Fort Irwin Middle School

Sorry I have to post a star. I had students in 8th and 6th grade until this year. I removed my children and now homeschool them. My daughter told me that swearing in school around and at teachers was common. Disrespect and bullying go on daily. The prencipal was removed early in the year with little change during the school year. Being on a military installation they could bring to bear the power of the military chain of command to help resolve some issues but they choose not to. Best example I can give of the issues here is that last year with an enrollment of around 400 students, over 60 were removed from the school and were put into homeschooling. I would think this would raise a red flag for the school board or commissioners. Looking forward to next duty assignment so my kids can enjoy attending a quality school

My child has done well at this school. Most of the teachers did an excellent job of providing an enivornment condusive to learning. I knew my child's teachers not only professionaly but personally. They took interest in my child't well being and when we needed help they were able to provide it. One trouble this school has is difficulty in maintaing subs. Parents are quick to complain but I often didn't see them volunteering to help out at the school.
--Submitted by a parent

The teacher's are not acedemically any good, they are so behind the power curve, they don't have hardly any extra sports and things for the kid's and there are no elective courses (such as home ec, typing ect). This is by far the worst school my daughter has ever been in.
--Submitted by a parent

FIMS is a very good school. The administration welcomes parental involvement. There are plenty of extracurricular programs for the kids in the arts and in athletics. The academic standards are high and there is a focus on reading skills through the accelerated reader program.
--Submitted by John Dalbey, a parent

FIMs has the potential to be a very good school. However, budget cuts and the school's inability to retain quality teachers is hindering its progress. Advance programs and extra-curricular activites suffer because of the above. The school doesn't have sufficient funding for music or art classes, but offers gym several times a week. My child participated in several (non-sports) activities this year that required her to sacrifice a lot of her free time. Many of these activities were not even recognized at the end of the school year with a simple event like a party, trip, or a group picture in the yearbook. I know that the State of California's budget shortfall is not helping things, but I believe more could be done by the school to improve the above situation.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has attended this school the past four years 4-7. My daughter has attended one, 4th. Both will continue one more year. The school has a med. to high acheivement rate however the down side is the transient faculty. The distance of 35 miles to Fort Irwin from Bbarstow is discouraging to most. On the up side this is a military installation so the kids are held accountable at a higher lever. I would say it is a good school but the lack of experience with most of the teachers is apparent in the higher grades 6,7 and 8.
--Submitted by Brittney Smith, a parent

I don't think that the school cares about my children or their education. Though I do believe that the teachers honestly care about the children, I don't think that the administration supports them or the students. There aren't very many extracurricular activities after school, or at least ones that really challenge them intellectually. I don't understand having the 4th graders up to 8th grade in the same school, though I know that they are separated it just isn't enough. I also don't agree with the half days on Wednesday! On the whole, the people who work at the school are very nice, but academically they are lacking.
--Submitted by a parent