Helix High School in Lemon Grove, California

“I can full recommend Helix High School as an excellent environment for students to learn and grow. Having had my children in my district High school (patrick Henry) I can tell I found new schools for the oldest 2 and gave it another try with my youngest. Once again I was completely disappointed byt faculity and staff. Helix has been the best school I have dealt with as a parent of 3. They are respectfull to both sturdents and parents. My daughter has gone from failing most every core class her first year in High School to A' and B's and is moving into AP classes for English and Math. She is excited about College and if there is an issue or concern they address immediately and respectfully. I support Helix 100%, there set up is great and the 90 minutes per class gives students real time to learn the subject.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My daughter is a freshman at Helix and has over a 4.0 currently. (Honors) She is involved in the sports provided and is able to complete all of her homework without problems.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“this school is not ment up to what people say it is. their are very few teachers that i can say help students and show they care. the school itself seems seperated with students. surrounding area of the school has a bit of a crime issue also.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I am a Junior at Helix, and I had to choose between attending Helix and Grossmont High School, and I chose right. Helix teachers are willing to come early and stay late after school to help their students, lots of AP and Honors classes are offered, and every year there is an option for travelling abroad during spring break. While Helix is racially diverse, I have never once been a victim or racism or prejudice. There isnt random bullying, usually a student has put themselves in that situation by making rude comments. Some added perks of Helix include the fact that Helix has a Special Education program for deaf students, as well as strong club actitivy in the Gay Straight Alliance, as well as 'culture clubs' like Mecha, the Asian Culture Club, and the Africa club. We have also have a multi-cultural day. Helix is the best choice.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I graduated from Helix in 2008, and I have to say that this school really helped prepare myself for what college was going to bring in the years to come.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Great school. It is very diverse and the teachers really want your child to do well.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am graduating in Helix Class of 2009! I finished my porfolio and senior project which was hard work but rewarding. I am failing 3 AP Classes right now...but its just a progress report and its spring break. I know because I need to keep pushing through. I got into UCSC and Chico and SDSU! I cannot wait to graduate! Great place!”
This review was posted by a student.

“My niece who came to live with us was on her way to fail the 9th grade for the 2nd time. Helix worked miracles with her and she became interested in school again. She loved Helix and missed only 2 days in 2 years...and for her that is saying something. She worked hard with support from all her teachers, she made up all her failed grades and she will be graduating as a Senior, exactly where she was intended to. My son is also at Helix and he loves it and his teachers. He is a Honors student and said that he is looking forward to the challenge next year in AP classes. Helix has done this family good! Thanks Helix!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“both my daughters went to Helix and recieved a great education and were accepted at elite colleges. You get out what you put in.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Helix is clearly the best school in the east county if not the city. The faculty is very involved, and active in getting their students to college. I have worked at several schools in the city and there is nothing that compares to Helix. I have worked at other schools which perform higher than Helix (as far as test scores), but Helix works miracles with their students. Before you believe the bull that is spewed by the media and the school district, investigate what actually happens at the school. The school is high perfbborming, and active like no other school in San Diego. The principal and the vice principals, and the other administrators do a wonderful job. Think twice before beleiving the smear job that is coloring the success of Helix Charter.”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“We had entered our daughter's name in the lottery to attend Helix, but her name was not called until mid-October. We pulled her out of the school she was attending, where she was doing well, because we thought Helix would offer a better foundation for a college-bound student. Were we ever wrong. There were problems from the very start with bullying and, as a freshman, they would only give her 3 classes (one of which was PE) and she became bored very quickly. When the bullying did not stop, and I did speak to her vp, we pulled her out and put her back in her old school. She continues to be an outstanding student. The neighborhood Helix pulls from is very tough and she was the victim of a lot of racist and prejudicial comments; by the way, she is white. The school needs some serious help.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Helix is absolutely the best school in the district. We are good in academics and sports. Because we are so good in everything we do we have neighboring schools who aren't too supportive. Therefore, we have a ton of school spirit. It always a loud and fun game to be at when Helix is playing. We have some awesome teachers, and alot of classes to choose from with the help of supportive counselors. An excellent choice for your child!”
This review was posted by a student.

