Pasadena High School

2925 East Sierra Madre Boulevard

School District

Pasadena Unified
Grade

9-12
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 student on September 14, 2024

The librarian did not help me with my chromebook
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2022

A lot of people in Pasadena send their kids to private school, but our oldest son wanted to go to PHS. We went in with low expectations, and have been very impressed.PHS' greatest asset is its teachers, the majority of whom are stellar. I can't say enough good things about them; they are so dedicated and genuinely care about their students. Just this morning, one of my son's teachers called me on the phone minutes after I sent him an email explaining that my son was sick and would miss his exam. Last month, his AP chemistry teacher arranged an all-day field trip to the Wild Animal Safari Park to work in their labs.One of my kids is in the the Law and Public Service Academy and he loves it. Again, the teachers in that academy are stellar. I have heard that kids really love the App Academy as well. If your child is coming to PHS from a non-PUSD middle school, I recommend plugging them into an academy so they can find community. One the negative side, the facilities are severely lacking, but PHS is set to get a major upgrade in the next few years. My kids are getting a great education.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2022

Both my children have gone through PUSD schools and are now at Pasadena High School. My junior is in the Math Academy and participated in the App academy as a freshman. He is taking the equivalent of 3rd year Engineering college math, having passed the Calculus BC AP test in 8th grade, as well as several APs. He has a great group of friends, all college and civic minded and couldn't be happier. My youngest just started the Law and Public Service Academy as a freshman and LOVES his teacher, who is just wonderful with the kids. He is looking forward to participating in the academy's opportunities for students, such as teen court and peer restorative justice. The school is not perfect- what school is- but they do an amazing job serving a population with a wide range of needs and backgrounds and are, in my experience, quite receptive to suggestions and feedback! Tour the school and find out if it's right for your student!
Submitted by parent on October 20, 2018

AP courses are rigorous, and meant to be. If your child is college bound, it is worth it. Like all schools some teachers are more effective than others.
Submitted by parent on March 09, 2016

There are so many wonderful things to say about Pasadena High School, I don't know where to begin. There has been a real increase in the academic rigor and PHS currently offers 21 AP courses from which to choose in addition to a large selection of honors courses. Furthermore, PHS offers learning pathways which allow students to specialize in courses in an area of interest. They offer Creative Art and Media Design, Law and Public Service and the APP Academy. My son is currently enrolled in the APP Academy. In addition to his A-G curriculum he takes a course each semester in Web Application development and has learned to code to create websites and tablet and phone apps. With the knowledge he has gained, he and a group of fellow APP Academy students were able to enter and win a Hack-a-thon competing against adults and college students! All of this in addition to having a high level of academic rigor in his other courses. His teachers are experienced and dedicated and willing to go the extra mile by being available before and after school. We couldn't have asked for a better experience for him. Furthermore there are many fine arts, sports and extracurricular options so your child will be able to find his or her passion. But don't take my word for it take a tour, go see the campus and talk to the students and staff. You won't be disappointed.
Submitted by parent on February 10, 2015

Having read reviews and attending open night at PHS, i really had high hopes when enrolling my daughter at our local high school. She has not even completed her first year at PHS and we have had to take her out of the school. Teacher and staff seem overwhelmed, in ensure each child receives the support they need. Unfortunately for my daughter, a serious bullying situation, was not dealt with, in a manner any parent would have expected.
Submitted by student on January 29, 2015

Come on PHS! This school is located in the most decent area of Pasadena unlike other high schools in the district, yet many of the abject mediocre students who live near their respective schools attend PHS due to its overwhelming popularity. There's a discrepancy between the poor students' abilities and stellar academics at PHS. True, PHS takes pride through many ways, but what these inept students are doing is obscuring the true image of PHS -- the number one school in Pasadena, surpassing the standards of private schools. And I affirm for this to be true despite Marshall taking PHS' position in being the number one school in the district. For those reading this lengthy comment, you can see how this school receives mix views of the qualities that define PHS. Indeed it has a turbulent past in which hostility was imminent and fear was ubiquitous. Well, that was ten years ago, and there are many old timers still teaching at PHS who witnessed the dramatic changes of the student behavior every decade. The school had made a significant improvement in its environment as of 2010 and its academics still remain immensely challenging as it was over the past 20 years.
Submitted by student on April 05, 2014

Because of this outstanding school, college is not hard for me. I had very experienced and brilliant teachers at PHS who were former professors (Dr. Verdi and Mr. Davis). My professors at college were impressed over my strong beautifully written critical analysis and research. This school will actually prepare students to a prestigious university. What other school has an actual AP Physics class taught by a former university professor with over 30 yrs of experience? PHS! This school is home to the top elite teachers in the district. Send your child here to PHS to experience quality education.