This is why SSIMS will never be fixed. Imagine this school existing in Bethesda. It would not. Because parents would complain! The fact that kids adapt doesn’t make it ok!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if it's the building or the size of the student body or what, but we've also been disappointed. The classes, with some exceptions, have been chaotic and not at all challenging, and they don't seem to be able to get a handle on bullying, despite several meetings with the school administration. I've been an MCPS booster and very pro public schools generally, but we've made the very difficult decision to switch to private next year (which is going to be a HUGE financial hit, but I can't leave my DD there).

I have friends with kids at TPMS and Sligo and Other area middle schools but none of them actually decide to pull their kids for private middle schools. I know of four (4!) families who were strong supporters of public education and who felt like they had to leave MCPS due to SSIMS. It’s really awful. The wafting weed smoke outside the boys’ bball game, the ineffective (though personally very nice) administration, the really really awful building. It’s so so bad there. -kid in 7th really discouraged

This is upsetting to hear - we are headed there next fall. We know one family who left, it seemed mostly because of the lack of a cell phone policy (which has subsequently changed), and kid feeling like none of the teachers knew/appreciated her. I am personally upset about the building issues and trying to help advocate on those. Otherwise, we have asked quite a few families with kids there currently and none of them are having a bad experience. They all say they like the principal, their kids have done well there, etc. These are all French immersion families, so I don't know if that makes a difference. Perhaps it ends up just being a very student-specific experience, and if your kid experiences bullying or other issues, it's bad, but otherwise it's fine?

I agree with this. We've had two kids at SSIMS and it was fine. Yes, the building is old and strange and needs a ton of work, but honestly, it wasn't a major issue for our kids.

Us too. Both kids complained about some long walks, but mostly it was just a fact of life. They didn’t feel demoralized or neglected by it. Why would they unless they heard that from adults?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the crux of the issue. Some areas of the county get totally refurbished buildings; others get bandaids.

It would be so easy if we just raise property taxes even more!

DCUM: home of the straw man.

Sarcasm. Not a straw man.

Anonymous wrote:This is the crux of the issue. Some areas of the county get totally refurbished buildings; others get bandaids.

I would say some buildings get refurbished, others get bandaids. But you can find both crappy buildings and new buildings in all areas of the county.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if it's the building or the size of the student body or what, but we've also been disappointed. The classes, with some exceptions, have been chaotic and not at all challenging, and they don't seem to be able to get a handle on bullying, despite several meetings with the school administration. I've been an MCPS booster and very pro public schools generally, but we've made the very difficult decision to switch to private next year (which is going to be a HUGE financial hit, but I can't leave my DD there).

I have friends with kids at TPMS and Sligo and Other area middle schools but none of them actually decide to pull their kids for private middle schools. I know of four (4!) families who were strong supporters of public education and who felt like they had to leave MCPS due to SSIMS. It’s really awful. The wafting weed smoke outside the boys’ bball game, the ineffective (though personally very nice) administration, the really really awful building. It’s so so bad there. -kid in 7th really discouraged

This is upsetting to hear - we are headed there next fall. We know one family who left, it seemed mostly because of the lack of a cell phone policy (which has subsequently changed), and kid feeling like none of the teachers knew/appreciated her. I am personally upset about the building issues and trying to help advocate on those. Otherwise, we have asked quite a few families with kids there currently and none of them are having a bad experience. They all say they like the principal, their kids have done well there, etc. These are all French immersion families, so I don't know if that makes a difference. Perhaps it ends up just being a very student-specific experience, and if your kid experiences bullying or other issues, it's bad, but otherwise it's fine?

I agree with this. We've had two kids at SSIMS and it was fine. Yes, the building is old and strange and needs a ton of work, but honestly, it wasn't a major issue for our kids.

We love SSI! Such a great community!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the crux of the issue. Some areas of the county get totally refurbished buildings; others get bandaids.

It would be so easy if we just raise property taxes even more!

Or distribute them more equitably.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the crux of the issue. Some areas of the county get totally refurbished buildings; others get bandaids.

