I'll never forget how in the late '80s, I would end each day with a snack in front of the TV, while taking in another episode of the educational teenage soap opera "Degrassi High" on PBS. The show's school bell would ring and that endlessly addictive pop theme song would begin, meaning the start of another great show.

Each episode would look at a single problem or issue, that confronted teenagers in our modern society. This included discussions about a variety of topics including drugs, abortion, homosexuality, teen suicide, AIDS, phyiscal/sexual abuse and women's rights. The show takes place in a fictional Canadian high school and shows teens from from all walks of life, ethnicity and social groups. Each episode features an issue, while weaving together in a soap opera-ish style, the interests, problems and relationships of the large cast.

This includes the enterprising yet underachieving, Joey Jermiah (Pat Mastroianni), the caring and concerned, Caitlin (Stacie Mistysin), young teen mother, Spike (Amanda Stepto), the feminist, Lucy (Anias Gronofsky), the twins Heather & Erica (Maureen & Angela Deiseach), the troubled orphan, 'Wheels' (Neil Hope) and his best friend 'Snake' (Stephan Brogan). These are just a few among many characters in the series. The adults in their world include their strict principal, Mr.Raditch (Dan Williams) and the always caring dream of a teacher, Ms. Avery (Michelle Goodeve).

'Degrassi High' (seasons 4-5) is basically a sequel to the series known as 'Degrassi Junior High' (Seasons 1-3). The kids are now older. Their lives, social relationships and problems are much more mature and complex. Certain characters such as Joey, Caitlin, Spike, Michelle, Dwayne, Heather & Erica, Lucy, Snake and Wheels proved to be popular characters, who the writers have given a lot of the screen time and story arcs to. This includes multi-episode stories, that deal with controversial subjects and stories (WARNING SPOILERS!!) such as Erica getting an abortion, Caitlin's boyfriend, Claude, committing suicide and Dwayne (Shorty) becoming HIV positive.

I find, that the longer the 'Degrassi' Series ran, the better it got. Both the writing and the acting were vastly improved in comparison to the 'Junior High' episodes. To me this DVD box set includes some of the best episodes produced in the entire series. The thing about this show is that its' both endlessly entertaining and addictive. It's like eating a bag of potato chips. You just just can't stop! Trust me you will get hooked! Highly recommended!

(One note: This DVD set also includes as an 'Extra', the hour and a half 'Degrassi' movie, "School's Out!", which I think is a much more of a satisfying (and explicit!) goodbye to some of our favorite 'Degrassi' characters, than the last episode, "One Last Dance".)

Finally we get the complete series of Degrassi in this outstanding Degrassi High collection! All episodes are just so good that you'll want to see them again and again. Good quality and sound in this great collection. Also theres the movie "Degrassi High: School's Out!" as an extra feature! For all fans and newcomers this definitely belongs to your collection. Rating: 6/5

Very good. I liked the Degrassi: The Next Generation show, so I decided to watch the original show. After getting them all through netflix, I just had to buy them!

Before I purchased the complete high school collection I had all three seasons of junior high which I was more familiar with. I had watch the junior high episodes in a "life skills" class when I was in junior high. In high school I caught a few of the high school year episodes on Canadian television and have loved the show ever since.

The high school complete collection is really great to have since I got so hooked on the characters in their junior high years it is nice to see them finish high school, it gives the fans some closure.

Anyway, this show is often criticized as over the top by being too dramatic. Also, the obvious low budget production makes the extremely dramatic story line ackward with sub par acting. This is something that makes me love the show though. The characters are ackward and imperfect, kind of like real people.
These "different" qualities of Degrassi give it a rougher, more realistic feel without being campy. I would recommend watching Degrassi beginning in the junior high years. Once you get invested in the characters you'll want to finish through high school with them.

Also, the bonus of "School's Out!" the Degrassi movie on these DVDs is great.

I grew up with this show and I was soooo excited to find it on Amazon. It's a great show!