Research Sandalwood High School public Schools in Jacksonville, Florida

“The school administration is doing all that they can to keep it under control. However, with over 3000 students in the school, it is difficult at times.”

“In the midst of a large school, quality is a concern yet my son got here the day before classes started and is doing well. I have had a few meetings with administration & staff to get to better understand the system they have set up. I don't know if the greek houses are my idea of making a school of over 3500 kids more manageable but it seems to be working. Extracurricular activities are not an issue just making the right choices is. Parental involvement is also encouraged although at this age its the kids that don't want the parental involvement which is still needed.”

“I think Sandalwood is a horrible school. The school is very unorganized. I dropped out because the teachers couldn't teach, you constantly had disruptions. The students there are so rude and you can never concentrate. I highly do not recommend this school.”

“We lived in jacksonville many many years about 11 yrs , and it always has ups and downs , but I too have found that sandalwood high would do alot better if They orginize their self better and make people who work there be more responsbile at their jobs!”

“I know firsthand what Sandalwood is like. Being a student there myself, I have interacted with my peers, and have been taught by it's teachers. Being in a school with 3,000 others is hectic, but the only way to remedy that is to build a new school. Despite minor organizational issues, everything else that has constituted my years at Sandalwood have been enjoyable. The curriculum has been expanded to include more AP classes, and lacrosse has just been recently added to the list of extracurricular activities. Sandalwood is not a bad school. There are a plethora of wonderful students and teachers here, and they should be acknowledged for their effort, as opposed to being demeaned for their so-called 'mediocrity'. Everyone is making a genuine collective effort to take the school to new heights, and that is something that should be taken into consideration. Go Saints!”

“I am a teacher at Sandalwood High School and I love it! This year we have added a dozen portables to accomodate the crowded conditions, greatly helping. The learning communities are working, students know they 'belong' somewhere and students are held more accountable for their misbehavior. The focus on academic rigor, increased AP classes and Honors classes, the Safety Nets, such as Saturday School, and MANY others are extensive. I believe the principal has done a great job and Sandalwood is well on its way to becoming a GREAT school in all areas. The kids at Sandalwood take advantage of many grade recovery programs and after school tutoring. Also, the most talented, knowledgeable, professional teachers that I have ever worked with (7 schools). I wish you could see the Sandalwood I see everyday. I wouldn't work elsewhere! God bless the kids as we all work to help prepare them for life!”

“I am a student at sandalwood high school and i believe it is a great school. At times there are fights and disruptions but what school doesn't have those kind of problems? I can't say that all the teachers there are great but the ones that have taught me are wonderful. They really do care about helping their students become successful. Although one thing that i dis-like about sandalwood is their food and their over pricing. Prices for any student activity should not be as high as they are, same with the food.”

“Thsi school was teh best experience i could ever had, i lost and gained many friends. I was directed by many teachers who actually cared about there students i am honored to be a graduate of such a great school.”

“We are truly looking forward to a fantastic 2007-2008 school year. We met all of my son's teachers and they are all organized and enthusiastic. I love the new changes at school and the fact that all his teachers are on schoolnotes.com keep up the good work!”

“I have a son that attends Sandalwood, I was a little concerned his freshman year because of all the horror stories that I had heard. But after seeing first hand, Sandalwood has got a bad rap for the past several years. It is time to give Sandalwood the credit they deserve. I would not think twice about sending my child to Sandalwood. As far as I am concerned from seeing first hand, they are a great school, they care about the students and that is important. They dont judge by how much money you make like other schools in the area! Keep up the great work Sandalwood!”

“My daughter was going through a great deal of pain when she first started Sandlewood and the staff has and continue to help us including Ms. Roth,Ms. Ruffin, Mr. Tasket and above all Ms. Cobb and what seemed to be a worthless cause they did not give up on my daughter and now she is a Sr. and a bright future ahead. God Bless you all! and Thank You and if I have forgotten anyone, please forgive me. Cathy Reidy Mother”

“My son entered the 9th grade this year at Sandlewood High School. My husband and I battled with whether we should let him attend this school or a private/magnet school. He insisted on Sandalwood for the great football team they have as he is an athlete. Once we received a letter inviting him to the Avid Program, we knew it would be a fine school. He is doing very well and I volunteer in the Avid program. We have met all his teachers and they are fine teachers. If your child is focused and you stay involved in his education and school...Sandlewood is a fine choice. There is good and bad in any school, and it really come down to what you preach in the home and your willingness as a parent to support the school and your child. Kudos to Sandlwood and it's staff.”

“sandalwood has got to be the best school in the world its decenet and clean and fun and exciting the teachers are great as well as the deans.”