It would be so easy if we just raise property taxes even more!

DCUM: home of the straw man.

Anonymous wrote:This is the crux of the issue. Some areas of the county get totally refurbished buildings; others get bandaids.

It would be so easy if we just raise property taxes even more!

This is the crux of the issue. Some areas of the county get totally refurbished buildings; others get bandaids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eastern MS also has a substandard facility but because of more competent admin seems better run…

Apparently they are having some construction done over the summer though? I don't know exactly what, but the summer school programs were moved to Northwood for that reason.

Interesting. I'm an Eastern parent and have been involved in advocating for the much-delayed renovation, but had not heard anything about summer construction. I know it's bad all over the county, but Eastern has been on the list for substantial repairs for almost a decade but keeps getting "bumped" for other schools.

With that said, I agree that the administration is strong and the school feels well-run despite the facility issues.

It’s really just reconfiguring bathrooms. There will be more accessible bathrooms and an additional unisex bathroom. Otherwise, the changes will be cosmetic only. Gas leaks and mold are likely to continue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know if it's the building or the size of the student body or what, but we've also been disappointed. The classes, with some exceptions, have been chaotic and not at all challenging, and they don't seem to be able to get a handle on bullying, despite several meetings with the school administration. I've been an MCPS booster and very pro public schools generally, but we've made the very difficult decision to switch to private next year (which is going to be a HUGE financial hit, but I can't leave my DD there).

I have friends with kids at TPMS and Sligo and Other area middle schools but none of them actually decide to pull their kids for private middle schools. I know of four (4!) families who were strong supporters of public education and who felt like they had to leave MCPS due to SSIMS. It’s really awful. The wafting weed smoke outside the boys’ bball game, the ineffective (though personally very nice) administration, the really really awful building. It’s so so bad there. -kid in 7th really discouraged

This is upsetting to hear - we are headed there next fall. We know one family who left, it seemed mostly because of the lack of a cell phone policy (which has subsequently changed), and kid feeling like none of the teachers knew/appreciated her. I am personally upset about the building issues and trying to help advocate on those. Otherwise, we have asked quite a few families with kids there currently and none of them are having a bad experience. They all say they like the principal, their kids have done well there, etc. These are all French immersion families, so I don't know if that makes a difference. Perhaps it ends up just being a very student-specific experience, and if your kid experiences bullying or other issues, it's bad, but otherwise it's fine?

Anonymous wrote:After what I read about the teacher there on TikTok, I'd never send my child there.

Please express your bigotry elsewhere. I’d prefer this thread not be removed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eastern MS also has a substandard facility but because of more competent admin seems better run…

Apparently they are having some construction done over the summer though? I don't know exactly what, but the summer school programs were moved to Northwood for that reason.

Interesting. I'm an Eastern parent and have been involved in advocating for the much-delayed renovation, but had not heard anything about summer construction. I know it's bad all over the county, but Eastern has been on the list for substantial repairs for almost a decade but keeps getting "bumped" for other schools.

With that said, I agree that the administration is strong and the school feels well-run despite the facility issues.

That's really good to know about the administration. We have a rising 6th grader in the magnet program. All I know is that we got an email from Mr. Kerwin saying that the weeklong program offered to incoming magnet students in July will be held at Northwood "due to construction at Eastern this summer." I also saw a flyer for the regular month-long summer school program and it is also at Northwood. I had heard about the facility concerns at Eastern and was happy to hear that something was happening - whatever it is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eastern MS also has a substandard facility but because of more competent admin seems better run…

Apparently they are having some construction done over the summer though? I don't know exactly what, but the summer school programs were moved to Northwood for that reason.

Interesting. I'm an Eastern parent and have been involved in advocating for the much-delayed renovation, but had not heard anything about summer construction. I know it's bad all over the county, but Eastern has been on the list for substantial repairs for almost a decade but keeps getting "bumped" for other schools.

With that said, I agree that the administration is strong and the school feels well-run despite the facility issues.