Rock Island High School

Posted: July 15, 2026

This school is terrible and feels very unsafe. Only a few teachers are actually good teachers. Many of the others will take your phone as soon as you walk into class, even before the bell rings, and some are disrespectful toward students.

From what I have personally seen while attending this school, the school does not seem to do enough to keep students safe. I have been threatened multiple times. I witnessed one student get stabbed and then thrown down the stairs. On another occasion, I saw a student get pushed all the way down a long flight of stairs, which could have caused serious injuries.

Fights happen all the time, and they are not just small arguments. Large groups of students crowd around while people fight, and students get jumped regularly. Many students skip class every day, and from what I have personally seen, security does very little to stop it. In my experience, security has not been much help. I have also seen students hanging around with security instead of being sent to class, and I have personally seen security guards getting high with students. I have also seen students smoke, get high, and put alcohol into cups and drink it during the school day.

Another reason I would not recommend this school is that many students have left because of the environment. Most of the students I know have transferred out of Rocky, along with many other students, because they no longer felt comfortable or safe attending this school.

Based on my personal experience, I do not feel safe at this school. The frequent violence, the amount of students skipping class, poor student behavior, and the way some staff and security handle situations have made my experience very negative. I would not recommend this school to anyone.

Posted: July 15, 2026

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Posted: August 19, 2025

It’s way too hot in the school, theres mold on all the floors, ect.

Posted: August 19, 2025

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Posted: April 12, 2025

I've been in the rock island school district my whole life. From RICMS to Washington to Now this high school

This place is AWFUL, top athletes get away with everything, there has been days where we have had over 10 fights, we go on "pause"(lock down) constantly, kids are always vaping in the bathroom, infact I've had people try to fight me in the bathroom more than once.

Id say the only redeeming part of this school is the teacher that work here and the amount of classes you can take.
The divers ed program is eh, the teachers are really nice. the other programs like welding, IJAG, etc. are honestly really good

If it weren't for how awful the other students, id recommend it

oh and administration is even worse, i haven't really interacted with them so i don't have really too much info... but no one likes them for a reason...

Posted: April 12, 2025

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Posted: March 28, 2025

Shabby building. An administration that does not care. The HVAC systems do not work properly, you're always to hot or cold no matter the season. Its been this way for years. Staff lounges are cramped and dirty, there is no hot water for hand washing in staff restrooms. Building grounds are unkempt, broken concrete, open trash receptacles that are often overflowing, and the lawn of weeds commonly has open areas of bare dirt.
The district and building administration does not motivate their staff. If you are not a certified staff member, ie support staff like custodians or classroom aides, there are administrators who will ignore you. The building principal cannot run an effective meeting, and communication throughout the building and district is not clear or nonexistent. The district safety manager is a bully, has a double standard, and favors certain staff members. Building administration does not hold students accountable, witness the number of students on the halls socializing during classtimes. I suppose that's why the school has abysmal attendance and gradution rates. Students can be referred for behavior and they will end up right back in the referring teacher's classroom. STAY AWAY!

Posted: March 28, 2025

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Posted: January 27, 2020

I used to love the Rock Island/Milan School District. I really did. I took pride the the district and then I saw first hand how administrators (HR department) treated staff members.

Posted: January 27, 2020

It is absolutely ridiculous that my child has to come home every single night to do homework. School work should be at school. Studying for a test is one thing, but having assignments given out every day is unsettling. There is no reason a teacher needs to do this.

Posted: January 27, 2020

Posted: January 27, 2020

Posted: January 27, 2020

Th administrators; specifically most of the Human Resource department; including the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and the HR Specialist, do not care about their co-workers; the employees. They refuse to work with them in regards to medical reasons.

Posted: January 27, 2020

Posted: January 27, 2020

I have first hand seen how administrators and staff members deal with bullying. Nothing. A slap on the hand. The staff members; including administrators are part of the problem.
Administrators bully their employees.

Posted: May 22, 2017

I don't hear about bullying issues. I believe the school takes care of issues promptly.

Posted: May 22, 2017

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Posted: May 22, 2017

Posted: May 22, 2017

The curriculum is challenging and students are covering a lot of material in a school year.

Posted: May 22, 2017

Posted: May 22, 2017

My student is completing his freshman year and our experience has been very positive.

Posted: September 19, 2016

Posted: September 19, 2016

Posted: September 19, 2016

The teachers aren't honest or fair. Hard to encourage something you aren't. I have had 3 teachers lie to me in 2 years. Because my child doesn't do much wrong. So they make stuff up since she stands up for herself. Which I have heard evidence of from outside parties .

Posted: September 19, 2016

These comments with the 5 stars obviously come from someone with an agenda. As they are untruthful. Old books, resentful petty, teachers and a rude dean for sure. I have had to deal with them for 2 years and to resolve the issue I've had to move as this is only high school in Rock Island. If anyone made it out of this school with honors and ambition, they had it before they came and fought tooth and nail to keep it while there.

Posted: March 30, 2014

I currently attend Rocky and this poor excuse for a highschool simply needs work, I dont know what the money is being put towards but they need better budgeting skills. The outdated books arent helping either. They should fire all staff here and rehire more qualified teachers.The students are pure lazy as a whole.

Posted: September 25, 2013

Rock Island High School has a large variety of students with caring professionals that are focused on making RIHS students the best they can be. Overall, a splendid school, staff, and student population to work with!

Posted: June 8, 2013

Rocky as it is known is an interesting educational experience. About two thirds of the teachers in Rock Island have their master's degrees and in some schools their Doctorates. Rocky is the primary public high school that serves Rock Island and boosts among other: one of best athletic programs in the state, an active community offering drama, speech, an excellent art department and a conscious about community. The number of students going on to become great citizens is too numerous to share, but if you are looking for some of the best teachers in science, art, music, social sciences, ESL, and physical education look no further. Did I forget math and English? For those who need that special assistance, counseling and the professionals in special services are great. The diversity of the student population represents an opportunity in culture, humanities and education from some of our graduates who play sports for top 10 academic powerhouses, national merit finalists or community leaders. My only hope for this great tradition of learning is that more stricter guidelines for student behavior are followed as the nation embarks on a new platform called Common Core.

Posted: November 10, 2012

I am currently going to rocky from Denver and this school is TERRIBLE don't come here you won't like it the academics are horrendous only 30 percent of the school pass the state testing DO NOT COME HERE.

Posted: May 9, 2012

Rock Island High School is by far the best choice in the area. It has the highest number honor graduates of all the other schools in the area. The staff is committed to bring out the best in their students. Very innovative with curriculum. A progressive school that thinks out of the box. I am a graduate of Rocky and proud of it.

Posted: March 12, 2010