Research Stonewall Jackson High School Public Schools in Manassas, Virginia

“I have a student in SJHS and am very pleased with the school. The administrative staff are excellent and really care about our kids well-being. The academic programs, teaching staff, councelling staff, and coaches are exceptional. They have many extracurricular activities to provide for a well-balanced atmosphere. The only thing I would like to see added in the future is a solid drama program for those that are interested in drama (there's always room for improvement). Good school to send your kids to.”

“SJHS is an alright school. the academics are alright but the athletics are horrible the school is known for the girls varsity team. I intend on doing something about this. This season my varsity team are going to make some noise!!!! we're going to make people want to become a raider:) give it up for the boys”

“I have a student in the IB Diploma program. This is an exceptional program and has not only prepared him for higher education, but has ensured that he will be accepted by the university of his choice. Beyond the academic excellence of the IB program, the racial and ethnic diversity of SJHS has been a major benefit to his education as well as to his preparation to live in the reality of today's world. Prior to coming to SJHS, I had heard it refered to as 'the Ghetto School.' Just for the record, SJHS has had less of a drug and violence problem than most of the county schools (which has not been excessive at any of them.) We are very pleased with the school, the faculty, the administration, the coaches, the students and the parents who contribute to the make up of this exceptional school.”

“I am happy that my child attends SJHS. I find the administrative staff to be an amazing group of people who have nothing but the best interests of the students at heart. Overall I think most of the teaching staff is great too. There are plenty of sports and programs and those that my child has been in, she has enjoyed.”

“SJHS is a great place that I love. The students and teachers there really try their best to learn and find solutions to problems that other schools would otherwise ignore. The Marching Band was a fun experience that I will never forget. The sports teams are becoming stronger. Our IB program is challenging and what makes us proud. The new IB director is really improving the proggram. SJHS deserves to be one of the top schools in America!”

“I think SJHS is just like any other high school. I like the fact that it is not split into different cliques. There are groups of people who hang out together, but they frequently intermix with others of different groups. Our school also has a lot to offer academically and artistically. The IB program is a world renowned program that rivals (and I think beats) the AP program in level of difficulty. Also, our choirs are some of, if not the, best high school choirs in the county (or in the state). Of course I may be a bit biased, since I am a member, but we have received numerous awards and have even gone to Italy to sing at the Vatican. All in all, I think SJHS deserves a better reputation than it is given”

“In certain areas there is high level of parent involvemnt, such as Marching band, which is nationally ranked and a privelege to have participated in. The IB program seems to be improving staedily under the new Coordinator who is much personable that the previous. There are so many after-school clubs that almost any interest is catered too. Anime, art, break-dancing, step, languages, etc. The quality of the school is somewhat lacking.”

“I am currently a junior at Stonewall Jackson High School, and I have to say that our school really is better than what most people belive it to be. We are seen as a poorer school, or as a school with many problems and violence. But frankly that is not true at all. We have as many problems as every other high school does. We have just as many behavior issues as any other high school. And yet our school gets the bad rep because of the people that go here. It may be true that we have more children of 'low-income' families, but that does not determine what kind of school we are. We have dedicated students who work hard in academics, sports, extra-curriculars, jobs, and everything else that they may do. Stonewall Jackson High School does not recieve the credit that it should for being a wonderful school.”

“I have been a student at stonewall since 9th grade and I think that Stonewall is a school filled with many opportunities for learning, cultural interaction and fun. Based upon my own personal experience as an IB diploma candidate it seems as if at this school if you want any kind of respect you must be associated with the IB program. The IB program is an excellent program, but it is not all that Stonewall has to offer. Stonewall has a nationally ranked marching band, a choir that wins all sorts of awards, as well as clubs and organizations that actually put a lot of good into the Community. Perhaps if Stonewall focused on some of these other areas then many of these opportunities wouldn't be left void. If everyone looked past the IB program than perhaps we would all have a reason to take pride in our school.”

“I remember coming into Stonewall in 9th grade and looking up at that big sign that screamed 'Time Magazine School of the Year!' It was intimidating but I quickly adjusted to my high school life. Things at Stonewall are a lot different than what most teenagers think of typical high schools. There aren't many 'clicks' or 'social groups.' The jocks and cheerleaders do not rule the school. Everyone is pretty much in their own world, with their own friends. One part of Stonewall that I don't like is the division between the IB students and the non-IB students. They do not get to interact since the IB candidates are in classes with mainly other IB students and never get to interact with the other sudents in the school. IB students are like another class of students and I don't like how they are represented to the rest of the school.”

“Stonewall is an intimidating behemoth of a school. What happens within the walls of any high school is so complictaed even those who work there or attend the building can seldom know exactly what is going on. High school is 'chaos theory' in action. You will rarely foresee your children's paths. Yet, despite any reputation for the better or worse, we continue to produce skilled and prepared students. So what parents need to ask themselves and their children is: 'can my child succeed here?' I believe Stonewall has evertyhing to make that happen. There are more than 60 recognized clubs and organizations; District, regional and state champion sports; a highly advanced and modernistic IB program. Our diversity (racial, ethnic and national) scares some, but honestly, our children are a reflection of this country's future.”

“I am currently a student at Stonewall Jackson participating in the IB program. Personally I feel as though the school rides on this program as its sole source of recognition when in fact it is just highly overrated. Yes, there are a few exceptional teachers who do deserve all the credit in the world for what they do, but the majority don't fit this category. Then again, any teacher who puts up behavior that is deemed acceptable from most of the students deserves props. Security-wise the school is very safe, that is not the issue. It is other rules that have no enforcement behind them. Never in my life have I heard such disrespect from students or such an amount of profanity. I'm not sure whether such behavior is just ignored or viewed as normal. Overall, I think SJHS has a great deal of work that could be done.”

“I'm an student at stonewall jackson high school, and i'm proud to say that i'm getting a good education, I feel safe at school, and the teachers are great. We hope that all of the other school, could compare to us, but lets be honest they cant, because we are so united and u dont as much problem as you see in other school.”

“I am not a parent, but a former student of stonewall. I was an IB student and recently received my IB diploma. Those students who do not take advantage of the program are not striving to be the smartest and brightest people they can possibly be. Why allow your child to take 'redmedial classes' if he/she is not of remedial intelligence or ability? Why not take advantage of a program that is free and open to all who wish? Why not take advantage of the best thing the school has to offer? I am proud to say I attended sjhs and am proud of the instructors I had. They were serious about their profession and cared about my development as a well-rounded individual. Any involved parent would tell you the same.”

“The IB program is excellent; however the less-talked-about vocational programs are equally good. There are more technical courses offered here than at the 'IT' schools in the county.”

“The school has been praised soley for its IB program which the majority of students do not take advantage over. I found regular classes there remedial with teachers who couldn't care less about teaching. This biased profile has given the school an inflated self image that has only hurt the regular students.”