Orange Park High School in Jacksonville, Florida

“not enough homework; students were behind in subjects when transferred to another county. at open house 2 teachers were not there.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have had 3 attend this school . 2 have graduated. Drama and an inner city atmosphere does exist. Tardy hall was an easy escape from the classroom;last year students wandered the halls during classtime on a regular basis. School rules seemed to have tighten this year. I feel,unless you are in honors or AP classes, the children are not challenged enough. Homework and/or in depth projects or papers are rarely assigned. My youngest doesn't feel the need to study for exams because his teachers either give them open book tests or go over the exam before hand. The counseling department is efficient and student driven as one would expect from a large school. Your child just has to be lucky enough to be assigned to the right one and find time to go during school hours. Forget about buying your lunch the wait eats up all of your lunch period.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Treasure Pickett is the best!!! She has made this mediocre school so much better. Great job!!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Much better this year, they are sticking to the rules and I like that.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a graduate of OPHS and UF and now my son is a freshman at OPHS. I was impressed with open house at the beginning of the year and felt the teachers we met were highly engaged. My son loves school and has met a lot of great new friends from many different backgrounds. The administration has worked hard in recent years to enhance the academic program and the overall vibe of the school. The campus looks great too. Good job OPHS.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My husband and I graduated from OPHS and we have seen it change and grow over the years for the better. We have a daughter that is graduating next year and is in dual enrollment next year and a son that is a freshmen this year and is doing really well with his grades. I have had wonderful experiences with the guidance department and the teachers. With the new principle you can see how changes are already making a huge difference. Focus is really on the student and their academics.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son attends OPHS and he loves it. My two older girls are graduates of OPHS and everyone of my children have done very well with the help and guidance of the teachers at OPHS. The staff at OPHS is very helpful to the students and the parents. We are all very blessed to have OPHS for our school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I graduated OPHS in the year 2006..I was very pleased with the education that i was able to obtain. With the added addition of Mr. Wingate the principal for my sophomore year, i have seen the school turn inside out and become outstanding. School fights dwindled and i was pleased, i felt like i was in a way better place then when i was a freshman which was 2002...I graduated at the top 20% of my class. When i felt like downgrading to an easier or average class my teachers would not let me, they encouraged me to challenge myself and promoted me to honors, AP classes, and dual enrollment. I took their advice and achieved my goals. I am happy with the way the school turned out by the time my senior year came around. Thanks OPHS, and thanks Mr.Wingate for seeing us in the Halls as he would say.”
This review was posted by a student.

“My son is graduating from Orange Park High School this year with a full college scholarship. I have a daughter who graduated from Orange Park High School who is a straight A junior at FSU. I have another daughter who graduated from OPHS who is in Medical School. The education they received at OPHS was wonderful. The AP classes, Honors classes, and Dual Enrollment classes are incredible. They teachers are top notch. Many of the teachers there had all three of my children. Thank- You OPHS !!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I do agree about the communications problem with the school. My mother, I know, had a hard time getting in touch with certain teachers and administrators during my first year there. My suggestion is to come to know the guidance department. They are the most helpful part of the campus and can forward you on to the right people to talk to.”
This review was posted by a student.

“My daughter is a freshman at OPHS. Having some challenges, coming from a small town in Michigan. I hoped for better communications with the school but they claim because it is so large it is hard to do that. I plan to propose to the school board a better solution to their communication problems.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is my freshman year at orange park i like the school and the teachers but the kids are to much drama i am about to be a sophomore and it is hard. So next year i am going to work my butt off and try to maintain atleast a 3.0 gpa that would be awesome. Overall orenge park is a pretty good school.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I am a graduate of OPHS (c/o '04), and I am so proud to be a part of this high school. In my experience, the teachers have all been caring, challenging, and talented at what they do. Sure, the school has grown large, has a police substation, but I've never felt endangered or that our school has become 'innercity'. Our AP and Dual Enrollment programs are outstanding--most students do very well (I got a 5's and 4's on all AP exams). With the addition of Mr. Michael Wingate as a principal late in my senior year (2004), it has only grown by leaps and bounds. School spirit is up, the campus looks great, and the teachers are even more motivated. The extracurricular activities can't be missed--I discovered my love of music here. The guidance department was also very helpful to students. OPHS is a great school, to say the least.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“We moved here 2 years ago my son was then in 9th grade. It was a big change comming from Panama City Beach and a new high school, it took a long time to get used to the way the OPHS is. My son is now in 11th grade and loves the school. He in all honor classes and the teachers have really challenged him to work hard and do his best. I have nothing but good things to say about the school and it administration”
This review was posted by a parent.

“With the opening of Ridgeview and Flemming Island High Schools, the draw of good student and parents has greatly reduced the quality of student attanding Orange park high School. I had 2 children in this school and can honestly say the environment has become confrontational between students and between teachers and students. The teachers are nonresponsive to the parents. This school has become an innercity school located in a suburban area. Needless to say, I decided to remove my children from this school and place them in a private school. Orange Park has little to offer in my opinion.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I think this is a good school. The really value education, as well as the safty for each child that attends the school. If I was not moving to another district, I would let my child continue with Orange Park Hig School.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“academics are moderate at best. police sub station on campus says alot about the discipline issues here. it is a great part of the greater jacksonville area but not a great school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I'm a student of Orange Park High. I'm very pleased of how OPHS has changed around. I'm also pleased of our Principal Mr. Michel Wingate. With out him this school would not be where it is today. Also if it wasn't for him the students would not be willing to come and put there heart and soul in there work. As for me even though I'm graduating I will make sure that I always keep in touch with all of the teachers and administors who have really made a big difference in my life. And for the parents who will be allowing there children to come to Orange Park High School. My advice is to let them go. For Orange Park High is a great environment to work in. Its safe and disciplined. Good Luck Orange Park High.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“OPS has grown too large, it still offers excellent academies specializing in business, health care, vo-tech or computers. It did have one of the top rated band programs in the State, of course the New high school in Flemming Island lured Mr C the head of the Band program...he was the mr Opus! likewise the several other top professors have also transferred leaving OPS rather mediocre...the physical layout is old and the 'portables' stretch for acres and forget about getting a bathroom break or being able to get through the lunch line to actually eat. It is quite sad to see this school deteriorate in the last couple years...both my girls graduated from here before it got this bad and I have moved so my boys will have a better quality high school experiance.”
This review was posted by a parent.