Go Vikings! I graduated from Mills High School and was one of the few (2-4) Asian girls in the Class of '68. My father was George Yin-Shou Che, who served as General Consul of the Republic of China in the Bay Area from 1961-1968. Later, the Republic of China was referred to as Taiwan, when the People's Republic of China (Mainland) bumped Taiwan out of the UN. I remember my 4 years at Mills High School with great fondness. Though I was always in the minority - e.g., my Latin class had 25 white boys and 1 Chinese girl (me) - I never felt isolated or alone since my 5 close girlfriends were independent thinkers who focused on the wackier side of life. I credit the students and teachers of Mills High (1964-1968) for instilling in me the traits of hard work, good health, good humor and love of people. At Mills High in the 1960's, I learned the BIG lesson that anything is possible if I wanted it and didn't give up! So after Mills, I went on to major in Chemistry, get a Ph.D., have a family, start a US pharmaceutical company (OPTR) and bring a life-saving drug (DIFICID) to the world. This summary of my life and career is short, but the journey was very long one. This year, I'm a member of the MHS Class of '68 2013 Reunion Committee and in my search for MHS info, I found this "Yelp MHS Review" page, and I could not resist giving my Mills High School a five-star rating! Tessie Che read more

Mills has been the venue for our child's extracurriculars. This high school is big with very modern and clean facilities - they have done a great job maintaining it throughout the years. Parking is limited in the lots, especially on Sundays when they are having a big church event, but it is relatively easy to find parking in the surrounding neighborhood. read more

This is the best high school in the San Mateo peninsula area. The teachers are awesome, not only were they open and honest with students but they taught with a passion.The teaching styles were great especially in history because they touched topics that were sensitive but to keep students engaged and aware of what's happening in this world. They also gave close attention to students and their progress. Counselors, office administrators, and principal were extremely kind the time I was there in high school 7-8 years ago, and I'm sure they're still the best. The security is great with the kids as they create a neutral friendship dynamic with students well also making sure students are following the rules on school campus. This type of support from the teachers is what created those who went to school here to become successful. School lunch wasn't great but it's government assisted so not much you can do about that. Overall my experience here was unforgettable because of the awesome teachers, environment, and structure. read more

I was one of the lucky few people who get to work with the students that go here back in the day. While I was not a student here, this is one of the greatest schools in San Mateo county where kids can be well prepared for college. It's a little better than a few schools in Santa Clara county because back when I was here as a civilian, there was a very low dropout rate. Students I worked with here were very studious and have high achievement levels. Those who are taking advanced classes usually do well without outside help which never happens at schools in my county of residence. Extracurriculars are hassle free. Back when I worked in Millbrae, I could tell kids here enjoy being a student athlete here. Drawback: If you are a visitor on the weekend and need to use the field, please register for a permit. This school is closely monitored read more

There's no diversity in this school. It's mainly Asians. They need to work on having more diversity.

I had really good time at this school. The environment was inviting and felt like a safe space for many students. I had a good time in most of my classes. In math, we were taught to measure the dimensions of real-life objects such as banners, vehicles, and chambers. History was good for the most part, except when we often had to reenact military alliances in WW2. To learn the geography of Europe we were forced to reenact the german blitzkrieg through Europe and learn the national anthem of certain axis powers. In History class, we also marched to songs of the Third Reich while wearing our Waffen SS uniforms. Every assembly was in memory of the fallen Reich leaders Heinrich Himmler and the great Adolf Hitler. We also paid our respects to the great Mussolini and Hirohito. Overall a very nice school with a very rich culture and unique education you don't find at many schools. read more

Mills was a pretty great place to be back in the 1970s. Good teachers ( Mrs. Kennedy the French teacher was tops ) also Mr. Basques in English and Band teacher Mr. Hall. Super Drama department as well-they put on a killer production of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" in 1968. Coach Weiss was very inspiring. Gary St.Clair was the football star. Remember a lot of the "cool" kids used to go to a small cafe in Burlingame Plaza to smoke at lunchtime. Lyons Coffee Shop used to be at the corner of Murchison and El Camino. Pretty conservative place back then even with the Haight-Ashbury happening up in San Francisco. Very little racial diversity either. Wasn't perfect,but all in all a good school to have gone to,good memories and good people. Thank God places like The Millbrae House of Pancakes and Neal's Cafe are still around. Miss the old Millbrae Theater. Go Vikings! read more

