Ernest S. McBride Sr. High School

7025 Parkcrest Street

School District

Long Beach Unified
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:25
Type

public

School Map for Long Beach Unified 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 October 24, 2024

This is our third year at McBride. We toured most High Schools and this one stood out. Small campus, great & experienced teachers, supurb support staff and each Pathway has its own Booster Club, that supports the students & staff in that Pathway. The campus is always super clean, and bullying is not tolerated. This is one of the rare schools in LBUSD that does not require a school uniform, but there is still a strict dress code. Teachers and students appear happy, and there is little to no drama on campus. With a small student body of about 750, there is no place to "hide" and most teachers know most of the students. The school Safety Officer often jumps in and helps with the book room and other positive intercations with students. They have a Wellness Center, and hold Saturday School about 10 times a year. This is not a "home school" and is 100% School of Choice. As long as you meet the class/GPA requirements, you have an equal chance of being accepted here no matter where you live in Long Beach. This means that though it's in a more affluent neighborhood, students come from every area of the LBUSD. It really is a great school, and if Engineering, Heath & Medical or Criminal Justice & Investigation are your interests, this is the best school in Long Beach for your student!
Submitted by parent on May 06, 2023

My kid has had a mixed experience. Cons: We had higher hopes for the pathway experience, but it definitely feels like everyone is super-apathetic, most especially the pathway lead teacher. There are not many pathway-related opportunities. Some of the teachers are also not very strong. And there doesn’t seem to be any school spirit. Pros: the building is really nice. Bullying doesn’t seem to be a problem. The administration is very responsive to any problems that come up. A few of the teachers are amazing.
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2021

All the teachers want the best for the students.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2021

One of the best schools in the district. Definitelyprepares you for the future and has many opportunities for students.
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2017

We have been very happy with McBride High School. My son is a senior this year so he has been at the school almost from the beginning. The student population is very diverse and the kids are very kind to each other and accepting of their differences. There are many clubs that are open to the students, which is a great way to meet people from the other pathways. Because the school is small, the teachers and administrators are familiar with all the students. There are some fantastic teachers that have really inspired my son. Students have many choices of how many AP or Honors classes to take and because there are 8 periods it is possible to take A LOT of AP courses. Even so, the homework seems reasonable. They have been very supportive of the parents and students that are going through the college application process, many on campus visits and councilors available to help out. It would be wonderful if they could figure out how to include a music program here, we have missed that. I would recommend this school for any student that would like a smaller learning environment that offers a curriculum that can be adapted to the student’s interests. It doesn’t hurt that the campus is beautiful!
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2017

My son is a student at McBride.We love the school.Also, your information about the school seems dated; there are over 700 students at McBride. Your data do not inspire confidence.
Submitted by student on November 14, 2016

I've noticed a lot of the comments are negative here, and for the people that say 'ignore them' or 'grow up' are exactly like the teachers here. Most of them just slap the notes on the homework and just give you worksheets in class to work on with little help from them. The ap classes here are too unforgiving to be considered learning. I get it, it's AP, but that doesn't mean we should have a test every week along with a 20 page packet to do. Also, if you want to keep up with school events, forget it. The website only tells you about club events, not school ones. Today was PJ day and only 5% of students wore PJs because it was only announced once, right before a 3 day weekend. Also, the Ipads that are given are usually hand-me-downs, which isn't too bad, but they're basically over glorified. Too many websites, educational or not, are banned. Airdrop is banned, downloading apps is banned. The teachers claim that it's for the best, as like, 2 kids abused it once, but that's the thing with this school. Some kid does something wrong, and everything crumbles. It's basically a 'no fun allowed' zone. The teachers can be nice, but the classes are boring and non intuitive, even when they force you into groups. I can only recommend this school if it's a last resort, because honestly, most of the kids hate it here. It stresses them out, it makes them depressed... The environment overall is awful. I've only managed to make 2 friends since I got here, and I've been here since 9th grade. I'm in 11th now... Om a final note, don't expect a librarian, nurse, or consular for 4 days of the week. They're never here. None of the staff is.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2016

McBride keeps getting better and better! My son is now a sophomore in the CJI program and is getting a great education. There are new teachers this year that really bring passion to the program and dedication. Mr. Everson, is a favorite, Mr. Hardin helps tutor, and Mr. Thompson makes Criminal Justice interesting. Mrs. Marlow works hard to ensure the kids learn geometry yet keep refreshed in Algebra. The teachers and principal truly care about these students. They keep building and improving the program each year. This was definetly the right school for my child.
Submitted by student on December 14, 2014

I generally really like the school and the health program is great. Most of my teachers give a new lesson almost everyday. Everyone seems nice, even the students. :)
Submitted by parent on October 13, 2014

McBride High School in Long Beach might as well be a private school. The setting is small, approximately 200 students per grade, and the Principal, teachers and staff are amazing. This is my son's second year and he has excelled in the pathway environment. I would highly recommend this school to anyone who asks.
Submitted by student on October 02, 2014

