• Is it age appropriate?

  About our ratings

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  Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16.

• Is it any good?

  5.0

• Common Sense says

  Aussie high school satire is smart but very edgy.

Why We Rated This for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

• Messages:

  Some strong social commentary about education, class, race, and other prevalent Australian social issues. Racial slurs and derogatory terms (like calling kids "retarded" and "homo") are often heard, but the behavior isn't viewed as acceptable. There's consistent tension between the Australian students and kids from the Pacific Islands; one teacher appears biased against Islanders. Special education students, including some with Down syndrome, are often featured. Includes references to anorexia and other disorders. There are some strong positive friendships between students and teachers. Students are primarily Caucasian, but Asians and Pacific Islanders are always visible. Consistent with Australian social norms, students of aboriginal descent are referred to as "black."
• Violence:

  Some pushing, shoving, and arguing between students. Some teachers lose their temper and physically toss a student out of the classroom. There are references to girls cutting themselves, as well as references to rape, child molestation, and pedophilia.
• Sex:

  One student's graffiti drawings contain images of penises and, on one occasion, disturbing sexual behavior. One girl is referred to as a "slut." Some of Mr. G's choreography can be a little provocative.
• Language:

  Strong, uncensored language is constant; everything from "bitch" and "bastard" to "mother f---er," "s--t," and "p---y" are used endlessly.
• Consumerism:

  References to MTV and Punk'd, the Australian version of Big Brother, and brands like Clearasil. But all of these are discussed within the context of what's going on the kids' lives rather than for commercial reasons.
• Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

  Includes conversations about drug use (marijuana and Ecstasy). One student's overdose becomes a major theme in the series.

What Parents Need to Know

About Summer Heights High

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