I didn't go to high school here but I've heard that it's one of the best in the area. One of the moms told me that it's 67% Asian. The reason for my 5 star review is because it has a lovely running track that's open to the public everyday from dawn to dust except when used for track meets. The track is well-maintained, easy on the knees, and has both water fountains and bathrooms. The area has tons of foot traffic so it's also very safe. Unfortunately, this track is also very popular with walkers so I often have to weave when I run (but it's not that bad). I don't do any speed work, but I prefer running circles on the track in the pleasant California weather over using the treadmill any day. read more

What was once an elite gem in the San Mateo county public school district has slowly deteriorated into "just another" public high school. Known for being academically competitive, Mills was once a school that staff and students alike vied for ferociously. Severely needing a remodel, the resolution was a horrendous "lipstick on a pig" yellow and maroon facade that took several years to complete. Recently, a teacher by the name of Lista was caught filming girls with a hidden camera in the ladies restroom. His room was adjacent to the restroom, making it easy to snake the camera over the wall via the ceiling tiles. Incidentally he was originally hired when he was the son-in-law of a prior principal... not as a credit to his ability as a teacher or the merit of his character. It is rather unfortunate. Funny thing is... this probably would have been deterred if an extensive remodel had been initiated to retrofit the school with the permanent fixtures (walls, for example) that so many had assumed were long overdue. read more

Ah, Mills... I had some great teachers here. Among the most memorable were Jackson, Peel, and Hamilton [ tear :'( ]. I won't comment on Lista. Also, I don't think Crowell was too fond of me, but from what I hear it's all starting to come back to him. It was pretty good academically for a public school. There wasn't a lot of school spirit nor were many resources put into the performing arts, but I guess you can't have it all. In my time, the "gay community" consisted of me and a bunch of lesbians, but I'd say campus was accepting on the whole. I mean, electing a gay Homecoming king was pretty awesome and really meant a lot. As challenging as it was, I never really learned to study or take notes, which screwed me up royally when I went off to college. It took me a whole year to learn study skills I was supposed to have learned in high school. Speaking of college, coming back and visiting Mills makes me realize just how freaking ugly it is in comparison. This is supposed to be the academic crème de la San Mateo High School District... sure doesn't look like it. Meanwhile our neighbor Capuchino gets a pretty little facelift. [shakes fist] In any event, it was really the students that made this school great. I genuinely had a good time in high school and I can't wait for a reunion. I'll tell everyone I invented Post-it notes. read more

Gotta show a little love for the old high school...even if some of my sentence there was adolescent torture...but what high school experience isn't. I thought it was the ugliest school even when i was there almost 20 years ago. The no window thing really kills the whole daydreaming during algebra thing...but i guess that was in their evil plan all along. I am glad it has done so well academically but seems to be failing socially...just say no to ghetto. i wish i could hear more about the old teachers. the only thing i've heard recently is that one is a perv and a very beloved teacher (who??) died last year or the year before. Over all...it's the ugly child that you still have to love read more

It was so funny to read about Mills High School on Yelp today, so thought I'd add my own antiquated reveiw. I went to Mills, but back in the Stone Age, before any of you were born, no doubt. The demographic was much different. We had, I remember, 2 Asian girls. One was Dr. Fong's daughter, and the other was the daughter of the Taiwanese Consul. The only black students were in special ed classes and were bussed in. Most of Millbrae was comprised of Jewish kids (dads who were doctors & lawyers) and Italian kids (dads were building contractors -there was a building boom there). Before my sophomore year, girls couldn't wear pants/slacks of any kind, and the school checked the length of skirts by having you kneel. By the time I was a junior, people were coming to school in FADED (OMG) jeans and long hair, and more than one was stoned or tripping on acid. A lot of changes very quickly. It was pre-Prop 13, though, so the school had remarkable facilities: an Olympic pool and a diving pool, 2 full gymnasiums (gymnasia?) with multiples of every bit of gymnastic equipment. Football field, baseball diamond, track, and tennis courts. We had Humanities and Driver's Ed in big Delta 88's, and although the school looked like a factory to us, even back then, there were killer teachers who really spent time trying to modify classes to address kids of this new and mysterious era. Oh, and there was an art teacher who was banging the most beautiful hippie-girl art student, but hey, nobody's perfect. Our Vice-Principal had a crew-cut, and was probably ex-military,too, but I remember a kindly nurse who talked me out of running away from home. I had heard that the much beloved Drama teacher died a few years back, and he'd been a favorite as well. We're Vikings, we're Vikings - one of the weirdest aspects of Mills High School - the school song was the music from the Kirk Douglas/Tony Curtis movie "The Vikings", infamous as the movie in which Tony Curtis's Brooklyn accent informs his Viking lines, as in, "Yonda lies the castle of my fodda". They speeded it up, gave it a little oom-pah, and some silly lyrics. whadda hoot. read more

