4377 Hawkfinch Cir
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742

Awesome school! Love they bring in guest speaker to motivate students.

Our family moved residences to one within PGHS boundaries simply for the reputed quality of PGHS education. However, what may have once been a great school is now just a mindless "just do what you're told" learning environment. In the math department, the basic Math I, II & III series classes are so fixated on adhering to the schedule that they press forward even when a majority of the class fails an exam. I understand that the random struggling student can not hold back the class, but when a majority of the class demonstrates a lack of understanding, I believe a concern for learning should override schedule. (I have experienced this will all 3 of my kids there.) I am happy to say that once my student opted into the half-series classes (EFTMP & QRAT) teachers were very concerned with student comprehension. However, my students were counseled not to move to the half-series classes. (I think it must cause the school to lose rating points.) The science department is a disaster - many teachers do not teach. They start the class with a brief presentation, then assign class busy work and are unavailable for questions. One disappears into a back room for the majority of the period, and another plays video games on a laptop and ignores students. Counselors are responsive. However, the administration is outright dismissive of parents' inquiries or concerns. VPs and the Principal do not respond to parent emails - even when the counselors report that they have passed some concerns onto them. The administration operates with an avoidant mentality. For example, class schedules are not released to students until 6 am on the first day of the semester. This way parents cannot complain about teachers and students cannot see if friends are in the same classes. I once thought the availability of AP classes was a sign of a good school. However, PGHS has caused me to believe otherwise. The teachers "teach to the test" at the expense of learning. AP classes replace Honors courses, so students who do not want to be "taught to the test" have no recourse but a non-honors course. School dances have been a joke this year with staff being so controlling and restrictive and understaffed that students are left waiting in line outside for 1.5 - 2 hrs just to get into the dance. PGHS is such a disappointment that one of my students chose to change schools after her sophomore year because she was tired of "teachers that don't care."

I love this school. My son was a year and a half behind academically when he started at sunrise elementary. He has an IEP and the teachers, principal, staff and special education teachers care so much for the success of all their students. They all have great communication. I always knew where my son was, the homework he was missing weekly. If there is a problem I a aware of it the day something happened, sometimes a phone call right after an instance happened. Since my son has gone to sunrise now, within just @ yrs my son has caught up to his academic level. I have never seen him so happy at school. This school is amazing all around! I would definitely recommend this school.