Del Norte High School

Posted: May 3, 2024

Posted: May 3, 2024

Posted: May 3, 2024

Posted: May 3, 2024

Posted: May 3, 2024

Posted: May 3, 2024

Posted: May 3, 2024

Posted: May 3, 2024

As an alumni this school has many issues. The students are not excited about learning they race to take as many AP classes as possible without truly engaging and comprehending the material and applications. The goal is to check it off the list. Being of mixed race I found the school to lack diversity and many students displayed racial hostility to non whites. Even worst was the observation that if you were not a product of this community (homegrown) as the locals called it, you were excluded from many opportunities. Sad to see so many of these kids and their families left out. Bullying is rampant in this school both academically from peers and socially between cliques. If you keep below the radar you should have no problems. Save your shine for college when it will be appreciated. On the positive side there are some great teachers there. They have a tough job and do the best they can to prepare you. Take note of the high test scores but very low reviews. Del Norte lacks balance.

Posted: April 20, 2024

Posted: April 20, 2024

Posted: April 20, 2024

Posted: April 20, 2024

Posted: April 20, 2024

Posted: April 20, 2024

Posted: April 20, 2024

Posted: April 20, 2024

This school leads with punishments. Not grace or tolerance. You are tardy 5 times you get pushed out a club. Tardy 10 times, you get kicked out of the sports team. Clubs and teams are major punishment sticks for students.
Hypocricy is another major issue here. Parents were sent an email saying Gpa was not as important as mental health. The very next day we had an email asking our kids to do well in state testing because that was the report card for the school. Try emailing a teacher because your counseling dept s said so using the exact same words recommended and guess what! You will get the rudest and meanest mail back from the teacher. Try emailing the AP, no response. Everything is broken here. If everywhere’s ross the country gpas are getting inflated this school is all about bringing down its own students based on favoritism nepotism etc. Everybody loses. If your dad /momworks here, then good he/she can lift your grades. It was 4years of hell for my kid here and I will not recommend this school at all. It was not the competition that bothered him, no, it was the unfairness. My nephew went here 10 years back and he was the one who strongly recommended this school. It was fair then but not now. I don’t know which other school is good but this school sadly is going downhill.

Posted: March 6, 2024

Posted: March 6, 2024

Posted: March 6, 2024

Posted: March 6, 2024

Posted: March 6, 2024

Posted: March 6, 2024

Posted: March 6, 2024

I would not recommend this school. The previous principal cared about the students. Now entire classes are bombing their grades or failing and the admin does nothing about it. The calculus BC course in this school has such a bad reputation that 50% of the students who take AB never take BC. The teachers actively discourage them during interest meetings by telling them that there are only a handful of A grades s for 6-7 classes TOTAL!! The Physics dept is even more horrid. The truth?! It is not the course that is rigorous but rather the grading that is unfair. The Physics Mechanics teacher actively encouraged students to drop the course citing other school enrollments. His reasoning was that in other schools there was only 1 class of Physics C mechanics but here the crowd was huge. This school is the reason standardized testing needs to come back. It is the only way to combat grade boosting and favoritism. I am a senior and would not recommend this school to anybody. The grades here are purely a gamble. This is not a good environment at all.

Posted: March 6, 2024

Posted: January 29, 2024

Posted: January 29, 2024

Posted: January 29, 2024

Posted: January 29, 2024

Posted: January 29, 2024

Posted: January 29, 2024

Posted: January 29, 2024

I'm a senior here and it's probably one of the most academically rigorous schools in the whole area. Students here reach for incredible feats and the vast majority get into very prestigious universities as that is the expectation the community and school puts on you. Unfortunately, most kids here are overly sheltered and immature as a result of a lack social/emotional awareness or coping skills. Sure, they're incredibly talented and intelligent individuals, but the school tries and fails to nurture their mental and social health. I'm incredibly lucky to have gone here as it set me up for success in adulthood, but I suffered greatly through high school and felt severely unhappy throughout my time here. We are an amazingly lucky and privileged community that sets incredibly unreasonable expectations on our children. This school is virtually perfect in all respects except for their ability to set their students up for the real challenges of adulthood. All the kids here produce above average test scores, GPA's, get into great universities, participate in competitive sports and performance arts, but I've failed to see any graduating seniors here with a maturity level higher than the average. Really great school if you're a fan of football games, pep rallies, and high student involvement with even higher student diversity, but I just found myself and many other seniors greatly unhappy here in other respects.

