Ventura High School

2 North Catalina Street

School District

Ventura Unified
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:23
Type

public

School Map for Ventura 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 April 02, 2024

Didn't suck too much. Still wouldn't go back though. Got bullied and nobody did anything. Other than that it's pretty okay.
Submitted by parent on August 30, 2022

Within just 4 years of attending VHS had gotten more than 6 bomb threats and at least 2 shooting threats. You might think oh the security will help with that right? wrong. The security there is terrible, they stop you for no reason and or they kick you out of indoor hallways again for no reason. "Well, the security probably stops fights and drugs and vandalism, right?" once again wrong. If fights do get stopped it's either from them getting too tired to fight or Mr.C stops it. The drug problem is insane, students have openly sold drugs near the portables and in the bathrooms. They do pretty good when it comes to vandalism but that's beside the point. Finally do you know how easy it is to prevent sex on campus? apparently VHS doesn't. There should be no reason why students think it's a good idea to have sex at school, which there is a good reason for: the punishment for it is usually a week suspension but on rare cases it is actually expulsion (which is a good thing but because of how rare it is it's kind of useless as intimidation).The best thing about this school are the teachers and councilors and even then some of the teachers are terrible at their job. The education from here is subpar at best.
Submitted by other on April 20, 2017

Great Highschool Environment. I really enjoyed my personal academic experience here. This school supported my education and enabled myself to get where I am now.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2015

We have 3 children attending Ventura High this year as Freshmen and a Sophomore. In general we liked this school over our assigned school (Buena) and chose to have our kids transfer here (I would rate it a 'Average' Star). Mrs. Frias (our kids counselor) has been very helpful and always gets back to us promptly regarding our questions and we feel she definitely is a concerned advocate for our kids at school (I would rate her a 'Great' star). From what our kids have told us, the restrooms in particular are filthy. Our kids will not use them at all at school and prefer to hold it all day! And that is messy teenaged boys talking, so that can't be good. (Obviously, on this I would vote a 'Terrible' star) I wish they had more summer school opportunities for kids trying to get extra credits. Instead we are having to go elsewhere to provide this for our kids. (A 'Bad' star) Finally, commenting on what another parent mentioned below, I'm not happy with the focus on the sexuality 'celebrations'/support either. I have no problem with supporting ALL of our students and encouraging their success in life but school is not the venue for personal and private issues of this nature. (I would vote a 'Terrible' star on this one too) And yeah, they don't seem to have any faith-based (or maybe its just not Christian) clubs/groups. (I would vote this a 'Bad' star)
Submitted by parent on May 29, 2015

The councillors are absolutely terrible and are extremely disorganized. My Son took online classes which were supposedly UC approved but his councillor forgot to mention that it was outdated and no longer UC approved when assigning him the online classes. He had to redo the courses he took. Just things like this constantly occurred. His English teachers were ridiculous, with poor education from state schools, and with severely insufficient morals. His teacher wouldn't give him an A, no because he didn't deserve it by working over 4 hours on English homework, but because she believed no one deserved an A in the class. The cleanliness of the school is absolutely disgusting. There are rodents and roaches on school grounds, trash and food everywhere, and the desks never are cleaned. Many student at school were getting impetigo because of the filth they were exposed to.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2014

Disgusted with the principal of this school. Regardless of her beliefs religious, political, etc, she should leave those at the door. She has hurt our school by picking who can give to our school based on their political and or religious beliefs, actually their personal beliefs, not them being discrimitory in any way. She allows coming out day at school which includes ribbons based on what sexuality a student is, including homosexual, lesbian, bi, trisexual (which means you'll try anything), pan sexual (still don't honestly know what that one means), asexual (really!!!), transgender, and Ally (you support all or some part of LGBT community even if you are not any or all of those preferences.... How is that a sexual orientation??). Did not have abstinent, or celibate (shouldn't those be in there if asexual and Alley are in there). This should not be done during school time..... Our kids are not there to declare the sexuality. This might be acceptable at a college, but not on a high school campus. Disgusted with this principal, you don't want to go here, she's bringing our school down with her personal agendas.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2014

My oldest daughter graduated from VHS several years ago and I have another child in VHS now. I have been happy with the teaching, classes offered including Honors and AP classes as well as music, drama and art programs. I have always found that the Principal was always very supportive and always acted in best interest of the students and the entire student body. Regarding the incident mentioned in previous reviews, I asked my daughter what she thought and also what her friends felt regarding this matter. They felt that the Principal acted appropriately. This ridiculous bashing by parents is very childish.
Submitted by parent on September 13, 2014

Okay school, but the administration is overrun by people pushing controversial views. The principle, Val, bans things that are Christian and is a vocal proponent of gay marriage. If family values and the Bible are important to you, I recommend looking elsewhere.
Submitted by parent on November 05, 2013

Ventura High School is a fantastic school. There is something for everyone at this school including sports programs, science programs, culinary arts programs, etc...My daughter has the ability to take drama, choir, band, and a foreign language and she is excelling academically and socially. The staff really cares about the students and the administration is open to new ideas and very supportive.
Submitted by student on October 23, 2012

This school was my all-time favorite school I've ever gone to. It has a great learning environment, the students are easy to get along with, and the staff is there to help whenever needed. I miss this school immensely, and wish I could go back.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2012

Have a boy graduated two years ago. He had great high school life, made great friends and, with the added benefit, accepted by very top colleges in the country, thanks to great teachers and counselor