Mission San Jose High School

This school is the best of the best. It's strong academic programs are not the only reason why many parents and children are drawn to this school; Mission also has a great athletics program in which almost all the sports teams have gone to NCS. Mission's homecoming is one of the best in the FUSD. Although it's true that some of the teachers are less than stellar most of them are willing to put in the extra time to help students in need ( even in Honors classes). Overall a really good school that truly pays off in the end.

MSJ is no doubt an extremely strong school with 46 AIME qualifiers 2 USABO Finalists and 2 USNCO Finalists this year alone. The teachers are very educated and experienced the faculty includes a number of Stanford and Berkeley alums several doctorates published authors former lawyers and even the son of the co-founder of Adobe. With a number of talented students and teachers a higher standard is to be expected. Some might call it positive reinforcement. Smarter students lead to harder classes which lead to more competition and even smarter students which lead to even harder classes and so on. The unhealthy level of competition means that some students will ultimately be unable to catch up with their peers and will fall behind never to regain their original pace. The competition breeds occasional cheating and other unethical behavior as well. Still MSJ is a good school for people who are passionate about academics. The overall atmosphere is safe and there is plenty of school spirit especially during homecoming week. MSJ is also in the process of expanding its course offerings to include more AP and dual-enrollment classes with the local community college.

I am a graduate of MSJ and with no doubt in my mind Mission San Jose High School has lived up to its reputation for known as a very competitive school. This school truly taught me to go beyond my studies. Of course I was accepted into a prestigious university as my peers pressured me to. This school is full of arrogant and pretentious students. I was always upset and furious because I could never be the best and there would always be someone in my class that would surpass my grade. No matter how hard you try there will always be someone in this school who will make you feel inferior. Of course I was bullied at this school but I did not let it weigh me down. But that is just me and I am a very reconciling and calm person. I have seen many fights at this school but what can I say people will be people at this school. I made a pretty nice amount of friends and there was always someone to hang out with but I felt that no one really understood the real me. Sorry to be cynical but no one can really be trusted here. My favorite teacher was Mrs. Carroll because she really cared and her tests were so challenging I expected no less from one of the hardest teachers on campus.

Much ado about nothing. Moving 30 miles to get into this school was a huge mistake....

I'm currently a junior at Mission during what's supposed to be the most stressful year of my life. It's going much more quickly than I thought it would and I don't feel particularly crushed by the workload. The students and staff are generally friendly I can't say that I don't feel safe here and--aside from our football--our athletic programs are stellar. We captured All-Sports last year and I am looking forward to being a part of a MSJ boys volleyball team making it back to the NCS title game.

Overall amazing. Academics. Sports. Drama. Music. <3

We moved into the MSJHS school area in time for the high school. I have two children at MSJHS. Both are happy made lots of friends particpate in multiple clubs and still do very well in academics. We are happy that we have moved into this school area. Competition is part of life and as parents we need to teach our children how to manage time and stress to succeed in lifr.

My daughter have just started attending MSJ this year. So far she likes all of the teachers especially Japanese. As mentioned by other parents facilities and grounds could be improved but it is the education that matters more. There is somewhat more homework than in Junior High but it is to be expected. Parents seems to be more involved than at other schools. Marching band is very large and well organized even though the teacher there seems too tough on students at times. Students themselves focus on studying more than in other schools ( I know because my daugher has friends at other High Schools in Fremont) I do not feel there is peer pressure for a girl to dress or look in any particular way as may be seen among teenagers at other schools. Overall we really like

We have fun while working hard and our homecoming skits/airbands are the best in the area )

I'm a long-time parent in this district and I would never send my child to this school. If you are not the brightest of the bright and then do nothing but study you can't possibly succeed here. There is not enough focus on being a diverse person developing the whole person and accepting failure (or at least dealing with it). The only way to feel accepted at this school is to take 2-3 AP courses every semester. The kids themselves will shun anyone not performing at the top of the class. This creates a stressful environment on top of the already stressful life of a hormonal teenager trying to figure out who they are and what they want to do in life.

I work for another school district but my kids went to this school. MSJ doesn't have exceptional teachers but the kids come from families that highly prize education which means that expectations are high. Facilities could be improved. Compare this to other schools with hugh truancy problems no parental involvement and no fundraising ability MSJ is exceptional. Unlike Lowell HS in SF there is no admission exam. Well you could consider winning admission is having parents able to pay high home prices just to send their kids here. The number of GATE identified students far exceeds the number you would expect statistically in the general population. Very tough competition but what do you expect?

I'm a student currently enrolling at this school. I agree that this school is very hard not only in academics but sports and etc. Not only do teachers give pressures but mostly their parents. But I have to say this is the best school because all my 4 sisters have graduated from here and have a very successfull life because of it. So with all the pressures academics sports it eventually pays off. =)

This school maybe the hardest school around Bayarea. However if anyone actually pay attention to study this school isn't as hard as it sounds. teachers are very experienced in teaching and most students willing to help out when there is problem.

I went to MSJHS for 9th and 10th grades. I was miserable. The students were stuck up and there wasn't a lot of care from student to student. Teachers were busy pleasing parents and they were always worried about what parents thought. Academics are important but they aren't everything. I ended up going to Kennedy HS where I had a really good education in 10th and 11th grades and where I was comfortable everyday. I graduated from Kennedy HS where the teachers and students cared. I wish I had started there in 9th grade.

I beg to differ. I go to MSJ and I have a 3.9 average GPA as a senior and am EXTREMELY involved in school activities. Wherever you go you're going to have the same problem if you don't put yourself out there or try hard enough. Competition is so overrated here it's not even that big of a deal. Our school spirit is healthy which you don't see at any other school and we're anti-stereotypical. You can't be bullied for being a nerd because everyone else is too. MSJ has a huge social life you just have to get involved YOURSELF. That's life.

no diversity at all i agree all the concern is school school school. too much hurts the kid.

You would think all schools in Alameda County are the same and should have basically the same ratings. However the expectations and the requiremants seem higher at Mission. When expectations are higher results are higher. Entering the Senior year my child has participated in extra-curricular activities. He still seems to do well in school.

My son was identified as a gifted and talented student and has a health condition. At MSJ once he got behind he lost all initiative and motivation to keep up. The staff has been helpful but my child is now in a hole he doesn't even want to overcome. (Granted a student must be self-motivated.) There is not much diversity and average students are considered slackers by the majority.

I am a current student right now at Mission San Jose High School and the one word to describe it would be competitive. I'm in all honors (I'm only a sophomore and have not had the chance to get into APs yet) and I still feel as if I'm at the bottom of the pack because of the high pressure at this school. This school is only good for kids who want a high GPA with no social life.

There is not enough ethnic diversity in the school.