My teen graduated from Mills recently and is on the Dean's List at a top tier East Coast school. A lot of complaining on these posts about how Mills didn't prepare the student for college .... some of it is true, but I think, my complaint is mostly that Mills did not do a good job in teaching kids how to write (at the other high schools in this school district also, based on comparison with other parent friends). I could say the same about the middle schools that fed into Mills and the other district HS. Anyway the AP classes at Mills may not have been as spectacular and thought provoking as we would have liked (a lot of busy work and not a lot of independent creative thinking) but they were good enough for my kid to get nearly all 5's on the AP tests and one 4 ---- without an outside tutor. So in my mind, the substance was there if the student did their part. But Mills is a calm environment, not a lot of drugs/alcohol, and according to Millbrae police, a really safe campus. My child could study, make friends, learn new things, be happy. There is nothing wrong with that. Meanwhile parents have to do their part too, and challenge their kids with new experiences, new ideas, sports, and books outside of school. read more

I unfortunately went to this school, unfortunately loved it too. I was a kid moving into Millbrae from Sacramento and you don't believe how much of cultural background check there was between the two places. I enrolled in Mills in my freshmen year and was surrounded by Asian's left and right (supposedly over 50% Asians). I didn't think I would fit in as easily, yet I was wrong because I made an abundance of Asian friends in a week that I still keep in touch with today =). Mill's has defied racial gravity and has taught me that there will always be people out there who are willing to become your friend even through all the hardships today. This is James L. logging off read more

well, well, well... good to see you old friend. fancy meeting you here. the chance to rate the al-ma-matter?? why not?? this tribute to higher learning was the most poorly designed atrocities in education history. An eclectic mix of concrete and aluminum siding that keeps kids in and sunlight out. Not exactly harvard here. All i wanted was a window which i could occasionally stare out and lose myself in the splendor of nature. Mills has very few of these. The art department was emotionally challenged. The Industrial Arts were cutting edge and exciting. The Physical education was bored and uninspired and the leadership wasnt exactly leading anyone anywhere.. This of course was when i went there, that was almost 20 years ago. Now Mills is back with a vengence! Shotty fabrications and bright colors have been added so that hell has a new look this year. Im sure things are just the same on the inside. Rotten to the core. read more

Hey summer k. It's not your fault that you couldn't learn Japanese well, but nor is it the teacher's fault. Mrs SpencerMills is fantastic and I love her and her class! She teaches tons of stuff! But I do agree and advise that kids better not take Japanese unless they know Chinese. I have no idea how some girls in my class managed to learn both the kanji (or vocabulary in general) and grammar from scratch; I technically started half way since I already knew what the Chinese characters mean and how to write them before first day of Japanese class. And, DON'T take Chinese in Mills. Many people hate the full-time Chinese teacher. The new part-time one seems nice, though. The reason I took off one star is that it is really stupid of Mills to offer advanced English and history but not have pre-calc or chemistry honors. Mr Paul is totally qualified in teaching Chemistry H, and everyone would agree. That will definitely save some kids' lives, since some are dying in Mr Paul's class, and it'll increase their chance to get Mr von Euw (easiest+nicest teacher). read more

Ok, I was bored and searched my school, and WTF it's here on Yelp lol....I like the school but the Frenchman this year basically destroyed the campus, one kid landed on me and didn't say sorry. I think Mills needs to open a class to teach those kids some manners. And the food is so bad...it's getting worse....$4 for a slice of pizza. I am sorry for the cleaning crew. There is just one teacher should be fire, really, she last my homework all the time and even class work. And I am not the only person. I like a lot of my teachers but I don't. For people who said you don't like, Soda-sensei, I have to strongly disagree with you. She is really nice to me, I have a C in her class and she still likes me, but of course mad also, because I can do much better cuz all my test and quizzes are all B+ or better. Peel, Wang, Yung (is gonna retire T_T), I like them all. I only hate 4 teachers in the school so far. Ms. Peterson this person must go!!!!, Ms. Wiard (forgot how to spell it), she called me stupid....I am so pissed I wasn't even in her class last year. Olson, I don't hate him but I learned nothing in his chem class, and we need to sing stupid songs btw he went to Stanford) he is smart but just don't know how to teach. The must must go is Faulkner, she can't even teach Algebra 1-2, she always ask students to help their peers and you have to copy stupid notes from the power points the text book company made. And she is teaching pre-cal this year...so funny. read more

