El Cerrito Middle School

I am an 8th grader in ECMS and it is a great school. Teachers here a respectful and will help you. I have tons of great friends here. I am in many clubs here and they are fun and help others. I am in WEB(Where Everybody Belongs) that tutor 6th and 7th graders academically,advanced band which is really fun,Club Live which does fun activities to help students not use drugs and have fun with thier friends. There is also NJHS(National Junior Honor Society) that does community service, ASB(Associate Student Body) that run the dances, Yearbook that help make the yearbook and do fun games during lunch to help get sales, PAL(Peer Assistance Leadership) that help students around them, AVID that helps students academically to get them in college, Cage Club that helps students phisically and Scrapbooking that makes scrapbooks full of memories of the school year. We also have spanish classes for 8th grade so students could get a year ahead of foreign language for high school. We also have life management, choir, computer, art guitar and drama. And we are the only middle school in our district that has a fitness lab from fundraising. This is why I love this school.

Unimpressed with this school. My daughter was doing poorly academically. I went into office to ask for an intervention meeting with all of her teachers. No response. I called and left a message and received a call back (not from her teacher or principal) stating that a grade report would be sent home. I emailed each of her teachers individually-no meeting set up. In addition...there is definitely racial tension at this school and MANY, MANY fights (mostly between girls) There is a female student there who has been in MULTIPLE fights. Why isn't she expelled yet for repeated negative behavior. Horrible school. Moving to get out of this district.
—Submitted by a parent

VERY impressed with this school; wonderful teachers and Principal (and VP); as well as no sign of racial tension or fighting, or large talk of drug use; both of my children attend this year, and one of my children went to the over-crowded Citrus Hills last year, where there was fighting on an almost daily basis, as well as racial tension and drug-use. Nothing bad at ALL to report about El Cerrito; they run a tight ship and both of my kids are happy! EXCELLENT MUSIC PROGRAM ALSO!!
—Submitted by a parent

My son's gone from bottom of the bucket to getting As & Bs...he's in a special program and it's done him wonders. The teachers he has are amazing.
—Submitted by a parent

i am a current student at el cerrito and let me tell you..i wouldnt recommend this school for anyone. i would recomened citrus hills because ive gone there for 7th grade. there respectful, not rude at all, polite and the teachers are very funny and make learning fun. el cerrito is the exact oppisite.
—Submitted by a student

I attend this school and I loveee it! Im happy to say that i look forward to going to school the next day! There is great kids and friends to make and you always feel welcomed into ecms! If you are looking for a jr high to attend this is the reight one for you....I am currently in a.s.b. (associated student body) and I am running for vice president. THIS IS A GREAT SCHOOL!
—Submitted by a student

This is definitely a great school with high academic standards. I really like the 6th grade program. They focus on really developing each child and are always there to help.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm currently going to El Cerrito in the sixth grade program and am loving it. My teachers are great and helpful. The parent involvement is very high and parents can participate in P.T.S.A., chaperones for dances , and the teachers send home progress reports in the middle of the trimester to show the parents the students their grades. The security program is wonderful because the campus is always on watch. Overall I have been here for only 2 1/2 trimesters and I love it!
—Submitted by a student

I'm currently in seventh grade at El Cerrito. So, far this school is the best I've been to. I enjoy going to this school unlike the other schools I've been to. For the two years that I've gone to this school for I noticed ,along with my parents, that my scores,grades, and overall understanding has greatly improved. Before I went to ECMS I had the hardest time understand what my teachers taught and I was the worst speller but, when I started going to ECMS my grades improved and so did my spelling. I just wanted to post this so that other parents are more inclined to enroll their kids at ECMS or that kids are more inclined to go to ECMs.
—Submitted by a student

El Cerrito Middle School is a fantastic school. Our son is completing 8th grade and has attended for two years. The administration is excellent, the teacher's are superb, the facility is fantastic. We give ECMS an unqualified recommendation and endorsement. The school focuses on positive reinforcement and recognizes effort and achievement. This has been a very positive experience for our son and his self-confidence has increased tremendously as he heads towards high school...to us, that is one of the most important milestones for young adults. In one word...Tremendous!
—Submitted by Dugan Hadek, a parent

I am currently a student of this school,now I understand that only adults are probably supposed to do this, however I feel the need to. This school is far better than it sounds,or atleast how I know it, my teachers run after school programs everyday with any subject (mainly math,however). They have grade cheks in the back of the room and offer help when we ask and when we need it. The food isn't the healthiest but it is our choice to eat it, it tastes good not expired and is fresh. Our physical education is great we run the mile often and do alot of fun activities. Not to mention all of the extracurricular activities that I personally enjoy. SO to finish this off this is an overall great school
—Submitted by a student

I think the Accelerated Reader and Accelerated Math programs are wonderful for the students to be able to work at their own pace. The down side would be that on occasion when I have called to speak to a teacher to get information on my child some teachers respond quickly and others never call back.
—Submitted by a parent

The Principal defends teachers first, she does not follow thru on set plans. Parents must be aware of their childs progress and you must follow thru. Triple check your childs work and make copies if need be.
—Submitted by a parent

They allowed my son to slip through the cracks in his Math Honors class. He failed it and nothing was said to me about his not doing his work until the last minute. I could have had him in a support class had I know earlier. It is difficult to get a phone call back from any of the school officials or teachers. There is no science lab in the sixth grade. No fieldtrips to mention. The school is clean and some of his teachers have been awesome. Once I have gotten a hold of someone with my concerns they have ben very supportive.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is an enigmatic place to be. The quality of the academic programs have great intentions and time will tell if their efforts can pay off. The availability of music, art, and other extracurricular activities are top notch with many full hearted, wonderful teachers sacrificing their time for the benefit of students. That is the magic and those teachers need to be recognized. The website for the school shows a great vision of all the available programs. Kids actually want to go to this school, and it's probably for the effort put forth from the teachers who give up their time and do double duty with extracurricular activities. I wish I was in middle school again in order to go to this place of learning and caring!
—Submitted by a parent