“I'm a junior at Sandalwood High School and I take 4 AP classes. The teachers are great and the student body is much more diverse than any other school in Jacksonville, which, I believe, makes it the best school in Jacksonville. The classes are much more rigorous than in Stanton or Paxon because Sandalwood puts a lot of emphasis on the AP classes it has, whereas the other College Preparatory schools have so many AP courses that they don't put enough attention into improving each individual AP class. I don't know about the standard classes, because I have never taken any, but the Honors and AP program at Sandalwood are the best; top notch! And the horrible repute that Sandalwood has had for so long is mendacious, because of the neighborhood it's in. The administrators are very nice and helpful; they're like friends to the students.”

“This school is to large, they do not keep up with their parent newsletter or with the web site info. If one grade has testing, many times they let the other grades go home. How is a parent to know if the school is out or in if we are receiving no notification. To top all of that kids get lost every day, not body lost but mind lost. Guidance does not have time to call all the kids in to talk with them about their future and help them plot a course, students even have a hard time getting to see guidance when they have a problem or issue. The Deans are no more help either, very negative, very curt with how they speak even to parents. I will not put my younger child in this school. I will sell my home and move if I have too!”

“This school is great and fun. Great programs and people. Sandalwood High School is a great school.”

“I went to Sandalwood and I loved it! I am a junior and I recently moved but I would do anything to be back there. I had great teachers and it was always a good experience.”

“I have read a lot of the reviews and am happy to see that most people get over the stories they hear. My son is a freshman this year, in the AP classes and JRAFROTC program, he loves it. I read one parent say that deans, guidance etc were hard to get in touch with. I call nonsense on that, i have called and emailed each of his teachers often, they always respond, as does the guidance office, if you want your child to succeed you have to put forth effort as does the child. Sandalwood is a great school, I am happy that my kid is enjoying his time there”

“I'm a senior at Sandalwood High School (Class of 2008). I have attended Sandalwood for my whole high school career. The school is very crowded. The size does affect the learning teachers are more of baby sitters then educucators. They spend most of class trying to get order. The work is just to keep students busy. I can honestly say i have only had one goodtwo good teachers my whokle thime there.”

“I have gone to Sandalwood all of my high school life and i am now a senior. I am also in AFJROTC and i am one of the main leaders in the corps. I believe JROTC in Sandalwood is a thing that all students should participate in. When we hear about the bad reviews on Sandalwood we cringe and move on. But we need to understand that all schools have their trouble makers. Sandalwood's an amazing school. It is so diverse!!!”

“I am a student currently attending and entering my senior year. With the three years I've been attending here, I must say I love it. Sandalwood is a pretty good school. The best way to make sure your child has a good education there is to make sure they have good teacher (meet them). Also joining the AVID program or ROTC is a good idea.”

“I am a student here at Sandalwood High, A senior class of 2005. And I love it! The teachers are great the Principle is awesome! Sercurity could do a little better though watching out for some things but its great.”

“All I know is I was a sucsessful high school student until I went to that school now I'm a drop out. You dont get the attention you diserve when your strugling.”

“My daughter was terrified at first because of rumors she has heard about the school, 6 months later and she doesn't feel the same way anymore. The school could use a new coat of paint on everything. And some more involvement for the students. But in all it's not a bad school.”

“This school needs much improvement. The only thing keeping my son afloat is my constant interventions. God help any child with non active parents. If you have a choice and funds, send your child to a private school.”

“I personally believe that it is a great school. But, if it had a little bit more student activities that the students could get involved in then there would be less problems and more fun for the parents and students.”

“I think that this school could durastically improve to reach out for the students. It could be a whole lot better!”

“We have been pleasantly surprised with public school.Our children went to parocial school and then public high school. All have been or are in honors and AP classes. They have done very well and are ready for college. It has also prepared them for what the world is really like - not the pristine world of 'private' school.”

“This school is about the worst Jacksonville has to offer. There's always a fight, an outburst, a riot somewhere on school campus. After my Sophomore year, I switched to Fletcher High to get away from the hot mess of Sandalwood and I am so happy I made the move. It was well worth it.”

“People always talk down about Sandalwood. The things that people say have happened in the past, but in the last three years that I have attended (Senior, Class of 2009), the number of problems has significantly decreased. Everyone gets along, puts aside differences, and acts like a well-behaved student. This school is NOT the negative things that people say. I'm proud to be a Sandalwood Saint.”

“Good school despite all the negative old jargon. My son has attended Sandalwood for 3 years with no probems. If u teach your child to hang with the right people and stay responsible for his/her school work, all will go well. The teachers are awesome and willing to go out of their way to help out a student or a parent. Stop the negative talk give Sandalwood a chance....”

“sandalwood is not as bad as what i expected. it's just that its crowded and each class is composed of 40+ students. i would say that the common problem the school have comes from the students. teachers do their best to teach the students but some of the students are being hard headed and stubborn. students hate their teachers because they give lots of homework but i don't see it as a reason to hate teachers. lastly, it's up to the students if they want to learn or not.”

