Clearwater High School

540 South Hercules Avenue

School District

Pinellas
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

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 April 14, 2024

I’ve had two children go through this school and their experience has been good. The oldest excelled here and is currently in college following his dream. The youngest is at this high school currently. Just like an experience it is what you make if it. Want good grades? You’ll have to work for it but there are good, passionate teachers here. Want actives? There are many- please join!! Leadership opportunities? Seek them, they are there.
Submitted by parent on March 06, 2023

canceled a trip to paris island 18 hours before the kids were supposed to leave I just want to state how disappointed I am in this school. I went there along with all my family and now I have a kid there and another one in a year. We went and spent a few hundred dollars on all the items that the students needed for this trip to Paris Island just to be told less than 18 hours before they are to leave how the trip is canceled. This is not right for the school to do this to the parents or the kids. This is ridiculous and I will be going to express my concerns with the School board. I am very disappointed with everyone there and I will make sure my voice and the other parents and students voices are heard. great way to support the men and woman who will fight for our country one day !!!!!!
Submitted by other on February 14, 2018

This is a really fun and great school
Submitted by student on December 15, 2017

Terrible the administration is full of children who just try to find anything they can to make the students lives as hard as possible. They have a strict dress code which is hard to follow taking away all of the students free will and categorizing them as if they are dogs. Its poorly run with teachers who barely care exept for the fact that they are getying paid to sit, and if you are even the littlest bit out of dress code you have to sit all day in a small classroom and miss out on the littlest amount of learning you actually get
Submitted by parent on May 31, 2016

I have a child that attends this school and it saved him from dropping out. He hatted school until he went to CHS and is on the robotics team. I understand the dress code and understand that it can be hard but students and parents should have know what the dress code was before the start of school since CHS has an orientation for new students and parents and explain what the dress code is with students on the stage showing what should and what should not be worn to school. The fact that CHS was the first school with the bring your own technology to the school. This is great since the books are so heavy and having to bring them back and forth is hard and it also saves on paper. I am a happy parent with this school and happy to have a second one that will start in 2 years.
Submitted by student on September 07, 2015

First day of freshman year, teachers were nice, told me where to go, but as a few miutes went by I had to go to I.C. or better yet detention. In all my years of learning I couldn't believe why I was put there. They explained to me that I had to wear a collar shirt. Like really? And they said I'm not aloud to contiue school until I have the right outfit. That is the worst reasoning for staying out of school. I had to stay in detention for an hour. This rule is so stupid, why in hell would I have to be dressed so that I can have my education?? I came to this school because of their program called Cambridge. This school is so late, and hasn't had a renavation since 1950. If you were to go to this school, please don't unless you have no other choice. I have to stay because of the program. I wish I could move to Largo, St.Pete, or Palm Harbor. Pick those.
Submitted by student on August 18, 2014

I currently go to this school and I can say this is a terrible school. Last year was the worst, not only is our principal and APs the inconsiderate, disorganization group of people I've ever met. But that expect more out of the student than possible, like trying to pull a diamond out of a rock. Not only is this school dirty, and unsafe if a real lock down would accur ( the front gates can't really be lock and the most easiest thing to break into) but it's disgusting. Last year there was a sudden and game changing rule that was given to us the day before our second semster exams. The rule was if we didn't as a freshman, sophomore, junior have the approximate amont of credits (freshman should pass with 7 credits) we would be retain. As most know we receive half of our credits during first semester exams and the people who didn't pass a exam would be retain. That bomb they drop on our shoulders a day before some of us took our EOCs was completely, and utterly uncalled for and could of waited until next year. They didn't give hints, or any regards towards that matter, and completely drop it on us suddenly. I absolutely hate that school.
Submitted by teacher on January 11, 2014

I was recently a substitute teacher at this school. The majority of the kids in each class were good, but the terrible ones ruined it. When I talked to a regular teacher about discipline she told me not to bother calling the office unless there was a fight in class. There were constantly students roaming the halls and attempting to come into my classroom to visit their friends. On occasion I saw an administrator roaming the halls but this seemed ineffective as I had to expel students trying to enter during every one of my seven periods. After my most horrendous period of the day, I was able to talk with one of the well behaved students. He informed me that the class was always this way. The regular teacher yells at the group of 4-5 guys who are extremely disrespectful and disruptive, but they don't behave much better for him. The amount of profanity, racial slurs, misogynistic and sexual language I was exposed to made me sick. I feel bad for the majority of the kids at this school who have to try and learn in this toxic environment.
Submitted by other on May 26, 2013

It is amazing to me how people can tear down a school because of the physical plant that administration and faculty have NO control over. Clearwater High and its staff are head and shoulders over so many other programs. They offer each student and their family so many academic choices fitted to their needs. Unfortunately CHS has a very mobile student body and county and state records cannot follow when students leave (for what ever purpose). The actual graduation/success rate of CHS is far higher than 74% it is just that so many students/families leave and disappear from record. The program/academic choices available here is outstanding. The administrative team pays individual attention to the students and can call most students by name walking down the halls. Academics, arts and athletics work very good together at CHS. ESOL and other programs identify and nuture students with needs. FCAT needs are addressed on all levels of subject testing. As a former student and educator of CHS I am pleased with the continual improvement being carried out. Community/business support is still strong for CHS. "Good ole CHS" is strong. Two astronauts from one school...next?
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2012

My daughter is a senior, this year, and has been enrolled in the CAICC program since becoming a student at CHS in 9th grade. I have been continuously impressed by the effort put forth by most of the faculty, and the administration, during her time there. Most, not all, of the honors and AP classes have been challenging. She has been accepted, so far, by every college she has applied to. I see where there are comments about the condition of the school and new dress code. I applaud the administration for trying something different, (dress code this year and implementing the Kindle program 2 years ago). Time will tell if they were the correct decisions, but at least there was an attempt to buck the status quo, which doesn't seem to be working in most of Pinellas County's other high schools. If the physical condition of the school concerns someone, talk to the School Board and the PC Administration, they're ultimately responsible, not the individual schools.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2012

As an involved parent of an honor student I am beyond disgusted with this school. It is a dump physically, it is literally falling apart. The dress code is a pathetic attempt at trying to control the bad students by harassing the good ones. The guidance counselors are a joke. They do nothing!!! Tornadoes is an appropriate mascot for CHS, it certainly is a disaster.