Orange Grove Middle School

i would not recommend this school. It has quite frankly been the worse school experience I have had with my three children. My son has been constantly blamed for things that he did not do, as he is outgoing and has tended to be the class clown. The principal marked him for three years for anything and everything around the school. He almost has a nervous breakdown his final few weeks of school The school counselor is great and a good. MY son was t tested and he was off the charts academically. The teachers are very good and academically sound and seem to care about their students. Girls are favored and get away with inappropriate dress code and behavior without any actions taken.
—Submitted by a parent

A lot of behavioral problems at this school since open enrollment began. Kids get tossed out class, suspended, expelled, and are disrespectful to teachers. It's hard for kids who really want to learn. The dress code is not enforced and girls come to school dressed very inappropriately. Most bathrooms are locked b/c of graffiti.
—Submitted by a parent

Recent frequent turnover in the administration. I was very excited when my child transferred to this school in 6th grade, but found the environment to be more competitive than supportive. While some of this is to be expected as children advance through their school years, labeling children problems when they are not being adequately challenged in their classes, being bullied or suffering other aspects of being a newer student in a very clique-ish district can't be ignored. As a parent, I did not voice my concerns the first year. This past year it became necessary to address some issues that were for the most part ignored. This might partly be due to the unstable administration. Looking forward to the change next year and hoping this might bring a more open and supportive atmosphere back to the campus of this excellent school.
—Submitted by a parent

Stressful and exhausting are probably what sums up this school most of the time for me while the academics process I feel is at times superior for our grade level it usually is either easy,hard or just not given enough overview on what the task at hand is during class. Students with behavior issues are often given warnings and referrals as we call them but eventually teachers and administrators stop caring causing a very peer conscious atmosphere.
—Submitted by a student

this school is a very good school with a great teachers
—Submitted by a student

This school happens to be a very good school with students much more mellow here than my precious school in California, I feel that there definitely time for us to socialize and there are dances here, but they are known as 'Socials'
—Submitted by a student

Orange Grove is a very supportive enviroment for the young teen interested in excelling academically. The teachers are often seen supporting students at after school functions and make every opportunity to encourage and mentor this important period of our childrens lives. We moved from Chicago and are so pleased to meet many Tucsonans who fondly recall the middle school years at Orange Grove. The school has high expectations of the students. The respect the students show the teachers is unparrelled in any middle school setting I've observed as we selected a school for our daughter. Orange Grove students have a proven track record of becoming leaders in valued community activities. The sustained positive interactions with the principal and the dean have fostered a safe enviroment for our young people to develop the life skills they need to continue standing up to peer pressure while enjoying a strong academic enviroment.
—Submitted by a parent

There are too many classes in one day for this age group and the time for the classes are short so the student skims and has to catch up at home. Classes start too early for the teenager. Children do not have time to socialize. This is a school with competitive parents that push their children acadamically and do not think of the social side.
—Submitted by a parent

I happen to go to this scool and think it is the best. I love all my teachers and fellow students.
—Submitted by a student

Orange Grove Middle School is one of the best in Arizona! The teachers are very creative in engaging the children. There is a band program, which I really like, and the instructor is great and knows how the get the kids into it. The children carry eight classes, and Spanish or French is one of the required class, as is PE every day, which I think is great for the kids. The schools performance in science, reading and math are all great as well.
—Submitted by a parent

It's an alright school. Probably one of the top public school's in Tucson. It has pretty good education, but lacks social oppurtunites, such as recess or dances.
—Submitted by a student

This school places a strong focus on rigorous academics. The history and english departments have an innovative approach to teaching humanities.
—Submitted by a staff

ogms adminsitrative team works with staff and parents to create an academically challenging, safe environment for students. an active family/faculty organization ensures parent involvement in a many aspects of the ogms community. teachers work in teams to monitor/guarantee the success of each child on campus.

The discipline in this school needs improvement. Its amazing how many times one student can disobey teachers, harrass other students via telephone and still be able to attend with minimum consequences. My child will not be back next year.