based on 24 reviews
Branham High School
1570 Branham Ln.
San Jose, CA
95118
(408) 265-8440
http://branham.cuhsd.org
By: former student
Date: June, 2007
I am a former student at Branham High School. My parents were former students. I was a straight 'A' student and played several sports. Some of the teachers really cared and went the extra mile to help students. Others did not care at all. The school has gone down hill. Maybe one day the district will open their eyes and return the school to it's former glory days of the 70's/80's.
By: parent
Date: May, 2007
Teachers at BHS are awesome but the adminstrators run the school like a juvenile detection center. Current administrators do not like parent involvment and frown on parents who demand 'accountability & visibility'. Send your child to another school if possible. Branham is the last school we would recommend to anyone. Look elsewhere for a fun & educational experience for your child unless the admin at BHS changes. This school gets a minus 'ONE' in my opinion.
By: parent
Date: April, 2007
Branham HS has proven it's a great school. The API scores have jumped 37 points when the goal was 4, the STAR exams are on par with Leigh, it has just been recognized as a California Distinguished School, many of the sports programs have been elevated to the top level with many winning championships. The Musical Theater program is UC recognized and won competitions and traveled to England, the Music Department has grown incredibly in all programs of jazz, percussion, choirs, and symphonic band, with students forming various other ensembles outside of class time that are completely supported by the director. Teachers spend a lot of time with their students and genuinely care about their progress. The Administration works with parents continuously with questions, concerns, volunteering and fundraising. Another important point, the culture of the school community is awesome, students not only tolerate each other's differences, but accept them.
By: student
Date: March, 2007
I am a student at Branham High School, and I love coming to school every day. The teachers are awesome and the academic programs are great. Our faculty works hard to make our school a fun place to learn. We have good test scores and our campus is nice. I feel that all the bad reviews given about Branham are false, because as a student I feel that I am getting the best education and I am getting all the best help I can to succeed in my life.
By: parent
Date: March, 2007
Branham is a typical High School, but there are some big problems. I wish that the school district could just figure them out and give my student the right education she needs in order to be successful in life.
By: parent
Date: March, 2007
Unfortunately Branham High School has been a huge disappointment. Schoolloop is over-rated by the CUHSD. Most teachers don't use it or answer emails. What happened to a 'free public education'? The CUHSD is greedy and not listening to unhappy parents in this school. I do not recommend this school for anyone's child.
By: parent
Date: February, 2007
Very poor counselors who often give wrong advice. They did not even record an AP class as such with the UC's this year. So now it will not count for my child! They schedule the junior/senior prom the night before the SAT subject tests! The new administrators are not parent/student friendly. Do they really care about the quality of education? If I had known this, I would never have sent my son here.
By: parent
Date: February, 2007
Disappointing school. School Loop is a great concept, but in 3.5 years, less than half of my child's teachers kept it current enough to be meaningful. They have Aeries, too, but most teachers won't use that either. Most teachers do not respond to phone calls or emails. There are a few terrific teachers, but they are the exception at BHS, not the norm. It's interesting that most of the positive reviews here are from BHS faculty!
By: student
Date: November, 2006
This is a great school. It has many excellent teachers that are always willing to help. It has many extra curricular activities. Their API scores have tremendously gone up!!
By: parent
Date: May, 2006
Has a wonderful Science and History Department. Sports are lacking.....Should see a big change in the Football Program for 06/07 school year since there is a new coaching staff. Adminstration is not parent friendly.
By: former student
Date: April, 2006
The school reopened approx. six years ago. In the past 2 years the school has gone down hill. The administration is not open minded or parent friendly. The outstanding teacher s is the only thing holding the school together. The student morale is at an all time low.
By: parent
Date: January, 2006
Branham has been working hard to build up programs, since reopening. It's a nice campus and there are many activities for students to become involved in. There's a lot of school spirit. While there are very good teachers, particularly in the science and social studies/econ/history depts, the math department, in my opinion is not strong. Office staff are friendly and happy and that usually is a reflection on a good administration. Overall I've been happy as a parent at Branham.