Although I agree with most complaints submitted by other students, I feel they are ignorant. The teacher isn't there to spoon-feed information to you, but to guide you on your learning. I don't know what they were expecting but they aren't going to find in in long beach unified...There is truth to some complaints. For example the teachers are relatively "mean" and insult students quite often. Teachers are often putting students on the hot seat calling them out... Perhaps they have spent too many years around children rather than adults....grow up
Submitted by student on October 02, 2014

I am a ninth grade engineering student here and I think that so far the year has been wonderful. The teachers I have are wonderful, and au have not had problems with any of them. Mrs. Williams, the head engineering teacher, has been doing a great job iand I love going to my engineering classes. To the furthest extent of my knowledge, there has been no fighting I have not encountered any bullying. The tenth graders are actually really nice to the freshman. I am actively involved in many clubs, and there ar definitely a lot to be part of. Anyone can start a club (as long as ASB approves it) and so we have a lot of unique clubs like Young Women's Empowerment club or Society for Organized Noise. Also, every student receives an iPad for school use (it's returned at the end of the year) and so far it has been a really helpful educational tool. We don't have as many problems with student misuse as you might think.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2014

We'll I'm just hopeful, for this school what these student just wrote for this past year, it's fairly true! my child attendes this school and feel that we shouldn't just quit and leave because no matter were you go or what school you attend, there will be bad teachers, staff, and bullies. Yes they don't offer music or sports, it's all academics, But I really love there 3 different pathways which includes engineer, nursing and forensics programs, they also offer college ready courses, and there group project are hands on. So let's work together and make that change now! students and teachers work together as a family not as enemies! Stress for success! What you do today will make a difference in your future and your future generations! So it all start with you ;) let's make our school rate a 10 ;) and give it a five stars
Submitted by student on August 02, 2014

The engineering program at mcbride is great. I am pushed to excel in my work. Some teachers strive to make learning fun. I feel that this pathway is one of the best in Long Beach. The school is new and the technology is very current.
Submitted by student on July 25, 2014

Im a student at Mcbride and i honestly have to say it really disapponted me. They promised to be an advanced school and push students when honestly this has been one of the easiest, if not the easiest, years of my schooling. A particular teacher doesnt do a good job at teaching, and yet blames the students for the lack of knowledge and experience in the subject. There is no sports and no school spirit, at all. Most students dont even like being here, me included. Grades are usually posted at the last minute when there is nothing you can really do about it.There are some really good teachers that know what they are doing, but the ones that dont really make life hard for students to do good in the class. Another teacher makes life seem impossible to good in her class. Shes constantly rude and hardly ever makes time to talk to students. If you try and bring a complaint to the principal about a teacher, forget it, it wont work and nothing will change. I understand that you have to back up your staff but when almost every student has the same complaint about the same teacher, I think maybe somethings wrong. I wouldnt recomend this school at all.
Submitted by other on June 17, 2014

I know that some of the other students have been rating this school badly, but in all honesty I just don't think they appreciate what all of the staff and teachers REALLY go through for us. This past year they all helped me and pushed me to do the best of my ability, and McBride has done EXTREMELY well for being a brand new school. This school isn't bad at all if you learn to appreciate what you're earning from the experience there.
Submitted by student on March 18, 2014

i am a student at this school and i honestly hate this school. one of the teachers does not know how to teach and its really frustrating and hard to do the homework when you don't know how to do it or what it is asking
Submitted by student on March 17, 2014

McBride High School has been a BIG disappointment. The teachers at this school are the worst because they don't even teach the students. Other members of the staff are also rude to the students and even the students at the school are BULLIES. None of the equipment needed for the class is available or ready to use making students fall behind on the school curriculum! Everything is "dead." Everything is the same, it's repetitive, and people are slowly giving up on the school. Students are just wasting away in a learning environment doing more harm than good. Rather than going to school eager to learn, McBride has changed the attitude of students in a negative way. Way too much work is given without being explained! The students have become overwhelmed and stressed over the simplest things. I would NOT recommend this school to incoming freshman.
Submitted by student on February 17, 2014

I am a student at this school and I have to admit, it sucks! There are no sports, some staff members are really mean, and it isn't as good as others make it seem. The teachers are really behind and don't know what they are doing! Most of the teachers don't explain to us students when we need help, in fact, some teachers get MAD when you ask for help. I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone unless they are receiving help from an outside source. You need a lot of financial preparation for this school. Parents would have to invest a lot in projects, programs, and possibly a new computer. I was, and still am, very disappointed in this school.
Submitted by teacher on February 01, 2014

This school has three unique pathways to prepare kids for college. The small student population allows students to focus more and improve academically. Students leave this school prepared to follow a career or further their education in the medical field, criminal justice or engineering. As a teacher here, I can say there are many positives. The school is newly built, the classes have the latest technology, and the student population is hardworking. I am proud to teach at this school.