Emerald Middle School

My daughter graduated from Emerald last year. Overall, she had a pretty good experience, although it was better during the first two years than the last, primarily due to budget cuts and a change in the principal. Emerald is located in an area of El Cajon that combines some middle-class homes with many apartments and more run-down homes, so it draws an a rather diverse population. Recently El Cajon has seen a large number of Chaldean immigrants from Iraq, and this has impacted all the local schools, including Emerald. During my daughter's last year at Emerald (2010-2011) the school received a new principal. My daughter much preferred the previous one, an older retired military man who kept a rather strict discipline at the school, while leaving the daily activities to the assistant principals and the teachers, over the present principal, a middle-aged woman who is much more in the students faces, always insisting they shake her hand and look her in the eye, etc. The school changed considerably last year, laying off a popular band teacher my daughter loved and cutting the band program and a switch to a very strange class schedule as part of an attempt to be a magnet school.
--Submitted by a parent

I can only rate this in regards to Spec. Ed., but academically they are great and have good teachers and staff that help kids learn and progress further. In regards to Social interaction for those students in Spec. Ed. it really seems like the teachers try to keep students segregated not only by the location of their classes but also during lunch time and not keeping their student informed of social events so they can grow in that area as well. I understand that funding may be limited due to the current financial situation the district is in... but such separation is a bit much in my opinion. Kids will never learn to deal with various social situations if they never get to experience them at their age/level.
--Submitted by a parent

I am currently an eighth grader at EMS, and I am so find of my teachers that it will be difficult to graduate . All the other rumors about teachers not caring about our education is a lie. They are there before school and after school if any student needs assistance. They also have these really cool STEM programs and electives that I really enjoy. If any if my teachers happen to read this, I hope they recognize that this is only the truth. I love EMS!

The teachers and faculty go the extra mile.After school they walk as far as the local park to keep order and check on the kids safety. They buy needed items for the classrooms from their own pockets to ensure that the children have the best possible learning tools.
--Submitted by a parent

emerlad is improving each year they have real nice computers and recsources for kids but it isnt a 'great' school. The library is only open on tuesdays and wendesay which is a real low, the books in the libray are old and outdated. The elective choices are horrible nothing special, band is probobly the most intersting. The only good things are that the teachers are great at teaching strict but good. There is almost no parent involvment though. No parents go to meet and eat. The pricipals dont seem to do anything we alwys see the assistant principal doing all the work.
--Submitted by a student

i loved this skool the teachers wee great they were easy going and strict at the same time its like it made u want to do the work

it is an awesome school full of teachers that are willing to cooperate with parent and students to reach any academic goal and gain success
--Submitted by a parent

E.M.S rocks.if you ever look for schools that need better teachers,emerald is definitely the place.The principles leadership is above and beyond and the student's really care about there education.
--Submitted by a student

I am a student at EMS i'm in 7th grade and last yaer i hated coming to school there were constantly fights and the school was 'getto' this year is so much better we have computers and the school is upgraded in many ways another great things are the new teachers we r getting so mant amazing expireinces wer shouldn't be considered a crappy school any more because all of tthe subs that come to are school always come back be cause soposably we're respectful. =]
--Submitted by a student

i am a student curently going to emerald. i am an 8th grader. currently our school is 'poor' we have been blowing our budget out of control. the teachers are okay. depending on what 'team' you get. i dont like this school but i love my friends. good people attend. its just how they can act.
--Submitted by a student