Effingham County High School

1589 Georgia 119

School District

Effingham County
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:16
Type

public

School Map for Effingham County 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 10, 2024

I don’t recommend this school for the simple fact that they had a case against them for racism. I don’t want my child to be in a environment that doesn’t want her there. I had recently moved to florida not to long ago so my daughter can feel a little more comfortable and welcomed. She always complains about how she has to wear the ugly school clothing and how they don’t allow piercings. I personally find it funny because other schools allow piercings and civilian clothes. The grading is also terrible. My daughter came to me and said she was failing math with a 53. After that I told her to keep trying and continue to do her work and ask for extra credit. It took her 3 weeks just to bring her grade up to a 60. I would think she would be at a 71 for how long she worked. For some odd reason, if kids fail it’s because of math. The principal needs to talk to the math teachers about easing up on the work.
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2024

As someone who grew up in this county I'm sad to see how bad this school is now. My kid goes there now and we are only looking forward to the day they get out. Some of the teachers are really good, but the administration is more focused on dress codes that make no difference to education they have no time for anything else. My kid has told me about friends who are girls that have reported sexual harassment and even abuse to the counselors and they just sent them back to class and did nothing about it. Kids end up spending time in ISS (in school suspension) for wearing the wrong kind of pants, shoes or mix matched socks. How is this helping their education? When I went here as long as you weren't dressed indecent or wearing something offensive you were good. Now the students are treated more like inmates. This used to be a really good school, but I wish I could take my kid out now. Kids of friends who moved here from other states are shocked by how mean the other kids are and how unfriendly the administration is to the kids.
Submitted by other on October 15, 2023

As someone who moved here from Gwinnett for less than a semester, I can say with my full heart this is a strange school. From the mascot to the restrictions of freedom of speech, it’s absolutely bizarre to be a student here. Students are shamed for views that don’t align with the school’s conservative views. A student was kicked out of a football game while a teacher wore a blue lives matter mask for weeks at school. Shortly after I wrote a short essay about political issues a statement was sent to all teachers saying we cannot speak about political or religious issues going on. Never in my LIFE have I ever been told I couldn’t write about certain issues in a school. This is coming from someone who’s gone to over 10 different schools in all of my 13 years in public school, mainly in Gwinnett and Middle TN schools. Nevermind this school is also super strict on dress code. While I understand certain rules, they push things way too far. They require uniforms yet don’t provide them for parents to buy directly. They don’t allowed hoodies with designs bigger than your fist. No colored hair, piercings, or any sort of expression. They also only hold these values to certain students. I was rather alternative in highschool. I had a buzz cut and wore thick eyeliner. I was dress coded for the most outlandish things when other girls and guys were out of dress code and never called out for it. I understand people can only see so much throughout one school day but I had the same administration dress coding me several times a week. Teacher nor students ever had an issue with how I dressed. Nor did it effect my learning environment.Overall this is a trash school. For being a public school i’m surprised they’re allowed to do what they do on a regular basis. From my own experience and hearing other people’s experiences i’m surprised this school remains to be how it is. If you are a minority or someone who isn’t right winged i wouldn’t recommend sending your kids here. Again from my experience SOME of the teachers are AMAZING but the administration is incredibly discriminatory and rude to students who don’t fit what they want out of a student. You may think this dress code and way of thinking is in the benefit of the student but in reality it’s to regulate any individuality and self expression from students. Students should be able to express themselves in their style and education. It’s horrible a school would prevent that simply because they don’t agree with it.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2023

I am awfully disappointed with this schools academics, equality and environment. I have two children that attended Effingham County High School and the amount of unfair discipline is outrageous! My son has never once failed a class in his whole life, he was always an outstanding scholar and very serious about school. When he began attending ECHS his grades and GPA dropped tremendously. The teachers do not care about individuality, and success rates. They show up to get paid and go home. I have constantly requested meetings with staff and teachers to talk about my concerns and they never change anything, never take others opinions into consideration and leave me and my child feeling helpless. This school will be the reason my child does not succeed. The unfair and UNSAFE environment is disgusting. I understand this is a title one school but i had hopes that adults would protect and teach our children. I am disgusted.
Submitted by student on October 13, 2022

Me as a student, I have seen that teachers here only pick favorites and talk down to other students in that class and I have seen it cause many students to fail a class and have to repeat, and the rules are also very strict. They don't allow you to have more than one pericing in your ear which I think is dumb.
Submitted by parent on September 19, 2014