Posted: January 29, 2024

Posted: December 27, 2023

Posted: December 27, 2023

Posted: December 27, 2023

Posted: December 27, 2023

Posted: December 27, 2023

Posted: December 27, 2023

Posted: December 27, 2023

I am going to start with the positives of this school. The English and the Social Studies departments in this school are run very efficiently. The problem begins for students when they decide to go the stem route. For premed the AP Biology &AP Chemistry departments atl east try to help their students. The quality of education falls off the cliff for advanced Math & Physics departments. In particular the AP - level. More specifically, the AP Physics Mechanics teacher assigns important projects just before a break, like Thanksgiving or xmas break, as a result students never really get a break. They work through the break, I wonder if teachers would agree to come to school to teach during the break?! Shouldn't the students get a mental health break, at all?
One student told my child that " Students don't thrive in Del Norte but rather learn to survive"! How sad is this statement. Meanwhile the school goes on and on about the 'home court advantage'!!! Meanwhile the English department deeply cares about its students and I personally know many of my children's friends move onto humanities because they were discouraged by the rude and deeply depressingly hard tests given by the STEM departments.
If you cannot teach to a hard test, don't' give one. Being kind to students is something of an alien culture in the AP Physics C mechanics department.

Posted: December 27, 2023

Posted: December 17, 2023

Posted: December 17, 2023

Posted: December 17, 2023

Posted: December 17, 2023

Posted: December 17, 2023

Posted: December 17, 2023

Posted: December 17, 2023

If you are planning on taking stem related courses where Physics and Math play a major part, don't go here. But, if you are planning to go the humanities route then this is school is okay.
The upper level math and physics program here are not run properly. The material taught does not correlate to the AP exam at all. Please make sure what your child wants to study and then enroll. The physics teacher here passes body shaming comments regarding facial hair for both boys and girls. This teacher also makes fun of students photos on synergy and passes comments on how dumb they look.
Too many issues here to write w.r.t. STEM in this school. Other subjects are good.

Posted: December 17, 2023

Posted: October 6, 2023

Posted: October 6, 2023

Posted: October 6, 2023

Posted: October 6, 2023

Posted: October 6, 2023

Posted: October 6, 2023

Posted: October 6, 2023

Disappointed & sad was way better last year.

Posted: October 6, 2023

Posted: February 28, 2023

Posted: February 28, 2023

Posted: February 28, 2023

Posted: February 28, 2023

Posted: February 28, 2023

Posted: February 28, 2023

Posted: February 28, 2023

Such a terrible school. I do not know where to start. My son just graduated from DNHS. But I am posting this for the sake of future parents to alert them on what awaits their kid if they decide to choose this high school.

I would start with the good part: English, Math and History is offered in good standards and teachers are committed and talented.

Now coming to CONCERNING Departments of Science: Here I want to highlight the situation of AP chem and Bio. While everyone understands that AP is college level course, its totally upto kids to take effort and perform (which is understandable to an extend). or we could also say (upto parents on getting expensive tutors and preparing kids EVEN before AP year)

Grades are important. So beyond doubt kids put in hard work. But do you get grades though you prepare well and perform well. Answer in DNHS is "NO" or I would put across differently "its more like gambling:(

Here the tests are peer graded . All FRQ for Chem is basically peer graded and that's what goes to your transcript (imagine for the transcript which goes to college application!!!!). One of the teachers who teaches AP Chemistry is so clueless about anything regarding the course .

On the other hand, story with Biology is slightly different. Here..one of the bio teachers does not enter grade for his class:) He randomly stopped entering grade between trimester!! Kids go after him begging to enter their hard earned grade. but he just get annoyed and takes no action.

