Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School

Love this school! My second child is in 7th grade and we chose Holmes based on the positive experiences we had when our first child attended. Best kept secret in the valley! Great teachers and an amazing new Principal!
—Submitted by a parent

my children are in grade 6 in the SAS program. The school is perfect, but the problem is some of the teachers. I heard that some teachers yell at the kids. Teachers also do not explain assignments or homework to do. Each class must be supervised so they do not have these problems. Otherwise the school is perfect and the programs they have are excellent. There are teachers that are excellent and love their jobs.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is in 8th grade at Holmes, and it's been a great experience overall. Some bullying in 6th grade, but it's almost disappeared entirely by 8th grade. I don't know what the 1/23/12 poster is talking about. Jeans are a part of the written dress code; my child wears them every single day. Also, her classmates participate in after school sports and teams. They have lockers, but they don't use them for a reason. I'm sorry this child was bullied and left after one day, but in my child's experience Holmes has been good about disciplining bullies. I've found that, although they are urged to let teachers know about bullying, many kids don't, for fear of being labeled a "snitch."
—Submitted by a parent

Just might possibly be the worst school ever. Scratch that, it is DEFINITELY the worst school ever! I came from private school (big mistake) and only lasted a day until I was offered drugs, bullied, and yelled at by a teacher (profanities). I tried the next day, and it was even worse. I had a kid in my HONORS ENGLISH class who literally knew NO english whatsoever. So my teacher translated to spanish. There were no sports teams, after school activities, or lockers. Not even books for everyone. There are just about a million kids who are all mean. I have no trouble making friends but people were SO mean! The food was horrid, and you can't wear jeans! (?????) I ended up crying and going back to my school that I am so happy to have. PLEASE DO NOT send your kids here!

I am digusted with the treatment of my child! This is my third child to go through this school. Last year my daughter had the best English teacher and the best Algebra teacher. I was hoping that my youngest would have the same experience. Instead, his 7th grade year has been disappointing and traumatizing! Some crazy woman who is allowed to insult and belittle the students has taken over the honor English, and my sons math class has been changed three times! There are hardly any electives or activities. Although my other two children had great experiences at Holmes...this year leaves a lot to be desired.
—Submitted by a parent

My son came here in the 7th grade and is now an 8th grader. With the expception of 1 teacher last year, his teachers have been awesome! Especially this year. He is in 2 honors classes and the rest of his classes he has excelled in. He also is involved in the after school sports programs and loves them as well. His councilor is great and very on top of it.
—Submitted by a parent

Horrible school. Have taken my children out. Rude unresponsive admin staff and terrible teachers who think nothing of yelling or grabbing the children.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a 6th grader at this school for 2010-2011. This school is a very strict school. Most teachers violently scream at the students. The attendance office staff are rude and disrespectful to students and parents. Although some of the other staff and teachers treat kids nicely. This school thinks that they are doing the right thing but in reality they are disrespecting the students! also teachers will asume you did everything bad and you did the the bad things. i suggest DO NOT take your children to this school. And this is out of my own expirience.

I am a 6th grader at Holmes Middle School and i am here to tell you something from the inside. Students talk about inapprobriate things. They also use foul language. If you believed what they said you would not want your children to attend. As a 6th grader i hear a lot of things and to tell truth it was gross! The teacher do not support children and they yell at them. They are aggresively strict. if your child didn't even do anything the teachers would find a way to blame it on them. I am telling you for your own good. That's what I think of MY school. Also the P.E teachers are really strict too. I once took a long time changing and one of the teachers threatened to keep me after schoool to sweep. I am a girl. In conclusion send your kids to a different school 2011

If your child is going into 8th Grade and needs RSP, watch out - the RSP teacher is terrible. And they have yet another new principal - the current one didn't even stay 3 years but is apparently moving to VRHS #4. I am an involved parent but am so glad to be out of there!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attends this school, is in the 6th grade SAS portion of the student body. So far, so good. She has made new friends, and has kept in touch with her grade school ones as well. The teacher's that she currently has, have been very supportive, and she is very happy. I will not tolerate bullying or ineffective teachers. If you are involved, you will receive what you need. Do not be a complacent parent. Get involved with activities, and participate in all fundraisers.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student at Holmes MS. I have been tormented by a few classmates, and other kids in the school who I have never met before. Some teachers use profanity in the classrooms. Though the SAS Program is excellent when it comes to academics, some teachers are inexperience, and the curriculum seems to difficult for them to handle themselves. The Magnet Program in good as well, but they offer the same curriculum as the Regular students. The teachers should be more aware to what's happening outside of the classrooms too, as well as the inside.

I am currently attending this school as a sixth grader for the fall semester.I have been attending this school for 4 months, I am in the SAS program and it is wonderful.This school is a great school, but there are problems with some of the SAS teachers that I have. My English and History teacher (I will not mention a name) uses bad language around the classes and constantly tells us that we are more stupid then her other class.Now my Math and Science teacher she throws pencils out of the classroom from across the room if she hears you playing with it, and tells us that we are always behind her advisory class. Now my P.E teacher is great! And my old elective teacher was funny!( but still kept the class under control) But my other teachers including my current elective teacher tells us that they always talk about us and say how horrible we are and say our names. Now I'm not saying you child should not attend this school, I'm saying is that there are some problems with the teachers in the SAS program, but besides all of that the school is great! =3

i this school !! i only been here for a month and love it ! tho some of the kids are very mean and talk behind your back . i have 5 teachers ! and its wonderful ! im not one of thoses kids with 4 teachers and its boring ! its exciting ! I have : Mrs.Arellano Mr green Mr Smith Mrs Zagnoli and Mr Burk and they are WONDERFUL :))

i just graduated this wonderful school as the class of 2010 royals and for every parent that sends there kid to this school it well make your kid happy and the parent happy because your kids grades well go up these school has the best teachers and wonderful staff members that well help you at any time you need them

My daughter attends the magnet program at Holmes. It is great!!!! She is challenged every day and the teachers are awesome. Great parent/teacher communication! If I ever have any question or concearns her teachers will be there at my first request! She is being taught not only the core education skills but morals as well! She has grown so much since starting at Holmes in the 6th grade. Coming from a private school I couldn't have made a better choice!
—Submitted by a parent

I use to go to Holmes last year and plaese trust me when I say it is the scholl for you. Forstarters my grades improved drastically when I came here and all the teachers are very good. The parent involvement should be 5 our grad night was going to be cancelled but the PTSA managedd to save us and we got it back. I t is very safe the dean is very strict but helpful.The principal is trying to do his best. Oh and the honors program has test courdse way up high.
—Submitted by a student

My daughters was extremely happy at Homes Middle School. I was always hoping I could say that. The physical aspects of the campus are so beautiful, giving the students a great sense of pride. The teachers are challenging yet supportive and focused. My daughter had access to tutoring and loved doing the majority of the class projects in school working with her classmates and sharing concepts and ideas. She is more self motivated than ever and really looking forward to high school!
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attends the humanities magnet. Team teaching and inter-disciplinary projects have kept her interest. Administration and teaching staff work have had great success as illustrated by test scores. But the bottom line is that my middle schooler has had a mostly happy three years here, and that makes ME happy.
—Submitted by a parent

We have not had a good experience at this school. Our son has ADHD and we have not been able to get the appropriate support from the teachers and administrators. In spite of being highly gifted he has been struggling since the 6th grade. He has been unhappy except for being with his friends. We wish he could have had a better experience in middle school.
—Submitted by a parent