The Vanguard School (High)

We love how our children have thrived through “supported challenge” at the Vanguard School. Emphasis on character is definitely a plus-we feel like they are helping develop our kids in to caring, compassionate AND smart citizens. Family engagement has dropped off slightly since the pandemic, but we’d still highly recommend this school.

My daughter went to the Vanguard Junior High and now is in a 9th grader in HS. We moved from a messy district where there was chaos in everything and saw a visible change. Academically she thrives in this school, teachers care and are involved in their day to day academic wellbeing. We also went trough some rocky times related to mental health- the administration addressed concerns and worked with us, kept us informed and were there to answer any question. There's rigorous structure in learning, organizing schoolwork, and homework, as it should be. There's nothing that students can't handle- two hours of homework on average is what I notice she gets and she's on top of it. Plenty of clubs and athletics, if they chose to.Highly recommending this school if you strive for academic achievement and overall piece of mind.

I could write forever on how disgusting the administration is in regards to the children and their mental health. They are not compassionate, patient, understanding, caring… If you are looking to burn your kids out emotionally and mentally then this is the school for you.

It's a good school if you want to take all honors because there aren't any regular classes. EVERYONE is in their AP or honors. So, if you like a challenge and truly rigorous classes, go here. Through all that, you will feel more prepared for college. You almost always have some sort of essay or project due. There's also a junior project and senior capstone, both of those are time-consuming and difficult if you're not in top of it. People also give it really high ratings because they've probably gone there since kindergarten, it's easy for them, they know what to expect. People who have been there since day one, are super intelligent and kinda good at every subject. It can be intimidating (unless you're really smart too). Also, there aren't a lot of clubs and the art programs feel relatively small. Not to mention there isn't a football team. You sort of miss out on the high school experience, but you trade it in for a really prepared understanding of college.

Phenomenal. Everyone there; students, teachers, parents...choose to be there.