Laguna Beach High School

Posted: May 29, 2024

Posted: May 29, 2024

Posted: May 29, 2024

Posted: May 29, 2024

Posted: May 29, 2024

Posted: May 29, 2024

Posted: May 29, 2024

Posted: May 29, 2024

The teachers do not teach an adequate curriculum and do no allow students to move ahead if they have already learned or proven they have more advanced knowledge on the subject. The school has no protection and is oblivious to bullying. The flimsy school board wants students to be at the same level and will heavily resist any movement up to higher level classes. This school is great for those who are not as smart but fails to provide and prevents the necessary accommodations for those who are more advanced than average.

Posted: June 18, 2023

Posted: June 18, 2023

Posted: June 18, 2023

Posted: June 18, 2023

Posted: June 18, 2023

Posted: June 18, 2023

Posted: June 18, 2023

Accountability from staff is needed and special education is very much in need of developing to keep from students having to attend a school outside the district to fulfill their needs.

Posted: June 18, 2023

Posted: May 18, 2023

Posted: May 18, 2023

Posted: May 18, 2023

Posted: May 18, 2023

Posted: May 18, 2023

Posted: May 18, 2023

Posted: May 18, 2023

Here is the truth as I see it. Most parents feel at ease reading high ratings based on a very rudimentary collection of data but fail to look more critically at the curriculum, culture and mission. It would be very cavalier to say Laguna Beach HS is a country club but my observation has been that parents don't seem to internalize that their children are, in fact being prepared to be very successful...in 1970. Unfortunately, it's 2023. Water polo is the driving force here. Don't think so? Ask anyone who lives in LB about the schools. You will get a positive reaction, but if water polo isn't in the first sentence you win a free pizza. No big deal? I think it is because parents seem quite content that this is what the school is known for rather than tech prowess or a powerful critical thinking based culture and this is coming from a hyper-competitive person who loves sports. Try the same experiment, see if tech comes up in five minutes let alone the first sentence. Of course this school enjoys way above average rankings. We live in a very affluent, highly educated 2 parent household community, but if we collectively stop patting ourselves on the back and realize that we are mostly on 3rd base (no guilt) to begin with competing against those who can't get a base hit who are living in school districts where 1 parent households make food vs gas decisions every day we should be a little harder on ourselves. It is our responsibility to lay the tracks that lead our children on this astronomically fast moving train to the next town so that the next generation has a vital role when it comes to addressing tomorrow's problems and feeling that they have value. This is based on the “planting a tree today, never to enjoy its shade yourself” idea, only you are planting what you love more than anything in the world. Your children. I think this beautifully situated school underperforms miserably and frankly, it gives precisely what is demanded of it. Conversely, say this culture is what most parents want. Great, but then the school should have a competently run tech and real word based curriculum that is enthusiastically supported. Not a smiley, no worries, do just enough to pacify and redirect strategy. 5% of the students would thrive if a more vigorous curriculum was offered 9th through 12th. Not forced, but are offered, exposed to. Why are they any less important as a group? NO worries? Guess what... it’s ok to worry a little, and for the record, I like love water polo.

Posted: May 18, 2023

Posted: March 4, 2018

So basically their approach to homework is either no homework or meaningless homework. Even when homework is assigned it is so easy that their simply is almost no point in doing it.

Posted: March 4, 2018

With all the things bad about this school and school district, the teachers are definitely not one of them. If the teachers had the freedom to teach the things that are actually necessary to get into college than it would be fine. They are great otherwise.

Posted: March 4, 2018

There is absolutely no encouragement in at this school or school district to promote learning or integrity or compassion or respect. The only thing I would say that they promote is sports.

Posted: March 4, 2018

Posted: March 4, 2018

Posted: March 4, 2018

Bullying goes on everyday at this school. And it only comes out that bullying occurs about every month or so when the Vice Principle gives an anti-bullying lecture that means nothing to the student body and gets worse every month.

Posted: March 4, 2018

Bottom line: This school with all its money and beauty is horrible unless you are looking to be unsuccess in anything but sports or arts. There is absolutely no encouragement what so ever to be strong in academics. The lack of encouragement causes the students in this school to simply not care either which causes the curriculum to be dialed down to the level at which chimpanzees could probably understand it. Just go to another high school, any other high schools.

Posted: October 1, 2015

Posted: October 1, 2015

Posted: October 1, 2015

Posted: October 1, 2015

Excellent teachers who love teaching in this school. Super art, music, dance and drama departments. Kids are great and take school seriously. This is an environment where learning and achievement are highly valued.

Downside is very competitive parents who in my opinion put way too much pressure on the kids concerning the college admissions process.

Posted: November 23, 2011

I wouldn't send my kids anywhere else. It just keeps getting better. Best school in oc.

Posted: March 11, 2011

Teachers at LBHS are excellent in the following areas; teaching, availability of time to students. Parents can daily review grades of student, if there are questions about grades or assignment s you can go to a secure web site and find out what is needed. Also you can e mail the teacher and generally receive an answer back that day. Guidance Counselors are very active with the students (and with parents if they choose to do so) and truly what your teenager to excel. Many sports are offered and there are weekly updates. The school/PTA and School Power sponsor many events to inform parent as to issues are relevant or need addressing...now. Like most High Schools there are continuing problems at the same time LBHS keeps parents informed it is up to the parents to be involved. Also students must complete a number of community service hours prior to graduation. Although this district is blessed with more money than most, anyone who lives within the boundaries can attend and if there is a need for free lunches or other free services most likely you will find them at LBHS. I do wish students had to wear school uniform's due to differences in social class.

Posted: November 8, 2010

Laguna Beach High School has a strong principal and assistant principals; the teachers and sports coaces are among the best in the state. The school has an exceptional drama program, which gets awards every year. Laguna Beach is a small community where parents are very supportive of the students, teachers, and programs. A parent-run organization called School Power provides funding to the schools and their programs (art, music, science, sports, etc.) that are otherwise cut in many public schools. Laguna Beach teachers were not on strike, as opposed to those in many schools in districts throughout Orange County. AP programs are not a cakewalk; therefore, those who take and are successful in these challenging classes are well prepared for the most selective colleges. Harvard, Yale, Princeton, M.I.T., Stanford, etc.