“I am a former helix high school student who moved away just about a year ago and I would do anything to go back. I loved freshman year and it was the best high school I have ever dreamed of. Helix is an amazing campus with plenty of course selections to help focus on future careers. As the saying goes, once a scottie, always a scottie”
This review was posted by a student.

“I am a sophmore here at Helix and it is great! Although athletics does generally rule the school, the people are very serious about academics, they try their hardest to make sure you go to college. Freshman year is easy, sophmore year is when the games begin.There are few people in the entire school who aren't enrolled in an honors or AP class: in my case: AP Psychology, Ap Euro, and Honors English. It may be rough, but it is well worth it.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Helix high school is not a very good school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is horrible. We have to pay to print things out, to borrow a PE uniform, and we have to wear our IDs all the time. Plus, they aren't all that great looking. This horrible school uses and actual low mega-pixel camera to take horrible pictures of students, as opposed to other schools who have them proffessionally done. We get so many donations ($) but I don't see this school using it very wisely. In fact, I do not see them using it at all. The AP courses are very slow, and at the pace that we are going, no one is going to do well on the AP exams. Parents, think twice about sending your children to this school.”
This review was posted by a student.

“My daughters love Helix. The strengths of the school are numerous. The school continues to perform above other East County Schools and neighboring City Schools and teachers seem to really care about my girls. I'm also happy that my daughters can excel in a culturally, economically, and academically diverse student body. Helix also has so many teachers involved in athletic and extra-curricular activities. I wasn't sure about Helix at first, then I simply talked to some other parents about the school and its academic and supporting programs. No one else even comes close.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son is a sophomore at Helix Charter High School. My son plays sports and takes honors and AP classes. The teachers really work with the kids. A great goal would have the parents get involved with the school. It seems like parents think after elementary school their child no longer needs any support. Support has got to start in the home.Our teachers at Helix give 110% to each child that attends and wants to learn. Every school has students who are just THERE. I can't say enough good things about the commitment from his counselor, teachers and coaches. My son got into Helix on the Lottery and I couldn't be more of a proud parent to say that. All the teachers get back with me in a matter of minutes when I e-mail them. I love to check grades on line. thank you for your time LMA”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My husband and I are both elementary school teachers who feel our son is getting an outstanding education at Helix Charter High School! He is currently a sophomore who takes all honors and AP classes. His teachers are dynamic, interesting and interested educators who really go the extra mile to make sure the students are learning. His assignments are very impressive. I feel he is ready for college because of the excellent academic program Helix has provided. It is located in a bit of a rough neighborhood which makes it even more impressive what these teachers are able to achieve. There is hardly any parent involvement, which shows how hard these teachers are working for these kids! In spite of the lack of support from home these kids are learning. I am so thankful for the quality education that our son is receiving at Helix. Keep up the good work Helix!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Well helix is an ok school that help students a bit but not enough. The programs such as clubs are not all the great. Their is almost no parent evolvement besides two dates that parent shadow day and conferences”
This review was posted by a student.

“Freshman year is not very challenging but students can begin taking (truly) honors and AP classes in the sophomore year. ASB is run very well at Helix and makes a big difference in how involved a student is in the high school experience. Teachers are always available and very committed. If a student is having trouble in a particular subject, help is definitely available. My child has been very happy at Helix.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This is a terrific school ever since it became a charter school. I am the parent of a graduating senior and I am giving the school the highest ratings possible in principal leadership, teacher quality, and extracurricular activities. I am a bit biased because my child has always been in advanced placement classes and those tend to be taught by the best teachers. I also highly recommend that parents considering Helix encourage their children to join the marching band, orchestra, or one of the symphonies. Helix's music program is fantastic and I'm confident that the discipline learned and the commitment to this time-consuming extracurricular activity is the reason my child did much better in math than I ever did (Google math and music) and maintained a very high GPA so that my child will be attending one of California's topnotch colleges and got a substantial merit scholarship from the school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Parent of a student graduating in 2008. Academically, very good. Excellent Staff in counseling. Girls' Sports Programs, though, are terrible at the varsity level. We're actually considering moving from the area, since our child's future will involve her sports.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Probably the greatest school ever established in San Diego. Academically and athletically they are by far supperior to all other schools in the state. Helix makes private schools look bad. It may be located in a 'rough' area but the students are great, it seems like the entire school is one big family.”
This review was posted by a student.

“This is a good school with high standards of education, it seems that since becoming a charter school they have turned the program around, well they were never a bad school to begin with. The school has seen some changes and has recieved a lot of media attention following the recent double football star graduates from that high school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Helix is a great school that requires more of its students than the other schools in the district. I believe that students leave Helix more prepared for their future (whether it be college, work, military...) than they would be if they attended another district school. The faculty and staff are unbelievably committed to their students and students can easily find a teacher to connect with, if they so choose. Helix offers great support for students to make sure they succeed - there are tutorials where students can meet one-on-one with teachers for extra help; there is inter-session where students can make-up competencies they may have not met; there is EXL where students have tutors (generally college students) to help them. If a student really tries to fail, they can, but Helix does everything possible to make them succeed, and at a high level.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“My son is a new student at helix, he has only been there 2 semesters. He has been accepted,his peers are wonderful and his advocate is amazing.They have developed an independent learning plan that should help him. We chose helix, as it is our neighborhood school.My son had been going to a very expensive private school. I do believe that Helix is not your average..Public school. At least we feel supported there so far.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Parent involvement is actively discouraged by administration. Administration is otherwise very weak. PTSA is weak and ineffective. Academics OK. AP and Honors courses offered. Title IX violations in girls' sports, particularly in the areas of funding, facilities, and coaching. Football rules the athletic program. Some question about recruiting practices for football program. Coaching of girls sports is very weak. School governing board is a rubber stamp for the school administration (4 out of 7 board members are school employees, one parent is appointed by board President, another parent is PTSA President -- all rubber stamps.).”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have found that in the years that my children have been attending helix high that all areas have met and exceeded my expectations. When I call the school the operator remembers my name. The principals are active on campus and sporting events. They encourage all students to participate not only academically but athletically as well. I am a second generation highlander and could not be prouder of my school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Helix is a Public School with Private School Standards. I love the Helix Charter. The teachers are very helpful and the programs gets rid of any excuses for a student to fail in any class.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a student teacher here and love the environment this school provides to its students. The teachers help the students by offering tutoring and teaching conceptually. Great job!”
This review was posted by a teacher.

“This school attempts to do a good thing for students. Preparing for college and succeeding in life as an educated person is pressed upon us as students. However, sometimes the important things are left out; teenagers being able to be teenagers. Students are extremely stressed and sometimes it's all just too much. Students live in the future, and much of the time students feel like they have to do everything. Overall, the school is a good school to prepare for college. But in preparing students for life, it's not to good. Helix is serious and they don't mess around. If a person is going to go there, they have to be ready to work, and be quick learners. This is not a school where one can just breeze through it.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Well, actually I'm not a parent. I'm actually an alumni from Helix High School. I loved Helix! I still do. I went to Helix all 4 years, I was involved in the marching band all 4 years and participated on the girls waterpolo team and JV swim team. I did all of those activities while taking AP and honors courses throughout the years. My teachers were awsome and I was close to many of the faculty including the principal. Of course at the time I hated the homework and the hard classes, but as a UCSB student my freshman year of college I was greatful for what I had learned. I was so well prepared for college, most of my classes covered things I had already learned in high school. Helix definately aims to teach their student to prepare them for UC/CSU curriculum.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“My son is a military child who transfered from Helix High. This was the best school that my son ever attended his entire time in school from coast to coast.”
This review was posted by a parent.