Magee Middle School

Magee used to be a great school. I've attended Magee since the sixth grade. The old principal was great, but he's recently retired. Our new principal is the rudest man I've ever met in my life, quite literally. When I address him with problems, he sends me back to class. He introduced the 'PRIDE' program to Magee last year which has done nothing but harm. I had accumulated these PRIDE hours, and was never told about them. Come the end of this year, I'm now not allowed to walk at graduation, participate in the 8th grade end-of-the-year activities, or get a yearbook that was paid for. The school staff is never helpful and does nothing but harass students. This is the end of my eighth grade year, thank goodness. Do NOT enroll your child at Magee - the school has changed for the worst.

Great teachers who actually care about student achievement! Leadership is also a positive influence on learning.
—Submitted by a parent

We have nothing but great things to say about Magee. Both the principal, assistant principal are doing a wonderful job. Also we have had some of the best teachers ever! We are proud of this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am so happy to see that I am not the only one having problems at Magee. I am very surprised that more parents aren't saying anything about this. I am having a second meeting with all 6 teachers as well as the principal because my child "doodles" on her papers. If this is the worst behavior going on at this school then they should be very proud indeed! My daughter and I feel that we are being picked on and bullied by the staff. I have never had any positive feedback from any of them and only negative. She also got in "trouble" for reading in class. I don't feel comfortable discouraging my child from reading. I hope more parents will come forward and speak about this unfair treatment of our children. I don't want to pull my daughter out in the middle of the school year...but she will NOT be returning next year.
—Submitted by a parent

For the first time in my daughter's life she came home crying and screaming that she hated school!!!!! Their "Pride" program takes punishment to a whole new level. If they forget anything, a pencil or even a sharpened pencil or a piece of paper they get detention and the parent has to put their job in serious danger to pick up their child from detention daily because they can't ride the bus home. I totally disagree with this program they have gone too far. Very unhappy parent I won't take the chance on losing my business because someone can't lend my daughter a pencil to write with especially when other kids are stealing them from my daughter. And what of the "No Child Left Behind" crock that I now have to pay for a tutor that I can't afford. She dreamed of becoming a surgeon and now wants to drop out of school. Totally disappointed in this school. NO HELP HERE!
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are wonderful and nice. They definitely know how to teach the students in a fun and exciting way. The band program there is amazing teaching high school level music in their wind ensemble (advanced band).

I had a child at Magee last year. It was a great experience for us. A principal who was quick to help resolve any issue, teachers who really care about the students, the best band/orchestra I have ever seen in a middle school, the D.C. Club which culminates in a trip to D.C. at the end of the year, other great field trips, parent nights, etc. We were so pleased that we made the decision to put our child at Magee. I have to say this was one of the first years with all of my children in school that I haven't had any negative issues. Wow. We, obviously love Magee. A great big thank you to the principal and all of the fantastic staff at Magee.
—Submitted by a parent

What an incredible, dedicated staff. They are teachers, friends and proxy-parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I do not agree with the parent who posted on April 1. First, the discipline is the best this year that it has been in three years. Second, the cuts are not the school's fault, but the legislature's and they are not even done yet. Third, the hugging issue is not really an issue. Kids still hug (I saw several yesterday), but they are trying to stop couples from getting too romantic at too young an age... I applaud that! Also, the band and orchestra are the best in the entire state, the scores are good though they took a dip last year, and my kids have loved going there over the last five years. Magee is a great place for kids!
—Submitted by a parent

My child goes to this school, and she tells me everything that goes on at this school. This school is very poorly at disciplining. They do not allow hugging. Hugging is something friendly and shouldn't be restircted from a public area. Anything more, I could understand. But this school is cutting off other teachers, and even the good ones. And it needs a lot of our help with the money. Even though this school is not the best. It contains many students. And these students are there to learn and be social. They are already taking one thing away from them, don't let it be the other.
—Submitted by a parent

magee is really cool especially ms.wilson!!!
—Submitted by a student

It is a very genuine school. They teach everything that is required to teach and more. I recomend your child going to this school.
—Submitted by a student

Extremely poor communication levels from teachers and administration. Lack of administrative oversight and overall poor performance.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended this school all three years of middle school and loved it. She was and still is a straight A student. My daughter is now a Jr. at Sahuaro High School and says she learned many many things from the great teachers at Magee Middle School. Especially Mr. Keuter.
—Submitted by a parent

Magee is not committed to parental communication, with some teachers not responding to e mail at all, schedule changes without any parental involvement. There appears to be little commitment to brighter students as long as they meet the AIMS that's sufficient. My child has graduated this school rating worse than they did on admission. There is no real discipline with children turning in work if they want. There are a minority of excellent teachers but they certainly are in the minority.
—Submitted by a parent

Magee MS suffers from lack of parental communication. From both parents and teachers. Parental involvement in this school is the key to your childs success. You must take the initiative because some of the staff will not. There have been many failed attempts at communication with a few of my sons teachers. Our son was new to the school this year and has had problems with other students and complains about the fighting that goes on undetected. I will not have my child in a school where he feels unsafe....and communication is not an option.
—Submitted by a parent

Magee Middle School's Principal Mr Jerry Holmes is an excellent leader and manager. His visions for taking Magee onward in this challenging time for public education is well planned, and will meet the needs of the increasing diverse population of Magee's student body. The academic expectations of Magee's teachers and staff are high. Discipline, safety, and honesty are paramount at this school. Expectations are high for students at Magee, and must be meant by each individual student. Parents must remain engaged and active in their child's education to insure this success. Teachers and administrators cannot insure a child's success without involved parents.
—Submitted by a parent

There are quite a few teacher problems at this school. As with most places. Dont let one or two bad apples spoil the whole bunch. Poor judgement and treatment with the children on the teachers part. Over all great Pricipals and Vice Principals. Very strict with discipline.
—Submitted by a parent

When I went to Magee two years ago, the teachers knew what they were doing, and some of the staff is alright. The students were difficult to make friends if you didnt know them though.
—Submitted by a student

Although Magee seems to suffer from overcrowding, I am very impressed with the music program. The band director, Mr. Messing, is a wonderful instructor who helps inspire his students. I am also impressed with my daughter's Language Arts teacher, Mr. Kueter. I believe she will be a better writer when she leaves his class.
—Submitted by a parent