Isaac L. Sowers Middle School

Sad to read the email posted by a teacher - sounds very one-sided, as I have attended the PTSA meetings and they always have a teacher rep and a student rep at every meeting. (When PTSA has their evening meetings, there are never any additional teachers in attendance.) The goal of the PTSA is only to enrich the school by assisting in the needs that are identified by the principal and the staff. Sowers does a great job in working with all of the students and their unique "tween to teen" needs. I do wish the administration would look closer at what makes a student GATE and who is truly the best educator for GATE students. Just because someone has been doing something for a long time does not qualify them for this position.
—Submitted by a parent

Teachers do a great job based on what they are given. Parent involvement is to an extreme in doing what they want and not asking the staff of their needs. The so call PTSA is known as PA - when meetings are held they are during hours inwhich Teachers and Students can not participate. Parents need to understand they are here to serve the staff so that the staff can serve the students.
—Submitted by a teacher

Both of our children went to this school. They loved their friends and teachers. It's definitely one of the best middle schools in the area. They are well prepared for Edison High. We were very happy with the program. Thank you teachers and involved parents!
—Submitted by a parent

I have put two children through Sowers over the past 6 consecutive years. Sowers has below average facilities. Although the school was just modernized, it lacks a gymnasium. They also rely on many portables for classroom space. There are some really good teachers there, but the majority of the teachers that my children had were either completely burnt out or brand new and barely qualified. The management staff (principal and assistant principals) do a poor job of communicating with parents, unless its a robo-call about the latest fundraiser. You will get those nightly. The office secretarial staff is very kind, caring and helpful.
—Submitted by a parent

This is probably one of the best schools I have ever been to.I am in the 7th grade and everything is excellent at this school. Although the principal lacks leadership, many of the teachers are friendly, caring, and shows the enthusiasm they need to teach kids at a school. The electives were amazing. Marine Biology was the best of all since we got to go to Catalina Island, and whale watching. Other Electives like computers or Spanish, are excellent if you want to get ahead of the game. The student body is really nice and its easy to make friends. The rules actually make sense rather than at other schools. Make your child's life a joy and go to Sowers!

I went to Sowers 2 years ago and I'm now a sophomore at Edison High School. I actually had a very good experience here and I loved all of my teachers. Although I did recieve a lot of homework at the time, it really did prepare me for high school and I am very grateful for that. I was challenged in different subjects, especially in my English/History class. I feel like all of my teachers prepared me as best as they could for when I moved on to Edison. I must say though that I was never particularily fond of the principal, but I believe that was only because she was new my 7th grade year. Overall I really did enjoy my time at Sowers and I think other kids will too.

Sowers is pretty darn great. All the teachers are either fabulous or okay. We do get a lot of homework, but for a middle school that can be expected. There aren't really cliques here either - some are more popular than others, but lots of people are very accepting and anyone will be able to feel welcome here. The only other thing is, there's a lot of excessive swearing, etc. But that can also be expected for a middle school.

this school is the best school ever! Fantastic, hard working teachers who put all their attention to you. no student should have to worry about not getting enough attention. i went to this school and i improved alot. i will never forget this great experiance! the new principle is wonderful. she does a phenomenal job keeping this school running safe. we are the vikings. go to this school!

school is okaay, it needs to be remodeled and a lot of the 8th graders have bad habits. the 7th graders are mostly good theres a few that drink & smoke and stuff. the 6th graders are pretty good i think. this is how our schooll works: if your annoying, your hated. if u do soemthign wrong, your hated. if your popular, your loved. a lot of the people i know are riich fake kids that act different around everyone and there whole life is a lie. the teachers a good thoughh. if i could i would leave the school and go to a really nice provate school or soemthing..
—Submitted by a student

this school is ok the only good teachers i like are Mr. Mendrin and Ms. Monaghan other than that the teachers are pretty bad... but i <3 all my friends
—Submitted by a student

I dislike this school very greatly. The teachers expect us to do tons of homework, and say that it is only for one class. The kids here are bully's and... dumb!
—Submitted by a student

The principal lacks leadership. She does a good job on school's safety. Other than that, Sowers is getting worse than ever. Teachers lack incentives. They take the easy route by giving easier classroom materials, less writing homework, easier tests to boost up students' grades and light lectures. PTA is not as strong & aggressive as before.
—Submitted by a parent

Sowers is a student-first school. They take extra care with the kids' safety when heading to and from school and have great teachers making it a great place to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

Our school has the most amazing teachers. This is our 2nd year at Sowers,This will definately be a time in my sons life he will always remember. Has great friends and teachers. Thankyou Sowers....
—Submitted by a parent

There are incredible teachers at Isaac L. Sowers Middle school and it wouldn't been the same if we didn't have teachers that care!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter went here and it was the worst experience of her life. Kids were mean, teachers didn't really teach, and alot of homework that most of the kids did not understand. If you are thinking about putting your child threw hell then send them to Sowers
—Submitted by a parent

I am not happy with many of the teachers here. They simply do not teach. I am sure this is a no big secret since every student in this school can give you a list of lazy teachers. There are a few excellent teachers whom I heard aren't popular among the kids and even among the administration. I am not sure if the new principal realizes she really needs to look into those lousy teachers and know exactly what they are teaching daily in the classrooms. After all, this was a Blue Ribbon school.
—Submitted by a parent

wow great staff from teachers to administration, I have three kids go through the sowers system.
—Submitted by a parent

My third child is in 8th grade and the staff at Sowers has been terrific to each and every one of them. Each child was different and some needed more help and discipline than the others. The staff understood each child's needs and gave them the appropriate attention necessary to ensure their success. The prior principal was wonderful to the students and will be greatly missed. Two of my three children went thru the GATE program, so I can say with experience that GATE or no GATE, the staff at Sowers has the children's best interest and education at heart.
—Submitted by a parent

Sowers has great fun electives and after school programs
—Submitted by a student