BioTECH @ Richmond Heights High School

"I started out at this school in the beginning of my 10th grade year. I thought it would be difficult for me to be able to fit in and catch on to the lessons like the other kids were able to. Not long after my arrival my biology teacher did everything in her power to make sure that I understood the lessons. Yes the school may not be traditional but it is worth it for students who love animals and even environmental studies. Lets just say if you love science and if you love teachers who are able to help you with anything you are struggling with then Biotech is the place to go. Not long after going there I began to gain A lot of knowledge about things I never knew I had a interest in. Biotech is the one place that gave me a chance to expand my horizons. I would not have been able to gain scholarships without this schools help."

"I was a sophomore in this school (currently a junior now in Ferguson) and honestly if you love science and math this is a good school for you. I messed up in my freshmen and sophomore year and I'm picking me stuff up now In junior year my grades have improved a lot (Mateo would be happy with my grades now no F's or D's and gpa is going up slowly, but still going up) And as much as I miss this school I wouldn't want to go back love to visit it again though it's a small school and everyone knows each other the teachers are hard working and just the sweetest. They want what's best for you and I wish I did better in that school and they did try their best with me I was just lazy, but not anymore. Biotech is a hard school they don't play around so if you plan on staying at this school then do good, pay attention, don't slack off, do your work, listen to the teachers and the advices they give you, and do your work. Yeah it's going to be a lot of it and it's going to drive you insane where you feel like death all the time, but I find it worth it."

"The teachers at this school are amazing. There is a ton of potential for this school to grow. In our personal experience one of the guidance counselors was not very nice , and kind of lazy always passing things on to another person to handle. What saves her is that she is great friends with the principal (as told by the principal himself). The principal is a bit standoffish when you bring a concern to him about a staff member....especially if it is about the counselor. I don't feel that the parents are heard when an issue is brought up. Instead when an issue came up we received a speaker phone call with a somewhat defensive and sarcastic principal. A meeting in person to address the issues would have been more professional. Besides all the above, the principal does reply to emails fairly quick. The other issue the school has is that it does not have busses to pick kids up at home and take to school. Private busses are costly with weekly rates . It was hard finding a private bus willing to drop my child off at the zoo in the mornings for class. Also the only busses the school has are ones that take you from the school to the zoo or Botanical Gardens during the school day . When those busses are late due to Miami traffic, then your child is late returning to the school and they miss their private busses. Another issue is the school has to share a cafeteria with the next door awful middle school. Uniforms for Biotech are more costly because of the special shirts needed, the students need embroidered lab coats that cost like 65 dollars, there is a fee for the school tablet plus an insurance fee, there is a lab fee, a math fee, and a large fee if the special ID badges get lost. Even to be in the PTA there was a fee. There are a lot of fees. Just as an FYI, your child needs to know how to swim to attend here or can not go to the Everglades field trips. The portables used as classrooms at Zoo Miami are fairly old and caused my son several allergy issues. Overall it is a good school just not what we fully thought it would be it has potential , but not sure with this principal . We relocated and moved on to better things."

"This is a great school but it is very challenging. There's a lot of work here but you'll get used to it over time. Like me, I did terrible my ninth grade year but I am a in tenth grade now and have made an astonishing change because I now know how hard this school is and have gotten used to it. I got an email from a college yesterday and I can only thank this school for it, I plan to stay at this school and do better and better. I hope to get many more emails and letters soon."

"I am also a student at Biotech. I am a current sophomore and can testify to what Chris said: Elijah did not to any work, essentially blamed his teachers for all the horrid grades he got (Which were HIS fault, as he did NOTHING in class or at home). It's not like people get kicked out for no reason. As for the school itself, this place is stressful it is hard, but then again, isn't that high school in general? besides, the only one who puts unnecessary stress upon themselves is he student themselves. Luckily these teachers are some of the hardest working, and approachable i have ever met. they WILL do what they have to do and beyond for the benefit of the student, same for the administration. Plus the school has one of the smallest average class sizes in the STATE, at appx. 8 students a class, you will not regret your decision to come if you do. As long as you put in your own effort, you will be rewarded heavily in return."