442 Melrose Ave
Hillside, IL 60162

i currently go to this school, so this is just my honest experience. it’s not some chaotic place where fights are happening all the time. it’s a regular public high school in the chicago suburbs. you’re not going to get anything fancy, but it’s also not as bad as some reviews make it seem. i’m going to try and format this in a way to find what people may be looking for, so bare with me pleaswsecurity is pretty strict. you go through metal detectors every morning, and your bag goes through an x-ray, usual high school stuff.yes, some students smoke in the bathrooms, and sometimes bathrooms get locked because of it, but there are multiple bathrooms so it’s not really a huge issue during the day.teachers really depend on who you get. some are actually really good and care about helping you, and some are just okay. from the teachers i’ve had so far, i’ve been able to learn what i needed, and i’ve had a few that stood out in a good way.the school is structured, but does need improvement. passing periods are 5 mins, and staff do enforce rules, especially with tardies. if you keep being late, there are consequences, so they do take it seriously.lunch is decent for a public school. it’s not amazing, but it’s not bad either. like we be getting wings and pizza and even panda express-type meals, they serve cultural foods too sometimes! the lunch staff aren’t rude, they just get overwhelmed sometimes.the school does have support if you need it. counselors, social workers, and a psychologist are available, and from what i’ve seen, they actually try to help students. the special education staff also seem like they care and put in effort, which i find very important, but they do need MORE special education teachers/assistants in my opinion.fights happen sometimes, but not every day. the environment isn’t hostile. there are always going to be students who don’t care about school, but that’s normal anywhere and doesn’t stop you from doing well if you try.classes are decent, especially if you take honors or ap. there are also college and career options like dual enrollment, and programs like cosmetology and barbering with transportation provided.there are also activities like national honor society and njrotc if you want to be involved.it’s just a normal public high school. it has good and bad parts, these 2014 reviews make it sound like it’s hell.

I am writing this review as a former student and employee as a community member with a prospective student. It is noteworthy that the district promotes new initiatives and changes; however, it is nearly impossible to contact the school by phone or to schedule a visit for prospective students to engage with the school and determine if it is a suitable environment for them. I believe that access to such opportunities should be available to all community members, regardless of past relationship with the district or community prestige, especially considering that tax dollars are obligatorily paid into this school system. I find this situation to be highly unprofessional and quite disheartening, as it reflects poorly on what is considered a productive and compassionate learning environment for students.

I hate that this is the only middle school choice in this area. I will be looking into a new school or home school soon. They treat the students like there in jail. All of these students are not mischievous. Yes, some of them are hard. The school appearance on the outside look like a jail. They have medal detectors. Staff don't focus enough on achievement, academics and social and emotional skills. They focus on dress code, discipline, and suspensions. Some of the staff I've been told are very rude and holler too much. This students in this school needs help fast. The ones that want to learn.