Dunedin High School

1651 Pinehurst Road

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 August 07, 2024

Girls soccer program needs an overhaul, starting with the head coach. Choose another high school if your child has college hopes. Zero technical training, and the coach uses his training as a psychiatrist to gaslight parents and staff into thinking he's qualified to technically or competitively train the young women on the team.
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2024

Worst school in the area by far.
Submitted by teacher on January 08, 2024

Great school to work at! Friendly and caring staff.
Submitted by parent on December 19, 2023

I have lived in Dunedin for 20 years. My 17-year-old son spent his first two years in high school at Palm Harbor University. Though that school was efficient, we found it to be cold and out of touch with the needs of teenagers. Our son decided he wanted to go to the school he was zoned for, which is Dunedin. He was especially interested in the JROTC program. We are four months into his junior year and this is the best schooling experience he has had. Every teacher engaged and amazing. The principal so involved and caring. The support from his guidance counselor unparalleled. I know the school has a reputation but it is unwarranted. We wish we had had our son go directly there from middle school. It is small, the campus is manageable and our son is finally happy and having fun. If you’re even thinking about the JROTC program this is the place to be.
Submitted by student on March 13, 2023

The administration and school resource officers have no idea what they are doing, they lack help to students in need that come to them for help, they take away first amendment rights to students, and they make some students lives depressing.
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2022

Dunedin High is a safe caring community where my kids have thrived! The AP Capstone courses give them a head start on college credits, with dual enrollment possible for an early 2 year college degree at graduation. The historic Highlander Band has been a superior rated program where they have greatly improved their music and leadership skills. The NJROTC was another award-winning program that gave big character improvement for my youngest that led him to hold his head high, get very strong, and to be an active volunteer in the community with great leadership skills. This is not all. The students there are offered opportunities like Cosmetology, Robotics, Architecture, Construction and Electrical Wiring, Digital tech, and 3DE courses where they can get industry certifications that boost their hirability and earnings, straight out of high school. The many awards won by their fine arts scholars in 2-D, 3D is amazing! The extracurriculars are so varied and great! Space Club and robotics is run by a Dr. mathematical teacher who worked at NASA. The choral, ensembles and theater group got scholarships and awards for individuals and groups, including superior ratings and the largest number of participants in the county in All-county Chorus. The sports here are Dunedin's best kept secret, in that we have so many of the sports teams like swim, cross country, and baseball that go all the way to districts and regionals, you would practically need a news team to keep up with the good stuff happening at Dunedin High. The Alumni of Dunedin are still coming back for games and music shows. The connection to community events like food drives, parades, bagpipes played downtown, is very strong. No wonder they nick named Dunedin High "Our Hometown School." I can't say enough what a difference this school has made at these sensitive years of development for my teens. Thank you, DHS!
Submitted by other on June 22, 2021

THE OUTCRY:The amount and tone of the negative reviews from students and parents about Dunedin High (DH) and especially Pricipal Kyle Johnson is disheartening. But, I must CONFIRM their accuracy as someone who's mentored there. It's NO SURPRISE to me that DH's ranking has dropped considerably under Principal Johnson. I give a one star review for the few good teachers left. Those who CARE about their students. Otherwise, if I could, I wouldn't give it any stars.THE PAST: After winning the Mentor of the Year Award about eight years ago (under a previous administration), getting 10 of my DH mentees/writers published (including a two week show of their work at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art) -- my students and I felt PROUD. However, regardless of those accomplishments, today I wouldn't mentor at DH. Sadly, it's not the school it once was.THE PRESENT: Former employees have told me that several current employees are looking for positions elsewhere. No wonder. Principal Johnson has been the cause of disharmony, disappointment, and distress among staff, students, and parents since he took office. Many voiced in the detailed reviews posted.THE CONTACT:Thankfully, I've had minimal contact with him. As a veteran Senior PR Counsel, published author, and business owner I have a good working knowledge of what it takes to run and promote an organization and its people. Motivating teachers, maintenance staff, volunteers, et. al. is essential for success at any school -- and any organization. In the world of busines, besides motivation, any manager who lacks the ability to accommodate or ameliorate disagreements, issues, conflicts, etc. will have a tough time being successful. And is eventually replaced. In Johnson's case, we can only hope his time at DH is limited.DH VS OTHER SCHOOLS:After volunteering at many North Pinellas high schools, interacting with other principals, Kyle Johnson is by far one of the worst in the system. He's brought the school's reputation to an all-time low. I used to be proud of my accomplishments at DH, especially helping students in writing and publishing. But now, sadly, I'm ASHAMED to mention my past volunteer efforts there. I live in Dunedin, within walking distance from the school, but I'd rather travel 40 minutes to another school where my mentoring efforts are appreciated and SUPPORTED by staff, teachers, parents, and students. And the principal.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2020

