Connolly Middle School

I was a student at Connolly from 1978-1980. In these reviews I hear echos of the same problems that plagued the school then: 1) Inability to provide a safe learning environment while ironically imposing fairly pointless rules. At the time I went, the school was infested with a gang called "LVL" -- not something kids this age should have to worry about. 2) Inability to retain good teachers. My drive to learn science and music were not met by this school, but fortunately I found other avenues. 3) Obsession with sports, creating a hero culture and caste system around physical prowess. Now that I am a parent, I will not allow a place like this to touch my children. I do sympathize with teachers who have to deal with the demographic issues here (as one teacher here wrote in code: the "challenging student population"). As a child, my parents couldn't or wouldn't take my complaints about this school seriously. As a parent, I now realize I should listen to my children and take action when it's best for their development.

This is my daughters 1st yr in Connolly (6th grade) and in a Tempe School district...I was a little worried because I went to Chandler schools so i wanted my kids to do the same since i knew some of the teachers schools, etc but we moved so they were not to excited about going to a new school but my daugh loves it, she likes the teachers, students, everything. I ask her to do you want to back to Chandler and hes SAYS NO I like it here NOW!!
—Submitted by a parent

Connolly offers regular, advanced, honors classes. Connolly expects students to follow pillars of character. Dress appropriately. Really...a complaint about a jacket? Follow the rules. At Connolly, I see rockets launching in science, dissections of sharks, mummification of chickens when studying ancient Egypt, book projects connecting to the Holocaust, students challenging other students in math around the world, concert after concert in band, orchestra, choir, students learning about Music Technology (GarageBand), students sewing and cooking in FACS class, an art teacher who offers Honors Arts education and engages her students to provide community serve by participating in the Empty Bowls Project. Day after day, I am amazed at the critical thinking skills students engage in. Students take Cornell notes, prepare for college readiness, discuss authors, music, poetry, plays in Socratic circles, work with volunteers in small reading/learning groups, participate in March Madness basketball events, after school events, clubs, and on and on. P.E. teachers who execute field days, games, competitions engaging students. Come check out our school and make your own informed decision!
—Submitted by a teacher

I'm a student at this school, and I have to admit, it has definitely been a mixed bag. The teachers are mostly decent. Some are good, and some aren't so great. The teaching methods and curriculum are constantly advertised as being revolutionary and fantastic, but in reality, they are just average, and in some cases, slightly below average. The student population is pretty diverse, but if you're different in any way, expect plenty of bullying, especially in your 7th grade year. The only way you'll avoid bullying is by being popular, and you have to be a certain way in order to be accepted as popular. If you're not attractive and/or athletic, you should be prepared to have a miserable time at many parts of your time at Connolly. There is definitely a caste system here. In addition, some of the rules are RIDICULOUS! You have to sit in a certain order at lunch due to a "fire safety code", you can't wear a sweater around your waist, and you have to conform to a strict dress code that makes you look like a dork if you don't wear the right sweater or hoodie to cover the dorky polo shirt off. In all honesty, I wouldn't reccomend this school. But it's not terrible....

Connolly is a great school! After working there for many years I am shocked to see so many negative reviews here. We have made a lot of progress with the challenging population that we serve. We have some of the best teachers in the district and a lot of amazing students too. Not to mention all of the programs and interventions that are available to the students. Come visit Connolly on a regular school day if you really want to see what it's like.
—Submitted by a teacher

Connolly Middle School works very hard to encourage students. I find it simply amazing that a parent would call a school stupid. Probably a parent from a school where students run around and do whatever they want. I want rules for my child. I want teachers who engage students. I want my child to find something interesting in everything they attempt...not just say it's boring. I find it hard to believe that a parent with any education would not support their child's school. Get involved. Volunteer. Connolly encourages parents to connect with the campus community. Every student on their campus uses AVID strategies. Cornell note taking, Socratic discussions, many skills my child will use in the future. CMS is a college-going community. Wouldn't you want that for your child? I agree that all school have challenges...even the most EXCELLING schools in Arizona have issues. You're kidding yourself if you think that different. But the teachers, staff and administration at Connolly care about my child. Encourage my child. Have high expectations for my child. Success comes from the effort you put forth! Make Connolly a choice for your child. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is awful. There are bullies everywhere, the school rules are incredibly stupid, the dress code is obviously disliked by the students, and my kid finds the method of instruction really boring. I advise you don't go here.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is pretty bad. It feels like a prison, and there are wannabe gangsters everywhere. Most of the teachers are fine, but none of them are great, and they don't do much to motivate students, (unless you're in the AVID program). This school is definitely not a good choice.

