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GreatSchools Rating

Ira F Simmons Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 934 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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11 reviews of this school


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Posted August 12, 2009

Simmons is a wonderful school. Principal Brian Cain is very concerned about the students and ensure his staff provide the best possible education for his students
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 2, 2009

My children love Simmons as well do I. The talk and contact us very well. Everone there is wonderful.This school is great!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted December 19, 2008

the greatest. Teachers and others are so helpfull to my daughter with adha
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 8, 2008

Simmons is a wonderful school! I went there for one year, but recently moved and my new school is not even close to being as great as Simmons! Simmons has great teachers, good discipline (not too harsh, not too lenient), a good curriculum, and great programs.
—Submitted by a student


Posted January 23, 2008

Simmons is a greater than great school. Both of my children have done great in academics and sports. Teacher-student ratio is low and both of my children's teachers have always been willing to assist where needed in their academic progress.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 4, 2007

Simmons is a great school. The principal cares about the students. She really extends herself to help with any concerns a parent may have. Most of the teachers go out of their way to help the students. A few a so-so and a bit too strict.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 2, 2006

The teachers and other faculty at this school are the strong point. The principal is the finest administrator I've ever worked with as a parent. She has built a strong academic team of teachers and has garnered the respect of most of her students (no small feat for this age group). The Fine Arts program offers wonderful opportunities for students. Their only weakness is engaging their diverse parent population in the mission of the school. They're working on it, but change is coming slowly. Some of us would prefer more challenging material academically for our children, but that, too, is difficult to change quickly. Having said that, it is apparent that the Principal recognizes these weaknesses and is always working to make Simmons stronger as a school.
—Submitted by Trish, a parent


Posted April 22, 2004

Simmons is a great school with caring teachers and staff. Parent involvement is encouraged through extra-curricular activities you can attend with your child. Teachers are very helpful and concerned about your child's as an individual and encourages parental feedback. Overall, I would rate this a very good school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 1, 2003

I had three children pass through Simmons and I was completely satisfied that they were well cared for, prepared and guided. Only one or two teachers were so-so. The principal and support staff were great. Excellent coaching. Have your kid jump in, get involved, try as many things as you have time for. You won't be disappointed.
—Submitted by Randy Wilson, a parent


Posted September 11, 2003

Simmons middle school is very unfriendly to new families! The favoritism is at such a level that it is problematic for the whole institution. The principls and staff (from my firsthand observations) do not make the students feel that they are approachable and available for the students. Education comes secondary to obedience, which is not the answer in any situation! The services are strong but the teachers are hit and miss. The Simmons middle school as a whole needs more administrative training coupled with a close evaluation of their academic/social model!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 23, 2003

Student body and teachers very clickish. Alot of pressure on new students coming in to fit into a specific group. Strong parent volunteer base can be intimidating to new parents who are often overlooked in favor of tried and true 'career' volunteers. Teachers and staff show a lot of favoritism to the 'good looking group'. If your child's a real stand out in some area, they'll do well here. But I wouldn't recommend it for the artsy or reserved type.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 77% in 2010.

292 students were tested at this school in 2010.

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
90%

2008

 
 
91%

2007

 
 
87%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 86% in 2010.

296 students were tested at this school in 2010.

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
95%

2007

 
 
94%
Scale: % level 3 or 4

About the tests


In 2009-2010 Alabama used the Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test (ARMT) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math. The ARMT is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alabama. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Alabama's state standards

Source: Alabama Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 69% in 2010.

300 students were tested at this school in 2010.

2010

 
 
88%

2009

 
 
83%

2008

 
 
81%

2007

 
 
83%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 83% in 2010.

300 students were tested at this school in 2010.

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
92%

2008

 
 
90%

2007

 
 
89%
Scale: % level 3 or 4

About the tests


In 2009-2010 Alabama used the Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test (ARMT) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math. The ARMT is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alabama. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Alabama's state standards

Source: Alabama Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2010.

257 students were tested at this school in 2010.

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
90%

2008

 
 
87%

2007

 
 
81%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 74% in 2010.

257 students were tested at this school in 2010.

