Castro Valley High School

19400 Santa Maria Avenue

School District

Castro Valley Unified
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:22
Type

public

School Map for Castro Valley Unified 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 parent on February 03, 2024

Great school in STEM, science Olympiad team is the best
Submitted by parent on October 04, 2023

Diverse school population. +++ Community support. +++ school spirit Engaged students.
Submitted by other on April 27, 2023

Some things have come out about a teacher at this school that is very disturbing. The teacher was allegedly having inappropriate conduct with students. The school did not handle it well to the point they told the kids who found this information not to tell anyone for 4 weeks. They didn’t inform the parents as to why this teacher was suspended, they also didn’t bring evidence forward or call the authorities, that had to be brought to their attention by concerned parents. The school thinks it’s appropriate for this teacher to be coming back to the school even though so many are speaking out against them. The administrators of this school and the superintendent should be fired for withholding evidence, telling children to not tell anyone what they found out and for even thinking it was a good idea to allow this teacher back just to save their precious reputation. Shame on Castro valley High school and this school district!
Submitted by teacher on February 08, 2019

Great kids and students in a rich multicultural environment, but with poor and new administrative leadership.
Submitted by other on March 03, 2017

The administrators are terrible and do not how to tackle bullying issues in a timely matter. The school is racist and tends to target more minorities than the white students. The teachers are horrible at keeping their classroom safe from bullies. The counselors do not keep up with their students who need help. It is the worst school for students with disabilities. If you want your child to be bullied and destroyed take them to CVHS.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2016

After 13 (child is a senior now) years at CVUSD with my child being bullied and me being told "they said they didn't do it so there's nothing we can do" and the like time and again, we come to the senior year. There are some fabulous teachers at CV High, and some adequate admins. But, there is, as with CVUSD, a very in-the-box way of thinking. The district, regardless of what people may think, is far more concerned with the $'s the students represent, than with the students and their well being. I suspect everyone who thinks this district is compassionate and concerned for the children's welfare, are parents of children who do not have complex medical situations or behavioral ones etc. It's a true shame that education has become a business concerned with profit, rather than a place to truly expand and educate our kids. C.V.U.S.D. in the "good old days" put children and their physical, emotional, and mental welfare way above the good ol' $. Ironically enough, most of us managed to get jobs, go to college, and be productive members of society while having access to a curriculum that taught not to tests, but to creating well rounded, and well educated individuals. The district should be ashamed of it's insatiable appetite for the almighty dollar and desires (anyone remember the fancy espresso machine incident?), and it's lack of compassion or concern for children with said complex medical issues. The school itself does not particularly follow the compassionless nature of the district, but the fact that the school itself makes no efforts to address and/or advocate for these kids makes them just as culpable and disappointing. Such a shame. Truly.
Submitted by other on August 11, 2015

(Graduate)Castro Valley High has mostly good teachers and is very diverse. I don't think that the budget cuts and the school district allowing students from other cities such as Oakland, Hayward, etc. into CVHS did any good. What I observed was that the school became overcrowded and I noticed more students misbehaving or slacking in their academics. High school is what you make it to be. There are many students at CVHS who strive to be better and to earn As in honors/AP classes starting in their first or second year of high school. This school can be a great addition to your/your child's further education and enable them to get into a great college and have the skills to advance their lives in other ways, but you have to put in the effort and not fool around.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2015

Castro Valley High is a very good school for kids who are motivated and willing to make the effort. There are hoops to jump through in order to get into honors and AP classes, but it is worth the effort. I have one daugher who graduated CVHS and is a student at UC Berkeley, and another who is doing very well and is definitely on track to attend a good university.
Submitted by other on September 15, 2014

This high school is not as good as everyone thinks it is. They don't offer that much of honors or ap courses. They don't have uniforms and girls dress very inappropriately. Teachers are absolutely careless. They don't have that much of activities. I've been to many different schools and this one has been the worst so far. I'm having a very difficult time with it and I don't recommend it for academic children.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2012

We have been part of the Castro Valley school district for 10 years now, and I must say I am proud to say my child attends Castro Valley High School. Since there is only one comprehensive high school in Castro Valley, there are a lot of students (almost 2,900) BUT, it gives your child the ability to make friends with students of all different cultures, nationalities and personalities. Having come from a large high school myself I know how students may feel overwhelmed and in the dark in some areas. This is where parents NEED to step up and be involved. It's impossible for 1 counselor to pay attention to each and every child under their care (probably 500 students per counselor). My child's counselor Mr. Byer is AMAZING. He always returns my emails and phone calls regardless of my concern. It's time for parents to take as much responsibility for their child s education as well as the schools. If parents inform themselves and are on the same page as their children then they will be more at ease in school. Not all teachers are perfect, but if you are involved you won't be surprised. Know what their expectations are.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2012

Our family experience with CVHS has been a joy. While their respective experience and peer groups have been different, both of my children have participated in various actitivies focused on the arts, community service, academic achievement and student governance. Both my son and daughter are enrolled in one of the top universities in the world. I attribute this to their individual spirits, which have been nurtured by some of the most caring, visionary teachers in the bay area. During my children's years in CV, the teachers have provided both stellar academic instruction as well as mentoring and support. I can only think of three challenging teacher experiences during middle and high school , which in general we were able to address with either the teacher or the responsive and judisious administration. Like most life experiences, we receive what we give to an organization. Thus, I highly recommend this school district and especially Canyon Middle school and Castro Valley High school for families that want to be inspired to learn and participate (ptsa is great) in a visionary, diverse and caring learning community.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2012

For kids who know what they want to do after graduation, this school may be good, but for those who aren't sure or who need that extra push and guidance, not so much. With approximately 3k students it is nearly impossible for staff to handle the needs of all and the office staff is not always very helpful or available to talk to immediately. I rate it at 6 out of 10 overall.