based on 17 reviews
Independence High School
1776 Educational Park Dr.
San Jose, CA
95133
(408) 928-9500
http://ih.esuhsd.org
By: former student
Date: March, 2007
I am an alumni of this school. Compare indy to other high school around the bay area, indy offer much more magnet program, extracurricular activities, sports, music, and art. The reason they are able to offer a vast variation of things for kids like me to do is because the school is big! Most parents do not like that indy is so big but in a way indy is preparing us for college and the future. The school have given me, my brothers, and many other students opportunity to learn and explore. There was many elective ranging from auto shop to photography. There was so many ap and honors class to take and prepare for college and at the same time get credit so we don't have to take it again in college. There is also so many sport to choose from. To conclude, indy prepare us for the future.
By: parent
Date: October, 2006
At times my daughter was scared to be in this school because of the lack of security and classroom discipline. This school is too big and students are just numbers; they don't even know who everybody is. I can not believe that some parents think this is a good school; perhaps they don't know what a good school is.
By: former student
Date: June, 2006
As a graduate of Independence High School and the sibling of four other alumni or current students, I rate this school very highly. In my time there, I learned a great deal, not only academically, but about myself as a person. Despite the reputation of Eastside San Jose, Independence offers a large variety of honors and AP courses. The quality of these teachers was very high during my term there. I credit these instructors with preparing me for college and for life. The lessons I learned in their classrooms extend far into other sectors of my life. It was at Independence that I gained awareness of myself as a political citizen of the United States and of myself as a creative human being.
By: parent
Date: June, 2006
I give my highest recommendations to school. The academic programs of this school nonetheless exceeded my expectations by 10 fold by the least. Before my child attended this school, he was barely recieving a 2.0 GPA, however after attending Independence High School, his GPA shot up from his measely 2.0 to a 3.7. The sport programs avaliable at this school are also amazing, the amount of participation of the student body and dedication to their sports are so much more than my child's previous school, The Harker School. I was blown away by the determination some of the kids have here. In addition to the involvement of the student body in their academics and extracurricular activities, I was also suprised by the level of parent involvement. Being a middle class working parent, I barely have time to participate in school activities. The others are the same but they find time!
By: student
Date: May, 2006
Huge, nice music program and many sports to choose from, but a kid can get lost in this school as I did and end up with the wrong crowd.
By: former student
Date: April, 2006
You may find this school too big to function but you couldn't be more wrong. There are so many clubs and programs here that can't be offered at smaller schools.
By: former student
Date: February, 2006
Goos academic programs, just about any course you can think of. Tons of clubs, and sports activities. This school has alot to offer for those that take it. With a school this large it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Best way to not get lost in the system is to apply yourslef and heavy parent involvement. As for the 'violence' problems, this school has no more fight per capita than any other school. It's just alot larger so the numbers grow accordingly. Well staffed security.
By: staff
Date: November, 2005
On behalf of Special Ed services; Academic programs are great and the school uses a lot of different career/vocational oriented assignments. There are several clubs and groups for a student to join. The school is even initiating a new career acedemy this year for the 9th graders in Special Ed.
By: student
Date: August, 2005
This school used to be better but now it's has become pretty bad. The students have no rights and the teachers aren't all that great.
By: former student
Date: August, 2005
This school used to be a better school, but in recent years it could use an improvement in the area of academics.
By: parent
Date: August, 2005
The academic level is not that challenging. The music, art and sports are fine.
By: student
Date: July, 2005
Independence is a really big school and was ment to be a college, but is a very good school compared to other schools in the area. This school has many clubs and do have AP classes.
By: student
Date: May, 2005
BEST PRINCIPAL EVER!!!!!! good school. but lacking with security issues!!!!! Security is not enough and teachers don't care!!!!
By: former student
Date: April, 2005
This is a larger school of about 2000 students. It can be overwhelming. If your an athlete its tough to make the squad. You have more kids to compete against. I went there in 1988 and my daughter is a sophmore now. Academically it is your avarage highschool. Nice gym, olympic size pool and fields. great clubs and associations.
By: parent
Date: March, 2005
This school is too big. It makes it hard for students to form solid relationships with their peers. However, the school has excellent classes and clubs available, and the music department and teacher is absolutely wonderful!
