Blair High School

1201 South Marengo Avenue

School District

Pasadena Unified
Grade

6-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Pasadena 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 other on December 17, 2023

I liked Armenian teacher from 2021-2022. She sadly left. didn't like Armenian program no offense though. Chem and math teachers were alight. No offense didn't like rest of teachers. Students also are very careless. Im not a nerd but I felt like one and made only 2 friends. Never been to a school with so much students doing absolutely nothing. Also staff/teacher of course treat not good with bullying and sometimes do it themselves. I switched schools. And it was far worse than this school so I give it credit.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2023

This is a shameful institution that fails to protect its students from bullying.My son had suffered multiple cases of bullying for many years and after being reported the school failsto act on this.This toxic environment affected my son very negatively, he is afraid of going to class and it's interfering with his abiltyto have a normal learning experience.Shame on this institution.Igor
Submitted by student on January 23, 2023

I recently transferred to this school to finish my senior year and it was the worst mistake of my life. My academic transcript suffered horribly, I used to be a straight A student and I can no longer say that; I received my first F at this school. My mental health also dramatically declined. I can appreciate the architecture and aesthetics of the school but all this attests to is that looks can be deceiving. Compared to my old school this school is a joke. The lesson plans are terrible; they don't teach you anything. I can't speak on all the teachers but 5 out of 6 of my teachers have no idea what they are doing. Many of them give off the impression that they would rather be doing something else with their time. The counselors pretend to care but realistically they are of no help. Every interaction with them was frustrating. If you care at all about your kids do not send them here!
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2022

My daughter attended Blair for half of tenth grade and it was the worst experience for her. Her counselor was not of any help, the teachers were unsupportive and we felt unsupported by the entire school. I wouldn’t recommend this school to anyone.
Submitted by parent on February 22, 2021

My children had a bad experience at this school. They suffered academically and psychologically. It is not a positive environment conducive to learning. This school changed my children in negative ways. We left the school and they are thriving.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2019

My Girls have both thrived on this campus. They have been involved in the music programs, sports and student government. I highly recommend this school and the 3 IB programs offered here to anyone who wants a great educational experience for their child.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2019

This school was not a good fit for my family. My child felt isolated and picked on, was not happy and grades suffering. We left and it is like night & day. My child is thriving and happy
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2019

Excellent. Our son is in the 7th grade at Blair this year (2019-2020). He went to private school in Glendale from Pre-K through 5th. Even though we lived in Los Feliz last year, we sent him to Blair after much research of public and private schools in LA and Pasadena. We loved the school so much, we moved to the area last May. I CANNOT BELIEVE the resources and support that are available at Blair FOR FREE. Another reviewer said this, and I agree, I would pay good money to send our son to this school. My husband and I are both lawyers and education is very important to us. We believe very strongly in the education he is getting at Blair due to its IB curriculum. I am so so thankful that we did not jump on the bandwagon and just pay $$ to send our child to private school b/c it's what a lot of our friends were doing. I think he is getting a BETTER education as well as a Better life experience at Blair. It's diverse, it's a good size, there is a brand new high school building that just opened last year. Blair had the highest AP pass rate in the district last year. Blair is gem of a school and I think it is only getting better and better. Everyone I know is so happy there. PLEASE COME VISIT IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT IT. I visited at first b/c my husband was intent on an IB education because he got an IB diploma in Houston, Texas, and then went on to an ivy league school and law school and always felt so prepared b/c of his IB education. I was prepared to visit but I presumed I would find a reason to rule it out. It was far from our home, I was tentative about public school generally. But from the moment I arrived, I could tell it was special. I had a much better feeling about Blair than I did about Polytechnic, which we also considered. This school is truly an undervalued resource, a diamond in the rough. You have to see it to believe it.
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2018

Its an ok school just stay involved get into the Upward Bound Program to ensure your child will get all the help needed to graduate AND go to college
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2016

My first child started 6th grade at Blair 5 years ago, my second child started 6th grade 2 years later. The school atmosphere is absolutely wonderful. The teachers are dedicated and always available to meet with you. The administration is approachable and will listen to you. Support staff is courteous and caring. The students are smart, caring, open-minded, and fit all the typical IB learner characteristics. And the parents are active and involved. The school would be perfect, if not for the shortcomings of the physical facilities. Unfortunately, the school has no auditorium, the main high school building is abandoned, and the athletic facilities are inadequate, neglected and deteriorating. I wish the school district would take care of this, since these matters are beyond, the responsibilities of the school's administration. And another sign of how great the school is, is the high number of school and district staff that enroll their own children here.
Submitted by parent on January 08, 2016

As a parent of an 8th grader and with a fifth grader ready to start next year my family has been very happy with the IB program and the atmosphere at Blair. The staff has been wonderful and as we start high school next year we look foreword to the beginning of construction on the new building. It's been a fantastic experience so far for my daughter. Wish the district would allocate more funds for sports and extracurricular activities.
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2015

