Research Grafton High School public Schools in Newport News, Virginia

“I think that Grafton High School is a good school education wise, but if you do not wear Hollister, American Eagle, Aeropostale, etc...then you probaly not fit in because it is full of preps. There are hardly any black kids...and if you dont wear the namebrand that blacks wear then your a little nerd.”

“Had 2 sons graduate in 05 & 07. School is not perfect but I was satisfied. I stayed involved and email communication is great. Basnd is superb in both HS & MS. Fantastic directors that care about the kids. Only 2 poor teachers in 6 years, the rest average to great. Stay proactive & involved & there should be no major problems.”

“I am from a military family and have attended a variety of different schools, but the best of them all would have to be Grafton. The teachers here actually make me interested in the subjects and with their teaching I have been able to excell in my AP classes. The school also has a wide variety of extracirricular activities. I am involved in the art department, and at Grafton I have been able to expirement with a wide variety of mediums with the support of my teachers. My younger brother, who has a reading disablity, has also recieved exellent assistance in his classes, and has improved his reading skills drastically since coming to Grafton.”

“I am a student at Grafton and I know that our school is the best in the district. I barely hear any complaints about our school except that the seniors want to get out! You'll find this in every school and I know for a fact that I trust the administration and teachers with my education. I absouloutly love my school and I'm glad to have spent 4 years here and 3 years in Grafton Middle.”

“Not only was my high school experience with the staff, quality of students and administration appalling, but it took over four days for someone to respond to a request I made to the office there. And this is during summer hours! It is funny how things never change--I should not be surprised at the treatment I recieved once I actually contacted a person either. Rudeness and a curt and abrupt attititude was all I experienced. For any parent who enrolls their child there--think again and choose another school.”

“We are a military family that moved to the Grafton School district the summer before our daughter's junior year. We did a lot of research and decided on Grafton. (It looks good on paper.) It has been horrible experience. New students are not made to feel welcome. We had an uphill battle with getting them to accept her credits from her last school. I know this happens, but in our case, we had to do the counselor's job. It turned out they did accept all of them. I have talked to many new families who have had similar experiences. It is not a friendly atmosphere. Cheating is rampant. For the most part, the teachers haven't helped when she has asked. My daughter's self esteem is now very low. School has always been a positive place for her, but not now.”

“My daughter is graduating this year from GHS. I have been very pleased with the education she has gotten (got accepted to her first choice university), as well as the level of involvement she was able to achieve. She has taken AP courses and she has been actively involved in the band program, the drama program and several other clubs ... Grafton's band program in my opinion, is one of the best HS band programs I have ever seen. Approximately 20% of the school population is involved in the band program! I look forward to my son beginning GHS next fall, and to being in the band for the next four years!”

“The teaching at this school is varied. I would say that the English, Science, and History departments do a good job at preparing students for post-high school. However, the math teachers are very much from the attitude that they are there to grade papers and unless you are one of their favorites you will find yourself struggling to find the resources needed to overcome certain curriculum. Additionally, the diversity factor is almost not present at this school. The makeup is majorily military families and there's very little opportunity to understand any other upbringing other than that, I had to do that at college. And from a former student's perspective I would not eat the food at GHS, but I also wouldn't pick a school based solely on their cafeteria. I turned out very well, but I also had parents who were involved so that made all the difference.”

“I feel that your child and you as parents would be very happy with the curriculum at GHS. The teachers are very qualified educators, and the school provides a wonderful AP and Special Education program for all who require those needs. We have resided here for 13 years and our children have attended GHS and GMS. Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful is all that we have to say about both of these facililities.”

“Grafton High is excellent in every aspect. It was one of the major reasons that we chose to live in York County. Our secrets- (1)involved parents (PTA & boosters), (2)outstanding principalship with Mrs. Guy & Mr. Hart, (3) great teachers like Gofney, Boxer, Castro and Shriner who want their students to excel and finally (4) a committed superintendent and staff. No school district ever gets all of the money, staff or facilities that they need/deserve, but Grafton High and York County School District focuses on using all of their assests to attain great results year after year.”

“Grafton High School is great! The teachers are nice, the building is huge, the food is good, and there are many different things to do there! There's a drama club, chess club, Asian Association, etc! The only bad thing about this school is that it's a bit crowded.”