Dover Senior High School

25 Alumni Drive

School District

Dover
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
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 other on April 18, 2022

Dover High serves many students from different backgrounds and abilities. The school re-opened in a brand new building just a few years ago, where today's students benefit from major leaps in classroom technology, beautiful athletic facilities, and a wonderful new theater. A few highlights:- The Career Technical Center offers students the opportunity to earn credits and advanced degrees in a variety of vocations including: culinary arts, cosmetology, nursing, automotive technology, welding, early childhood education, ROTC, fire science, and more!- Dover is a model for other schools in the state for its Special Education and Unified Sports programs. Students of all abilities can play and learn together through soccer, volleyball, bowling, P.E. class, and more. The school is well-known for it's outstanding Special Education programming and community support for Special Olympics.- Academically, I graduated well-prepared for my Ivy League college courses on the same playing field as my private school peers.As a student, I felt incredibly supported by all my teachers and the faculty at Dover. Unfortunately the school falls victim to teachers leaving for other neighboring districts with higher pay (something I hope they will course correct for asap), but those who've stayed truly 'bleed green'...many are DHS alumni themselves who couldn't imagine teaching anywhere else. I am grateful to Dover High for the opportunity to learn alongside students from all different backgrounds and from dedicated teachers committed to my success. I would enthusiastically send my children here versus the local private schools any day!
Submitted by student on April 13, 2022

This school has fantastic CTC programs that offer oppurtunities and the ability to save money in the future. Academically I feel comfortable with our school. There are many clubs and sports involved in our school and the students are constantly reaching out to higher ups and promoting their speech. However bullying is constantly an issue everywhere, here it is constantly talked about but not compromised. The only way to somewhat reslove the issue is to reach to a counselor repeatedly. Most of the time the aggressor is slapped on the wrist and not actually taught why what they're doing is wrong. Mental health is constantly talked about around mainly depression and suicidal thoughts. Slideshows are shown about prevention and learning how to talk to a trusted adult about it. There is constant violence and drug use around the school and it is never talked about. I feel as though my safety is not as much as a concern as the schools image is. The teachers that I have had are very supportive and genuinely appreciate their job, especially CTC instructors. As a student I feel that my academics are valued.
Submitted by parent on January 04, 2022

Once this was an excellent school, now just a factory. The tech school was outstanding and with the current staff, destroyed some of the best programs. Local teachers union and school board have ruined this school. Standings went from top ten to lower 30% in reading and math. All they care about is mandates and equity. They are creating a mask wearing faceless dumb sheep. Taxes are paying for indoctrination not education... We are four generations at this school, now on wait list for private... Sad
Submitted by parent on January 07, 2020

Incredible, every teacher really cares about our kids!
Submitted by other on September 22, 2019

Very poor. I was a new kid and was bullied ruthlessly. Kids on the bus would throw garbage at me and I was spit on (a la loogie). When issues were brought to the administrations attention, they blame the student reporting and make empty promises to help change the issue. If you want to succeed in this school, you need to handle problems on your own. They have no awareness of issues like depression or anxiety and, in fact, seem to punish students who have them. I would never ever allow my child to go to this school and have avoided Dover all together because of it.
Submitted by parent on July 23, 2018

Very poor compared to where our kids wen to school before moving here
Submitted by other on September 14, 2014

The school has a welcoming atmosphere and everyone is willing to help. The person below must be either a new student and is not used to the autonomy of high school. One thing that middle school did not teach was being assertive in your efforts a lot of poeple hold you hand in middle school this not reality or life you need to learn that you' re the one that is going to be the one that makes things happen in the real world. Not insulting the student below but just saying wlecome to how it may sometimes be. I do understand that self -start isnt everyones cup of tea. But than again in college they expect you to be there or fail how do they teach that too you? By holding your hand.Nope by you being independent and getting to know as many faculty members as possible. The faculty has always been very supportive of me I was in special ed by the way. Go DHS keep up the good work!
Submitted by student on August 31, 2014

On a good note, some of the teachers are very helpful and students can go to them if there is an issue learning in the classroom. The deans are helpful depending on the student and the issue the student is having. Deans take hold of situations and fix them when they're presented. On a lower note, student fights happen often, bullying is an issue, many staff members are very rude (some even to the parents), including the school nurse, and some counselors don't even return calls until months later. Saw one teacher even flirting with several students. There are constant mix-ups with students' schedules, even when they had set up their schedule the previous year with a counselor. You definitely have to actively search for the right people to help you if you need it in this school, because the majority of them are not helpful at all in a number of situations regarding education, bullying, schedules, etc.
Submitted by teacher on June 26, 2014

This school has a huge student services department which places paraeducators in classrooms to help all students academically and provide behavioral support to those who are coded for individualized education due to a disability. Dover High is very much a community in itself where students come from all walks of life and all abilities. The school offers so many opportunities for ALL students. College bound seniors can take advanced placement classes, other students can get a jumpstart on a trade like electrical and cosmetology. This school also has a unified program which teams kids with learning delays (Down Syndrome, Mental Retardation etc.) With mainstream students as mentors. Its great for the kids and the community. DHS has also taught kids who have been named as Presidential Scholars. Just last year, we had the Presidents choice for excellence in math so we are certainly doing something right!
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2014

DHS/CTC has a very wide variety of courses allowing students to follow interests that may lead to careers. Students are able to take Honors, CP, Career & Vocational classes all in one building. They offer a variety of art & music courses as well as NH 1st all female engineering class. My children have attended Dover schools for 12 years, and while no school is perfect, Dover's are very good.
Submitted by parent on June 19, 2012

Students are given the tools to succeed, but it is up to them whether they use them. Dover High students are successful in a variety of areas--winter colorguard, band, lacrosse, ice hockey, college acceptances-- and they are all given the same opportunities to succeed. Teachers do their best with only one exception that I can think of and students are expected to do their best as well.