Kids put in lot of sleepless hours, and go through huge amount of stress putting all their efforts to get a good grade. I just did not understand why kids are not given a fair treatment for their effort or performance. If you go and talk to higher authorities, it absolutely does not help.

Overall, my experience through my kid is that this is a school which does not care for its student. AND IMAGINE IF YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE UNLUCKY ONES PLANNING TO DO PREMED. YOU ARE DOOMED. THIS IS NOT THE PLACE FOR HONEST KIDS OR POOR PARENTS WHO CANNOT AFFORD EXPENSIVE TUTORS

Posted: February 28, 2023

Posted: January 11, 2023

I would have put zero stars for this, but alas, you have to put at least one. A young woman that attends this school received a racist snapchat message from another student, (said student is Black and the student that sent the message is white). Once it was brought to the attention of the administration, the administration said that they would speak with her to find out who sent it and contact her parent. Administration did not contact her parent until well after school was done for the day, along with no further contact on developments in the situation. There was a screenshot that was shown to the Assistant Principal and although said principal appeared to take the matter seriously, the promptness for a situation like this did not match the severity. The Assistant Principal did contact the parent for a meeting the following day in person, but the matter at hand should have been dealt with IMMEDIATELY. There is no room in this world, let alone in a high school, for such acts as this and for the authorities to take their time in resolving such a sensitive and traumatic occurrence. This, and all other educational institutions, need to do better, along with the families that attend these schools.

Posted: January 11, 2023

Posted: January 19, 2022

Posted: January 19, 2022

Posted: January 19, 2022

Posted: January 19, 2022

Posted: January 19, 2022

Posted: January 19, 2022

Pro: large school, lots of options - sports, academics, arts, clubs, parents support financially to make things happen, good vibes, location

Cons:mostly Asian and white. AP bio, AP Chem, AP CS teachers are the worst. They just play videos and expect kids to learn. Test scores are good because most of these students supplement their learning by seeking out external tutors. Great history, math English, Physics AP teachers.
Counselors are too few for this large student body so you have to be proactive if you need help
Preppy school, Year book teacher is rude and the students that run ASB or yearbook act like they have a chip on their shoulder.

Posted: January 19, 2022

Posted: January 19, 2022

Posted: May 8, 2021

This school used to be a top notch school until Critical Race Theory entered the campus. My two children have gone through the PUSD schools through out their entire K-12 education. The community is a diverse back ground and my children have always had friends from various ethic back grounds.

Unfortunately now in 2021 the principal, staff and student population want to portray a different background, that certain ethnicities are not welcome at DNHS and discriminated against. This is NOT true and is a bold face lie. I resent this politically-motivated propaganda. Basically in a matter of one short year this once great school and racially diverse campus has been turned into one in which people question whether they are welcome. Caucasians are a slight minority at DNHS with Asians about equal but listening to this latest propaganda you would think the white students make Asians unwelcome on campus. What a lie! You are wasting your money buying a home in this community and sending your children to this ridiculous environment. Send your kids to another school. Paying 2% taxes for this mentality is like living in inter-city. Newsom, BLM and the Teacher’s Unions are working full-throttle to destroy our once-great community.

Posted: May 8, 2021

Posted: May 8, 2021

Posted: May 8, 2021

Posted: May 8, 2021

Posted: May 8, 2021

Posted: May 8, 2021

Posted: May 8, 2021

Posted: January 20, 2019

Students at Del Norte are generally already perfectionists striving to be their best. This is enforced by peer pressure and grade competition among students.

Posted: January 20, 2019

Posted: January 20, 2019

Posted: January 20, 2019

Posted: January 20, 2019

An enjoyable learning experience for most students attending

Posted: January 20, 2019

With the new principal it doesn’t. Mizel was great though.

Posted: June 2, 2017

Some teachers try to discourage students with negative comments.

Posted: June 2, 2017

My child stay after everyday for tutorials and the teacher overlooks her and complains about my child asking for help.

Posted: June 2, 2017

Students say racial remarks and the staff ask if it never happen and nothing gets done.