Do not send your kids here. School is going down hill. So support from staff on major issues. I can never depend on any staff here always have to inform the school board. Fights every day with no effort into help. Mrs. Davis is not a leader she is a follower to only make other staff and coworkers happy its never about the students or there safety!!!
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2019

We love this school. My son is thriving there. When we were "shopping" for schools, we attended several Discovery Nights, and after visiting Dunedin we all knew this was the one.
Submitted by other on November 07, 2018

Excellent school in a good community. Needs more focus on supporting the arts.
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2015

This school is horrible, seems like everyday my child is getting referrals and ABS for earbuds and hoodies???? Really not anything serious like fighting or worse. Kind of childish I think. Also the teachers feel it is ok to bully my child daily while at this school regarfing his grades. Well I must say I am not impressed with this school or its ability to motivate and educate students...
Submitted by parent on February 04, 2015

My grand daughter goes to this school and does very well. Some of the teachers need to be tougher on those that talk all period, due to others wanting and education. Mr. Murphy is the best teacher for Algebra, willing to help all students, before and after school. She does complain about the food, but I believe most school have the same problem. Girls that use the restrooms need to clean up after themselves!!!!!! Great school for those willing to learn. Some are at school just because they have to be. Plenty of sport activities for all. This is her second year at Dunedin and she will graduate there. Go Falcons.
Submitted by other on October 29, 2014

n and how the staff will always stick together against the student no matter how in the wrong the staff actually is. Please do not send your child to this school. I have no choice but to graduate from Dunedin and I feel this school has negatively impacted my life a great deal if you care about your children's education or how they are treated while at school definitely send them somewhere else. Oh, and another thing I might add is...DRUGS.ARE.EVERYWHERE.HERE.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2014

I recently pulled both of my daughters from this school. The only thing they seemed to be learning here were how to fight. 2 weeks into 6th grade my youngest daughter, who is a social butterfly, was punched in the face, for the sport of it. I was at the middle school 12 times last year to complain and received very little cooperation from the 6th grade office or the principal. Finally having had enough of the lack of education and lack of administrative support, I removed my daughters and placed them in Pinellas Virtual School instead. Find another solution for your child's education. This is not the school for you.
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2014

Dunedin does not care about students math grades. My daughters gradecard was4 D's and an F. The school does not care about it's students.There is no parent-teacher interaction. There is no student-counsler interaction. Stay away from this school at all possible costs. My daughter is Holly Arnold and she hangs out with a bad crowd at "THE WALL". Why are all the positive posts from over
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2014

Don't let these other reviewers fool you, This school needs A LOT of improvement and strongly suggest another school for your child to go to. My daughter experienced a terrible education, poor teaching quality and one of the teachers were even talking about pimping women! The principal will be retiring too and he wasn't helping the school in the long run. Please take your child somewhere else!
Submitted by parent on April 14, 2014

I have a Fundamental student at Dunedin this year and this school, along with it's principal, teachers and staff are amazing. My child is thriving and is encouraged each day to continue to grow and be challenged. Her grades and test scores are up and she loves going to school each day. I am an Alumni, Class of 1992, and this High School prepared me to become an entrepeneur and I see the same things happening to my daughter. I am proud and blessed to be a Falcon!!!
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

Dunedin High School is a place where those kids who want to succeed, can and those who don't,complain about it. It has been a great experience for my children, especially since a new principal came on board a few years ago. He is very passionate about student success and making opportunities available to students to help them when it's needed.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2013

I have had three children graduate from Dunedin High School, and have round it to be excellent. It is not perfect, as no high school could be, but the teachers and administrators are very caring and helpful with very few exceptions. I especially want to recomment the Drama Department. My daughter has learned so much in her four years at the school. The department is very well run and provides a safe outlet for the theater students
Submitted by parent on October 15, 2012

My daughter is currently a senior at DHS, we have been here since freshman year. Mr. Hepburn came to us in Sophomore year. He and staff have turned DHS around 180 degrees! The school is focused on the kids succeeding academically and in pursuit of good character. Mr. Hepburn and staff have made themselves accessible when any concerns or issues arise. Hepburn is a busy man, but he has always gone out of his way to personally take care of any concerns we have had. I'm very grateful and would recommend DHS to any parents who want their children to succeed!