My family just moved to the area from another state and so far I love this school. Reading the reviews online before I got here made me a little worried but I have been pleasantly surprised. The teachers really seem to care about the kids and I love the parent portal. As a parent of a 9th grader I love how it's my responsibility to stay on top of my child's assignments and grades. I'm impressed by how the parent portal stays updated with grades, homework, class work, and it even sends you an email if your child makes a grade below 70. At 14-18 teens don't think they should keep their parent informed and this system allows you to do that. My daughter loves the school and enjoys her classes. After the first week she said she liked all of her teachers and that is rare at this age. I highly recommend this school!
Submitted by student on August 01, 2014

There are a lot of reviews complaining about the dress code. They do enforce it strictly. This is to prevent distracting, immoral, or inappropriate attire out of the school. Furthermore, the dress code does not define the school. Every teacher I've had is supportive, knows their subject incredibly well and the frequently relate their subjects to real world topics and stories. The school's marching band program is at the very least in the top three for almost 100 miles. We have good sports teams. Our principal is very cooperative and is very helpful if problems arise. I have yet to see any evidence of favoritism that is out of the ordinary. I don't know how the school was in past years, but I've really enjoyed my time spent in this school. Some negative things are simply present in any high school and shouldn't be a reason to shoot down this particular school. This really is one of the better schools in Georgia.
Submitted by teacher on June 25, 2014

Effingham County High School is a great place to work and to send your kids to school. The teachers and administrators all work as a unit to help kids succeed. The faculty is like family, not co-workers. The principal is very approachable and truly cares about the kids. He is always in the hall during class changes and visible in the lunchroom during lunch. There is a dress code and students are required to wear uniforms. If the parents would support the school in its decision to have the uniform policy and enforce it at home with their own children, then there would be much less time spent on enforcing it during the school day. I believe that high school is meant to prepare students for the real world, their next step upon graduation may be college or it may be a full-time job. Either way students will eventually have to wear some sort of uniform or abide by a dress code. It is past time for students to step up and take responsibility for their own actions and for their parents to institute discipline at home. When this finally takes place, the public school system will be a better place to work and for students to learn.
Submitted by other on April 08, 2014

The teachers could care less about the students, unless they play sports or are related to someone who works in the school system. The teachers would rather send their students to the front office for mix matched or colored socks than let the student learn. I can't even count how many classes I missed because of stupid little things dealing with dress code.
Submitted by parent on July 10, 2013

My oldest is in his 3rd year at ECHS, he is an A& B student with a 98 gpa he is also in band. His freshman year he took standard classes and then challenged himself by taking some college courses and honors classes as well. The students are challenged and pushed to work hard and apply themselves. Academics is stressed and good character is encouraged. Poor behavior is not tolerated and the dress code is taken serious. If you miss alot of days students can make the time up during Saturday school. (Illnesses happen) if my son misses school I get a call every time no matter what, every time I have emailed a teacher I get a reply. I must say every school has issues but if students don't care that's on them these teachers work hard to educate and some kids just don't care. I will say the career academy is awesome, and the band program is the best you will find! Every school comes with hiccups and I expect that. But I am happy with the school so far and I plan for all my children to graduate from ECHS!
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2013

This school is horrible. If you are not one of the 5 inbred families of Effingham you will NOT be recieving a fair education. The "Good 'Ole Boy" system is alive and well within this school. If you are not a former graduate,work for the school or are related to someone who does,forget it. They only do for thier own. Most teachers and staff are horribly under educated . I am finally transferring my kids out. Chatham school district has SO much more to offer students and are willing to reach out to the parents and work with them to help achieve the best educational level for the students. Effingham could care less.
Submitted by student on May 10, 2012

This school is going down the drain. Our AYP hasn't been met in a few years and its sad that our principle cares more about AYP than backing up his words. I know several people that have missed 25+ days due to skipping and being "sick" and he is still allowing them to graduate even though he told all the seniors he didn't care why if you missed alot of days you WILL NOT WALK. AYP is more important than quality education and many kids who take AP classes and Honors classes don't get any special recognition from the kids who take support classes slept through them and the teacher allowed them to make stuff up. It should be if you don' do it you fail no third and fourth chance to make it up. Is it necessarily the school? Some may say yes but I believe its the school,administration, teachers, and the BOE for making our school system as poor as it is.
Submitted by other on November 30, 2011

ECHS is a joke. There are good teachers here and there, but there are only a few. Coaches, football and baseball athletes, and popular rednecks are favorites with the administrators. The valedictorian or salutatorian of 2010 actually commented on this in his graduation speech along with the high attention to dress code rather than education. The counseling is 1.5/5 at best. Dual enrollment is rarely discussed though it is an excellent opportunity. Counselors also rarely get involved with their students on a personal level. Some parents will say this is a good school; that is only because the administrators act nice on the phone. Take it from a former student. If you are coming to Effingham, your best bet would be to go to SEHS.