The good thing is Mills is a really great school academically. Really competitive, with smart Asians and all. Bad thing is, Mills sucks completely in spirit and creativity. Mills definitely needs to come out more in art and creativity. I don't get why Mills is this way. It's so boring and dull. Millbrae is also not that diverse. Mostly Asians, half-Asians, whites. Most people are just normal. But the people here are mostly nice and friendly. There are no bullies or racists or idiots who blurt out random insults (except for a couple). If you're from San Mateo County or anywhere around San Jose, and planning to go to Mills, no problem. If you're from San Francisco or East Bay, DON'T GO. You'll die of boredom. Also, I find it amusing how people at Mills try to show their bay area pride. I hope that if you're one of those people, you seriously know what it's like to be a part of the bay. Otherwise I will belt you in the face. read more

Great school, great teachers great facilities. Mills is the gem of San Mateo High School District. read more

Yeah Mills was a good school but there seemed to be more of a certain group school, not a mixed one

...continued because my review was too long for Yelp the TEACHERS: Unfortunately, I had more exceptionally bad teachers than exceptionally good. And yes, I'm about to name names. Not because I have personal vendettas against any of them (except for Lista for violating students the way he did - screw you!), but well, I just don't think bad teachers should teach. Students' education is more important than retaining your self-perceived teaching ability. I'm going to be honest; nothing personal. Let's do the good guys first! 1. McMullin - The first pleasantly memorable teacher I had at Mills. Too bad future students won't have him 'cause he retired. 2. Burdette - This guy knows what he's doing; he's the truth. He really cares about students learning the material and teaches well. He makes class engaging and interesting; I started keeping up with the news because of this guy. Lots of good class discussions. 3. Peel - Good math teacher. She teaches the material well to make sure students understand. 4. Beal - Maybe I liked the class more than Beal's actual teaching methods? Can't figure it out. A lot of people liked to sleep during her government class, but I found it useful and learned a lot. This class gave me a newsfeed and I found the discussions interesting. Ms. Beal's also really nice and there's no such thing as a dumb question in her class. I'm sorry, but please learn to teach or find a new profession 1. Mr. Petersen - This guy is seriously speaking another language. Yeah, it's math and it is like another language, but nobody ever followed a thing he was trying to say. Actually, it's almost like he wasn't even trying to teach US, but just talking to himself. I managed to get through his class without actually learning anything...I still have no idea what precalculus actually is. 2. Olson - He loved chemistry, but didn't spend much time actually teaching. He left class in the middle of tests and made us watch these incredibly boring, useless videos of OTHER people teaching chemistry. The labs were incredibly boring and I never really saw the actual point in them. 3. Soda - Had her for two years in Japanese. Mean, angry. Belittling, scary. Bad at giving directions. Impatient. 4. Scott-Jones - She doesn't even try to teach. Don't take digital photography or web design classes, they're a joke. All anyone does is play online games, check e-mail, or use Facebook. Expect to learn nothing. 5. Spencer-Mills - I don't remember doing anything productive in her class. We had Japanese-speaking exercises, but I don't know if they helped much. Hardly learned. Words of advice: I now go to a CSU and I'm glad I took AP classes (calculus and English). It gave me 15 units of credit going into college and cleared me from having to take some dumb, boring general education classes. Everyone could use that headstart of so many units to make it to graduation in four years. Although, I would say take Calculus AB instead of BC unless you plan to further your education in math. You'll still get credit for math classes in college (assuming you pass the AP test) and it's just easier. AP English was a huge pain, but I'm still glad I took it just 'cause it got some college classes out of my way. Whether or not it actually prepared me to write well in college classes is another matter. I'm not sure if it made me a better writer, I had no idea how to write the first essay that was assigned in college so it was pretty difficult. I got a B in my English class my first semester of college though, so I guess that's all that matters. If you sincerely want to learn web design or digital photography, don't take either of these courses expecting good instruction. You will learn next to nothing, as everyone in class does pretty much nothing. If you want to screw around and waste time, I guess these classes are fine for you. Taking Japanese isn't really worth it either. If I did high school at Mills over, I'd go with Spanish. Japanese is just a really difficult language and you won't learn to speak it much. Plus, the teachers are lame and, in Ms. Soda's case, irritating. If you do take Japanese, don't expect to be able to actually hold real conversations with others - no one in my third year class could do this. I guess it's just the nature of the language; you won't learn as much in three years of Japanese as you would in three years of Spanish. If you just want an introduction to the language and a foothold on it, then I guess these high school classes are fine if you don't mind the poor teaching. read more

all i have to say is, what the hell. mills high school is on yelp? mills high school looks like a fish factory, but most of the teachers are chill read more

lol Mhs on yelp is a rare sighting, I had a great time there despite boring old Millbrae