Ferris High School

3020 East 37th Avenue

School District

Spokane
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

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

I am a sophomore here which makes me part of the class of 2027. I have a lot of problems with this school. As much as I love the teachers here there is too much stuff that sucks. First every single day the bathrooms are getting closed because people are vaping. Second according to one of my teachers last year the class of 2027 had one of the worst freshman percentage of passing all of their classes with a 68 percent normally it is an 87 percent. I saw in my 6th period that people were rude and lazy. Also when we had our class meeting the administrators did not even talk about our grades from last year. I do not think the administrators care about us passing I think they just gave upon us. The only reason I am still here is because I want to stay with my friends. I would not recommend coming here.
Submitted by other on September 13, 2024

I work at Ferris. I was previously at a school in north Spokane. I can't believe the difference in the overall culture of this school. First, the campus has a certain, sprawling, Harry Potter vibe. There are windows and natural light in every room. It's very, very beautiful for a public school. The teachers and principal are kind, welcoming, and invested in making this a positive experience for every student. Let me just say that when teachers are treated with care and respect, it shows. It becomes much easier for them to treat their students with love and respect. We spent days in training that was explicitly focused on student engagement. I've never seen a more passionate group of educators. They make it a priority to get every kid involved in after school activities, and they have the programs to back it up. The theater is absolutely beautiful. The speech/debate club has won major awards. The sports and music programs have fantastic participation. There is a diverse population coming from many different cultural backgrounds and languages among students and teachers. The special education department is excellent, with a deaf/hard of hearing program that is unheard of in a public school setting. The lunch and office ladies are some of the sweetest, most approachable people anywhere. But what really makes this school special are the students. I am shocked at the number of kids who come early because they're engaged in some zero-hour activity. For "Hello Week," the number of students and teachers who took the time to dress up for school spirit days was amazing. Out of the 9 schools that I have worked at during my lengthy career, this one is really, really special.
Submitted by other on March 19, 2023

I went to school here from 2014-2018 and it was the best experience. My siblings still attend school here, and love it as well. All of the teachers and staff care about your learning and who you are as a person! I was in the musical department and it was such an amazing time and a great benefit to my high school experience!!
Submitted by parent on September 02, 2022

How about that score? Run if you can!
Submitted by student on April 09, 2019

Out of all the schools I have the ability to go to ferris would be my first choice because there are great people, amazing teachers and really prepares me for college and beyond
Submitted by parent on March 03, 2017

They told my daughter that she was on track to graduate for the last 3 years. Now; just 3 months before she was to graduate they tell her that she has too many core class credits and short by 1.5 on elective credits. The counselor lined out what was required and was responsible for tracking her progress. They never notified anyone that she didn't have enough elective credits until now. Then, they sent her home and said she was no longer enrolled at Ferris. Isn't that illegal to deny a child their right to an education. Keep in mind she was not expelled, nor was she suspended. Aren't simple math skills a requirement of staff members? Including counselors? Isn't there any accountability at the school or district level?
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2016

Good selection of classes and programs! Most of the teachers and staff are great! Our daughter has enjoyed her time at Ferris!
Submitted by other on May 04, 2016

As a long time Ferris supporter who has had multiple family members attend Ferris it is very depressing in my opinion that the Ferris High School Athletic Department has declined to the point that families with children that want to excel in athletics need to look at other schools. This trend started a couple years ago and can best be encapsulated with the varsity baseball team head coach this year that is way in over his head. It got so bad this year that the varsity head coaches father stepped in to try and help right the ship to no avail. Feedback from fellow supporters indicates the same is taking place with other parts of the athletic programs. After observing the baseball season I was left to wonder as to how the decision was made that this person was qualified to coach, teach, and mentor these fine young athletes as rather than coach, teach, and lead, the head coach repeatedly publicly humiliated many of the players in the middle of games for all to see. You could see it in their faces. You could see rather than building a team he was breaking them and ruining their passion for the sport many of them had played for years. As a former coach for nearly 20 years I understand that parents and fans love to second guess coaches and believe they always have the right answer. That is not the case here. With that said I was in such disbelief in the behaviors and choices that this coach made repeatedly throughout the year that I struggled to contain myself and felt terrible for the kids. I was able to speak to many of the regulars that followed the team and it seems as though the Athletic Director is the mother of the head coach which explains how someone as under qualified as this coach is ended up coaching these kids. I am a believer in giving people the opportunity to grow and learn, but in this case the behavior of the coach was so out of line that I feel compelled to provide feedback to not only Great Schools but district leadership as well. While the head coach has some ownership in this with his poor behavior the real issue needs to be addressed at a higher level or the once great athletic program will continue to turn kids that want to excel in athletics away toward other schools.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2015

Teachers are fully engaged. Staff is wonderful. My son is getting a first-rate education, and college prep. I will say that the school does a bad job of keeping parents notified of events, but that is my only complaint.
Submitted by other on July 10, 2012

This school is the best you could hope to have. My parents hate it, but i think this school has amazing students, understanding teachers and there programs are phenomenal, if you want a high school just right for your kids, this is the perfect place
Submitted by student on April 23, 2012

Ferris features a plethora of extracurricular activities, and nearly everyone is doing at least one or two (or three, or four, or ten). The Wind Ensemble is one of the best in the state, as is the football team. The latter has won several state championships as well as academic state championships. The basketball team is also pretty good. The Canterbury Belles (an all-female, audition-only choir) are good on a national level. Unfortunately, rules are seldom if ever enforced, so the school is marred by extreme amounts of profanity, inappropriate attire, vandalism, smoking, and general lack of tact. This alone is what causes the school to be 3/5 rather than 5/5. Lots of AP programs are offered as well.