Prospect High School

18900 Prospect Road

School District

Campbell Union High
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

public

School Map for Campbell Union High 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 30, 2022

Can a school be worse than this one?I despise California public education and this school is no exception. Unfortunately and against my wishes one of my children ended up in this HS. I don't like just about everything, but I will go into details- curriculum; for some subjects like math, it is non-existent; CA Common Core is the worst material I've ever seen. However, if there is some kind of curriculum in a subjects other than math, we're running into the problem of "educators"- teachers: I'm sure there are great teachers even in this school, but my child hasn't been lucky with many. Pre-calc teacher has been absent mostly this year. She had a baby. You'd think that such important subject as pre-calc would have a substitute and it did, 3 of them. Then the teacher "came back", but IMO she is still mostly on-leave. Her communication usually is "I will not be in tomorrow; Here is the list of 15 items to complete". Another teacher grades everything after final grade is due. I never know how my child is doing looking at the school portal. On May 25 the student can have A and on June 1 it can be C because the teacher placed work done over 2-3 months into the portal- cell phones and school computer: I know I'm alone here, but private schools handle phones just fine; two of my children attended two diff private schools and both had "no cell phone policy". One can bring the phone, turn it off and place it in a locker. If there is an emergency to use the phone, it can only be done in the office. School computer can't be monitored by parents. The student has access to everything 24x7 for any length of time- lame snow-flake attitude by administrators: children are required to be politically-correct, non-offensive, etc., however if someone breaks the rule and further poor behavior could be prevented, nobody cares- services: anything out of the ordinary will take a battle; many reminders, follow ups, and long wait. There surely be a reason for it. Then the service "will be provided" on paper, but in fact it would happen so occasionally that it is not possible to call it a serviceThis school is not special. The entire district is awful. There will be children who will do ok in any environment. I have one of those and I'm considering sending this child to this school only because of the location and sports; certainly NOT b/c of academics. This child will complete HS curriculum in 8th grade, but I'm considering Stanford on-line and other private options.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2021

Prospect is a truly amazing school we’re kids can challenge themselves at any level of course difficulty, while having great athletics or arts experiences. My son is taking 12 AP classes. At the same time the school is taking steps to bring disadvantaged kids to improve their participation in AP classes. The school has a tradition of music kids being selected for All-State bands and orchestras. If you are looking for an environment in which your kid can be challenged without loosing perspective of the world, and that no everyone comes from monetarily rich environments, look no further.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2020

Great overall experience. My son has learned a lot, grown in confidence, and should be university bound!
Submitted by student on May 02, 2016

I was a student at prospect for all 4 years. Loved it. Some teachers were that great but you will get that. I had some wonderful memories , I will never forget
Submitted by parent on June 27, 2014

We have been pleasantly surprised by the leadership & community at PHS. There are more than enough opportunities to excel and have your student thrive here.
Submitted by parent on August 22, 2013

My student began school by joining a sport and got to know a group of kids that were focused and driven to do well. She is genuinely enjoying her High School experience. The staff appear to actually care about their success in school.
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2013

Prospect has excellent teachers, a very good and supportive administration, a good sports program, and good after-school clubs such as robotics, speech and debate, mock trial, among others. There are a lot of opportunities for students to excel in this school; however, not many students seem to participate in the after-school clubs (although the number has been increasing over the years) - so parent involvement may help.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2013

Prospect has been improvoing every year. Our kid is a junior. The new pricipal is a bit week and I think the VP is also new. Very strong English teachers are Mr. Manning and Mrs. Churchill. Strong Spanish teachers are Mr. Tejada and Profesora Adler. Good math teachers are Mrs. Ahmad and Mr. Igoe. The teachers care about students and help at Study Hall and after school. Our daughter has been involved in sports , music and Mock Trial. Prospect has a lot to offer the motivated students. Things are getting better every year.
Submitted by student on May 11, 2013

