1484 Forge Rd
San Mateo, CA 94402

As a student here at Borel, I will give my honest review. The teachers here are good at teaching, and have empathy for their students. The kids here are immature. While I was In class, they would spray water or other peoples desks. They would also chase each other in class. The most surprising things that I have heard is every day is racist bad words, no matter their race. I have seen a lot of fist fights and even a brawl. On the good side, I have made a lot of friends over my heart and a half. The principles are very nice and welcoming when you see them, or on your first day. I have seen a lot of bullying and gender humiliation name calling. That is my honest review. Oh and also, some kids here dress cut and some of the teachers do not care at all about it, and people spread false rumors as fast as a wildfire spreads! and also, I have seen boys pushing and putting their hands on girls. That is my honest review.

I enrolled my soon to be Fourth grader in Highlands this year (22-23 school year) with such high hopes. Only to be let down beyond comprehension. I should have taken head early on when a family member read these very reviews. Or when the teacher made his political views/judgements known at Back2School Night. Much less, our first parent teacher conference, I mentioned some issues with forgetfulness on my child’s behalf exasperated by Covid closures. To be told to see a pediatrician.. It is now April and not only is his education detrimentally lacking like a nightmare continuation of Covid, he’s also never felt so down about himself after the bullying that is allowed, if not at this point- encouraged by two adults-Principal & Teacher tag team. In the year 2023 a happy, confident little boy was bullied to no end at his seat within a group of 4 for months on end. On multiple occasions he was allowed to sit crying at his desk with his down to not even be checked on by “Teacher”. After enduring day after day and many weeks of pain/shame/embarrassment, my sons spirit so broken, he tried to reason w/the bully. To be told to “GO KILL YOUR(him)SELF!” To No surprise, I never received a call, email- anything (however, I was informed via email my child doodles in his planner too much) I just had to lose sleep wondering why my child’s mood/attitude/behavior had changed so much. Is “hanging out w/the wrong crowd” a thing in todays 4th grade? Is it something at home? Until he broke down in my arms, using phrases never said before such as “my life is Miserable” “Please don’t make me go back there!” Felt great forcing my baby to go back and be tortured. Along w/all of that, he has also fallen ill, chronically at one point, this year. I went directly to Principal Betti. Only to be shut down, down-played and reminded that we are new here this year- all while not in an office setting but in attendance office with an audience. I was rushed and shushed as well. I have since gone to the district. Guidelines set for my sons return to school ignored and retaliation attendance letters being sent home after Dr.s note was provided. This teacher never Once reached out to me to address concerns, let alone acknowledge any wrong doing. Bully student has received zero discipline, moreover the help she needs. My issues have since been validated by other parents as I'm finally not afraid to speak up anymore. I am at a complete and total loss…

To be very honest, this was probably the worst experience in my life. I’m a current college student looking back on my high school experience making this realization. The staff are very unsupportive, particularly the academic counselors. They see the students as numbers and can be a little racially biased. My counselor in particular constantly mixed me up with other students and overlooked my achievements simply because I was Asian. The teachers are very harsh and don’t provide enough support to each individual student. The students can be very comparative and toxic with one another, with constant rumors going around. It was common for people to run out of their classrooms crying while going on a bathroom break. The peer pressure for academics was too much and there were nearly zero mental health resources. Overall, my experience was a 2/5. If I were to repeat my high school experience I would choose San mateo high school. Aragon is a breeding ground for poor mental health.