Fossil Ridge High School

4101 THOMPSON RD

School District

Keller Independent
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Keller Independent 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 student on August 31, 2023

in my time in this school I have seen a lot of racism and hate in this school students smoke and do drugs in the school and the staff don't try to stop it the school has a problem with fights the school is also very stingy the school is like a prison and cares about funding more than making sure the students succeed in life.
Submitted by student on March 08, 2023

I'm sorry, but this school is just the worst I always got depressed and sad here even when I tried to be happy. This school sucks in ALL aspects
Submitted by student on May 24, 2017

Absolutely wonderful. I can tell you that if any students are not making progress it is their own fault. My teachers work very, very hard and strongly encourage students to do their best. The problem is, I'm sorry to say, simply that most of the students don't listen to this advice. They would rather play on their phones than do any work. But the staff and administration is wonderful and thanks to them I am well on my way to becoming a teacher myself. You'll notice that all of the bad reviews are from several years ago. Between 2012 and 2014 the KISD school board and school administration instituded some ill-advised policies that led to poor student performance and behavior, including a bomb threat on the last day of school in 2014 (My teachers usually mention this time period when we ask about the weirdest thing they've seen in their career). However, the school took corrective measures the next year, including shortening the passing periods and greatly increasing campus security, and completely eradicated these problems. Fossil Ridge is a grand school, with good teachers, good administration, and, at the core, good students. Anyone who ever visited Fossil Ridge nowadays could have nothing but good things to say about it.
Submitted by other on January 25, 2016

I have had 6 children attend Fossil Ridge High School and all six have had a marvelous experience. Three have since graduated from college and one is well on her way. Great school, great faculty and staff!
Submitted by other on May 23, 2015

Every high school has problems, it is how they deal with it that makes it either a bad school or a good school. FRHS has amazing students who work hard to achieve success. The teachers and administration truly care about the students not just for academics but also as a person. If you rated it below 4 stars, you don't know the real FRHS.
Submitted by other on June 03, 2014

As a student at FRHS, I had the ability to experience what this school is really all about first hand. Naturally, like many others, I was confronted with the fear of attending this school due to gossip and rumours floating about how "ghetto" this school is. Alas, it may seem this way due to the people who come and go in the community but, people who suspect that this diverse population is rather downgraded... Well, you are wrong. Perhaps it is due to the mass amount of minorities or the economic disadvantage this school has but we make it through and persevere. We may have to work harder than others and that's okay. That's what makes the next generation and builds character out of us. To include, one should not label the group due to the actions taken by certain individuals. We are a variety of personalities, ethnicities, religions under one roof. A mixing pot if you will of all great things. Fossil Ridge is truly a worthy school to put your child through.
Submitted by student on February 16, 2014

Fossil Ridge is honestly an amazing school. Everyone that I have encountered has been fairly great. I am a junior this year and have never had any problems. I think FRHS has a bad reputation simply because people see the amount of diversity and they automatically believe the worst. Not everyone is going to have an outstanding high school experience. A lot of parents only see their child's side a situation and not the whole thing so events get misconstrued. When I read some of the other comments it just breaks my heart a little that people haven't seen the good in this school. Every teacher I have ever had at Ridge has been nothing but helpful to me, and if your child is in a lower level class you should expect a lower level of teaching.There are so many kids in this school that the counselors can't drop everything everytime some whiny kid simply doesn't like their teacher. By allowing your children to act like victims they are not being prepared for the real world. So don't look at the school and say it's terrible and nothing but problems when the reality may not be the school it may be the student. Challenge your children, don't let them run. That's all I have to say about it.
Submitted by parent on February 02, 2014

Great school. This is real diversity and a real world school. This is not Mr. Rogers Neighborhood where every achievement is carefully orchestrated by mommie and daddie's check book. These are real good kids doing their best to be the best with the hands they've been dealt. These kids are hard working and well manored. They demonstrate real American values by showing respect and appreciation for every student. This school, its teachers, administrators, parents and students deserve praise for what they accomplish every day.
Submitted by teacher on February 01, 2014

There are some comments about the diversity of Fossil Ridge. What most don't know is that the district continually redraws the lines for school so that the lowest socioeconomically disadvantages students go to Fossil Hill and Fossil Ridge. While there were some issues a few years ago, Mr. Halsey and the assistant principals are FANTASTIC. They are devoted to fostering a safe environment that is accepting of all races, gender and religion. Mr Hadley's mission is that every student has one teacher/coach that bonds with then. That's Fossil Ridge!
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2014

My daughter, an honors student and top competitor in her activities, has been at this school for 1 semester now and it's been an absolute nightmare. I don't even have the freedom to explain just what's really going on due to the level of retribution my daughter would receive because of it. Let me say this though. My wife and I graduated in the top 10% of a school ranked higher than FRHS, we've worked in professional industry for 18 years. I have 5 colleagues/friends in the district and ALL of us agree that we're highly disappointed with the district as a whole but that what we've experienced at FRHS has been the worst. If we could leave we would in a heartbeat.
Submitted by other on June 26, 2013

I graduated from this high school in 2008. The teachers provided an incredible education that helped get me into an Ivy League University. Although it can not compare to a private or boarding school, the places where most Ivy League students come from, the excellent extracurricular activities and committed teachers make this school very enjoyable experience for a student of any interest. A high school is more than just academics, the lessons learned from music, athletics, the arts, provide an education not found in a textbook. Fossil Ridge recognizes and embraces this concept. Overall, the diversity, excellent teachers, committed staff, and high standards make this in my opinion one of the best high schools in Texas.
Submitted by student on December 30, 2012

This is an amazing school, very organized and offers great academic opportunities. It is also a very diverse school, and shows no rascism. No matter what rumors you hear, you will not be disappointed with this schools performance.
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2012

My son is a senior this year, has been going there since his freshman year and has had no problems with bullying or fights. My daughter just started attending this year (freshman) and I now see some issues with bullying and fighting. I believe it s not the school but it s the neighborhood. More rental homes are in the area along with government aid apartments.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2012

This School has been outrageous. Ever since they started building apartment this school fell apart. Did you hear about the incident that there was a 10 year old that got beat up by a Fossil Ridge High school child over MONEY!! believe people you do not want your children going here.I am a mother of one and I would NOT have him going to this school because not only that every since there has been several fights the school does not do anything about it. They take money out of our taxes for that school to buy tv's! for their office but not better security, OUTRAGEOUS you serious got to be kidding me. All they do is suspend the same kids and have them in they same school with good kids.This school is a money eater!
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2012

My daughter is a senior at FRHS. The AP English and AP Science are fantastic. Especially Hawkins,Salcido, Chipman, Isgitt(APEng) and Cotten (AP Bio) Smith(AP Physics) Can't say enough great things about it. The math dept. no so great. espec. Killam. (nightmare) The administration refuses to listen to any parent concerns. When students try to transfer out of a class where a teacher IS NOT teaching.....they won't allow it, because they know ALL the students want out and it will "look bad". Not willing to do what it takes to solve the problems. Between the out of control band& drill team directors and the LACK of teaching in the math dept. it's no wonder they've only received a 7 from Great Schools. Texas Schools are not that great anyway....too bad they're not helping the situation at FRHS.
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2011

We have heard so many negative things about FRHS, but went in with an open mind and excited to have our son starts high school. It has been nothing but problems. Teachers that cannot explain work, teachers that were rude to me, and a complete lack of discipline. Their are fights almost every day and they are recorded by students, there are drugs, and there is bullying. We have transferred. Cannot say how much better things are now.