Anyone happy with MCPS middle school?

[Anonymous]

If so, what school and why.

[Anonymous]

I'm happy. Kid is in seventh grade at Rocky Hill MS. Some great teachers, mostly good-enough teachers, a few bad teachers but not terrible, enough academic learning, lots of social-emotional learning (the main purpose of middle school, in my opinion), well-administered school as far as I can tell. Middle school is tough, and I was expecting bad things, but so far, so good.

[Anonymous]

So far we've been very happy with Pyle. Our experience with ES was mixed, so this has been a pleasant surprise.

We like the teachers, and we like the principal. DC loves school and is doing well socially, emotionally, and academically. This post makes it sound as though I'm easy to please, but if you posted about DC's ES that a lot of people rave about, you would get a somewhat negative review from me. Most of the MS teachers have really impressed me. Not so much in ES.

[Anonymous]

Very Happy. Shady Grove. Was surprised because was not expecting it, but principal, administration, counselors and teachers are great. They have programs for remedial students (reading initiatives and double period Math) and programs for high achieving students - a fair number of students get promoted with 6 HS credits --3 foreign language, Algebra, Geometry, and Engineering. But to me the best part is I feel like they take each kid and try to bring out the positives to give them skills and confidence to be successful. And just like PP, I would not have given the same reviews to DCs ES although okay. Sure my kids had a few teachers they didn't care for but certainly not teachers fault, usually because they got a low grade on something. The teachers and staff have energy and enthusiasm and are very approachable to students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So far we've been very happy with Pyle. Our experience with ES was mixed, so this has been a pleasant surprise.

We like the teachers, and we like the principal. DC loves school and is doing well socially, emotionally, and academically. This post makes it sound as though I'm easy to please, but if you posted about DC's ES that a lot of people rave about, you would get a somewhat negative review from me. Most of the MS teachers have really impressed me. Not so much in ES.

My kids are at Whitman now, but my husband and I loved virtually everything about Pyle. I thought almost all of their teachers were outstanding, and they have a lot of fun extracurriculars. They both prefer Whitman, but I think that's primarily because the high school social scene is more enjoyable than the middle school one.

[Anonymous]

We despise Cabin John. We're not wealthy, and most people are, so my DD feels left out. Lots of cliques and bullying. Teachers are ok. The building is very nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We despise Cabin John. We're not wealthy, and most people are, so my DD feels left out. Lots of cliques and bullying. Teachers are ok. The building is very nice.

One of the reasons we chose not to live in the W cluster. Too many kids from wealthy families. We are by no means "poor" (200K), but we just didn't think it would be good for our kids to be around so many with so much wealth. DH and I drive old cars, and I don't buy brand name clothes, shoes or accessories.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We despise Cabin John. We're not wealthy, and most people are, so my DD feels left out. Lots of cliques and bullying. Teachers are ok. The building is very nice.

A friend just moved her kids from east county to that pyramid, "for the schools." I'm picturing it as a competitive atmosphere. Is that right?

[Anonymous]

The topic of this thread is "Anyone happy with MCPS middle schools?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We despise Cabin John. We're not wealthy, and most people are, so my DD feels left out. Lots of cliques and bullying. Teachers are ok. The building is very nice.

A friend just moved her kids from east county to that pyramid, "for the schools." I'm picturing it as a competitive atmosphere. Is that right?

We have an 8th grader at CJMS. Teachers and staff are mostly above average. They are overworked and don't always respond as quickly.as I'd like but I feel they do their best. A few staff members have really stood out and we have been blown away with their insights, kindness and support. Every so.often we have a teacher who isn't great but in fairness, this can happen anywhere. To address the comments about wealth, we are solidly middle class and the kids are mostly upper middle class but my daughter hasn't complained about that at all. Another positive. The school was recently rebuilt and the building is very nice.

But there are two things that really bother me. The kids are very academically competitive with one another. There's lots of bragging and comparing test scores and grades. I find the behavior is a reflection of the parents who are uber competitive. DD is bright but feels defeated all the time. It's undermined her motivation and self-esteem because she's not as "gifted" as her peers. There's also lots of mean girl stuff going on. I think that mean behavior is common at this age but I think it's also related to the parent population who are out of touch with their kids behavior and think it's acceptable to gossip and exclude. MS has been a terrible struggle for my daughter and has only been survivable because of some kind staff members who care deeply.

[Anonymous]

Happy at Robert Frost. Sure, there are a couple things that bug us but for the most part, we are really happy.

[Anonymous]

CJMS is a pressure cooker of despair and loneliness. Just walk around the halls to see the lifeless husks of kids. It's soul-crushing.

[Anonymous]

Very happy at Takoma Park MS magnet. Good teachers, nice kids, caring administrators.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We despise Cabin John. We're not wealthy, and most people are, so my DD feels left out. Lots of cliques and bullying. Teachers are ok. The building is very nice.

A friend just moved her kids from east county to that pyramid, "for the schools." I'm picturing it as a competitive atmosphere. Is that right?

We have an 8th grader at CJMS. Teachers and staff are mostly above average. They are overworked and don't always respond as quickly.as I'd like but I feel they do their best. A few staff members have really stood out and we have been blown away with their insights, kindness and support. Every so.often we have a teacher who isn't great but in fairness, this can happen anywhere. To address the comments about wealth, we are solidly middle class and the kids are mostly upper middle class but my daughter hasn't complained about that at all. Another positive. The school was recently rebuilt and the building is very nice.

But there are two things that really bother me. The kids are very academically competitive with one another. There's lots of bragging and comparing test scores and grades. I find the behavior is a reflection of the parents who are uber competitive. DD is bright but feels defeated all the time. It's undermined her motivation and self-esteem because she's not as "gifted" as her peers. There's also lots of mean girl stuff going on. I think that mean behavior is common at this age but I think it's also related to the parent population who are out of touch with their kids behavior and think it's acceptable to gossip and exclude. MS has been a terrible struggle for my daughter and has only been survivable because of some kind staff members who care deeply.

That mean girl stuff happens absolutely everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very happy at Takoma Park MS magnet. Good teachers, nice kids, caring administrators.

Loved it for my older DD. Only place that could lure us back from private for younger DD.