Recent Experiences at Newport Mill Middle School?

[Anonymous]

Any recent feedback on Newport Mill MS in Kensington? TIA. We are currently zoned for this school.

[Anonymous]

It's OK. I wish we had had a better experience than we have had there. The principal doesn't seem very effective and communicates very poorly with parents. Two years ago, she abruptly changed the schedule to have five classes a day on a rotating basis. There are seven different classes, meaning seven different schedules. Impossible for parents to keep straight for appointments, tests, etc., although my DC doesn't appear to be fazed by it. She never gave an explanation for this.

My child has been the victim of bullying and some violence, which was handled fairly effectively by the school. But I wish it hadn’t happened in the first place.

Some of the teachers are very good, while others don’t seem to be good at controlling the class, teaching the material, etc.

I’m not sure if this is the norm at all MC middle schools, but all students are in the “advanced” level of nearly every class. This isn’t necessarily bad, but, again, I’ve never heard any explanation for this.

[Anonymous]

What kind of violence?

[Anonymous]

It's next door to Einstein, which a lot of people wouldn't like, but my kids didn't have any problems. They were in the advanced classes (they're in 9th and 10th grade now).

It's true that there are many students in advanced classes that maybe shouldn't be there, but that's typical of MoCo now--students won't be pulled from advanced classes if they get C's or lower. Not sure I agree with that, but it's how it is now--same for AP and high school. Not unique to Newport Mill. The explanation is an effort to raise the number of students who take AP classes and thus AP tests and thus get college credit... even if they don't do so hot on their report cards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What kind of violence?

I'm the first poster after OP. My child was attacked by another student in the hall during a class change after making some innocuous (collaborated by many witnesses) remark about her hair. The student was immediately suspended, but I was not told about the incident by the school until the next day.

[Anonymous]

As a student of Newport Mill, I can honestly say that the school is ok, but I think there are a few problems with it. One of the commenters here complained that the principal was bad, but there's a new principal now. She handles issues better now, and the school has improved. But lord help you if you have a gay child. The students here make very cruel remarks about gay people, and the student would probably not be treated well. There are definitely violence problems, but the school handles them effectively. One big concern is that there is gang in the area, but I don't really know anything about it. The teachers here are good for the most part. The classes often go by too slowly for the gifted students, and even though it's considered an IB school, not much homework is given out. The IB program tries to teach students good character, but it doesn't work to well. I wish your students well.

[Anonymous]

As a teacher at Newport Mill, I feel that these concerns should be addressed to administration, particularly the lack of explanation behind every student being in advanced classes. Teachers were told very little at the onset of this decision as well. It is difficult work moving at an "advanced" pace/curriculum when you have a variety of different learners in one class. To me, it is upsetting to know that I am not meeting the needs of my highest (or lowest, or even middle) students at any given time. I am constantly planning, grading, and reflecting to make my lessons more effective.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for sharing your perspective as a teacher, PP. I'm the one who has a child there now. I am sure it's very challenging to have students at so many levels in your classes. Of course, my concerns could be (and have been) brought up with the administration, but my point was that there is a clear lack of communication from the administration to the parents.