Ws 281 Ws #281
Hazleton, PA 18202

Let me first say, the reviewer who said that kids coming out of this school are automatically disadvantaged, is incorrect. I graduated from HAHS in 2002 and I have recently obtained my PhD in nuclear engineering. There were some good teachers at HAHS and there were some great opportunities in advanced courses. With that said, I was also a self-starter and an over-achiever. I pushed myself without any help from staff at HAHS. I don't believe there's any school, no matter what curriculum they offer or how great the teachers are, that will guarantee your child's success. It takes motivation and dedication on the students' part and support from their parents. Having kids of my own now, I would not take a job in the Hazleton area because I would not want to send them to this district. I believe the whole district did get worse since I graduated. I hear they now have metal detectors at HAHS. I also heard they have since paid many of the teachers that were there during my time to take early retirement in order to get new, and probably less-qualified, teachers in there. So I give the school 3 stars for giving me a great start in life, but no more due to its current state.

I was a student at this school for 8 years before I left due to bullying. It's one of those school where if you're at all different the kids there will do anything in their power to make you feel less than them. At this school me and many other have experienced: Sexual assault, racism, homophobia, body shaming and so much more from the other students. The worst part is you can report the behavior all you want but nothing will ever get done about it. I was called slurs, talked about, ect. Another thing is, my mother had been trying to get me an IEP, 504 plan, or just something to help me. Nothing was done about it since I seemed visibly fine although I have high functioning autism that hinders my ability to learn around other students, especially when I'm being harassed. And this is just one person, So, if you care at all about your children, avoid this school at all costs.''