Northampton High School

380 Elm Street

School District

Northampton
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Northampton 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 March 23, 2017

We relocated at the beginning of the school year to Northampton. We called well in advance to set up meetings with guidance counselors, offering to complete enrollment paperwork, etc. However, we were told that we just needed to show up on the first day of school and hope that the classes my daughter was hoping to enroll in were still open. We showed up on day one and were received extremely coldly. Staff were rude, disorganized, and acted put out by our even being there. It took me reaching out to the principal to make headway on setting up an appt. with the guidance counselor to select courses, as she wouldn't return emails or phone calls. The high school doesn't have an Orchestra program and they don't offer volleyball. Moreover, many of their extra-curricular groups, such as Debate, are student-led without any true oversight or direction of staff to ensure a positive learning experience. The experience was so disheartening that my daughter ended up applying to year-long study abroad program. When we attempted to be proactive to ensure transfer of credit, our efforts were met with rigidity. They wouldn't even support my daughter in taking a college-level course to ensure she wouldn't lose required credit. Nevermind that my daughter is a 4.0 student perfectly equipped to handle a college-level course. We ended up having to work entirely through the local community college. Upon learning we had to unenroll my daughter from school while she studies abroad, they've even made that process as difficult as possible. I continue to receive daily calls indicating she is absent, despite having filled out the appropriate paperwork. Beaurocracy at it's finest to be sure. Normally, I would never write a review like this, but I feel it is important for families moving to the area to know what they are potentially in for. We've raised four kids, two of whom have already graduated from high school. After expexperiencing multiple public schools in three different states, we've never encountered an experience as poor as this one. Academically, Northampton appears to be acceptable; however, successful integration is hugely important to your entire family's happiness when you move. You want a school that will work with you, not against you and that will be supportive. Unfortunately, Northampton High School does not fit that description.
Submitted by student on November 13, 2013

I am a senior at Northampton High School, and my experience has been nothing but wonderfully challenging and socially accepting. Throughout my career within the school, my math and science have improved, and my english and history have become abnormally exceptional. This increase in knowledge and skills is due to the amazing teachers at NHS, there are very few teachers who are not like by students, and those that aren't liked by the public have a few students who appreciate the work they put into our education. I could not be more happy with my experience at NHS, it has fully prepared my for college and I would not have wanted to go anywhere else!
Submitted by student on November 09, 2012

I am a 2011 graduate of NHS. I received a very good education there: I was challenged in AP classes, helped by dedicated teachers who put in extra time, and enriched by the sports teams. That said, in my earlier years, I had some pretty lazy teachers (worksheets, movies, etc), and their classes tended to be boring and unfulfilling. The best teachers are teaching the most advanced courses, so seeking them out was really beneficial, even in areas where I didn't feel as strong.
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2012

My daughter just graduated from this school and she's now headed for a very selective college. Can't speak highly enough of the education she received at NHHS and her whole experience there. This school is great.
Submitted by student on April 07, 2008

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