South Oldham High School

As a student, I think I am more that capable of giving this school a proper review. This will be my 3rd year at South Oldham High School, and thus far my experience here has been less than pleasant. While the curriculum may be challenging and our test scores are pretty good, there is a lot that is left unaddressed and even more that the faculty at South wouldn't want new students and their families to know. The racial insensitivity from students and teachers alike is UNREAL. My sophomore year I was in the office more than 11 times, all for varying incidences starting with students being able to freely use derogatory terms with no punishment and escalating to hate crimes, which also went unpunished. I'm an African American female who was subjected to sexual harassment, physical altercations, and also the victim of theft as well as being the recipient of hateful notes being placed in my purse. The administration and teachers alike did absolutely nothing to prevent these kinds of things from happening and IF there was any punishment given out, it was a pat on the hand. No offenders were seriously apprehended for anything they did. To be a student of any race other than Caucasian at this school is extremely difficult. Nobody really tries to make you feel welcome or safe, and your virtually on your own because the principals and guidance counselors would rather not be bothered with anything that doesn't directly affect them. So while this school is fine academically, in terms of diversity and racial awareness they deserve a failing grade. What good does it do a student to attend one of the highest ranking schools in Kentucky, if they have to endure verbal and physical assaults on a daily basis just because they are "different"? The kind of abuse that students have to go through here goes waaaaay past the normal bullying that you'd expect in your average high school. It's brutal. South Oldham High School is NOT a school I would recommend that anybody sends their child to. They can talk about all the great academic awards they've received over the years, but your child's well-being and safety is more important that the school's recognition for test scores. With a lazy and uncaring staff at South, its hard to focus on making the grades when your too busy being swallowed up in all the hate that dominates those hallways.

A National Blue Ribbon school of Excellence, South Oldham is a fantastic school with a focus on college preparation, offering numerous Advanced Placement courses and expecting a lot from their students. This school is a top 10 school because they expect to be a top 10 school and they expect their students to do well.