Ethel Dwyer Middle School

The school gives the students positive reinforcement with different cultures and different languages. The school offers free course for American Sign Language after school. That is awesome!!
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 children at Dwyer (6th & 8th) and I could not be happier. We have lived in 3 diff. states & my children have attended 8 diff. schools and this is by far is the best (previous school was 10). Teachers are amazing and the principal is the best! Music program is spectacular esp. the teacher! Everything of course is not perfect but I feel that you get from a situation what you put in. I work with the teacher that I have. They each have different styles - just as the kids do. I have found that almost all teachers are receptive and care about the students. It is a great place to learn and I am not an easy person to please. I have never met a better principal - truly gifted in what he does. My children are both very different - one in GATE, the other has some academic challenges. The school has handled both situations exceptionally. For example, my son was struggling on his math tests, due to inattention and he now takes his tests in the principals office & he has rec'd 100 on both of his last tests. My daughter recently applied to some private high schools & both principal and teachers wrote numerous ltrs of recomm. without any hassle. Truly a "Great School."
—Submitted by a parent

Getting good teachers is pure luck here. My son has bad core teachers (4hr/day) two years in a row and it's taking tow on his attitude and motivation to learn. Lacking teaching spirit is probably the big downfall. When my son was absent, he got zero for homework the next day. Forget trying to redo any work, the teachers just say "nice try". My son also has a math teacher who doesn't check the students' homework. And when students don't do well, it's just too bad. How in the world will the students do well on the test if they don't know whether their homework is correct. Oh, the kids can come and ask if they have questions. I guess they could but I don't see 12 year olds rushing from class to class doing this. The school also has a great website where teachers can post their homework and grades for the parents. Some teachers don't participate and write homework on the board. Sometimes the homework verbally changed, but the board didn't change. And it resulted in an incomplete homework. Too much to list of how uncaring some teachers can be. We want to train our kids to be independent, but it also has to be motivating. They are in middle school - not college!
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter is doing very well at Dwyer. Is it Dwyer or her? She's in GATE and scores very high in standardized tests. The GATE program at Dwyer is very good in that it requires the students to show initiative and take responsibility. She works very hard on her school work to achieve her results. She is taking Algebra in 7th while one of her friends who was good in math in elementary school is now struggling in basic math, which I find puzzling. The school offers many levels of math for 7th graders, from algebra, pre-algebra, math and basic math [my son took math in 7th & pre-algebra in 8th].
—Submitted by a parent

I love it here, especially the teachers and other staffs. But the students here can be disrespectful, mean, and some even say inappropriate things.

Interesting to read other reviews and know our experience has been completely different with this school and principal. My child was placed in inappropriate class 2 years in a row she could not keep up with and my phone calls and emails regarding the matter were not returned and now she faces having to repeat them in high school. 2 quarters last year she received inaccurate grades on her report card from careless teachers looking only to their own retirement and caring not about their "oopsie". Now we can only hope it doesn't affect her placement next year. I think she's actually dumber having attended here. My little girl learned from this school that she's just a girl and she does not matter. Great lessons for the 21st century Dwyer. I couldn't be happier she won't go there next year!
—Submitted by a parent

Dwyer was an excellent school. My daughter learned so much and made tons of friends that have lasted through the years. They care about the students, the teachers & the community and we were proud to be Jr. Oilers :)
—Submitted by a parent

ethel dwyer middle school is awesome and the kids teachers and everybody else are super!
—Submitted by a parent

Dwyer is an excellant Middle School. This starts at the top with an amazing Principal, Don Rusinger. I have seen him reach out and change the direction of children that were at a crossroads in their lives., He is open to all activities that reflects the diversity of the student population. He is a great communicator and a beloved fisture in our community. We love Dwyer.
—Submitted by a parent

i love this school and i will miss it after this year because i am in 8th grade and i went here all three years!! I Dwyer!!
—Submitted by a student

I really like it here, it's nice and pretty much clean. Activities are fun, and the classes aren't TOO hard. Except for Mrs. Durbin :P but she's nice : D
—Submitted by a student

The principal, Mr. Ruisinger, is the most organized, involved and hoest pricipal I have ever met. Every Sunday night we get a message from him saying what to expect in the coming week. He is upfront about the budget challenges the school faces and handles bullies immediately and thoroughly. I do not have one bad thing to say about this great school. It is meeting it's challenges and exceeding it's goals.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter and my Niece both go to Ethel Dwyer Middle School. this is 6th, 7th and 8th grade. The teachers are wonderful, the principal is very involved with the student and teachers and sends out phone calls at least once a week as well as daily emails to all the parents with updates and activities with the school. Wonderful School!
—Submitted by a parent

Dwyer rocks! They have the best staff and students.
—Submitted by a student

4 Stars, great staff and friendly atmosphere.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Dwyer is a great and pro active middle school. We are a distinguished school. We also have successful sports teams.
—Submitted by a student

I think that Dwyer is an excellent school. Most of the teachers seem very enthusiastic and positive. There are many opportunities for extracurricular involvement in sports and other activities. We wish there was a better band program and a girls softball team, but overall the school, teachers and principal are fantastic!
—Submitted by Maria Santopoalo, a parent

My daughter attends this school and she dislikes the student attidtude, but the teachers are okay. The students are typical spoiled beach kids and can be mean.
—Submitted by a student

Dwyer Middle School has wonderful honors and gate programs. The Language Arts, Math, and History teachers are experiened, caring , and make the student want to learn. The pricnipal is new this year and is still feeling his way. The remodeling of the school has diminished some of the extra programs this year. The music program is good but not as well funded or extensive as Sower's it's cross town rival. I feel my son has gotten a good education here but wish that the school was more committed to parent communication and partication.
—Submitted by a parent

Some excellent teachers. My kids hated it. My daughter calls it the 'evil Fortress.'
—Submitted by a parent