Rolling Hills Middle School

After moving here from Orange County and spending the first half of the year with my daughter enrolled at local private school (Golden Hills Academy) we moved her to Rolling Hills Middle School. I could not be more pleased. My daughter spent K-7 at a highly accredited private school in OC. I though the private school here would be the correct transition. I could not have been more wrong! After moving my child to Rolling HIlls due to so many inadequacies at the private school, they identified that she was behind in both Spanish( the Spanish text book at the private school here in 8th grade was the one the 7th grade currently uses at both Rolling HIlls and my child's previous private school in OC putting my daughter 6 months behind) and Math. The teachers have been wonderful to her, spending extra time with her to get caught up and even having her as a Spanish aide to offset her disappointment when she couldn't test into their Spanish program. The kids have been great and after first day jitters all made sure she was welcome. Private education doesn't always equal better. RH Teacher also just named Teacher of the Month by community. Excellent School!
--Submitted by a parent

My son is in 5th grade at Rolling Hills. Here's what we like: experienced teachers; regular homework and tests; Powerschool online service that shows all tests and homework grades daily; heavy focus on academics and not a focus on increasing Star Test scores; fantastic extras like quality PE and a normal amount of it; quality field trips; band during school day; fun wheel classes like geography (kids made 3D topographic earths; my son loved it!); and a range of after school sports programs run by credentialed teachers like cross country, basketball. The best thing is that my son found 5th grade math too easy so the principal and several teachers worked really hard to find a place for him in 6th grade PreAlgebra class and it's an excellent fit for him. Last year the focus at elementary school was only on preparing for the Star Test (which my son found was really easy; it's just a portion of what you could learn). I'm glad that Rolling Hills goes beyond Star Test prep. Despite Rolling Hills Star Test grades going down, they get a high score on true teaching and excellent academics.
--Submitted by a parent

Rolling Hills is an amazing school. I have a senior in high school who attended 3 years at RHMS and an 8th grader their now. The teachers really care about their students. They have the kids with a "team" of teachers so that the teachers can work together to give each kid what he/she needs. The team my son is on is amazing. They recently took all 150 kids on the team off campus for a team building experience and they had a pre-school get together at the local yogurt shop. It is a more well rounded educational experience. They do have a few teachers who are less desirable than others but doesn't every school?! The teachers even spend their lunch hour out eating with the students so that they can connect with them on a more personal level. The principal knows just about every kid and greats them with a warm smile and a big hello. She definately thinks/worries about her students on and off campus. I feel blessed to have my kids attend Rolling Hills Middle School.
--Submitted by a parent

I was a student at RHMS who transferred from the Bay Area. I was appalled by the rude students and the down right bias of the teachers. Besides that, they have no choir or theatre and do not even have a track. During my whole year there I was miserable and unwelcomed by the kids. Was I happy to go to high school!

Three of my children went through this school. This high performance public school operates more like a premier academy. They need more art (not technique but critical thinking) classes - then again - they are teaching to the API tests and getting great results. Middle school is all about transition from elementary to high school. This is a birthing process - usually more painful for the parent than the child. Believe me - the children come out happy, healthy, and ready for high school. The parents? If you hear wailing and screaming - its usually because someone's 'perfect all the way through elementary' miscreant just hit puberty and the school is getting blamed for his or her misbehavior. Other criticisms, 'they are too strict,' they are taking home too much homework,' or 'my child did not make advanced this or that.' Yawn... Five stars!
--Submitted by a parent

I have two kids at this school, one in 5th grade and one in 8th. This was our first time at this school because we moved here last year. Both kids love this school. Their teachers send out an email daily with a summary of homework. We can access their grades any time online. Strong parent involvement. My 5th grader takes math with 6th graders, because he took a test and was ready for it. The band program is amazing.
--Submitted by a parent

An excellent school! We are very happy with the curriculum,teachers, and administration.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is just finishing up as a 6th grader at Rolling Hills. This has been her best school year so far. She loves and respects her teachers and the administration. This equals a good attitude about school and awesome grades. I would highly recommend Rolling Hills. I should also credit Oak Meadow Elementary for giving her a great foundation for middle school and beyond.
--Submitted by a parent

We too moved up here last May 2007 from the Walnut Creek area. This school is amazing. My son is in 6th. grade and receives his grades every Wednesday via printout from his homeroom teacher. Soon however, the parents can access the grades on line at any time. This really keeps our son on task. We know that he is getting the education that we wanted him to have. We know he'll be ready for high school and Oak Ridge High and then off to college.
--Submitted by a parent

We transferred from Walnut Creek in 2005, and Rolling Hills has exceeded our expectations. The entire operation is truly a personable, well oiled machine. The system is strongly geared towards academic achievement-as it should be. Both of our sons are very happy there, and we are very confident that they are getting the attention and education they need to do well today, and in the future. Rolling Hills MS gets a '10' in our book! Tom & Rebeca Vosper
--Submitted by Tom & Rebeca Vosper, a parent