Sussman Middle School

Let me start by saying I would NOT recommend this school to any parent who values their kids receiving a good education while learning in a safe & productive environment. My son has attended this school for the last 2 years and they have failed him miserably. There is no communication with the parents and they don't believe in retention even if a child is failing 4 out of 6 classes. They just simply keep moving them up until they rid them of their campus, so much for the "no child left behind" campaign when it comes to Sussman. We have since taken our kids out of the dreadful Downey School District and got them into a charter school where they actually care about a child's overall educational growth. PARENTS DON'T LET YOUR KIDS ATTEND THIS SCHOOL!!
--Submitted by a parent

It's been a rough 2 years for my child at this school. I would not recommend it to parents with children who are "white" or caucasian. My child has experienced so much racism, it's ridiculous, and very stressful. There is a lot of animosity towards white kids at this school. I'm sure the parents have a lot to do with that. Also, the kids at this school have bad behavior as it is. They are very disrespectful to their teachers and their peers. Kids at this school are very cruel to each other. They're also into partying and drugs and talk about it freely. This school has a bad reputation for a reason. Luckily my child is in honors or gate classes and that helps a bit. The only reason why my child goes to this school is because of the convenience of its location to our home.
--Submitted by a parent

my child is also"white" and in honors classes and has received some racial comments from certain students. i think it could happen anywhere. when i became aware of the problem i contacted the counselor. the counselor then let the teachers know and one of the teachers actually caught the student who was being disrespectful to my child. i think parents need to be more involved as a whole at this school. i feel my child is receiving an acceptable education. things could be better, but my child is also learning good life skills. i worry sometimes, but trust that my involvement and direction will help my child make the right decisions.
--Submitted by a parent

The teachers at the school are great. They stay after school and help out any students looking for the help. My son was in the band program and he loved it. The band director was amazing and is one of the best in southern California.
--Submitted by a parent

i was a student at sussman middle school and was pretty kewl the thing ididnt like was that we had to tuck in our shirts but besides that it was a good school.
--Submitted by a student

this school is the best! i love it! teachers are very professional i am in all advanced classes and i am in many different school activities i love my teachers and classmates
--Submitted by a student

My daughter is a seven grader student and she has had a great experience at this school with all the teachers. They are really open mind with the parents and student and keep a good cominication with parents and students. What i really like is that must of the teachers have an e-mail acount were you can contact them and keep track of your child academically progress. Guess what? Teachers really write you back! Well, i muust to say that there is something that I'm not agree and that I don't understand. There is no nurse at school? I really think that it is a neccesity for our children to have an available nurse at any time, specially because the girls have a lot of accidents at this time of their growing stage when they are becoming pretteens .
--Submitted by a parent

I am a former 7th grader at Sussman Middle School and I am satisfied with this school. It gives us all a chance to be in school activities, but it is our choice if we take that chance. The students here at SMS are great! The teachers are awesome such as Mr. Rants who brings us many different types of 'creatures' for us to take interest on them. Mrs. Widmann is a great principal and Mr. Modschiedler is a little strict on the 'tuck in your shirt' rule but its for a good cause. All in all Sussman Middle School is an awesome place to be.
--Submitted by a student

my daughter is now in the 7th grade and she is in all of the advanced classes. she enjoys coming to this school because its fun and at the same time she can learn things.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is currently in the 6th grade and is a GATE student. She has been placed in the honors program for all of her academic classes. The program allows her to make choices about what types of assignments can be submitted for her required projects. The teachers are constantly challenging the students both in the class and with projects. They encourage creativity and leadership. They also focus on Character thru their 'Character Counts' program that is a part of every day learning and classroom activities. The teachers have been very flexible and open to discussing any of my child's concerns with her or both of us as needed. I would encourage parents to explore this school as an option for their children.
--Submitted by Stacey, a parent