Buford High School

2455 Buford Highway

School District

Buford City
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

public

School Map for Buford City School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on December 31, 2024

this school does not care about its students unless they are athletes or on the honor roll. they make so many children feel like idiots and it was an awful thing to experience. I dealt with bullying for years that was overlooked by everyone.
Submitted by parent on November 17, 2022

We started in this school system when my student was in 1st grade. Loved the community feel, the environment and the teachers. As the school got bigger, the luster of it started to fade. It became less about the student achievement and more about the athletic achievements. Grades were posted and shared with the parents 2-3 weeks after the assignment, so if your student was struggling, it seemed too late to get help to catch up. Most teachers would not even offer extra help, just put it on the student to "work harder" - when they didn't know what they needed to work on, since grades were not posted immediately. Once we got into middle school and high school, it got much worse. When you chose to no longer participate in athletics, the students were shunned by those that were in athletics and looked down on by other students and sometimes even parents (seemed they learned that at home). In High School, while the building was beautiful, the people inside it quickly became "entitled" and treated the less than average like second-class citizens. There was so much bullying to my student - not necessarily physical, but emotional, mental, verbal - and when attempts were made to address it, the reaction was, well maybe they didn't mean it like you think. Talk about blaming the victim!!! The system got way too big, way too fast and lost the love of the community, and its people. Rich, upper class are the chosen ones and if you can't pour into the financial requirements, then you are shunned and left out. We were tuition and decided to move to the school where we are districted and accepted. Such a shame that a beautiful campus can house so much hatred and disdain for others.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2021

The school focuses on white upper middle class kids. There are no supports for any kid that is different. Instruction is lectures and quizzes and tests. Kids have to do all the work themselves to get help if they struggle at all. Teachers are nice but inflexible. Standards and expectations are different for male athletes. Majority of the staff are graduates of Buford and don’t believe there is anything that could or should changed. This is a closed small town system that is not welcoming to anything that’s not white upper middle class.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2021

We just moved to Buford schools last year when Covd hit pretty hard across the nation.The school gave us options to do virtual or face to face in school.I went to the meeting for concern over face to face in school setting but felt comfortable sending students in school instead of going through virtual after we moved from out of state. Looking back, I think we made a right decision to send kids to school. There was sporadic cases that flared for Covid 19 from time to time but kids and teachers were quarantined and school was very effective dealing with COVID 19 issues. In the end, there was no absence for my kids to miss school and they adapted to new environment nicely with the help of teachers.The sports activities are emphasized here in Buford system and number of AP courses are limited but can be taken through virtual classes and first course is free of charge. One of the reason that we have picked Buford compared to other competitive schools nearby is the balance between academic works and after school activities. Only disappointment I have is the absence of Orchestra in high school. The band is exceptional but it would be nice to have Orchestra especially when school spent so much money in building performance center in High School.
Submitted by teacher on September 11, 2020

Wonderful. Revived my love of education. I had previously taught at other schools, and nowhere is as great as Buford. This school has allowed me the freedom to teach like I know how to do... and I am grateful for it. My coworkers are a joy to teach and collaborate with.
Submitted by parent on September 16, 2016

Biggest disappointment !!! If you are considering being a tuition paying family think long and hard. We wish she had stayed at her districted school. I expected much better teachers seeing how a large portion of the students are tuition paying. She has had some good ones but some are only there so they can coach a sport. Communication with parents and students is awful. Pretty much non- existent. A project that she had done was chosen to go on to some competition. Her teacher nor the school notified her of this. However, we did receive a letter in the mail stating that it was submitted for a competition that was to be the night the letter came to us. Really! Needless to say we weren't able to make it. Since my daughter has been there she has been on the honor roll. They have awards night for those kids but only if you are one of " the chosen " ones. Yep that's right not every honor roll kid gets to go. Dr. B said it was bk there wasn't enough room. Yeah right! Either you do it for all the honor roll kids or non. Not pick and chose who gets to go. What makes some one else's honor roll achievement better than another honor roll kids achievement . Pretty darn certain there was an easy solution to the " not enough space" issue. Dr. B has taken away the fun in highschool. I'm all for being tough but these kids can't do anything. The boys are no Longer aloud to paint up their chests for football games. I've been told that all chants that the student section wants to do has to be approved by him. There is very little extra curricular activities such as run for the cure. Etc But then again if there is we wouldn't know bk of the lack ofCommunication. Highschool should be fun too and sadly this school isn't. This is an extremely political school. If you have lots of money to sink into the school you'll be fine. If your kid will be a football great. You will be fine. Who you know and how much you throw into the school will impact greatly on making teams , class president and even homecoming court. They chose who they want not necessarily based on skill or student votes.Makes me very sad for my child as I feel a lot of the highschool experience is lost at this school and she can't redo these years. So think long and hard about this school. It certainly is NOT for everyone
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2016

The academics here is awesome. I am pleased that my kids are challenged to work hard academically. They have benefitted from the strong structure in the high school, although they complain about the uniform policy. I think the principal, Dr. B, is fair in most cases. As parents we love and support the school and always will. They have strong athletics as well, which both of my kids love very much. They do put a lot of emphasis on sports. The biggest disappointment for my kids has been the comments some kids have made when encountering others who are not like them - inferring closed mindedness. Other than that, Buford all the way!!!
Submitted by teacher on September 02, 2014

The academics are great, teachers really work their tails off. My kids attend and I am pleased with the academics of the elementary. The high school is very political. It is all about who you are related to or know that gets you on teams, or not cut from teams. I am surprised that kids who are profiled as poor students are pulled from elective classes for extra preparation specifically to pass the EOCT. That may increase test scores for state rankings, but it kids are missing 2 days/week of classes and are supposed to be either responsible for the work or it is not supposed to count against them. Are we worried about student learning or test scores and state rankings?! As a teacher I have been told that I need to pay attention to important parents kids, and make sure I realize they all have the principals personal cell #. My kids will not attend BHS while the leadership continues down this path.
Submitted by other on October 25, 2013

BHS is one of the very best schools in GA. the teachers and staff are very helpful (both to parents/family and students). they have great school activities to join and enjoy. they promote excellent learning tools.
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2013

Amazingly well run school! Exceptional staff and we love it! Dr. Bitterman is a great leader!
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2013

After paying tuition for ten years my child got kicked out for not passing one semester! Never been in trouble for anything. Maybe if they were a star football player, my child would still be there. Your child's best interest is not what Buford has, if you pay tuition,
Submitted by parent on April 09, 2012

I have had many issues with this school system. In the beginning, it was great, then Geye Hamby took over and implemented mandatory uniforms (aka: dress code) without an opt-out solution (like Long Beach City schools in California), which has been inconsistently implemented throughout each school (Elementary, Academy, Middle, and High). The best point has been Dr. Banks Bitterman at BHS. He's a good principle, fair-minded, and listens to the parents, no matter their ethnicity or economic background. Any issue I have had these past few years, Dr. Bitterman has handled without hesitation; his solutions, in my belief, are always presented with what is in the best interest of all parties, but most importantly for the student(s). Buford City School system is like Cuba... You can't get out of the school system unless your child drops out and goes to college early, (or) the parents hand guardianship to someone else outside the district, (or) the family moves outside the district boundaries. I wouldn't recommend BHS to any one. Lanier HS has newer facilities, good teachers, and class options. I've tried to transfer my daughter twice, but Gw. County said no - not enough space.