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Columbus Alternative High School in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus Alternative High School Detail

(614) 365-6006
2632 McGuffey Rd
Columbus, OH 43211
Levels: 9-12
District: Columbus City Schools


Columbus Alternative High School Census Data

Census InfoValueYear
Student Teacher Ratio:19.97% (2008)
White, non-Hispanic:30.3% (2008)
Asian/Pacific Islander:2.9% (2008)
Black, non-Hispanic:64% (2008)
Hispanic:2% (2008)

Columbus Alternative High School Ratings Summary

Average Quality Rating4
Average Principals Rating4
Average Teachers Rating4
Average Activities Rating4
Average Parents Rating4
Average Safety Rating5

Columbus Alternative High School Reviews

This is without a doubt the best high school in the city--and one of Columbus's best kept secrets, too. It's a rigorous college-prep school with dedicated teachers, serious students, and a community that doesn't exclude anyone. I've never seen high school students happier or more stimulated by their coursework. No sports, and that puts some people off, but I'm convinced it's one of the main reasons the school works as well as it does on so many levels.
This review was posted by a parent.

CAHS, a public school, consistently ranks in the top 25 schools nationally, along with private prep schools, etc. Students and teachers are challenged and respected, the arts and sciences flourish with genuine student leadership. CAHS is - and should be - a model for excellence in public urban education.
This review was posted by a parent.

I think it's a pretty great school. The teachers are great, the students are great, but I'm not that big a fan of the administration, but that's just preliminary. It is by far the best school in the distict, and I'm a junior.
This review was posted by a student.

My daughter is a freshman. CAHS is providing her with a very challenging education. I do wish the music program was stronger, though.
This review was posted by a parent.

I am currently a student at CAHS and all teachers also principles does a great job in educating all students they are fair and any problems that anyone has they solve them fair and square.Now lets not forget the staff in the lunchroom they also do an awesome job food is great especially the salad bar man awesome everything is fresh and neat keep up the good work.
This review was posted by a student.

CAHS does a great job of educating all students. This is a rich, diverse population. Students have respect for each other, their focus tends to be on academics. Teachers are good and strong in their areas. Opportunities abound. There are no sports at CAHS but your student can participate in their home school. CAHS is a lottery school and application is through lottery only. This is a school for academically driven students. If your student doesn't want to be at CAHS, you might want to consider looking at their home school because they will have to work at CAHS and if they don't want to be there, they can sabotage their success. Parents are involved and are supportive of the academic mission. There are many tasks that parents fulfill to make CAHS a better place. Students need some motivation to make the most of what CAHS has to offer.
This review was posted by a parent.

We have put 5 children through CAHS. Two went to the colleges of their choice. The other three are still there. They have all been challenged and had opportunities to do more than I believe they would have anywhere else. The peer culture is such that being smart is valued; the geniuses are cheered for. The social life is built around theatre, chess, Dungeons and Dragons, and political action. Not a school for the lazy. A kid trying to just get by will be blown away by the college level course content. When my daughter went to the college fair, one college's recruiter said she should not bother to apply unless she was in the top 10% of her class, when the recruiter heard my daughter was from CAHS, she said 'Nevermind; apply-CAHS is different.' We could easily afford the suburbs, but it would be a step down.
This review was posted by a parent.

CAHS has been a challenging road for me and for many of my fellow students. The hours of homework not only during school but during break were massive. But I feel that it was all worth it. The faculty at CAHS seem to find the smallest ounce of potential within all their students to help them grow. Once ignorant freshmen, the now proud seniors look back at their 4 years through these halls and thank those who have helped them become the adults they now are. I feel that the parents reading this should send their children to CAHS because unlike many other schools in Columbus, intelligence is respected here. What can make CAHS hard for kids is the fact that every teacher here expects your best, because they can see your potential. Sometimes it's hard for kids to live up to those great expectations.
This review was posted by a student.

I am a graduate of Columbus Alternative High School, and am pleased that others can reap its benefits. My time there was enjoyable and enriching,and it equipped me for an open mind in an increasingly connected world. As a teacher now, I understand even more the greatness of this school. Kudos to the teachers and the staff!
This review was posted by a former student.

This is an excellent college prep school in a public school district. There is a wide variety of students and staff to help students develop in ways that is unimaginable in a private school. But the level of learning and teach can only be match by a private school.
This review was posted by a parent.

Columbus Alternative High School is probably one of the best public high schools in the nation. As a college preparatory high school, the students are expected to meet standards, but this is easily acheived in a helpful and informative atmosphere. The school has a diversity of students and teachers, which goes beyond race, and is excellent for getting a head start and college.
This review was posted by a student.

I loved this school. I went there as a child and now my child goes there. I would recommend it to everyone who wants a higher education.
This review was posted by a parent.

This school is okay but your child has to be focused or when they come they will be lost! The program is very hard but it does help in the end. My child is at Penn State University on a full ScholarShip
This review was posted by a parent.