Terry Sanford High

Posted: March 30, 2026

Majority of the admin are rude and sassy and there's so many teachers that don't even like working there. The school is infested with mice and roaches and in need of renovations. Not a good choice.

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Posted: April 25, 2024

This is the same school jcole went to. It is the nicest school in Fayetteville. Nowhere even close and ive lived here for 23 years

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Posted: May 5, 2023

I believe the school could do better in many areas including student harassment and teacher behavior. Many teachers make it clear they don’t want to work here or like teaching, which doesn’t motivate me at all to want to be taught by someone who doesn’t even enjoy teaching me. There’s plenty of instances where bullying or harrassment has happened here and administration did basically nothing and nothing changed about the situation. It’s pretty dirty in classrooms and hallways considering C-19 wasn’t too long ago, I would think students health would still be important. I believe administrative and the county should begin focusing on why students aren’t coming to school, failing “simple” classes, and feeling unmotivated here. Currently nothing is being changed or improved here.

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Posted: August 28, 2022

I am a current student at this school. I take the best classes possible and get straight A's. However, when it came to testing time (AP exams) I realized that I had no idea what was happening. The teachers have been getting worse every year, and students truly don't learn much at all. They are holding people like me who want to get ahead as much as possible and limiting our opportunities. They are focusing on kids who struggle, which is fine, as they do need help, but we can't just be abandoned. The office also thinks they're doing an excellent job because they're better than their rivals, but it's easy to be better than your rivals when they are the worse high school in the state! This school has potential, but it needs a lot of work fast.

Posted: August 28, 2022

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Posted: February 9, 2022

Best school ever made and very nice ppl

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Posted: July 29, 2018

Our overall experience has been a good one. We have had a few ups and downs. We have enjoyed most of the teachers, staff and the school environment as a whole. My kids have found success when they searched for it and have always had teachers who encouraged them to be their best. Mr Haggerty, counselors and staff have also encouraged success.

Posted: July 29, 2018

I think at this point it is up to the students to be on top of the responsibilities for homework. Over the last 13 years, I have seen one or two teachers give senseless homework, but overall, it is effective in helping reinforce the learning process. Their in an accountability in place, but they have also been really good at working with my children to help when it was needed and at times give extra time for it when they were just not understanding. They have also been good at giving tutoring before school, after school and during lunch or free periods.

Posted: July 29, 2018

We have had good experiences with most of our teachers at this school. There was one or two teachers who more than one of my children had that were not so great, but they are gone now. Most of our experience was with a lot of support, encouragement and even some became personal friends of the family. Being military, having 5 kids and moving a lot, we felt this school was one of the best high schools my kids have attended over the years. When it came time to graduate, all my kids were encouraged to apply for different scholarships that the counselors found for them. Not all my kids were superstars in school, but the counselors helped them to feel successful. So far, four out of the five have gone on to college. Two have graduated and are successful in life, two are still in college and one is still in high school and has a great experience despite her learning disabilities.

Posted: July 29, 2018

I have enjoyed the global atmosphere with the school and all that it res presents. The kids have been exposed to world events and cultures that help them to see the world in different ways. By doing this, they have developed compassion and respect both locally and globally. With the school boundaries changing and the mixture of students, teaching kids to walk in another’s shoes and see things from different perspectives has become increasingly important. Also, in this age of entitlement, learning integrity and respect is something most of the teachers are trying hard to instill. I do feel that this Is primarily on the parents to teach though.

Posted: July 29, 2018

The system isn’t perfect anywhere, but my children’s learning needs were being met one way or another. Each child had different needs, the last two struggling the most. Through tutoring, extra help, and IP programs, counselors and specialt education teachers, we have been able to reach our goals. We have seen a lot of Autistic children come through this school who have gone on to college or find work and be successful in life too. All the kids that come to mind that have been more severe in their learning differences have been well integrated in the school and have had friends in all areas.

Posted: July 29, 2018

I have seen a strong effort to keep this under control. In some circumstances, it can be hard on this level. Many times it goes beyond the borders of the school property. Mr Haggerty has worked real hard to keep problems from happening when he can. All students and staff have a responsibility to stand up to bullying and to also teach students how to deal with the bullies effectively. We need more than one way to handle a situation because one shoe doesn’t fit all.

Posted: June 25, 2018

There is no reason why this school should be performing as poorly as it is.

Posted: June 25, 2018

In FTS defense, ALL of Cumberland county does poorly with special education.

Posted: June 25, 2018

They only recently began enforcing rules against bullying and fighting, and the result was one of the highest suspension rates in the county. This is a problem.

