As a Class of 2014 graduate of Pleasant Grove High School, I've decided to take the liberty of submitting my review of this school through my 4 years of experience. I will try to cover various aspects of this school.
Architecturally, the campus is nothing to be special about. It is very small for a school that holds over 2500+ students (being almost as small as its nearby middle school, Katherine L. Albiani Middle School). Faded darkish red colorings mark the rooftops of several of the buildings, giving it a surprisingly drab and outdated appearance for a school only opened several years ago.
Drivers who park here must traverse a fair distance to the parking lot, since the designers seemed to decide to put the fields in the front of the school and the parking lot behind it. Why they decided to do this baffles me, since they could easily have replaced the fields with a parking lot in the first place.
I've heard all the hype of how parents love this school, especially its academics and athletics. But I could already smell this B.S. from a mile away (excuse my language).
The school offers a mandatory 7 period schedule instead of a block one. Lunch counts as a period. The academics can be challenging, though there are various differences between each student. There are also various differences between teachers as well. For example, you may be assigned Biology or Physiology with the famed Mrs. Grima, or forced to endure math with either the wearisome Mr. Dubrow or Ms. Dawson. Ms. Dawson in particular seems to be losing her drive and passion for teaching. Or perhaps she already has?
For me, I've felt academics were always shallow and boring in the school. I know, I've achieved and also fallen, so I see both spectrums. An air of competitiveness and cockiness pollutes the environment even when it isn't explicitly being shown. You just...feel it, like a 6th sense. I've felt I was being taught more to achieve the grade rather than actually learn the subject.
Ex: Can Mrs. Bjorgum know the difference between memorizing and learning something? Jesus Christ, feels like I was being taught difficult trivia in that class.
And the principals are senile, rude individuals. it seems they care more about getting students busted than any actual, meaningful administrative work.
Athletically, there seems to be a large amount of (often distracting) school spirit on campus, especially for the Football and Basketball teams. It seems that pep rallies are more for getting students riled up to pay more to support and watch these games than actually demonstrate any school spirit, yet neglect other sports on campus.
Smart and deceptive economic move on Mr. Platt's part. However, I do applaud his efforts since it does help to fund raise other sports on campus (so perhaps it is a necessary "evil").
Socially, it really is a hit or miss at this school. Many people are shallow and I've seen alot of lonely people within such a large school population. Quantity of interaction doesn't necessarily equate to quality of interaction, a trait that smaller schools enjoy better. For me, it is hard to fit in with that "right" group and I know there are many others like me at this school.
If you're going to send your child here, be warned that achieving any lifelong friends is going to be extremely difficult. But this is from my experience.
To sum up my 4 years, I can only describe it as a living stressful hell. I wouldn't recommend sending your child to this place. Or perhaps any other school in the Elk Grove Unified School District.
This is from my experience, but I've also had to put up with a difficult family life at home. Perhaps your child may receive a better one. Perhaps not. But would you be willing to take this risk? read more