Harrison High School

4500 Due West Road Northwest

School District

Cobb County
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Cobb County 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 parent on February 07, 2023

My child constantly get bullied due to her being hispanic, terrible school!
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2022

I am the parent of three graduates of Harrison High School. We are an African American family. I read the reviews of parents of African American students that previously attended Harrison High School. Unfortunately, there is a small element of racial tension that exists at the school. However, it was NOT a deterrent or a major problem for our family. Our students attended the feeder schools: Vaughan Elementary and Lost Mountain Middle School. I personally believe that when students attend school together from elementary to High School, it makes a significant difference in the quality of the experience. The students grow up together and learn how to have a good relationship with one another. Overall, I would say that this school provides ANY student with the opportunity to get an excellent education. There are lots of resources and opportunities to students for the taking. One of our students had an IEP. We did not have any problems. The school advocates, staff, and teachers have all been extremely helpful to my student. The staff and all teachers went above and beyond for our student. Our student graduated on time and is headed to the college of choice. Our other children who were students graduated from Harrison and attended college. Having matriculated High School at Harrison, our children were prepared for the rigor of college. The student experience at any high school is what one makes of it. One of our students participated in the foreign exchange program and our family hosted an exchange student. Our students were involved in the Drama Department, Music Department (chorus), and various other activities. Lastly, over the years, I have had regular contact with staff and faculty. I am happy to say that I had peace of mind with each of our children while in the building attending school at Harrison High School. The Principals and the Counselors were responsive and attentive to any concerns. I would recommend Harrison High School to any family without hesitation.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2022

I've had one child graduate recently from Harrison and have two currently attending. This school is well above the state average in key measures of college and career readiness. The administration, counselors, and teachers are amazing. We have been very pleased with this school. There is something for everyone at Harrison! Go Hoyas!!
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2022

Academically a good school, but when it comes to bullying, learning differences, teacher attitude toward students of color, admin/leadership, and character stay AWAY. This is not the school you want to send a child that does not fit the box of being "white or caucasian". African American students need to stay away. If your child had a 504 or IEP stay away. Admin will bully your child and then it will trickle down to students. Guidance is awful. They will not get to know your child. Your child of color will not have a single person in the building to talk to or feel comfortable with. If you ask on Black and Brown parents of Cobb County facebook page, you will see the stories of how many black parents who had to transfer their child from this school. White parents will say, Hillgrove and McEachern has fights so stay away. So now the decision becomes, do you expose your child to a couple of fights and educate them about what not to get involved in at home or do you send your child to a place that will minimize them, belittle them, without teachers that look like them, and is known for their blatant racism. They need to get rid of the entire admin staff. Start over with guidance. Hire black teachers. They need to do their part on making children of color feel welcome at this school. Consider Hillgrove, McEachern, Wheeler over Harrison. This is a review from someone who was warned about this school, but said let me give it a chance. Seriously, stay away. Yes, they will teach your child, but your child will be stressed (honors and AP children). Then your child will feel like they are in the middle of the ocean drowning. Vaughan is a good elementary school. I cannot speak on behalf of Lost Mountain, but keep your children of color (especially your black child) away from this place that feels like hell. They do not effectively deal with bullying because the bullying starts with leadership, they do not accept children with learning difference, the guidance department has an attitude problem, admin has an awful character so of course children will since it trickles down, leadership is the worse I have ever seen.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2022

Awful experience , they condone bigotry, hate against the African American students along with violence towards the LGBTQ community. If your child is being name called or bullied they will take action against the innocent child that is being affected by the bullying.
Submitted by parent on February 18, 2022

This school allows freedom of speech. but when a gay guy speaks up for himself he gets in trouble. Absolutely disgusting.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2018

My daughter currently goes to Harrison and couldnt be happier. Harrison's national rankings and graduation rates speak for themselves. Those wishing for more diversification then being prep for college should look into South Cobb, Osborne, McEachern or Pebblebrook if that is what is most important for you and your child.
Submitted by other on November 17, 2017

I love going to Harrison High School I had a lot of good times and only a few bad times I still have friends that I went to school with
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2017

This school is Excellent! My daughter graduated from there in the top percent of her class.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2017

horrible. The varsity basketball coach and athletic director have NO interest in any child of color.
Submitted by parent on December 28, 2016

My kids got in to the top colleges in the state. Harrison prepares the kids to go to college starting at freshman year. Encourage your kids to take AP classes they will transfer to all of the state schools in GA. Typically HHS graduates do well during there first year in college relative to their peers based on emphasis on preparation and rigor.
Submitted by student on November 03, 2016

There are, of course, a few teachers who are clearly unhappy with their job or simply inadequate as educators. This is inevitable for a school. However, the overwhelming majority of teachers are excellent. Many are very good at what they do and even those teachers who are not the best at teaching often still possess a positive attitude and clearly enjoy their work. Despite the way some bitter parents may portray the school the teachers are in fact very good in almost all cases. In four years I have only encountered one teacher who clearly disliked her job and just a two who were incompetent in any way. Most teachers are fantastic not only as educators but are also friendly with students. I personally still say hi to great teachers I had back in freshman year. Its true that there are a few irritating administrators who could afford to have a better attitude, but for the most part non-teacher staff are very helpful and friendly. The excellence of all the other staff, wide variety of clubs and sports programs, and other extracurricular activities far outweighs the negative of a few bad administrators. PS don't listen to the "they only like athletes" comments on here. Not even remotely true. The school offers lots of great sports programs of course but I (as someone who plays no sport) have never felt slighted or that athletes received special interest from the staff. I hope this will be helpful for anyone who reads it. After seeing some of the outrageous statements made by some about this fantastic school I felt that I just had to tell the real story.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2016