By: former student
Date: January, 2006
The academic programs at Branham were pretty average. As a former student, I wish there were a little bit more involvement with the teachers in helping the students prepare and apply for college. As for the sports, it was slowly growing. As long as Branham holds on to its original faculty, they should be able to excel. I loved all the teachers at this school.
By: student
Date: January, 2006
Awesome school. The activities are improving.
By: parent
Date: November, 2005
We are very pleased with the responsiveness of the staff and faculty. There are a number of programs to help students succeed and the students are known and appreciated on campus.
By: teacher
Date: October, 2005
Since Branham s re-opening, the music department s ensemble enrollment has grown, and the level of musicianship has increased greatly. In 2005, the Treble Clef Choir and Concert Band traveled to the Heritage Festival in Anaheim, CA where they competed against other schools from all over the country. Both groups returned with awards and ratings higher than they have been since the school's re-opening. Members of Branham s music department have sat as section leaders at the CUHSD music festival, received command performance rankings at solo/ensemble competitions, and perform professional grade repertoire as singers and pit musicians in Broadway musicals. The level of student achievement is on the rise at Branham. Rob Barnes Music_Director Branham_High_School
By: parent
Date: October, 2005
Branham high School lacks parent involvement only due to the current adminstration. Parent involvement to them adds 'complexity' that they are not willingly or capable of dealing with. Look into other avenues for your child to excel in academics or sports. You will not be happy with this school or the current adminstration.
By: teacher
Date: October, 2005
Having been exposed to a variety of high schools, I can give my sincere review of Branham as one of the finest High Schools I have yet to encounter. In addition to the academic opportunities provided for students, Branham has a dedicated and sincere staff and administration that works endlessly to ensure the academic and personal success of each of their students. I would recommend Branham High School to any parent looking for an outstanding school that represents the spirit, integrity, and community that most hope for in a learning environment. As a teacher here, I can assure any parent that Branham works tirelessly to identify and integrate cutting edge teaching and instructional strategies to provide students with the best possible education. Branham students are not only well represented in college, but are well-rounded and involved in multiple activities. It is a wonderful school.
By: Your Neighbor
Date: October, 2005
Branham has many outstanding teachers. Students are able to select from a wide variety of athletic, drama, music and club activities. The school administration is exceptional in finding opportunities for parents and community volunteers.
By: parent
Date: October, 2005
The academics at branham are average. The sports program isn't very good. Basically the school rates below average for most parents and students. This is just my experience at BHS.
By: staff
Date: September, 2005
I have enjoyed working with the Branham staff and teachers for almost 5 years and find the school a great experience for students, parents and staff. We have installed a new system called schoolloop for both parents and students. Parents and students are able to see homework, grades, attendance and much more. We have a great sports program and lots of clubs for students to be a part of. Great place to be.
By: parent
Date: September, 2005
We have been pleased with our son's three years at Branham. Our son has enjoyed his classes and joined several sports teams and clubs. As parents, we found the office staff and administration to be friendly and helpful. Branham has a personable, small school feel for being in a large metro area.
By: parent
Date: June, 2005
The adacademic programs are mediocre. They're not awful. However, they are slightly watered down for the not as bright kids. This doesn't allow the smarter students to advance, but at the same time allowing others to keep up. Branham does offer an advanced program, but due to open enrollment, it too is watered down. Regarding the availability of music, art, sports and other extracuricular activities-The music in the past has not been phenominal. Leigh is obviously here the better choice. However, the new band director is really leading Branham, creating a better band. The sports are ok. Branham does not offer as many sports as other schools, but the athletic departmenst are rather successful in their leagues.
By: former student
Date: May, 2005
Branham is a multi-cultural school. In the out-skirts of town, away from most drama, it sits in peace. It is located near other prosperous towns, and offers a state-of-the-art architecture in its buildings. Again, the achievement rate varies among its students. On another note, the teachers varies also. Some teachers are just more talented than others. However, to request a teacher here is quite hard.
