathetic to the children on an emotional basis, and are even at times lazy. Some nice teachers, but it is a shame that they must make it so hard for a student to feell he/she is capable of doing more with their lives than working a minimum wage job or going to DCCC. They can't even believe it when seniors get into good schools! People can only live up to standards you set for them and urge them to reach. |
| 2/21/2006 | parent | my child is now a senior at AP. I find that there is no help at all with the college process. The counsler for my child has slacked off. never being available for my child. My child takes honors classes. My other children are approaching high school level and i am praying that I can sell my house and get out of there as fast as poss. From the mouth of my senior ' Every year it gets worse and no student should have to deal with it' the discipline is out of control. |
| 8/22/2005 | former student | As an alumni of AP & a parent with 2 kids there, I am pleased in some areas, while not so happy with others. Iwas not as prepared as I should have been for college, despite the fact that I was in the 'Honors' program. I am glad to see that things have changed and students are learning things that will help them in whatever field they choose. My husband also graduated from AP & vo-tech, which didn't prepare him enough for the real world after he found he didn't enjoy his career anymore. Because he didn't have algebra, etc., he couldn't enter his newly desired career & has now settled for something else. AP has changed this, too. My son is going to vo-tech while learning advanced math, etc. Many clubs & activities for all students to be involved in something! Some teachers care about struggling students, others don't. |
| 8/5/2005 | former student | I went to this school from 8th to 12th grade and wouldn't want to have gone anywhere else. |
| 1/26/2005 | former student | I was in the second graduating class of Academy Park and it hurts to see the reviews about a school that was so promising. As for the students who feel that the school is a great place. I can understand that and it's good to have school pride but as I look at your scores compared to the state you are not getting the job done. The school is not even making the state averages. Maybe some of the kids are getting something out but by in large you are not doing well at all. I have spoken to relatives and friends and Academy Park is failing its students. I no longer live in the area but the school my kids go to now always exceeds the state average and it s not just the teachers, it s the children and parents want to. Where is that AP pride? |
| 1/7/2005 | former student | I was a graduate of Academy Park High School and later went on to work there part time, so I have seen both sides of the desk. I have to agree with some of the reviews here. Since I have graduated (1990), the quality of education has gone down hill, but if defense of the staff, some of the children make it very difficult to want to put in 150%. I have had a desk thrown at me by a student and then threatened because I asked him to stop disturbing the class. He then went on to bring the teacher to tears with his behaviour. What are you to do in a situation like that? Talk to the parents? They had more threats to add to the sons...the problem starts at home and carries on in school. Start there and you will be amazed how much better A.P. will be. |
| 12/26/2004 | parent | As of the academic 2004-2005 school year I was a senior attending Academy Park HS. I was appalled with the lack of attention that the Advanced Placement students received from the faculty at Academy Park, most notably the principal. I was enrolled in the Advanced Placement English course and met great difficulties with the staff. Our teaching instructor retired mid-way through the year (made well known to students and faculty alike) however the problem was the whole week after her departure our AP course went without a teacher. Finally we requested a meeting with the principal to discuss the situation and so forth; the principal refused to answer our questions, was very rude, and deceived us. I, of course, was very displeased with the principal's inability to uphold standards within the high school; a negative atmosphere hovered over the High School. The teachers are very helpful and love their jobs. |
| 12/20/2004 | former student | Academy Park High School is one of the high schools that is failing our children in the district of south east delco. the teachers have no time to help some of the children when they need it and if you are waiting for a call back well you better keep waiting. also the school has a program for alternative lifestyles. yes, they show your child if he or she is having a sexual identity problem you can go to a support group ran by the teachers and they will show you how to handle yourself when you talk to someone who is not living an Alternative lifestyle. I can not afford to take my children out of this school but I will let others know how they are. as a former student I'am ashamed to say that I or my children go to Academy Park (I went to sharon Hill high). |
| 10/15/2004 | student | I'm a junior at AP, and these reviews make me very upset. I am in all but one honors class and i am even in Advanced Placement history. I have gone to southeast delco schools my whole life, which means if a student actually works hard, and is willing to learn they will do great. Parents have to stop whining on here about bad teachers and a lack of education, and realize it is probably themselves, or their children who made their experience at Academy Park bad. Also, I am glad i go to AP, and not a school like Interboro, because i will turn out an overall better person by going to school with a mixed student population. Go AP!!! C/O 2006. --A.Z. |
