Oak Ridge High School

Posted: July 11, 2026

My kid went here for two years and eventually had to transfer because the kids were so brutal. A lot of racism, sexism and entitlement. The school did little to nothing about my kid being majorly bullied. We had MAJOR concerns about one of the male coaches of one of the sports teams that the school did not take seriously. The teammates had gone to the school for support over it as well and nothing was done. The kids use their phones constantly in class and don’t seem to care about chatGPT. My kid wrote a horrifyingly bad essay and when I emailed the teacher about it he said my kid was a great student and works hard. My kid had like 10 missing assignments and couldn’t write a paper. The teacher ended up helping with the paper and it was clear my kid didn’t do 90% of it. This is not helping kids learn!! They are not preparing these kids for the real world.

Posted: July 11, 2026

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Posted: May 24, 2024

I moved to El Dorado Hills from Lodi in 2018. I am a physician and was considering bay area vs Folsom area for my 3 kids. I can't afford any bay area homes even with my physician salary. I initially looked for Folsom high and didn't know about El Dorado Hills. I found out that El Dorado Hill is the only area with all elementary, middle and high schools located within walking distance and all have 9 and 10 grade school rating. I bought a house next to the high school so that kids can just walk to school. With the trend of newer generation going to bed late and getting up late helps with their sleep and keep them fresh in the class. They could take 7th period easy to. I saved a lot of time from not needing to drop off or pick them up or buy a car and spend for the teenage car insurance. Happy with their grades and great experience.

Posted: May 24, 2024

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Posted: April 6, 2023

There is a lot of entitlement in El Dorado Hills in general but that can be attributed to a student's home life. That is not indicative of this school. The school has been very supportive of my kids and has welcomed my input. I see reviews of sour grapes from some of the parents but these kids finish with a quality education and the majority go on to college.

Posted: April 6, 2023

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Posted: February 15, 2023

Keywords/phrases that come to mind: Racism, sexism, ignorance, toxic groupthink.
Lots of entitled kids in a town that lacks diversity acting like spoiled brats and getting away with it.
Significant substance abuse problems under the hood.
Two very public incidents of racism at sporting events, the last being at a soccer match in 2022.
Learned new racist terms commonly used here that I'd never heard before. And I'm well traveled.
No male bathrooms available at ORHS because the entitled brats keep destroying them.
Your success in life here seems to be measured by how loud you can make your exhaust system and the number of flags you can fly in your pickup bed.

Posted: February 15, 2023

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Posted: November 14, 2021

teachers don't care about students and the school life for students is miserable and toxic.

Posted: November 14, 2021

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Posted: January 18, 2018

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Posted: January 18, 2018

Excellent-helpful counselors, great teachers, high expectations of children

Posted: January 28, 2015

Wonderful opportunities at this school. Extremely friendly staff. But as with all schools in luxurious areas, the kids tend to be a bit snotty. Other than this, Oak Ridge remains one of the best college-prep high schools there is.

Posted: October 4, 2014

I'm a freshman at Oak Ridge, and I like my school. The school is kept safe by a sheriff's deputy. You never see fighting during break or lunchtime. The classes are great too. However the parking lot is a bit dangerous at times. It's always a battle for me to get out when people start driving Their cars of campus. They just don't yield to pedestrians. Other than that, I would send your son or daughter to this school.

Posted: October 1, 2014

Graduated in early 2010s. Went to fine university on the east coast to study computer science and continued on to graduate school. El Dorado Hills is "guilded." That's the best word for it. It is too homogenous (ethnically). Some speak up and dare to stand out. Too many quietly wish there was something more. I myself did fine in school (top 10 in my class) and sports (recruited by D1 schools), but ORHS seemed to often challenge my confidence. Because I didn't smoke or drink. Because I wasn't white? But with that being said, don't overgeneralize. I found my real friends. And even through years away from each other, we are still close. They get me and I get them. There is an incredible community here, even if too many people think too much of the same. Teachers are dedicated. Ms. Santa Iglesia, Mr. Larsen, and Ms. Gruwell. They are the personification of true teaching. So if you choose this school, don't get sucked into vortex that is "the norm." Do what you love with the people who love you. Cheesy, I know. But honest.