Prospect is gifted with a diverse student body, excellent teachers, a beautiful campus, and great extracurriculars. The sports teams such as track, tennis, and field hockey are consistently powerhouses, and extracurriculars like mock trial and debate seem to be doing well too. Unfortunately, the new principal seems uncomfortable in her role and is unwilling to work with many teachers, weakening the previously strong AP curricula. Any student who puts in the effort can succeed at this school, as is shown by the students accepted to Ivy Leagues, Berkeley, UCLA, and other top colleges.
Submitted by student on March 23, 2013

The freshmen honors classes-English and biology-are fairly good. The teachers maintain order and the material makes you think, rather than only memorize. The English teacher is an engaging teacher who thinks of fun assignments. My biology teacher is a gruff old man with a soft heart. The Spanish department is atrocious. We do exercises in the workbooks for the whole period. The teacher does not teach. Kids who are retaking the class crack bad jokes and disrupt the class on a daily basis, without facing any consequences. If you truly want to learn Spanish, you must be self-motivates and teach yourself. The geometry teacher that I have is rude and condescending. Though we do learn in this class, he talks as though we are stupid. The atmosphere of this class could definitely be improved. The kids here, in general, seem to be hurting and act very angry. They swear constantly and revel in crass humor. There is a very low expectation for their behavior and maturity, sub-standard to other high schools in the vicinity. To sum it up, the honors teachers are worth your time, the Spanish department should be evaluated and dissolved ASAP, and the general atmosphere on campus is not pleasant.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2013

Took my daughter out of this school midway through the year because it was clear that staying at the school was a waste of time. People who say this is a good school are in denial.
Submitted by parent on October 28, 2012

We have a senior at Prospect busy with his college apps and he wants to minor in English because of some of the amazing English teachers he has had over the past 4 years. He wants to minor in History because he had amazing History teachers. He has chosen Sciences for his major because of his interactions with great Physics, Chemistry and Biology teachers who are passionate about their subjects and share it with their students. The Math department has very good people who know their subject but when it comes to teaching strategies, some are good teachers and some are not. (I have seen this problem across the board in other school districts too where many Math teachers do not know how to present their subject material in front of a teen- many Math concepts are very subtle). All the 4 years we have been here, we have always wondered why this school does not get the community support and high regard it deserves. We have a new principal this year who was the previous VP and she has her heart in the right place (kids come first). But what her style of administration would be is yet to be seen.
Submitted by parent on June 26, 2012

Excellent school ! My child completed 4 years at Prospect Excellent in academics as well as sportsmanship!!! Very friendly and helpful staff!!
Submitted by parent on June 25, 2012

Our child finished her first year at Prospect this month and we are pleased with the academics, sports and activities. She is an above-average student and was challenged with her courses. Due to an outstanding teacher, she even found out that she really enjoys science and may consider majoring in that when she attends college! Sports are competitive, but not as intense as many other schools, so many students are given the opportunity to participate on a team. Lots of clubs and an active student government group. Very diverse population of students which prepares our children for the real world. Wish there was more parent involvement, but those that are involved are very committed and outstanding!
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2012

if your child choosed the right people to be friends with and focus on academics while of course having fun and making use of all the opportunities this school has to offer..your child will go far! school has a wonderful staff and AMAZING principal! she is new but making so many advances! make it count panthers!!
Submitted by teacher on April 01, 2011

The current principal pressures teachers to inflate grades. There is a grading system here in which a teacher gives nothing less than a 50% for an "F". The reasoning is self esteem related & encourages kids not to lose hope once they have that F. A teacher strictly following this system wouldn't give any grade less than a 50%, meaning the kid only has to do 10% of the work to pass. If you look at it from the 10% angle, it's just shameful. Kids get a false sense of accomplishment. Nobody forces you to grade this way, but if you are failing too many kids, you can expect trouble with this principal. In spring 2010 the district held a class for teachers to grade in this way called "What is Pickering Grading?" So I gather this is being pushed district-wide. We have many low performing kids at Prospect, but lowering our standards is not the way. Change isn't going to come by teachers as they are frightened by the principal. If you are a parent then look for yourself on School Loop. If you see A LOT of 50% it may mean the assignments were not done at all yet 50% of the credit was still received. Write a letter to the superintendent if concerned.