“I do not recommend this high school, even though all high schools are going down hill. This school is unorganized. School is very old and needs to be torn down and remodeled.”

“Sandalwood was a great school whenIi attended. Many extracurricular activities & programs offered. Some include work programs, and available dual enrollemnt for college credit.”

“I am highly disappointed in Sandalwood. First of all, there are too many students to properly educate our children. Secondly, I have come to realize that all students are not treated the same. There are students who get punishment for things that other kids do not. During class there are numerous students walking around the halls without hall passes. Some are punished others are not. Don't get me wrong, this is not a race related bias. Personally, I believe that the security guards, who regulate the halls, allow some students to slide by without a pass for whatever reason and then other students are punished. There are wonderful teachers at Sandalwood and there are horrible ones just like anywhere else. I regret that it is the only neighborhood choice for my child. The principal is new so I hope that she can make positive changes.”

“I find that the teachers are willing to help students if the student is willing to meet them half way. However I have found following through on disipline is slow.”

“The academic programs are week. There are extracurricular activities and parents are not very involved.”

“Well the school promotes it's students to play sparts and sandalwood has on of the best sports teams in florida. I find that the administration is kind of wacky, with the rules they imlement, but the school overall is a decent school.”

“I feel that sandalwood high school is a very apropriate school for my child to be atttending because I have met the teachers and they really are trying to help the students pass. Other schools teachers may have there degree but they dont really care weather the student passes or fails cause eather way they are still getting paid. Sandalwood in my opion has one of the best bands and choirs though you rairly hear from the choir now. The real problem with the school is the parents of the children who go there.”

“A large urban school, ninth and tenth grades organized into communities. Offers exceptional education in a mainstreamed environment. Good honors program.”

“Very diverse therefore lots of opinions flying around. But other than that its ok”

“Too crowded, not enough teachers to work with students where needed. Hour lunch was great. Way for one on one tutoring.”

“Great teachers. School needs work to motivate kids. Parents need to be more involved with kids. Alot of kids here have learning problems.”

“Great teachers that work hard and are committed to the students.”

“It's my experience that the administration of this school, including the guidance office, don't know what is going on. No one can give you a correct answer.”

“I have had nothing but trouble with son at this overrated, overpopulated, undermonitored school. Too little staff, too little guidance, too little parent/teacher communication when issues are arising. I have really had to struggle, and my very bright boy is foundering because the public school system can't teach and guide our kids and won't go out of their way to communicate with parents when issues are coming up - until it's too late.”

“Large high school with plenty of extracurricular activities. Honor classes are well taught, but discipline and learning in regular ed is hit or miss.”

“I'm a parent. My child attended Sandalwood for 6 months. I thank god I was able to get my child out of that school! After checking Sandalwood on the internet, I had a good picture of this school in my head. I was horrified when I brought my child for his 1st day & vowed to get him out of there. The internet information was so wrong. The kids are the ones who run that school. The teachers are not the brightest. There's 'no' homework. There have been many lockdowns & serious fights where security & teachers have been hurt. In January (2005)kids were running through the halls out of control. Students are allowed to leave school grounds during lunch. I am so glad my child is out of there.”

“most of the students are very intelligent students, the majority of the bad things doesnt reflect the good things of the minority. The school needs to toughen up its school security, and enforce more anti-violence policies if it has any at all.”

“I have attended Sandalwood High as well as several siblings. The school is very crowded! The hallways are cluttered and the classrooms are very very small. The new addition to the Freshman Inst. is a good idea for students who are not up to state educational standards, though this singles them out so everyone knows they are not as well educated. Extracurricular activities are limited currently from the choices in the past years. The crime, violence and other behavior of the students is high due to the overcrowding and limited funds for classes such as: art, music, drama, computer, and other interest specific courses. This school has gone down hill and is still sinking, send your child elsewhere!”

“Like many schools Sandalwood is overcrowded and was not looking forward to my kids attending it. However they have dealt pretty well with the constraints and they have some good leadership in house. The grounds and the bulding itself could use some work and are not the cleanest. They do offer a decent amount of extra curricular activities bu there are many students vying for spots. The average scores for SAT, FCAT and ACT are not very good but they do offer honors courses and advanced placement where the students do much better.”

“I believe that the standardized testing is about the most insane thing I have ever done. We students spend the entire year studying for F-cat, having information crammed down our throats specifically for the purpose of passing a test. The school has made it so that the students don't care anymore about what it is they are not learning, but we simply try to retain information so we can pass F-cat at the end of the year. I personally am tired of memorizing information for a test, and learning nothing. Plenty of people at this school can barely read, and if they can, then it is at a pace that a first grader would read at. Teach us something! Don't just make us memorize to pass one test!”