Spectrum High School

17796 Industrial Circle Northwest

School District

Spectrum High School
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:18
Type

charter

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 January 04, 2025

We have moved quite a bit due to employment and have had the unique experience of having our children attend schools in multiple states and districts. Two of our children attended Spectrum while our third attended the other high school in this area (all at the same time). Every school and every district will have its issues as some needs directly contradict the needs of another. Therefore, inevitably someone will always be unhappy with a decision. That said, I feel the school and the staff genuinely care about the well being of the students and do their best to keep the parents informed and connected to the school. One of our children has a 504 and has wonderful support from the school. This is a college prep school and the accountability is much better than other schools our children have attended. Though I wish it were a little more difficult to make up homework if not done on time, I feel this school does have a good balance of strict versus submissive teaching styles. They have a wide range of college courses children can take with attendance at the school rather than going off site. Our children will graduate with an associates degree and a high school diploma. We have experienced some instances of bullying and the school handled the issues swiftly and took the events very seriously all while recognizing that the students who were bullying are also children and in need of guidance. The balance of making sure the student understands the severity of their actions without permanently impacting their future is one of the things I find the most admirable.
Submitted by student on May 15, 2020

Terrible I hated it worst thing on the planet
Submitted by parent on January 24, 2020

I have had two children attend. Teachers are phenomenal and the environment is positive.
Submitted by student on January 17, 2020

I would say that my experience here has been good up until the last couple years. Administration made changes that were not communicated to teachers or students that left the school in shambles. Teachers left because of it. Now, the school is attempting to assign a “video project” that is blatant free advertising for the school. It feels like child labor and was decided upon last minute. So no, I did not enjoy my time at Spectrum. The new administration has undone what was good about the school.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2019

We absolutely love this school. The staff are very kind and helpful. They have strong values that they bring forth each and every day. Smaller class sizes with teachers who really aim to help and inspire the kids. It is a college prep school so it might be a little tougher then a regular high school but it makes our kids grow up to be successful respectful adults. I highly recommend checking this school out.
Submitted by teacher on May 23, 2018

Do not let your children go here if they are special needs!!!
Submitted by parent on August 23, 2017

As a parent, I would highly recommend this school. I have 3 children who attend with one who just graduated (class size of 63). A lot of people complain about the amount of homework, but our experience has been if you have a study hall, there should be few issues. My kids are all honor roll students and play on many sports teams. It's amazing how many smart kids there are at Spectrum. My oldest went to Salk for a year and when Spectrum opened up for middle school I signed him up right away. I was not impressed with Salk. And once you have one child in, the rest are grandfathered in. I have one more child who will be attending after elementary school. While it would be nice to have some home ec or shop classes, I wouldn't change the chance to send my kids to Spectrum vs a regular public school.
Submitted by other on May 20, 2013

The 9th grader last year, your parents do not pay for all of it, taxpayers do. I am a graduate, it is a really great school. Just depends on the people, my class is great together. Any grade that was not at the portables has been pretty annoying, but there are they few exceptions. For my experience it was really not that bad, looking back I just didn't do the work sometimes. The staff that were teachers for me were great though! I don't know much about the new teachers though. Wish we were still in the portables, it made classes a lot closer ( the students), to do anything it had to be different like taking a bus to a church for gym, not having a middle school would be great to. Just do the work that you get assigned, if it's a lot tell the teacher they can be reasonable if you are. Except some in science dept. but it is all needed there. I am glad I went there instead of the public school by me.
Submitted by parent on May 02, 2013

My daughter started attending Spectrum in 9th grade. She went to Salk Magnet School for Middle School. We chose Spectrum mainly for the small class sizes. It turns out that we got really lucky. The small class sizes are great but there are so many other things that make Spectrum great. The teachers at Spectrum work hard (for the most part) and show that they care for the students. If they don't work out they don't return the following year. One teacher told her class "if you don't like it here, there are many waiting to take your place. And guess what, if I can't do my job, there are many waiting to take my place." The homework is not a problem. My daughter does most of her homework at school. In fact, the math teacher she has does the "flipped classroom" where the homework is to watch the lesson via the internet and classroom time is spent answering questions about the lesson and doing the assignment. The athletics are great. If you want to participate, they will find a spot for you. If you ever watch the cross country or track teams, you see a true camaraderie among the students. They really show what sportsmanship is all about.
Submitted by other on February 23, 2013

I am a current student and I have been here since I was in 8th grade last year, I know it's a College Prep school, but I was passing with B's and C's and this year, everything's become a lot harder, each teacher assigns homework almost everyday and when I asked one if they could slow down and maybe not assign so much homework, they replied with "If you just did your homework, it wouldn't be so hard." and they continue to pile on more and more homework, and with that being said, the 1 day late half off, 2 days late 0% policy is total garbage, and a certain amount of teachers just go through power point and read out of the book and never even teach something through their own words or answer some questions. I absolutely dislike this school with a passion, I'm leaving next year and I can't wait to get the fair education my parents are paying for.
Submitted by parent on November 07, 2012

My child went to Vandenberge Middle School in 6th grade. Crowded classes and classrooms, lots of students forming their own cliques, and not enough of a challenge for students that are quick to learn. Switched my child to Specturm for 7th grade. Plus side: 25 students per class, 75 per grade, alot of individual attention, broad spectrum of math and literature classes for students of all abilities, and a close student body. The down side: 90 minutes of homework per night! A lot of math, literature, and writing work. I do not feel that a heavy load of homeowrk equals a better education. Not all kids can keep up with the pace. This school is great for my child, but I don't necessarily feel it is right for every child.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2012

As a parent, I was attracted to Spectrum in Elk River because they marketed themselves as a "college prep school" I had read. I was very excited, because my daughter is planning to continue her education post-secondary. After dealing with a waiting list "someone to leave the school", she got in. We were excited at first... excited for that supposed unique ability based education that we were expecting. NOT!! What my daughter received from Spectrum, so called "college prep" school was massive amounts of homework and a strict zero credit on late work, thats about the it. Is that what makes them a college prep school or a "college deterrent school" because Spectrum burnt her out as a 9th grader and she became sick of school. We have since removed her and back into the public high school where she is doing very well and loving school again. Chalk one up against us and our parenting decision, we have learned that Spectrum may have sounded good at first but reality was, it was no more then a school that gives lots of homework in perception that makes them "college prep"!!