What Blair manages to do with the little amount of support and funding is astounding. The teachers and staff manage to pull off amazing feats of education. The students at the school are given work which challenges them beyond what is going to be on a test. Teachers are committed to their students and each other. The environment at Blair is truly supportive. When PUSD introduced new graduation requirements starting with the class of 2019, parents did not freak out because they were absolutely confident their students would be prepared (even years ahead of schedule). The IB programme is internationally accredited and so respected by colleges, that just being an IB student will give your child a leg up. If you get a chance talk to one of the IB students about their experience - you will be inspired.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2015

Our son entered 6th grade in Blair Middle School and we are planning for him to remain at Blair through high school. This is a wonderful school. The is a set of experienced, talented and hard-working teachers, who are able to academically challenge all of the children in their classes. The IB program is rigorous and provides a set of great opportunities, and the community of students, parents, and teachers is very supportive and engaging. The STEM part of the curriculum is well supported and provides students great opportunities, but this doesn't come at the neglect of the arts and humanities. We actively chose Blair after carefully evaluating both the private and public options for middle and high school in Pasadena, and are confident we made the right choice. I'd be willing to pay a lot of money to send our son to Blair - but we don't have to. Be sure to schedule a visit if you're thinking about sending your middle- or high-school student here.
Submitted by parent on March 26, 2015

Blair is an amazing school with great teachers, good parental involvement and and active and supportive student body who are very open and accepting to all different types of kids. Coming from a small charter school, our daughter was nervous about attending Blair and it did take a large part of sixth grade to adjust. By eighth grade, however, she insisted on staying for high school even though her friends were leaving. She stayed, and ended up convincing most of them to stay as well. They, and we, couldn't be happier. The IB Middle Years Programme really integrates learning across subject boundaries and expands the way students view their world. The IB Diploma Programme offers a breadth and rigor that is unmatched in traditional AP course work. No other school in PUSD offers these great opportunities and I'm glad to see renewed support for Blair and IB from the school district.
Submitted by student on March 16, 2015

The teachers here are nice and funny. Also, it's nice being at a school where you know everyone. The classes all make you think deeper and more about how what you learn affects life on earth, not just memorizing facts.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2015

My child is very happy with his first year experience at blair. He's made many new friends and has teachers that challenge his thinking in the IB program. The PTA meetings and school - wide events reveal many committed families dedicated to the growth of public schools in pusd.
Submitted by parent on December 28, 2014

I rate it a 5 star school is not because it has the most beautiful campus. It is because the international baccalaureate program gives my daughter an opportunity to get ready for her future. We have searched both private and public schools in Pasadena, South Pasadena and Arcadia, and Blair is the only school offers IB program. Comparing with AP program, both offers rigorous academic programs in different ways, however IB requires more community services hours, which in today's world, it better prepares a young student to face the real challenges in life. Not only that, it encourages entrepreneurship, and promotes leadership skills. To keep in mind, not all Blair students will be admitted to the IB program, and not all full IB program students will receive a full IB diploma. This shows no one should take any opportunity for granted. It is a tough program, but it worth to struggle a little bit when one is young.
Submitted by teacher on November 24, 2014

Blair has just been listed by Los Angeles Magazine as one of the 75 high schools, both public and private, most likely to get a student into a good college. It is deserved, as we list of our recent graduates now at Ivy League schools, at institutions such as Stanford, and at the top UCs. The International Baccalaureate Programme - both the Middle Years Programme (grades 6-10) and the IB Diploma Programme (grades 11 and 12), are unique in the area and certified only for this school site. We have an award-winning culinary/hospitality academy, which is (as I write this) cooking all of the turkeys for the huge Thanksgiving feast run by Union Station, Pasadena's homeless shelter - a part of their community service component. We also have a fine health careers academy, and a welcoming "international academy" for students who are new to the country and learning English. Our fine special education department rounds out the solid and inclusive feel of our school. The JROTC is impressive and very visible in the community. Even in bungalows, waiting for long-delayed upgrades to the now-empty high school building, we are doing good work. Don't judge us by our "cover."
Submitted by teacher on November 23, 2014

Blair offers a lot more than the community is wiling to allow. If we had more backing from the district instead of "Lets Close; to help Muir". Then not only would the numbers increase, but so would the neighboring people understand. For several years Blair has been promised a High School remodel, the two programs that are Blair's strongest defense are the JROTC program, and the IB program. The other schools wish they could have these strong programs, but there is only 1 Army JROTC program, and its setting the example. The JROTC program has IB, International student's as well as student's who just want to take a break from traditional PT. They not only learn physical fitness, but many other subjects along the Armies guidelines. The JROTC program boasts a 96% Fitness gram passage, and 99% graduation rate. So give Blair some respect, and understand were just not another run of the mill high school. Give us the support we deserve, and the lights will burn forever as the education in our students does.
Submitted by parent on October 14, 2014

Terrible school. The environment is discouraging, and many of the teachers, in my view, aren't doing the best job. My son attended this school, until I pulled him out and placed him into a private school, simply because he was struggling academically. He is a straight A student, and thrives to seek education at its upmost quality. However, the staff is so incompetent; and don't even make me bring up the principal. As soon as I noticed that F creeping within his report card, I thought the proper and responsible choice must be made.