812 E 5th Ave
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.

The current principal, Ms. Chin, is amazing, and all the staff and teachers are wonderful to work with. I really enjoy subbing here and am thankful to have an opportunity to work here.

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.