holmes middle school/ north springfield?

[Anonymous]

Anyone have kids are going there or know close friends whose kids did? We're looking at homes to buy and love a couple of houses in North Springfield. We are pretty comfortable with North Springfield Elementary and Annandale HS, but Holmes MS looks like it has some problems. I noticed HIGH numbers of incidents in the "safe and secure" numbers on the schools profile. Also, maybe they just have an incomplete website, but they don't seem to offer the same amount or quality of extra-curricular clubs, music, theater, sports, chess club, etc.

I read the demographics on their profile, and yes, the free lunch numbers, ESOL #'s are high, but that doesn't concern me as much as the general vibe of the school and possible lack of activities. Anyone have actual experience there?

THanks!

[Anonymous]

No recent experience there, but I'm not surprised by your comment. Holmes has been under-enrolled for years, and the current boundaries are nutty.

With last night's School Board action, Bren Mar Park ES has been reassigned from Poe to Holmes. That won't have a big impact on the FRL and ESOL #s, but it will add students into the school and likely increase participation in extra-curriculars. The "BMP East" area east of 95 is distressed, but the Edsall Park area west of 95 is, as you probably know, similar to North Springfield.

[Anonymous]

The safe and secure numbers seem much lower than nearby Poe.

[Anonymous]

There's been a debate as to whether schools report these incidents consistently. So Poe could be safer or Holmes could report more rigorously.

Both schools serve some tough neighborhoods. Holmes has the Landmark/Lincolnia area. Poe has all the aging garden apartments near Annandale HS.

[Anonymous]

I have a nephew attending Holmes. From everything I've heard, he's doing quite well there. He's athletic, outgoing/funny, confident, and takes his coursework pretty seriously. Not trying to brag about him (though I think he's awesome), just trying to paint the picture that he'd probably do well anywhere.

I am pretty sure he would stay after school a few days per week to do special studies or athletic stuff. My niece attended a few years ago. She's more into the social scence (compared to academics); I recall her having some issues with other girls. I tend to chaulk that up to run-of-the-mill middle school antics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a nephew attending Holmes. From everything I've heard, he's doing quite well there. He's athletic, outgoing/funny, confident, and takes his coursework pretty seriously. Not trying to brag about him (though I think he's awesome), just trying to paint the picture that he'd probably do well anywhere.

I am pretty sure he would stay after school a few days per week to do special studies or athletic stuff. My niece attended a few years ago. She's more into the social scence (compared to academics); I recall her having some issues with other girls. I tend to chaulk that up to run-of-the-mill middle school antics.

yesss issues with middle and high school girls can be bad. I went to Woodson HS, which is supposed to be SO GREAT and at the time, I had major issues with girls trying to fight me -- one got suspended for attacking me. hahaa.... I think all schools have that kind of issue.

[Anonymous]

We are heading to Holmes next year and are looking forward to it. The kids toured the school and my kiddo was excited about it. Both he and I got a good vibe when we went there (separately). The staff is very responsive, and even with the increase in students, it is a much better fit for us than other local schools. There are after school programs pretty much every day of the week, and include transportation. Some are academic programs and some are clubs and athletic activities, but it's a good mix. The teachers also stay after if kids need help, and the activities and classes look pretty cool. WE had a choice of MS as we were coming from a program that allowed us the choice, and Holmes seems like a very good fit. I know several parents at our ES who have older kids there and they have been very happy. I wouldn't look strictly at the numbers - like another poster said - they report things differently. But if you have concerns, call up and ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are heading to Holmes next year and are looking forward to it. The kids toured the school and my kiddo was excited about it. Both he and I got a good vibe when we went there (separately). The staff is very responsive, and even with the increase in students, it is a much better fit for us than other local schools. There are after school programs pretty much every day of the week, and include transportation. Some are academic programs and some are clubs and athletic activities, but it's a good mix. The teachers also stay after if kids need help, and the activities and classes look pretty cool. WE had a choice of MS as we were coming from a program that allowed us the choice, and Holmes seems like a very good fit. I know several parents at our ES who have older kids there and they have been very happy. I wouldn't look strictly at the numbers - like another poster said - they report things differently. But if you have concerns, call up and ask.

THanks! It's nice to hear something positive! We're trying to find a friend of a friend to talk to who actually lives in the neighborhood we're looking at.