Parkway Middle School

My son had Mrs.Hjalmerson last year & she was wonderful. She always encouraged him & she has an extensive art backround which enhanced his English experience. She's AWESOME!!!
--Submitted by a parent

The school is o.k. but there is one teacher who is very mean to the students, Mrs. Hjalmerson. Every student i know,who has this teacher is sad that they have her as a teacher. Also the parents don't seem to like her either

This school is awesome I met the love of my life there! But overall it's amazing Parkway just turned 50! Woohoo!!! Bit yeah great teachers, they give amazing help!

My son was at Parkway 6th through 8th grade, and my daughter is now in her second year at Parkway. Overall, we have been very happy. There are many exceptional teachers that do a great job. Unfortunately, there are also some that are just adequate. We did have some issues with bullying but the vice principal and counselors were responsive and it was resolved quickly. Any concerns that I raised to the principal, vice principal, counselor or teachers was addressed promptly and satisfactorily. Sadly, the budget cuts have hurt Parkway as well as all the schools in the district.
--Submitted by a parent

The bullying just seems to continue on a daily basis. My niece reports it to her counselor and nothing NOTHING is being done about it. Our own president recently had a forum on bullying so why isnt anything being done to correct it. How do they expect our children to learn when they are treated like this everyday. These students are in the same classroom and the school wont change any schedules. Also if your student is in the last lunch period, the school runs out of food. This has happened more than once.

Since last year, the quality of band has gone down 200% thanks to the unqualified new conductor. The yearbook class let all kinds of honor students in, yet they don't take the best (student of the year). The seventh grade teachers give no warning as to how difficult eighth grade is. The PE program is horrible because there are only three or four coaches trying to supervise a HUGE field, and they don't even supervise. As a student, the only class I enjoy at the moment is history because I have a teacher who explains everything clearly and makes it so we understand the subject. I'm struggling in everything else due to disruptive students and poor quality of the ways the teachers teach. I entered eighth grade totally unprepared for how hard it was.

Excellent academic preparation as well as ppromoting character education.

We are very happy with Parkway Middle School because the teachers really listen to the parents when there is a concern, they always call me back or email me within 24 hours and our counselor Shannon Johnson is wonderful! My son feels very comfortable seeking her out for help and to talk to when he's feeling overwhelmed and she really cares.
--Submitted by a parent

Mr. Mollenkopf, the band teacher, has a great program. It's about the only thing about the school we like. The P.E. program is excellent, but try telling the kids that. Academically the place is a mess. The 'House' system guarantees that a student won't have access to the best and most appropriate teachers for that students needs, because sticking with 'house' teachers is more important than student learning outcomes. The principal and counselors are completely disinterested in anything that doesn't involve the dress code or bullying. At least there's no bullying from other students!! I can't say as much for the treatment that parents receive.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended Parkway for all of the sixth grade. The school was clean and orderly from all appearances. It came to my attention on orientation day that there were 35 students in my daughters math class. Despite assurances that this would be corrected- by years end there were 39 students. Mr Chase had only 45 minutes to spend with these children each day. Poor judgement by the administration led to willfull overadmittance of students. The school is paid per student. . .you figure it out. My daughter struggled all thru 6th grade math despite two separate tutors and daily parental support. I am anxious to see how student population is affected given the layoffs of 09 in the coming school year.
--Submitted by a parent