Verrado Middle School

This school is the worse of the worse!! If you fit the image, you'll be ok. They hear what they want, say as they want it, have no genuine concerns about students on campus. They are in total denial about reality and if it does not concern them, them do not become concerned. A few of the teachers are HUGE hypocrites, they cuss at the students and there display of role modeling is lacking. Again, NO one cares!! They have no communication skills, and when talking to students, they pretty much speak as to what they want to hear verses what the student is saying. As for the education aspect of it, I recommend you go to another school, district, this school is only an image!
—Submitted by a parent

WARNING!! Not impressed!! Student Advisor, Teachers, Principal, and Asst. Super... WHAT A JOKE! You get nowhere! They have dropped the ball with my child repeatedly and they are worthless at being leaders of our children. It took 6 weeks to finally get a meeting...I had been trying to communicate repeatedly with the teachers that my child was failing and struggling with school because of his learning disability( he has no behavior issues)...teachers didn't care...just kept sending him to clean the cafeteria for detention. They gave him constant negative/ defeating feedback all day... My older child is the average child that 'blends' in so there is no problem with the teachers because they don't have to do anything besides collecting a paycheck... There is no neutral ground or authority you can go to... They're all buddies... No common sense in any of them that we have dealt with... I have never left any sort of feedback before but felt others should be warned.
—Submitted by a parent

We recently moved to this community. This school is one of the best that my children have ever attended. The principal truly cares about each and every student and the staff have really high expectations. My son and daughter both felt welcome the minute we got here and say how nice the teachers and kids are. It is wonderful to know that they are now learning in such a warm and inviting place. It seems to me if parents or kids are unhappy, they should look to a charter school in the area or get involved themselves. I have found this school to be caring and great for MY children.
—Submitted by a parent

There is a schism between the performance and atmosphere of this school. Although you cant argue with the performance, you may ask attending children about how they feel about continuing to attend this school. There is a significant segregation between students that are accepted, and those that feel bullied. There are also predominantly newer/younger teachers that do not fit the conventional mold in appearance,actions, or attitudes. This is a great facility in a very good district, but has issues to overcome.
—Submitted by a parent

After the bad experience with the administration and front office staff during my daughter;s eighth grade year, I am choosing not to send my son to Verrado Middle School next year. I have gone through the open enrollment process with another district. The adminsitration here forgets that a school is a customer service entity and parents and students are their customers. I can say that there are some good teachers, but the turnover rate here should open the eyes of the district administration. Why are so many teachers leaving, and why are so many parents choosing to send their children elsewhere?
—Submitted by a parent

I just promoted from this school and at the beginning I used to love it! But once I got to the 7th grade things began to change. During the year I started with five teachers, and at the end, I still had five, but only two of them were the same that I started with. The school lacks consistency, which effects every single student. Also, the principal, and 8th grade student advisor, don't care what happens to students, but just to make sure that their paycheck goes in. Budget was cut in all the wrong places and effected the students more than the teachers. Although a rough 7th grade year, once I got to the 8th grade things were amazing in the classroom, but the administration got even worse. Overall, an okay school.

Don't let the pictures fool you. This school spends more money on electronics and they still give the students terrible lunches. I heard one girl barely eats at her school because they don't give her the basic and good nutrition she needs. Also, they have to pay 2.50 for each horrible lunch. This school is very cheap. I wouldn't recommend it.

My child love this school. She looks forward to going to school. The teachers are great. There are a lot of extracurricular activities and also a decent amount of homework too. She only has one more year to go, but the previous two have been great.
—Submitted by a parent

Been dealing with this school for the past 7 yrs and truth is, despite the leadership changes, it still has some of the same problems now that it had the day it opened!! Not very welcoming and one or two office personnel need training in "customer service." Not at all thrilled with the principal - she could use training in problem solving and conflict resolution. Some excellent teachers, thank goodness! Archaic practice of placing students on stage in cafeteria for lunch detention still in place. Lots of room for improvement but don't hold your breath. If past action is any indication.... the status quo will be maintained.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son attends 6 grade here and he is happy at Verrado Middle School. That says a lot about a good school. We have got to known responsible and well appointed teachers over this school year. We are looking forward to the 7 grade set up now and are very positive about having our son attending here.
—Submitted by a parent

Everyone complains about the Admin., but know one does anything about it? This school is lacking guidance and it starts from the top. The superintendent has made a joke out of this district and it goes down hill from there. We use to be 'THE' district to come to now we are running from it! We obviously need new governing board members to see what's really going on in this 'JOKE' of a district. Nothing is getting done here...nothing!
—Submitted by a parent

Excellent! The staff is very friendly, all of the reception staff is inviting, encouraging. Great School!
—Submitted by a parent

I was new to the Verrado community in 6th grade and I was just filling in. When my academic teachers first saw me, they didn't even bother to say hello or even smile. But as I went with the flow I started to be more appreciated which made me a little curious. Now I'm in 7th grade and have all the answers for my 6th grade questions.
—Submitted by a student

Verrado is a great school with many opprtuinities, but the staff really don't give full attention to their students, and don't get involed in school conflicts enough, and should keep their focuses more on the students and not trying to improve their image of a second rank school.
—Submitted by a student

I was a 7th. grader at VMS and Honestly I can say that most of the teachers are always there to help hmm but Not all of them ! Every time more than one person person needs help the teacher will have them go ask another class mate,wich in most cases lead to the whole class just having their own 'person conversations' ! VMS is yes a Beautiful school and the lunch staff is great and always conversating with the students ! Student advisers could be a little more helpfull and communicate with us students more offten ! Next year I will not be atteneding VMS and im actually really glad just besides the fact that im leaving most of my friends ! Now im just looking forward to a new school year at L.Thomas Heck Middle school ! !
—Submitted by a student

I have few complaints concerning this school. My major complaint is with the Connections Math Program. I have spoken to at least 30 parents and have not received a single positive response. The workbooks the kids work out of do not show examples of the homework assigned. Most parents have not done the math they are assigned for several years and do not know the method they are using to teach. You are expected to rely on your 6th graders note taking talents to help you teach them. This eliminates a valuable resource (parental help) for students who are poor readers, writers or note takers. I love the school otherwise, but would move my child if I could find a school in the district not using this program.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school! Everything about it is awesome! I like the teachers. You not only learn about school stuff, but you learn about LIFE LESSONS which is great for everyone! Also, people are really nice at this school and you can easily fit in. The school is beautiful! You can't miss it! I assure you, coming to this school will be the best thing that ever happened to you.
—Submitted by a student

I'm sad that the years almost over and I'm going to have to leave VMS and go to high school. I've had the best years here and my goodbyes will be hard. This has been a wonderful school, with the BEST teachers, the BEST way to learn, and the BEST friends you could ever get, I LOVE THIS SCHOOL!
—Submitted by a student

I am currently a 6th grade student at Verrado Middle School and to be honest, its okay. Since we are in the portables, we feel left out and its pretty boring. I just want to skip 6th grade and go to 7th already. Otherwise, this school is pretty cool and i would recommend it if you are a 7th or 8th grader.
—Submitted by a student

My daughter and I did not like this school. The honors program is a joke. The 'connected math' program is terrible. Research this before you send you child here. My daughter loves math, and hated this program. We came from Scott Libby which was a wonderful school. My daughter only attended one year of Verrado Middle School. It's a beautiful school, but their curriculum is not challenging enough. Some of the teachers should teach elementary school instead. Staff is good, always friendly and helpful.
—Submitted by a parent