Highland Park High School

Posted: March 11, 2026

I can't blame the school itself for having such horrible students, but oh my it is horrendous. The type of children who attend this school act as if they are straight out of a cliquey movie. Most teachers are good, but there are plenty that are incapable of teaching. Shoutout Chris Kean and Julia Kapelnikova for being fantastic teachers who actually know how to teach! Lindsey Choy on the other-hand, loves to give out busy work that does not help learning in any way. I had her for US History last year, and it was a painful experience.

Posted: March 11, 2026

Posted: March 11, 2026

Posted: March 11, 2026

Posted: March 11, 2026

Posted: March 11, 2026

Posted: March 11, 2026

Posted: March 11, 2026

Posted: December 15, 2022

A very average to slightly above average school comprised of mostly very privileged students. Athletics department is very weak, much more support for boys’ teams. Help for adhd students is basically non-existent. My child had a few great teachers that we really appreciated, art and drama departments are strong, the rest is average.

Posted: December 15, 2022

Posted: December 15, 2022

Posted: December 15, 2022

Posted: December 15, 2022

Posted: December 15, 2022

Posted: December 15, 2022

Posted: December 15, 2022

Posted: July 6, 2021

Posted: July 6, 2021

Posted: July 6, 2021

Posted: July 6, 2021

Posted: July 6, 2021

Posted: July 6, 2021

Posted: July 6, 2021

Posted: July 6, 2021

Fantastic high school in every respect - quality of faculty, course offerings, extracurricular activities, diversity and inclusion, and overall experience. We have had three children graduate from HPHS and they have each become successful in their chosen career paths and made lifelong friends here. As Ivy League graduates ourselves we have extremely high standards and selected HPHS when we moved here from out if state. We could not have been happier with our decision.

Posted: July 3, 2021

Truly exceptional high school. Wide range of class offerings. Very strong fine arts department. No need for dual enrollment as they offer college level math classes. The teachers are engaging and responsive. A+

Posted: July 3, 2021

Posted: July 3, 2021

Posted: July 3, 2021

Posted: July 3, 2021

Posted: July 3, 2021

Posted: July 3, 2021

Posted: July 3, 2021

Posted: November 3, 2017

We have had an amazing experience at HPHS thus far. I have found that there is something for everyone if they so choose to be involved. The academic choices are offered at different levels to accommodate levels of learning. The majority of teachers have out of the box ways of teaching the curriculum that makes learning interesting and fun--which is how school should be. I am unsure of the new principal as she has been a bit invisible. Loved Tom Koulentas--the previous principal. He genuinely cared about the kids and wanted them to success. Hope the new principal can convey the same attitude.

Posted: November 3, 2017

Posted: November 3, 2017

Posted: November 3, 2017

Posted: November 3, 2017

Posted: November 3, 2017

Posted: November 3, 2017

Posted: April 29, 2017

Posted: April 29, 2017

Many levels of special ed in the school and levels of general levels up to AP classes where the kids get 3s 4s and 5s on the tests.

Posted: April 29, 2017

Although there has been some turnover, each leader really shows energy and desire to help the students.

Posted: April 29, 2017

The coaches, teachers and artistic directors are aware of the individual needs of most students. Not all perfect, but better than most.

Posted: April 29, 2017

The teachers want to teach. Actually a non-union school which is rare in Illinois. But they get paid very very well and some are great mentors.

Posted: April 29, 2017

Depends on the class an the level. They don't give homework just to give homework. My son came out of the school prepared to excel at a top 25 University.

Posted: April 29, 2017

The academics are great if you want them to be tough, but they also have many levels of each subject for different levels of students. The arts are amazing, the Athletic facilities are new as well as a newer science wing and many other improvements after a big remodeling project. Also the school actually has some diversity found in the real world unlike other schools on the North Shore. From low income to high, some English as a second language students, some children of military families..Other families are professionals and business leaders from Highland Park.

Posted: January 4, 2016

There are many issues with HPHS. #1 is finding a group to be included in if you move to the area in high school. Coming from one of the most diverse schools in Chicago the adjustment was brutal. You do not have a chance at athletics in Highland Park if you are new because it doesn't matter how good you are, if you have not been playing in Highland Park since you were born you will not play. I participated in 2 sports here only to remove myself from the team due to lack of effort by the coaches and the team. There is close to no diversity in the high school. People who have been here their whole life live in a HP bubble and believe the whole world is like Highland Park. There is not one day that I wish I was back in Chicago where I was pushed to be a better student and athlete and loved going to school.

Posted: July 27, 2013

As a college student i look back at my HPHS days and realized this is a very good school. Many teachers are very concerned with students of all levels succeeding. The principal, brad swanson, is a very hands on principal but doesn't force the issue. He will observe teachers and check to make sure if they are feeling overwhelmed, and actually involves himself in the school day. At our graduation he painted an image of my entire senior class by naming students and things he would see them do at sporting events, in the halls, public events, etc. The think that muks the system up however, and why I give the school 4/5 is a small group of parents and their children who will always exist in the community. These people often believe their child is the best and their child believes it too. This leads to some very elitist attitudes in the school and sometimes kids get marginalized and bullied by these kids because they either don't agree or are viewed lesser by the "richer" families. Bullying is a problem sometimes, these kids will often pretend to be friends with other kids and start to rag on them, especially in student feedback sheets on project these kids essentially call them stupid.

Posted: June 13, 2011

The Special Needs department struggles with identifying autistic asperger children. Teachers are not well versed in handling autistic asperger children and the child is the one that suffers. My child was placed inappropriately in classes that were beyond her reach and it took my all to get that changed mid year. The damage had been done though emotionally and now my daughter suffers from high anxiety as a result which further impacts her grades and confidence. During the IEP meetings if I voice concerns as a parent, they are not taken seriously. I would say if you do not have a special needs child, this school is great, otherwise you will need to work hard to get accommodations for your child.

Posted: June 12, 2010

As a student, I was not as impressed as parents. The money to teach and the extracurricular activities from excess funding is at HPHS. However, when I went to university, I viewed some Chicago High School Grads as having more discipline. There seems like more peer pressure in hte suburbs that can distract. Maybe this is normal. However, there are both under-reported aggression (fights) and moral discipline challenges. Maybe, the city selective enrollment has had the same. I felt that I found better role models, elsewhere.

Posted: May 14, 2010

I have had a problem with my son for a few year when it comes to him and his focus on his homework,and other work related activities.After a few meetings with some of his teachers and staff we placed him in a deferent class that now makes sure that he is doing all of his work like he is suppose to.I have not seen this much improvement out of my son in years,and am very happy to report that he is doing really well,and haven't missed any assignments since the the meeting.I would definitely recommend this school to anyone who cares about there child's education.Great work Highland Park High School!!!

Posted: November 9, 2009

Posted: November 8, 2007