The sports teams information listed in other reviews about this school is true. The school administration wants recognition so that they can eventually climb to the top of the district and payscale. The employees have forgotten why they went into the teaching profession in the first place. Recognition and test scores mean more MONEY for them. The faculty and staff act as if they cannot be fired. Many of them are irritable. They hate their goverment jobs of being around students. Too bad some of them are allowed to be around minors. They are teaching our students rude behavior is acceptable. They need to get rid of the disrespectful employees. Now that the economy is improving, hopefully the unhappy "bad apples" move onto other jobs, preferably with adults. (It does help if your student has a family member that is an employee that works at the school.) It is too bad that young people have to be around such unhappy, disrespectful adults for so many hours 5 days a week.
Submitted by parent on September 01, 2015

Harrison is a great place to learn. My daughter has enjoyed her experience. I hope that the rigor will continue.
Submitted by student on January 04, 2015

Though most of the teachers at this school are at least competent, and the students are fairly friendly, the administration turns this 4 star school into a one star school at best. Because of the block scheduling, moving your child into this school halfway through the year will be discouraged by the administration. If you manage to get into the school, they will resent you and you will most likely lose some credits. If you transfer from a school with a different math program, you will most likely be lost because CCSD changes the math curriculum here frequently. The administration is also mostly comprised of rude, lazy, unhelpful people. I had a 4.3 GPA and after moving here, I failed math. The guidance office was less than helpful, even after the several attempts to contact the teacher made by my mother were ignored. Everytime I have to contact the guidance office or administration, it makes me sick to my stomach because I know that something will most likely go wrong or I'll get yelled at. This school puts every priority above their students, enroll elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2014

Sorry you didn't have a great experience but your situation is not typical at Harrison. Both of my boys graduated from Harrison. One was in AP classes and the younger had a learning disability. Both had excellent experiences with teachers, programs and staff. As parents we were very involved with the school and received nothing but the greatest of support for both boys. We didn't always agree with everything the teachers said in relation to our son with the disability, but each disagreement was handled with respect. As parents we took active roles in our sons learning experiences. They both were well prepared for college and excelled due in large part to the teaching at Harrison. I know that our experience is far more typical of what Harrison has to offer. Very satisfied parents
Submitted by other on May 18, 2014

I went to Harrison a few years back and had a MILD comprehension disability (along with a terrible GPA) Harrison highschool was nothing but a huge disappointment with helping students. Before graduation the assistant principal was in a meeting with my parents and a few of my teachers and told me and my parents "you're pretty, you can be a flight attendant..you don't have to go to college"...it was the biggest insult to me and my family. (My dad almost ripped right into them bc college is a DEMAND not a choice.) if you're a cheerleader or football player you will be set with the administration and staff because they care more about the sports than the academics. If your child struggles in school they will be "left behind." The only thing I will thank then for is giving me the drive to PROVE THEM wrong. I now have a 4.0, apart of national honors society and deans/presidents list. You should probably avoid this school, spend the extra cash and send your kids to private schools that have goals for kids and want to help the students.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2013

Harrison high school is a good school if you have a child who is self-motivated, enjoys learning and is willing to take academically challenging classes. There is a strong emphasis on AP classes and if your child is on this track the quality of teaching is fairly good. If your child is not highly motivated and enjoys school Harrison can be a challenge. Students take only 4 classes per semester and it is a full year of that subject crammed into 18 weeks. Teachers seem to find it difficult to teach all of the material during the 18 weeks and, from what we heard from our children, rarely taught for the entire class period of 1 hour and 50 minutes. The administration seems more concerned about football than education and there is little to indicate that they are invested in making Harrison a great school rather than just coasting along to retirement.
Submitted by parent on September 07, 2013

This school is not good to transfer to or from unless you can time your move for the summer months. The principal has chosen a 4x4 system - instead of having 8 classes for a full year the students have 4 classes each semester. We wanted to buy a house near the school but we can't because we can't wait until the summer to move.
Submitted by student on July 19, 2013

This is a wonderful school for academics, performing arts, and sports! Most students graduate with great GPAs and get into top schools across the country! Harrison is all about their extra-curricular activities! The marching band is well appreciated and loved and gets to experience a lot of once in a life things! All of the E.C. programs strongly enforce the academic requirements to be involved in the programs. The football team is fairly good and has a great support system from the student body. Harrison's baseball team is extremely successful each year, along with the Track and Field team. Also, the drama department is very talented and well funded. The students that graduate from the theater program tend to move on to bigger and better theatrical opportunities! It is an overall wonderful school, and all students are strongly encouraged to be involved in E.C. programs and to challenge themselves with honors and AP courses.