Berry Middle School

Currently I go to Berry and to be honest I cant wait for it to end. I'm a smart student but you would think everyone is because the teachers see who the weakest student academically is and then focus on teaching at a level they will understand. I have never gotten anything less than a 90 because some teachers give so many hints its not a test. the bullying is terrible the teachers really have no control over the kids they send them to in school suspension and the kids come back worse! The teachers also dont help you with your future like I really love writing but my Language Arts teacher has yet to say anything about furthering writing skills the only team that really cares is 6-3 they tell you about competitions and send in stuff. I dislike most of the teachers because they dont help. The only good thing is the electives and Dr.Wheaton the principal. If you like slowpaced schools then this would be an amazing school. But if you want your child to be academically challenged and gain skills they will actually use then pick another school.Here they are mainly worried about sports and clubs that win. if you arent in either of those then you arent important to Berry thats the truth.
—Submitted by a teacher

This school is far from what people from the outside may think it is. Please don't think just because it's located in Hoover it's the best of the best, no it's not. This school is highly over-rated!! My child attend's this school now and they don't stand by what they believe and preach to parents on the 1st day. I've heard sooo many things that go on there it's crazy. Like the reader before said the school is run by preppies, don't forget hoodrat's also, and the bullying is awful. I feel sorry for some of the stories I hear from my child about other students. It's not all what's it cracked up to be, and we most certainly will not be returning. It's not worth the headache!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school if your kid is a regular kid. If your child has Special Needs -- RUN AWAY!!!! Parent Involvement is super if your child is an athlete, dancer or cheerleader.
—Submitted by a parent

The academics here are not well. The teachers only pay attention to the class clowns creating rupture and havoc. They don't teach even half of the time, they enjoy playing around with the preps that could care less about education and gave up their life to sports. Yes, this school might seem parent - friendly and nice, but it's a whole different life to the students that try and learn for the better. For the extra curricular activities, basically the only well done part.

OK guys, I used to go to Berry. I got to a fine arts school now, though, and I have to say; Berry is awful. Like two of the people on here said, THE SCHOOL IS INFESTED AND RUN BY PREPPIES!!! I despise preppies. When I went there, there was bullying, I think three or four fights (in one semester, I think) and oh my GOD is there SO MUCH CUSSING! I took advanced math last year and I could hardly learn the material because my teacher went too fast and didn't help me AT. ALL. Berry does have a secret life, I assure you. -A former student of Berry

I am a student here at Berry, and I have to say that when I read the comment about berry's "secret life" I nearly hit the button to report inaccuracy. I have had a great 6th grade year at Berry, and the teachers truly care about each individual's future. Dr. Wheaton is the best principal ever. Mrs. Kneisley, the 6th grade principal, is very nice as well. The counselors, especially Mrs. Sizemore, are the best around. The PE coaches are fun to be around (except for Coach Maner and Coach Heffner, but that doesn't have anything to do with how good the school is.) Mr. Baggett, Mr. Neugent and Mrs. Johnson, the band and choir directors, are amazing musicians and teachers. Everything about BMS is great, and I love being here.

im a new student here from a diffrent district and so far i enjoy the comfort and help here but i guest since it my first year i havent heard any teasing or anything (yet).so ill come to tell u the rest as i get futher in.

My daughter just finished 6th grade at Berry. The curriculum challenged her and received assistance from all of her teachers when needed. She finished the year with all A's and 1 B (she missed it by 1 point!!). Special recognition to Mrs. Pollini on the 6-2 team. She is exceptional!
—Submitted by a parent

This school is awesome!!! they really care about your childs education!!! find the greatness
—Submitted by a parent

The school seems like a great place to most parents. But there is a whole secret life at Berry that any student can tell you about, but won't dare to for fear of it ending. The students that actually care about academics are harassed and made fun of daily. The teachers refuse to teach even to the most basic materials and mostly yell at the students. The parents don't know what is going on here and are better off not knowing. Their zero tolerance policy would be a great thing if teachers actually started paying attention. The extracurriculars are nothing special, and very few academic clubs exist. The school was overrun by preps, as Augustus says. I still attend here, and I can't wait until I can be free.
—Submitted by a student

This school has a great environment atmospherically-speaking, but when it comes to academia, the faculty at Berry are not concerned with going above and beyond students' limits to provide an outlet for educational challenges.
—Submitted by a student

I Berry (when it was still on Columbiana) several years ago. As I had just moved from a different state, the transition was very difficult, but I truly loved the faculty and staff at the school. Many of those people are still there. The principal, Dr. Kathleen Wheaton, is an amazing woman concerned with her staff and students! She is highly respected and well loved! Which I think greatly contributes to the school's success. I think 'Mr Belding' when I think of her, because prior to going to this school I did not beleive it was possible for a principal to remember students' names, and indeed, if she meets you once she is likely to remember your name. -Former student of Berry Middle School (I attended from Fall 98-Spring 01
—Submitted by a student

Berry is a great school. The teachers are great! Berry also has great extracurricular activies. I am very pleased with this school
—Submitted by a student

Berry is an awesome school! The principal is great, academics are good, and we have many sports activites
—Submitted by a student

My son just left Berry this year due to having to move to another city, I can honestly say that this school is one of a kind, I find myself constantly comparing his current school to Berry and the new school is coming up VERY short. Every aspect of Berry Middle School is exceptional.
—Submitted by Laura McClure, a parent

Berry has been great for both of my children. The nurturing environment has encouraged them to take ownership of their education, while instilling the principles of discipline and accountability.
—Submitted by a parent