Oak Grove Middle School

I have had 2 children attend Oak Grove in the last 4 years, both under former and current principals. As of right now, I feel that OGMS is on a major upward swing after many years of failing leadership. Mrs. Bystedt, cares about her students, enough to get to the bottom of most issues. The staff is open to more after school activities, which enhance the overall student experiences. This a superior school with all that it physically takes to succeed! I feel that too much attention is paid to Show Choir, which only appeals to a small percentage of students, and that spreading out the funding to more programs would be more beneficial to more of the general student population. Continuing on the current path of expanding after school activities, offering a homework club, and more music an art would be wonderful, and it is being promised for the 2011-12 school year! Go Oak Grove! We are a great community, and hearing about the forward progress is wonderful! keep it up - Continuing to have JAM supporting the arts, after school stick ball and Cross country, thanks to the teachers who go the extra mile!! You can once again be a distinguished school, and this is how you get there! Good Job!
--Submitted by a parent

I was a parent of an Oak Grove student until the middle of last year when I felt the need to find another place for education. My child was being bullied and was tense and fearful much of the time. Nothing much was being done to alleviate the situation. However, Once away from the difficult environment, grades went from C's and D's to A's and B's. This year we have found an awesome charter school and grades are now all A's. My child is happy and thriving away from Oak Grove. It's sad because I'd really like to support the local community school and it certainly would be more convenient but I just can't. I hope they can regain what they had ten or fifteen years ago when they were a distinguished school, until then my kids won't be there.

Oak Grove is great small community orientated school. It has a very warm, caring and safe environment filled with many dedicated teachers and supportive parents. It has an excellent history program which wins top awards in the county, state and nation.
--Submitted by a parent

WOW - what amazing scores - Kudos the the leadership of the school (Principal/Asst. Principal) - the positive environment that they have created has had an incredible impact on the teachers and students. This is reflected, without room for debate, in the nearly 10 point gain in test scores! Awesome Job!

My son and daughter have started their first day of the 2009 school year, and already one of them has felt ashamed and talked down to by the assistant principal. I am sad that we will have to look to the charter school in the area, The Learning Choice, to support our children with both their academics and self-esteem. On the other hand, the teachers are of first rate quality, especially Mr. East.
--Submitted by a parent

This school has been a big disappointment. Our sixth grader needs accelerated learning opportunities which have not been available. Its outstanding music program dramatically deteriorated while my child was here, so that it is at best mediocre currently. The special advanced math class for 6th grade was cancelled, and the caliber of most of his English teachers has been shockingly poor. It has therefore has presented disavantages to our family. It is a shame that so many quality staff left along with the former superintendent. We really miss the former principal, Mrs. Lopez, as well.'
--Submitted by a parent

i am not happy with the principal . She has made unnecessary rules as if we were in kindergarden. How are we supposed to learn to make good decisions if we aren't allowed to make any? There is not school spirit anymore. Also show choir has suffered. Why weren't we allowed to have our Fall Spooktacular? Rules should be looked at first and not just followed because they are there already. Why Why Why?
--Submitted by a student

Oak Grove middle school is awesome... and Mr. East is the best teacher ever.
--Submitted by a parent

I want to say that my child has not thived at Oak Grove. I cannot blame the school, nor the teachers, but the system. I am so dissolutioned with our schools here is CA. But, the most important thing about Oak Grove is the location. It is safe, clean, and beatiful. I would strongly suggest visting the school on an average school day. Check it out for yourself.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a California Distinguished School. The only middle school in the county to receive this honor. High quality music,art and athletic programs, great teachersn and kids.
--Submitted by a staff