Posted: June 2, 2017

Not for non white students unless your an athlete

Posted: June 2, 2017

Assign homework without other resources to help while at home.

Posted: June 2, 2017

Teacher pick who they want to help in class, sad if your minority

Posted: June 2, 2017

Teachers do not respect the students and does not care if they understand the work.

Posted: December 7, 2016

Posted: December 7, 2016

Posted: December 7, 2016

Posted: December 7, 2016

Posted: December 7, 2016

Posted: December 7, 2016

I am a freshman that just moved here from the Carlsbad/San Marcos area and I have been attending Del Norte for about 4 months now, and it couldn't be worse. Yes, the academics are off the charts, but it seems as though that is the one area they excell in. The people in 4s Ranch are undeniably the worst people I have come across. A vast majority of students are rude, arrogant, and cocky. A popular pastime among the Nighthawks is gossiping. This school also has a "clique-ish" feel to it and makes it hard to fit in. The athletics is also a considerable weak area within the school. Coaches are not efficient and tend to favor the kids who played for local teams. If you would like your child to have a good time during high school, send them to any school but Del Norte. Some of the better and more welcoming campuses in the county are Torrey Pines, La Costa Canyon, San Marcos, and Carlsbad.

Posted: December 7, 2016

Posted: September 4, 2013

We have 2 kids at Del Norte and have had such a positive experience during our time here. As a military family, we moved here 2 years ago and chose this area of San Diego based on the Poway school district reputation. This is by far the very best school our kids have attended! Both our kids have found it easy to make friends and become a part of the academic and athletic communities. The principal is amazing and inspires these kids to be better citizens. The teachers and coaches are the most professional we have ever dealt with. I couldn't agree more with the reviewer who said that it is like a private school education. Can't say my kids feel there is too much emphasis on money -- our kids have attended schools all across the country and sadly, that is just something that exists in a lot of places these days. Del Norte has a lot of students who come from families that value hard work, integrity and excellence in academics.

Posted: August 18, 2013

We moved here 3 years ago from another state, and started my daughter as a freshman. We thought it would be challenging for her to fit in not knowing anyone, but she has truly blossomed at this school. The students and parents are some of the best we have ever had, and the quality of the education she has received is outstanding. She could not be happier and has taken advantage of AP classes offered, Del Norte Network broadcasting, and many other activities. We have been welcomed with open arms into this community and school.

Posted: August 13, 2013

Del Norte has great academics. They encourage students to do well in school. The only problem is a majority of the students. They're wealthy and are very conceited about what they have. Some students have picked on my daughter because she doesn't live in a big house or have nice clothes. Parents on the other hand are very stuck up. A lot of them gossip about other students and their situations they go through and that's completely unexceptable. My daughter's experience here has been terrible and is now attending RB. I wouldn't recommend going to Del Norte.

Posted: July 26, 2013

Del Norte High School is amazing! if you are looking for private school quality without the snobbish attitudes this is it! Great teachers, technology, positive student body, great sports, beautiful and safe campus. My daughter is being challenged to reach her potential and is very happy at DN. She had an incredible Freshman year. Students are always encouraged to be positive, the bad apples get addressed right away. The principal is very involved and is a man of high integrity which shows in his leadership. We are so incredibly blessed to be Nighthawks! I highly recommend this school. This school is a 10 not an 8 in my book.

Posted: March 29, 2013

Del Norte is a great school. Transferred in from Aliso Niguel in OC, which was socially a very bad school, and overcrowded. PROS: Super, super academically competitive and brand new and very technologically advanced. Really friendly student body and it's made really easy to get involved in tons of extracurriculars. 1600 people overall, so a closer community feel. CONS: Very large class sizes and doesn't offer as many APs/Honors classes as more established schools. Definitely some very disorganized teachers among mostly wonderful teachers. Not much shade- you feel like you're roasting out there in the spring/summer. Trimester schedule limits AP students. 3 finals a year=stressful. Overall an amazing school, especially if you get involved. Very happy to be here.

Posted: March 6, 2013

Excellent teachers, strong principal/school leadership. Students are friendly. Great opportunities to participate in great School Clubs.