Posted: June 25, 2018

Among lowest scores in the county, the approach is failing

Posted: June 25, 2018

Among lowest scores in the county. Teachers are there to get paid, not much else.

Posted: June 25, 2018

Teachers and administrators care less about anything if it is not a pay check or an advancement.

Posted: June 25, 2018

I went to multiple high schools in Cumberland County and I now work within the system, and it's clear that Terry Sanford hasn't lived up to its image in years. It is still a much better environment than 71st and Westover High School, and it performs better than Douglas Byrd despite sharing similar characteristics. Outside of those 3 schools, every school in the county is a better choice for your son or daughter... Including EE Smith and South View. The leadership at Terry Sanford is poor and corrupt, and the experience for students gets worse every year as teachers and administrators are held to no consequence. In 2016-2017 Terry Sanford was outperformed by every school in the county except for the Ramsey Street alternative school (Fayetteville observer). This year was not much of an improvement. You can make your own assessment, but the data produced by CCS shows: 1) good schools - Jack Britt, Cape Fear, Gray's Creek, Massey Hill 2) Average/Mixed performance schools- South View, EE Smith, Pine Forest. 3) schools in transition- Terry Sanford (also at times Pine Forest and South View), Byrd on a good year. 4) drop out factories- Byrd, Westover, 71st.

Posted: May 30, 2018

It is like the dilemma with teachers but worse. The administration is ONLY here to get paid. This is a toxic leadership environment, a top down issue which hurts all of us students.

Posted: May 30, 2018

Altogether, Terry Sanford High School should be renamed "Diet Douglas Byrd". They are both the city's oldest and most historical schools, and for decades they outperformed not only Cumberland County Schools but most schools in the state. Then the mid 2000's hit, followed by zoning corrections. Disciplinary issues, then academic issues, and comprehensive demographic adjustments. Byrd almost entirely collapsed as an institution and is unlikely to recover, and Terry Sanford has severely declined. For college readiness, equity, test scores, graduation, and low income students Terry Sanford used to rank in the top 3 for the county every year. Now they are in the bottom quartile. Drop out rate for low income students is almost 30%, and suspension rates for minorities are almost at 30%.. and 845 out of 1270 of our students are minorities. 430 students are white, and they make up almost the entire global studies, honors, and AP program. They are also the overwhelming majority of our graduates who go to college. Discipline and control are always a problem here, I'm not in global studies and the students regular classes act aggressive. The concourse, cafeteria, and main hallway are regular places for trouble and even the accelerated program students have to share this space. Outside of a few teachers, I have not had to work at all to make good grades and they have not been helpful when I've been concerned about learning. That said I have had teachers who really care and helped me grow as a student and person. The school smells bad and when something breaks it takes forever to get fixed. My guidance counselor has spent almost no time with me preparing me for college even though I have good grades and intend on going.

Contrasting, there are a few things which has kept our school from becoming the next Douglas Byrd High. 1- it is in a wealthy neighborhood and local property taxes in NC fund schools. 2- any of the extra curricular programs are a great escape for serious students and they are generally separated from the rest of the school in more focused environments. 3- the tradition of it being "Fayetteville High School" first keeps a lot of motivated people coming back. Whether it's a rapper, basketball player, or inspirational teacher- this school does have a spirit which keeps it functioning. Needs improvement

Posted: May 30, 2018

The teachers and administrators do not respect the kids unless they are from certain families or a star athlete. The "fan favorites" will be catered to during their 4 or 5 years at the expense of everyone else. For the rest of the student body.. they could care less if you fight, get sick, have family troubles, financial troubles, or if you never come back to school. 30% of low income students at Terry Sanford never graduate. This school does absolutely nothing to instill values in it's pupils.

Posted: May 30, 2018

Teachers have no control over the students, half of the altercations don't even get reported.

Posted: May 30, 2018

I have had a good time here so far because of the decisions I have made, but this school is confused about it's identity. Publically it tries to present itself as J.B. High, but in reality the only thing keeping it from becoming the next D. Byrd is the funding from Haymount. Pros: location, global studies is a superior program, JROTC is great, we are dominate at sports, incredible history. The diverse nature of the school is enriching and serves as a great networking tool. Cons: (for regular students) disruptive, hostile atmosphere. It has not met AYP in ten years. College readiness is among bottom half in CCS. The rezoning of the school district has caused overcrowding and social friction (about 700 students now go to TSHS that used to be zoned to Smith, Westover, Byrd; none of them get along). Students whose families bought in nice neighborhoods are now zoned to worse schools (not the schools fault but the counties). One's own research of CCS records will show the numerous faults of this school, and the "under the rug" culture of the city and administration makes it worse. However, ones personal, social and academic success is entirely up to them. The school has incredible programs which are not hard to find and do not cost money. It is also better than many of the near alternatives.