2010

 
 
90%

2009

 
 
90%

2008

 
 
87%

2007

 
 
87%
Scale: % level 3 or 4

About the tests


In 2009-2010 Alabama used the Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test (ARMT) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math. The ARMT is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alabama. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Alabama's state standards

Source: Alabama Department of Education

Math

All Students83%
Female83%
Male84%
Black62%
Asian/Pacific Islander100%
Hispanic52%
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White93%
Free and reduced-price lunch55%
Not economically disadvantaged90%
Special education36%
Students without disabilities88%
English language learners38%
Proficient in English85%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant83%

Reading

All Students90%
Female94%
Male86%
Black79%
Asian/Pacific Islander85%
Hispanic71%
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White96%
Free and reduced-price lunch72%
Not economically disadvantaged94%
Special education60%
Students without disabilities93%
English language learners46%
Proficient in English92%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant90%
Scale: % level 3 or 4

About the tests


In 2009-2010 Alabama used the Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test (ARMT) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math. The ARMT is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alabama. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Alabama Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Alabama's state standards

Source: Alabama Department of Education

Math

All Students88%
Female89%
Male86%
Black76%
Asian/Pacific Islander100%
Hispanic69%
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White92%
Free and reduced-price lunch80%
Not economically disadvantaged90%
Special education27%
Students without disabilities91%
English language learnersn/a
Proficient in English89%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant88%

Reading

All Students92%
Female94%
Male91%
Black84%
Asian/Pacific Islander100%
Hispanic69%
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White96%
Free and reduced-price lunch87%
Not economically disadvantaged94%
Special education53%
Students without disabilities94%
English language learnersn/a
Proficient in English94%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant92%
Scale: % level 3 or 4

About the tests


In 2009-2010 Alabama used the Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test (ARMT) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math. The ARMT is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alabama. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Alabama Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Alabama's state standards

Source: Alabama Department of Education

Math

All Students96%
Female95%
Male97%
Black89%
Asian/Pacific Islander100%
Hispanic89%
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White98%
Free and reduced-price lunch89%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Special education75%
Students without disabilities97%
English language learnersn/a
Proficient in English97%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant96%

Reading

All Students90%
Female91%
Male89%
Black75%
Asian/Pacific Islander83%
Hispanic74%
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White95%
Free and reduced-price lunch70%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Special education25%
Students without disabilities93%
English language learnersn/a
Proficient in English92%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant90%
Scale: % level 3 or 4

About the tests


In 2009-2010 Alabama used the Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test (ARMT) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math. The ARMT is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alabama. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Alabama Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Alabama's state standards

Source: Alabama Department of Education

Science

The state average for Science was 69% in 2010.

295 students were tested at this school in 2010.

2010

 
 
89%

2009

 
 
86%

2008

 
 
79%
Scale: % level 3 or level 4

About the tests


In 2009-2010 Alabama used the Alabama Science Assessment (ASA) to test students in grades 5 and 7 in science. The ASA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alabama. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficiency level 3.

See Alabama's state standards

Source: Alabama Department of Education

Science

All Students89%
Female91%
Male86%
Black73%
Asian/Pacific Islander92%
Hispanic54%
American Indian/Alaskan Nativen/a
White95%
Free and reduced-price lunch74%
Not economically disadvantaged92%
Special education60%
Students without disabilities90%
English language learnersn/a
Proficient in English91%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant89%
Scale: % level 3 or level 4

About the tests


In 2009-2010 Alabama used the Alabama Science Assessment (ASA) to test students in grades 5 and 7 in science. The ASA is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Alabama. The goal is for all students to score at or above proficiency level 3.

The different student groups are identified by the Alabama Department of Education. If there are fewer than 10 students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Alabama's state standards

Source: Alabama Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 71% 59%
Black 18% 35%
Hispanic 6% 4%
Asian/Pacific Islander 5% 1%
American Indian/Alaska Native N/A 1%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 18%N/A52%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 14N/A16
Source: NCES, 2008-2009
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1575 Patton Chapel Rd
Hoover, AL 35226
Website: Click here
Phone: (205) 439-2100

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