| 8/8/2004 | parent | My daughter attended 9th grade the school year of September 2004 to June 2004 and her experience as a student and mine as a caring parent was a nightmare. The academics are lacking and she was in advanced courses! Racism in reverse (black against white) is at an all time high in this school and my child being an African American student was jeered daily by other students because she chose not to fit in with the ruling (Black) status quo. The school superiors are quick to discipline a student for failing to adhere to the dress code but they allow the student mass to violate the state legislated laws against 'Bullying' within/outside their premises. I would not recommend this school for any parent to send their children to because the conditions are deplorable! |
| 6/7/2004 | former student | I am an Academy Park graduate of the Class of 01'. I am appalled to see what some people have written in and so I will tell you that they are wrong! I am an average learner but a hard worker and that is why I made the grades I did. I was never 'pushed' through a class, if I didn't understand something, I asked! All of my teachers were happy to help before, during or after class. I have never met teachers who cared more about their students! Perhaps the school's state test scores are so high but I can truly say I was 100% pepared for college, which I succeed in as well. I have a 3.51 and will be graduating in one years with my B.S. in Business. Here's a tip: Try working hard! Take some responcibilty parents, get involved that too makes a difference! |
| 5/11/2004 | student | I'm not a parent of this school but I actually am a freshman. Now I've heard many bad things about this school. I've heard that the teachers don't care and the students are extreme (in a bad way). But actually, I've only heard this from people who are on the outside looking in. I'm here everyday and let me say, I love this school! I'm not extra smart, I'm average but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. At first I was afraid to go to this school but now I'm afraid I'll have to leave after senior year. So I hope you don't let what other people say about this school determine your decision to come here. It's a great school that's just infamous because of it's location. |
| 5/2/2004 | former student | I was a student at this school, and graduated in 2000. It was one of the worst experiences of my life. Out of my four years there, I had five good teachers. Five! That's disgraceful. I guess what really sums it up about most of the teachers in this school, is that they simply don't care unless you're a 'gifted student'. That means that you are in programs such as Enrichment, for the smarter students, and can make the school look good by winning debates, which is completely ridiculous. When I went to college, I was in a lot of trouble the first semester, because I didn't learn the things I was supposed to in high school. Thanks a lot, AP. |
| 4/23/2004 | parent | I took my son out of this school in his senior year. This school is the pits. Most of the kids there are failing but when they leave and go somewhere else they do great. My son will be graduation from another high school and I'm so glad that his diplomia will not say that he graduated from Academy Park High School. I only have one child but if I had it to do over again I would send my son somewhere else from the beginning. I feel so sorry for my neices and nephews that have to go there. My family can't afford to send their children to a private school like I did. |
| 2/16/2004 | former student | I was a student at Academy Park and I have to say I didn't learn very much. I had a class called Problems of Democracy and in that class we did nothing but one page worksheets each day. I did have a few good teachers but about 90% of the teachers there do not care at all. I think they are too hard on the students and they pressure them too much. I graduated in 2000 and I felt as if the only reason I graduated was because they pushed me through. |
| 2/8/2004 | parent | I've dealt with a few schools since I have 3 children. My youngest goes to Academy Park. I cringe everyday that she is there. The counselors and administrative staff have nothing but good things to say about the teachers but they each say almost the exact same thing like their reading from a script. While speaking so highly of the school and teachers, they're not listening to a word the students have to say or their needs. My child has only been there for about a year and a half yet in that time I feel like I've been beating my head against the wall. They've tried to schedule her for classes she has already had. The classes she is required to take and needs are always full. They try to put her in College Prep courses even though she needs applied courses (the reason she needed to be put in another class is because she failed the applied course). Yet, they tried to replace this course with a College Prep course. The College Prep classes are the only classes that always have room. What does that alone say to you? This school is only good for a child that is extremely intelligent or is able to learn on their own. All the others are just pushed along. It seems like more than half at this school are the others. I'm not saying all the teachers are not good. My child has come across a few good teachers. If you don't get one of the few, you can count on your child failing. |
