La Paz Intermediate School

Excellent. I am very happy with this school. My son just graduated from the school. He has gain the skills and confidence he needs to prepare for high school. The teachers are 6 stars. Everything was super, including the fun sports activities during lunch time. Best pick intermediate school.
—Submitted by a parent

with only two years of middle school & 900+ students, people have a variety of experiences. My sensitive 7th grader had an easy entry b/c of the WEB program (Where Everyone Belongs) & that La Paz places all students in groups- "tribe, village, or camp"- where they share the same teachers. Yes, there will be some students who tease & bully others, & you may not like a teacher anywhere, but the school culture matters. Staff involvement in school activities was great (even after school--better than our top-rated elementary school!) & when my student had a tough time, the school counselor, VP, & teachers were extremely helpful. Love the music program (band w/ Mr Robbins-- I hear great things about orchestra too). Since it is a daily class, with performances at night, kids feel a part of something special. (I hear similar things about Drama, & the Arts electives from other parents.). The key for me is parent involvement, & since many struggle to find a balance b/t allowing their tween some space yet staying involved, it's sometimes lacking. Office staff are very helpful, the principal (Ms Carroll) is amazing, with just the right amount of the "cool" factor for the kids & authority.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student in the seventh grade at la paz. It is a great school, and has the best teachers in the state. It would be very hard to find a better than this. All of the classes are really intense, though, and require a lot of effort and focus. But it's because of the intensity of the school that I've learned so much. The teacher are really involved, and they're constantly doing things to make the experience at La Paz more enjoyable. This would be a great school option. Trust me
—Submitted by a student

I don't care for this intermediate school. My daughter went there for 7th grade and will be attending La Paz for 8th grade also. There are two things that bothered my husband and I. 1. P.E. was all fun and games and not much exercise involved. 2. There are no honors classes for 7th grade so our daughter was required to complete regular class work as well as honors work. We feel they should offer honors classes for 7th grade. Our former school district, Newport/Mesa, placed her in all honors classes but when we moved to MV we found out they didn't offer honors for 7th grade only extra honors work. Now she will be going into 8th grade honors. I have to say the teachers are great. We just don't care for the school districts policies.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student at La Paz.I'm in the 8th grade there. And I am in Theater production. Wow! Theater is so much fun, it's a really good department at La Paz to get in to. Mrs. Doherty, the drama teacher, is amazing. We put on excellent shows! The campus is very clean and safe. At lunch we have lots going on with ASB! The teachers are also great as well and help you to the best of their ability! This year we got a new principal, and she is really nice! You always feel welcomed at La Paz, it's really cool!
—Submitted by a student

I am a student at La Paz, I'm in eighth grade. La Paz has one of the best music programs in the district; and I just happen to be in it. The music teacher, Mr Robbins, is amazing. I am in orchestra, and it is so much fun! The La Paz orchestra rocks!
—Submitted by a student

Teachers and counselors are very involved. Each child is given individual attention. The downside...The school is old and too small for the student population. School lunches are not nutritional.
—Submitted by Tina Castillo, a parent

A dedicated Principal and staff makes all the difference. Online grades, homework, and communication helps keep parents and students up to date. This eliminates many excuses to common problems. La Paz is still an intermediate school with a huge teen population, that no one can control completely, but they work hard on focusing the students in a positive manner. Parents still need to be held responsible for backing the school towards this focus.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student at La Paz. I am in 8th grade and I think that La Paz is a great school. This school has a very cool program called Student Aideing. I am currently an Office aide. I think working in the office for one period is a great way to prepare for the future. -Phil Defibaugh
—Submitted by Phil Defibaugh, a student

The Principal, Mr. Mucerino sets the tone for this school and is intensly involved with every aspect from monitoring the flow of traffic around the school to encouraging communication between parents, teachers and himself. The Grades Online and Teacher Web Pages allow the parents to be involved completely, while giving the students the chance to monitor their own progress, track their assignments and communicate effectively with their teachers without fear or embarrassment. The quality of teachers and their unique styles and approaches to teaching have far exceeded my expectations and I cannot say enough positive things about La Paz Middle School. I really do feel that the Principal sets the tone of the school and it's obvious that Mr. Mucerino has put his heart and soul into this one.
—Submitted by Christina Miller, a parent