Research La Cueva High School public Schools in Santa Fe, New Mexico

“I go to LCHS and I think it is an incredible school. Yeah we have some problems, but overall academically it is incredible. Our FIne arts department and Band are also immaculate!”

“It's always interesting to read reviews of schools by people on the outside. Having been a teacher and also had two children that went through 7 years (total) of academic training at La Cueva, I made it a point to get to know as many teachers as possible and using former connections would sit in lunch meetings with science, math, english, foreign language, etc... I'm sure your aware that LCHS has one of the highest academic records in the state if not the highest. They have won more math, science bowl, knowledge masters, speech and debate titles, better SAT, ACT scores overall than any other school in the state. The JETS (Junior engineering) team was undefeated at a state level while they had one and went to nationals, as does DECA and their ROTC. So exactly what are you basing your assessments on?”

“A great school in general, but with a poor administration and a principal that never should have been placed at this school. Both of my kids graduated in top 1% of class, had nothing to do with extreme politics that dominate this school. Principal sees athletics only, and according to kids runs school like a prison. AP classes, particularly calculus teacher, is phenomenal. Art department, especially ceramics teacher, is incredible. English teachers seem to 'determine' the valedictorians based on arbitrary grading in senior year, also 'determine' who gets to participate in National Honor Society and who doesn't. Very elitist school, but it does prepare the advanced student that tunes out the heavy politics, heavy sports, and poor administration.”

“By and large, the school is in need of improved leadership and improved academics. Teachers who have a passion for teaching and who promote encouragement and creative ways of learning would be welcome. This school is behind the times due to teachers and leadership who lack understanding of educational advances. Students at either end of the spectrum are not adequately supported .Easily successful students are simply not challenged. An equal emphasis should be placed on high expectations for both students and teachers. Teachers who poorly reflect teaching should be transferred out. Above all, a significant effort should be made for APS to provide more training for its teachers in special need areas that will promote understanding, communication and support for all types of students.”

“My child attends this school. Students are not welcoming to new kids, a common problem in this area of the city. There are many good and dedicated teachers, but overall, the education at LCHS suffers from the limited abilities of the principal. This school is not for thinkers. Conformity is everything here.”

“La Cueva is an excellent school overall. They have a nice mix of academics and extra curricular activities. The test scores are near the top of the city and their athletic teams are some of the most competetive in the state. My son has enjoyed the years he has spent there.”

“LCHS is a great school for the self-motivated, self-reliant student who excels without intervention. It is a great school for the athletically talented. It is the best school in Albuquerque. With that said and my experiences with education in other high achieving states, this school lacks in a some areas. Many Teachers do not return phone calls, neither does the staff. There are bias against by teachers that carry from teacher to teacher. The teacher rumor mill is very active. It is tough to get a fresh start there. The principal lacks a lot. There are some excellent education and athletic opportunities at LCHS for those that want it, but don't expect anyone to take an interest in your child unless they are already an achiever at this overcrowded school. They also over-react when a child errors the first time.”

“I have been attending LCHS since my freshman year. I am now a junior. I think that it is an excellent school in many areas. It boasts an impressive athletics record, as well as outstanding test scores. It is a clean, well kept building that houses it's students in complete safety. The staff provides a rigorous curriculum fit to prepare young and impressionable minds for the demands of life beyond the trying four year stretch . I have thoroughly enjoyed the gifted courses I have participated in. They are both intellectually stimulating and enriching. However, it does have faults, just as any other large establishment run by our government.”

“I'm not a parent, but I'm a LCHS alumni. I have to say my best memories for me were at LCHS. I had some of the best teachers that made a real impact on my life and the way things are taught. That's not to say that every teacher there is outstanding, but compared to other schools, I'm sure La Cueva has the assets that other schools in Albuquerque do not. It's a safe, clean, beautiful high school with more school spirit than you'd see at any other school in the nation. I take pride in being a 1999 graduate of LCHS, who wouldn't?”

“What distresses me about La Cueva is that it substitutes real learning with a kind of waterd down mass education. It seems to focus heavilly on standardized tests, statistics, and ratings. The art and literature departments are lacking. It is overcrowded and the atmoshpere is harsh, competitive, and littered with biases. Students judge each other based on looks and conspicuous consumption. Faculty is involved somewhat with students, yet teachers tend to display favoritism , especially towards those in athletic programs. The only reason any pupil has to attend this school is they are a wealthy athlete.”

“I have only been going to La Cueva a few months, and I love it! They have wonderful after school programs and great teachers. A lot of people judge La Cueva because they think that we are a big huge preppy school and that it is filled with rich kids, but that really isn't true. La Cueva is the best school in the state, weather you like it or not!”

“L Cueva is the best high school in the state. The Academics are excellent. We have the top test scores of all the public high schools in Albuquerque. As a student at La Cueva, i would say it's the best time of my life. The people are so nice, and everyone is really involved! GO BEARS!!!”

“I think that LCHS is the best school in the state. The best thing about LCHS is of course the sports programs. Alot of people think that it is just some kind of preppy school full of rich stuck up kids,this stereo type is not all true.”

“As a student I was appalled by the principal's draconian treatment of students. The school is dominated by sports, bending rules and alienating non-athletes. The academics are excellent, especially the honors programs. The students are very image oriented, wealthy, and elitist. The community of the school is very bad, and certainly very exclusive. This school is great if you're an aspiring social climber, or you want your children to be around the rich crowd.”

“I think that La Cueva is an excellent school. Most of the teachers are great and overall the school is great. The sports programs are also excellent. As a student, I pretty much enjoy going to La Cueva.”

“I attended LCHS from 2000 to 2004, and it was filled with highs and lows. First, the principal was not so good, as she did not connect with the students very well. Also, the administration was way too lenient with misbehaviors. Students could get away with anything. My first two years, in special ed, I learned vey little, but when I transferred to regular ed, I found out that it was a pretty good school academically, even though I had way too much homework. In the end, I enjoyed my experience at La Cueva.”

“La Cueva is one of the best schools in Albuquerque. However that's mostly because it isn't facing the same number of challenges found in most other schools. There's lots of parent involvement bordering on interference. It's a safe school with plenty of security and cameras. One drawback is since LC is always 'rated' so high it is doing little to improve. Students who don't fit the 'profile' often end up transferring. Although there is alot controversy surrounding La Cueva - especially in athletics.”

“La Cueva is an awesome school. The teachers really seem to care about the students. The academic and social skills I acquired while attending LCHS have helped in all areas of my life. I hope to one day send my children to La Cueva, 'Where excellence is habit'.”

“La Cueva has many areas of excellence. It is rated one of the best schools in Albuquerque. However, the class size is large and students who need extra help are often forgotten. Some of the teachers are excellent and others don't return phone calls or messages, even after numerous attempts. This includes the teachers who are supposed to monitor the students progress. They need more special ed teachers as well.”

“This school has a very good relationship between parents and teachers. They make every effort to ensure that their students are the best and that they get the very best of everything. They even have an excellent special education department. The campus security has an excellent relationship with the students and therefore the students feel safe and secure at all times. Because of the caring of the teachers and the counselors my children have excelled in many of the subjects they were failing in another school district from another state. Overall I would have to say that if you have a chance to enroll in this school it is well worth every effort to do so.”