Posted: May 30, 2018

You can pretty much slide by no matter who you are, but much easier to if you play sports.

Posted: May 30, 2018

Unless you are in global studies, both the educational capability and ability to control a classroom are poor. The students run the show, and it seems like they can't do much or won't do much to stop it.

Posted: May 30, 2018

Look at the equity ratings ... If you are a POC or from a poor neighborhood (the majority of the school) it's almost like they expect you to fight with each other and fail out.

Posted: May 30, 2018

There are almost no standards which results in mistakes. These mistakes are swept under the rug so no one has to fix them.

Posted: May 30, 2018

Underfunded special education programs place disadvantaged students in positions of disadvantage.

Posted: June 11, 2015

They don't have special ed and they let my son flunk English and he never knew what was going on in any of the other classes. My son was in spec ed in Michigan but they didn't have it hear and Cumberland County Schools said they didn't have resource classes, self-contained classes here but they could meet his needs but they did not and the English teacher never had the time for him and she had about 30 or more kids in that co-taught class. There weren't even two classes in that co-taught class like co-taught classes are suppose to be. I'm pissed! I moved because I knew he would flunk one of those classes. He barely passed Civics too. We moved into Cape Fear school dist because this school doesn't do anything. I went to the assist principal, counselor, special ed head and no one ever helped him! If you have spec ed kids, don't send them here and don't listen to Cumberland County Schools when they say any school can meet a spec ed students needs because it's not true. We moved to Cape Fear School Dist. I'm hoping he will get more help there and I know they have spec ed! My son never knew what was going on or couldn't do any of the work since we moved here from Michigan in March!

Posted: October 18, 2014

Academically Terry Sanford is a good school. I had three children attend this school and they were not really treated fairly. The only way to be treated fairly is if you grew up in Fayetteville your entire life and had family members who previously went to that school. If you are military and are new to that school then don't plan on your child getting any playing time in the sports there. It doesn't matter how good at a sport they may be. I would recommend looking into another school that are equally good academically and treat everyone as equals in the athletic department. If I had it to do all over again I would not send my children to that school and put them through the humility they felt and the mistreatment I feel they received. Thankfully I don't live there anymore and will not have to worry about it any longer.

Posted: June 30, 2014

I attended Terry Sanford for both my freshman and sophomore years and am overjoyed to leave this school. Here are a few reasons why I believe that this school is below average. 1. Most of the staff in the front of the school are not friendly or helpful, especially the counseling department. I made an appointment to change my schedule a week in advance but had to wait half an hour while the counselors were joking around in the back. When I finally saw my counselor she tried to wave me off for another few days. Do not expect the majority of the staff in the main office or counseling office to be polite and helpful unless you have some sort of standing within the school or if your family has some standing within the community. 2. The Global Studies program that the school is known for is not as good as it is made out to be. The administration is very inconsistent about its policies. It has a strict only honors classes policy but some students manage to take basic classes. This all comes back to the favoritism and your social standing. 3. Some of the teachers just refuse to teach. Honors English 1 is a joke. 4. It is not military friendly. I do not recommend this school.

Posted: August 11, 2013

Terry Sanford is one of the better High Schools in Cumberland County. Lots of academic competition and the colleges know it has a solid curriculum. Current principle has pulled school together nicely.

Posted: January 30, 2013

I attended FTS my sophomore year and at the beginning of my junior year. I definitely agree with previous posts that state that kids should watch what they bring to school and behave. The principal who was at FTS during my time had no clue what she was doing. Things got so out of hand. Students constantly engaged in altercations with other students/teachers. At the beginning of my junior year the school got so bad that she quit. Great programs, but the school is a MESS and I am glad to be at one of the better county schools.

Posted: November 16, 2012

Both of my children are new students this year...one in 11th grade and one in 9th grade. There were some transition issues with moving between schools from another state with different requirements. The grading system at FTS is different (requires higher numberical score for letter grades). Both students are in global studies which seems to be an excellent program. The leadership at the school appears to be good. Time will tell about the overall quality of the education that they are receiving

Posted: March 11, 2012

I have made the worst decision by going to this highschool it is the worst the teacher dont care(some of them)the students do whatever they want they curse back at teacher.This school is out off control i would never recomend this school o anyone

Posted: November 21, 2011

good , school . there organization is a little off , but other then that . good high school (: