Research Lee M. Thurston High School public Schools in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“I am a Thurston Alumni and I loved it. the teachers are great and all of the students got along. At any high school there will be problems, but it is all what you make of it individually.”

“Thurston is a school divided. There are either the students who appreciate and respect teachers, and those who don't. Some teachers simply cannot get through to the students they teach. If you aren't in the 'hard' classes with the 'hard' teachers, then your time is being wasted. I often heard parents blaming the teachers for their poor teaching, when in all actuality, the students are mostly disrespectful, very righteous, and annoying.”

“The Thurston experience varies on which classes and programs you're in. If you are in the advanced placement programs, Thurston is a really good school. If you're in the average classes, Thurston isn't so great. A lot of the students don't care and it really hinders the learning process.”

“This is an excellent school in a safe, affordable neighborhood. I have sent 3 children there; one of whom is currently studing to be a doctor; a graduate of University of Michigan - Ann Arbor; and one currently at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Without the helpful teaching staff at THS, none of my children would have gone on as they did.”

“Parent involvement is poor, except for a few truely dedicated ones.”

“Most of the students my son has been around have no respect for staff or even the school itself. When I have been there to pick him up, I myself have experienced this type of behavior and nothing seems to have changed in the past 3 years, I am glad he will be graduating and of Thurston this year. By far it has gotten worse!”

“This is by far the worst school I have ever been to. The school has so much violence and empathical students who do not want to learn. Every year that I went here, it seems to be getting worse. The school however does offer a good band program, probably one of the best in the area. They have gone to Carnegie Hall and many other places and are just getting and better. The school's lunch is pretty good as well, but the school's sports are average. The school is receiving a huge bond to build a new auditorium and new classrooms, but with this school's rate the new stuff will not last. As for academics the school does petty average, but with the amount of empathy in the kids in this school, it may deffianetly bring you down. At times I could not learn because of the people around me.”

“Thurston provided me what I would consider the best highschool education available. The teachers there are more than dedicated and will go to extreme measures to help students who actually care about their education. The school was recently renovated, and asside from an occasional leak that its quicly repaired the school is in great condition for a school of its age. The technologies available to all students are remarkable. I am currently a student at one of the University of Michigan campuses I can honestly say their technology preparations for their students are absolutely capable of preparing students for their next step in education. Parent participation is the only thing that is lacking at this school, parents remain completely uninvolved until there is something happening that they don't like and typically that is what makes the media and becomes the focus of attention of many former students.”

“As a graduate of THS a few years ago, I have to say that I couldn't of had a better high school experience. I participated in band, SADD, Track, and Volleyball, and had wonderful mentors in and out of the classroom. It's sad that the culture of a school can change, and I would never believe that of THS unless I viewed it myself. That is my recomendation for you, visit the campus and see if it is right for your child. The band program is one of the best in the nation, they have been choosen to play at Carnegie Hall in N.Y.C. twice in the past 4 years. Each time they are one out of a select few in the nation. Mr. Lucius is a wonderful mentor for adolecents, and the conselors do support commumity college enrollment for select students who are eligible. Parents get involved!”

“The school in general has gone down hill from when I attened and graduated in 1983. We recently moved out of the south redford school district do to a private account were the principle was of no help to my son or myself. The ceiling in the cafeteria was leaking, the bathrooms were downright ubtrusive, and the lack of supervision the students had in the hall was suprendus. There have been more fights in the hallways during passing time than actual prevention methods being practiced. There have been numorus bomb threats agianst the staff and students, I have threatned to go striaght to the press, at that time the districts lawery threatned to sue from negative press attention and harrassment. It's time some things is going to be done about this horrible school.”

“This school has deffiantely went downhill very fast. The school offers great lunches and after school activies as well. I would not recommend sending your child here. I am moving to another town, and one of the reasons is to go to a much better school.”

“I am currently a sophomore at Thurston High. Thurston is a school I would want to send my kids to in the future. I'm pretty sure the quality has gone down over the past 20 years, but what school hasn't? Teachers Quality, I would have to rate a 6 out of 10. Of the two years I have attended, I have had wonderful teachers. There are some bad eggs that prefer to teach one way and not try to reach out to students who are unable to learn this way. The best thing to do about teachers like this, is to find another teacher that can help. I honestly don't believe that uniforms will do anything to help the quality of the school. The one thing I would say that needs attention is parent involvement. You need to know whats going on with your child.”

“I think Thurston High could be a great school, if this one and all public schools went to Uniforms. Clothing seems to be a big part of the students interest, instead of the subjects offered. Plus the faculty doesn't seem to instill much pride in the school, that the students could pick up on. The teachers also don't put enough effort into helping students that appear to need it, whether they ask for it or not. Everyone likes to feel special and cared about.”

“Best teacher there was Mr. Sabatini. Now he's gone. Now the best is Mr. Spier. Have enjoyed Soccer team but I would wish we could have a winning season. Mixture of blacks to whites is about 50-50. Good school for band. Football team is not doing so weel this year(2004.) Take A.P. History, it can and will challenge you.”

“I am a graduate of THS and had a great HS experience. I was a member in the bands, soccer, cross country, S.A.D.D., NHS, and drama. The teachers were very helpful and I learned a great deal there. I only wish they had prepared me for the 'real world' everything I did to prepare myself for college I did on my own, there was no help offered. They did not help looking for scholarships like the counselors were supposed to be there for. I have been back to visit a few times and it seems the school has gone down hill rapidly. My kids would only attend THS to be a memeber of the band as I feel Mr. Lucius was a great mentor, I only wish the rest of the school could be the same way.”

“This school has gone downhill fast. The makeup of the class has changed dramaticly in the past 20 years. Test scores are down, the good teachers have left and the rate of violence has increased.”