Connolly Middle School is GREAT!! My family moved to Arizona at the start of the 2011-2012 school year. As a parent, I was very concerned after reading all of the bad reports about AZ public schools being poor performers - especially since I have an honor student. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Connolly has teachers who are passionate about learning and school leadership that supports that passion . . but you HAVE to be an involved parent. Have a question? Don't understand a rule? STOP BY THE OFFICE, ASK THE TEACHER or TALK WITH THE COUNSELOR. As with most things in life, you will get as much out of Connolly Middle School as you put into it. Our experience with the school has been excellent and I am glad we chose Connolly for our honor student.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is disappointing. I am a student here and I had multiple science teachers because they all quit. The rules are silly and the students are violent, disobeying, and unwilling to learn. Out of all the teachers i had only 1 good teacher, maybe 2. The subjects are boring and there is no challenge to them. The principal hasn't done anything for the school, and many kids are expelled from either ditching or fighting. I know 9 or more kids who ditch, more than 10 kids who got in a fight at school, just in my grade alone. Overall this school is very pleasing or fun. It makes you not want to go to school, opposite of what it should be.

It is sad to hear that we have an educational system that allows good children to be placed in the same learning facility as juvenile delinquents. I am a Gen X parent and I know first hand what these children face. It is like a deep scar that you can not cover up. My wife and I chose to get our child on the list at a school in Kyrene that had an AZ learning label of Excelling. I am sorry but I am not willing to scar my child at schools like this. I realize we cannot forget about the hoodlums, but it would be nice to put the good children with good children and the delinquents with delinquents. I realize that it is mostly due to bad parenting that we have to deal with these types of kids. Can you really blame a teacher for wanting to quit? Wouldn't you leave if you had children that caused problems in your class everyday. How sad! It is truely a test of darwinism at schools like this.
—Submitted by a parent

Connolly Middle School is an outstanding school full of endless possibilities. The staff is amazing and supportive, whenever you walk by you are bound to receive a smile. Connolly offers many after school activities that are designed to help a student in need. If they see a child receiving below average grades they request your child to participate in an after school homework help club. There is no reason to be failing at Connolly Middle School for that exact reason, as well as the wonderful teachers on campus. Elementary for me was the bullying estate, but now in middle school, especially Connolly Middle School, bullying is rare. To back this up, there is even a bullying report box in the Library. Every single thing that can go wrong in middle school has a solution at Connolly Middle School. I went from a C student to a straight A student, I owe the school for that. It's great to know and see my own progress over the years, I'm proud of myself, I am proud of Connolly Middle School.

If you have the option of home-schooling, I suggest you take it. This school has nothing but bullies. the teachers don't do anything about it. The staff has a silent witness program that does not work. They want the kids to tattle, but when they do, they are subjected to even more ridicule. Nothing good to say about this school at all.

Lousy educational facility. It's more like a training camp for future inmates than a school
—Submitted by a parent

I am former student of Connolly, I love every thing about this school. I am a mother now and have spoken to my children about the school. I'm always comparing the schools that my kids go to, to connolly. The teachers were helpful, the classes were great with note taking, and the x-tra class like home ehc, and shop were fun just awesome. Thanks for the GREAT memorys.

I am a teacher at Connolly and the staff is very supportive and always has the students' best interest in mind. The school focuses on academics and rigor in everything it does. I would honestly send my children to this school. It is a well run school!
—Submitted by a teacher

I am a student and I used to go to Connolly Middle School. I found this school usatisfactory for many reasons. One reason I left that school was because it has a serious bullying problem. I got called names by mean girls. I also think the teachers dont pay much attention to whats going on with the students. Luckly I am only in 6th grade and left in January to a better school. Next year I will be going to a performing arts school but I certainly will not be going there. Also my cousin goes there he got a violation for chewing GUM then he got another two just for forgetting to have it sighned. Now there saying if he gets one more he will get detention.Lucky he is in 8th grade and will be leaving in about 2 months. I would not recommend this school to anyone.
—Submitted by a student

Connolly is the best school ever and all of the teachers their are really nice and fun to be with!
—Submitted by a student

Parents, teachers and students, Connolly Middle School is the best school. Connolly has an austere dress code policy and students work rigorously. We use Cornell Note-taking strategies, participate in Socratic Seminars, and helpful teachers. Connolly also has AVID which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. In each grade, several students are interviewed and chosen to be a member. Students that were chosen are then taken to higher-level classes and teachers have higher expectations to those students. Speaker come and go, in and out of Connolly's doors. I, myself, am an eighth grade AVID student and I take pride in my work and proud to be a Crusader. Parents who complain about their child's grades should talk to the teachers and find out why your child(ren) is. . .not preforming well. Once again, this is an eighth grader and spoke infront of the School Board.
—Submitted by a student

connolly middle school is the worst Middle school my child has been to. Im sorry to say but the teachers there aren't realy hands on. My child has always come home from crying because she says her teacher doesnt explain the homework right, or theres just a problem with another student. So I say thumbs down.
—Submitted by a parent