Posted: July 10, 2014

Racism, sexism, and lack of manners to all were enormous problem. Thought we were past this as a nation... apparently not. Girls were also commonly blamed and shunned for dress code, even when adhering to the rules. My daughter was constantly being sent home due to her outfits being 'distracting to the boys', when often she was wearing full-length jeans, and fine tops. Upsetting to say the least.

Posted: May 12, 2014

It is difficult to rate Oak Ridge because it has been the best school i've ever been to and possibly the worst. It has been a spectacular school with teachers that are way above average. Every step of the way I felt that about 95% of my teachers and counselors wanted me to succeed and they did their best focusing on the curriculum given to them. Due to the lousy state and county mandated curriculum this school is great if you want to focus on important subjects such as math, English, physical education, and science while just briefly brushing over even more important subjects like history and completely ignoring the most important subjects of all which are both philosophy and religion/ faith. This is a huge mistake not by Oak Ridge, but by the state and county. Philosophy, or the love of wisdom, and religion/faith are important to be at the center of a school's curriculum because it teaches a child not WHAT TO THINK but more importantly HOW TO THINK. All throughout high school I felt like I was brainwashed and I feel that being taught how to think would greatly improve college success in the future.

Posted: December 23, 2012

I am really having a tough time believing the many positive reviews. The school is fine if your student is motivated and college bound. If your student struggles or thinks independently or is creative, this school is a failure and will offer little help. The teachers do not teach here - they bask in the success of students who are self motivated and come from motivated families. Everyone else is seen as a hindrance. I have had two kids go here and it has amazed me how much of what is taught in history and science is simply wrong (e.g. there is an island in the Carib. that is bigger than Texas). Independent and creative thought is discouraged. Although the community is conservative, the school bends over backward to be PC and many kids just learn not to say anything in class in order to avoid conflict. On the good side, the sports programs are great, the school is safe, the counseling staff is superb. There are better schools nearby - try those.

Posted: August 12, 2012

Great school for preparing my son for college. Some teachers have no business teaching.Playing sports seem way to political. Coaches should pay more attention to who's putting in a 100% instead of playing favorites or who is donating the most money to the school.The dropping off and picking up of students needs work. It's horrible and dangerous at times.My son complains alot about the homework. Too much and giving students homework on holiday's and during the summer? That should not be aloud.

Posted: May 28, 2012

As a former student who was ranked in the top in of my class (#2), I have mixed reviews. For those students who seek out the most challenging classes, I think they will find an enriching experience, especially if they go out of their way to interact with their teachers, some of whom are exceptional. It's true, however, that there are a very small handful of exceptional students. Most of the kids are either consumed with partying, sports, or their clique drama, making it a social environment that is less than conducive to actual education. I found that most of my peers were not terribly well read, and most fell into the conservative trap of being "anti-knowledge" that their parents probably embrace. Seeing as the vice principle is key player in the local "Tea Party," the administration isn't helping, esp. for kids outside the "norm:" white, straight, athletic. If your student is motivated to truly learn and become a critical thinker, they will be able to do so. If you hope to motivate them to become one, don't expect Oak Ridge to transform them. Many of those who do "try" in school do so less because of their interest in academia, and more so to just get into a good university.

Posted: May 24, 2012

The campus is over crowded and the kids are mannerless. Not the place to be once school is out. THe kids walk right in front of cars, not obeying the laws etc.

Posted: February 3, 2012

A great school. The campus is a bit undersized for the population of students attending, but we love everything about it.

Posted: December 18, 2010

Pros: School message system is fantastic! The teachers seem very qualified, friendly - some are "adequate". The campus is nice, albeit a bit outdated. My child's classes seem solid, & the options for languages is great! Cons: Homework - & for this I give the school a 3 star rating. The amount of homework is insane, unnecessary, & exhausting. Our child, an "A" student, has NO down time, even on most week-ends. Drop-off & pick-up traffic at the school is not only chaotic, but it's dangerous. Have seen many close calls. Disorganized, unsupervised. ORHS has met & exceeded our academic expectations, but the homework level is beyond "average", & traffic flow needs to be addressed for safety reasons.